Galway and Donegal should flex All-Ireland muscle

Last weekend we saw a couple of teams with All-Ireland ambitions get a first championship run out, but what we can deduce of their title credentials is hard to tell.

Con O'Callaghan was the key figure in Aughrim as the Dubs laboured to victory. There are a host of new names in the team, but for whatever reason, collectively they failed to impress. Meath next time out won’t fear Dessie Farrell’s side when they lock horns in Portlaoise, but I agree with Peter Canavan’s view that with Con in the side, there remains a gulf in class between them and the rest in Leinster.

Tyrone got past a Cavan side that really disappointed me. Unusually for an Ulster clash, there seemed to be very little fight in them and in truth, it wasn’t the most enjoyable spectacle. Tyrone were a cut above and never looked seriously troubled. The main takeaway was the form of Kieran McGeary.

In Mayo we know only too well of what he is capable of, the player of the year winner inspiring his team to All-Ireland glory at our expense in 2021. I marked him a number of times down through the years when he operated more as an auxililary forward, but he moved into something of a hybrid role that year – similar to Peter Harte in many ways – and was sensational all year.

Kieran McGeary was player of the match in the Ulster victory over Cavan

He kicked an outstanding point in that final and while we had our homework on him done, nullifying him was another matter entirely. After a difficult time since, he looks back to his best. Throw in a returning Darragh Canavan and Tyrone’s ceiling is high as they look to topple Armagh next time out.

This weekend sees the other side of the Ulster draw and I just can’t see past Donegal when they take on Monaghan.

The buzz around them reminds me of their 2012 journey to All-Ireland glory, but I feel they have a better panel. Finbarr Roarty, Ciaran Moore, Peadar Mogan and Ryan McHugh bring such energy to their defence and the fitness levels of the team in general is off the charts.

Dáire Ó Baoill hit 1-04 against Derry last time out

Daire Ó Baoill is in the form of his life, All-Star Oisin Gallen is trying to force his way back into the team and Michael Murphy looks so energised. He is back as he sees something special in this group. The options for Jim McGuinness are considerable.

Monaghan are still in a development stage. My old team-mate Andy Moran is making an impression as part of the backroom team, but Donegal are much further down the road. Jim McGuinness' only loss in Ulster as Donegal manager was to the Farney men in the 2013 decider, but I just don't see a similar result in Clones.

Should they win, it will be Fermanagh or Down in the last four and a David v Goliath clash. The Mourne men have the safety blanket of being guaranteed Sam Maguire football courtesy of their Tailteann Cup success, and I see them getting past the Erne men.

Cork have kept the scoreline down in recent seasons against Kerry, but despite home advantage in Saturday’s Munster semi-final, I can’t see anything other than a comfortable away win.

The Kingdom, and David Clifford in particular, look hungry. They are under pressure every year to deliver, but especially this year given how the semi-final with Armagh tailed off in 2024. Clifford junior has had a rare break and enjoyed a successful league campaign. That to me spells trouble for the Rebels, but arguably of greater concern is the fact his older brother, partly in the absence of Seanie O’Shea, has become the focal point of their attack.

Paudie Clifford takes on the Cork defence during last year's championship meeting

He is the conductor pf the orchestra at centre-forward. Cork might be tempted to put their best marker on him, but leaves headaches elsewhere. Paul Geaney has caused Cork huge problems in the past, while the Dr Crokes pair of Tony Brosnan and Micheál Burns get better as the grounds firm up.

Diarmuid O’Connor seems to be ruled out, but when he returns, midfield looks secure as Joe O’Connor has been immense. Defensively there are questions that will be asked of them, but I simply can’t see enough of them being posed by Cork.

John Cleary’s side have lost a few players, but are they any better than they were last year? I’m not so sure. A middling league didn’t suggest they are poised for significant improvement in 2025. The spread is eight points and I can't see Cork doing better than the handicap.

In Connacht I can’t see anything other than a Galway – Mayo final. Predicting a Mayo win in Carrick-on-Shannon is hardly going out on a limb. Anything other than a comfortable victory for the visitors would be a major surprise, but these games tend to be lose-lose. If you hammer inferior opposition, it’s only as expected, while a below-par display has the critics out in force.

Kevin McStay is under some pressure in Year 3 and a provincial title would be huge for this group of players to build confidence. Not many see them in the All-Ireland shake-up, but silverware on the board would be a massive platform.

On the other hand, Galway remind me of the Mayo teams I played in for a lot of my career, where the focus is simply the All-Ireland. That’s not to say they won’t take Connacht lightly, but everything is with July in mind.

I just can’t see Roscommon leaving Pearse Stadium with a win. There is serious depth to the Galway panel and the prospect of Damien Comer and Shane Walsh hitting form at the same time – so often it is one or the other through form or injury – is a daunting one for opposition defences.

John Maher was shortlisted for the 2024 Footballer of the Year

It seems like John Maher’s ankle injury suffered against New York isn’t as bad as initially feared. I think he is the player Galway can least afford to lose as he brings so much to the table; power, shooting accuracy, link play and an ability to win primary possession.

The Rossies are in a funny place. They are back in Division 1, but there seems to be an air of negativity around them at present. I have said it so many times, but their attacking unit is the envy of so many counties. They have so many incisive forwards and a raft of shooters.

My main concern for Davy Burke’s side is at the other end and they don’t appear to have tightened up enough to halt Galway’s gallop this weekend.

Watch Roscommon v Galway in the Connacht Football Championship on Sunday from 3.45pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1

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