All-Ireland quarter-final predictions: The Irish News’ sports team gives their expert view

Four All-Ireland Football Championship semi-final spots are up for grabs this weekend but who will take them?

Donegal v Monaghan

(Saturday, Croke Park, 4pm, GAA+)

Donegal beat Monaghan in the Ulster Championship. Picture by Oliver McVeigh

Kenny Archer

Monaghan are a very good team, with no fear of these opponents – but Donegal are better. Jim McGuinness’s men will also be driven on by a feeling of ‘us against the CCCC’. Their six-day gap compared to Monaghan’s fortnight will be a factor but the Tir Chonaill team have the quality to seal a semi-final place.

Neil Loughran

It will be a question of who learned more from their Ulster SFC quarter-final clash a few months back.

Monaghan did so much right that day, but Donegal held firm. Jim McGuinness’s men have remained the masters of control, even under the new dispensation afforded by the FRC rule changes.

They have been solid, unspectacular - but they Tir Chonaill are still ticking off one win after another. It is hard to shake the sense they will find just enough to add Monaghan to their growing list of championship casualties.

Read more:

Monaghan v Donegal: Tickets, how to watch, throw-in time and other match details as all-Ulster derby gets second act in Croke Park

Gabriel Bannigan ‘couldn’t ask for anything more’ of his Monaghan players as they seal All-Ireland quarter-final spot

Jim McGuinness siege-mentality rallying Donegal troops for All-Ireland quarter-final clash against Monaghan

Brendan Crossan

THERE’S something about Monaghan that makes you hesitate regardless of who they’re playing. They pushed Donegal all the way in Ulster back in April and almost clawed back a six-point interval deficit until all hell broke loose over the sound of the hooter.

Monaghan are fresher. Donegal are playing well in patches but they’re just not firing on all cylinders. But this is the time and place to do it. Their spread of scores tips it in Donegal’s favour.

Andy Watters

JIM McGuinness has given out about fixture scheduling but his team is going nicely. No serious injury problems and they got past Louth last Sunday with no alarms.

They have options in the middle, their defence is performing well and Oisin Gallen is finding form up front alongside Conor O’Donnell.

As for Monaghan, write them off at your peril. Gary Mohan’s fitness is a big plus because that allows Andrew Woods to move to full-forward and take the physical load off Monaghan’s quick forwards like Micheal Bannigan and Stephen O’Hanlon.

However, I still think Donegal have enough up front to edge it.

Cahair O’Kane

Expect that after all the discussion, Donegal will slow their game to a pace that is to their liking. They’ll want to make Monaghan impatient and rash. Monaghan troubled then in Ulster and will do again, but I’m just not sure Gabriel Bannigan’s side will be able to dictate the game’s flow well enough to win it.

Both Tyrone and Dublin have struggled for consistency this season Picture: Oliver McVeigh

Dublin v Tyrone

(Saturday, Croke Park, 6.15pm, GAA+)

Kenny Archer

Two teams in transition, both inconsistent in their Championship performances so far. Their best displays have come away (Tyrone in Donegal, Dublin in Galway) but home advantage will still help the Dubs to some extent. If Brian Kennedy and Padraig Hampsey last the game the Red Hands could progress, but Con O’Callaghan and Cormac Costello are taken to drive Dublin to victory.

Neil Loughran

The battle of the unpredictables.

Consistency has been an issue for both all year, therefore making it probably the toughest of all quarters to call.

Tyrone overpowered Dublin on the last day of the League, but they were fighting for their lives while the Dubs were fighting to not reach a League final.

The return of captain Brian Kennedy against Cavan was a huge boost; so too is the week’s break while Dublin slogged it out with Cork. Tyrone by three.

Read more:

Tyrone v Dublin: Match details, ticket info, how to watch and throw-in time as Red Hands take on Dubs for a semi-final spot

Seán Cavanagh: Brian Kennedy can handle Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne and Tyrone forward line could finally dazzle in Croke

‘Any day you’re given the Tyrone jersey it’s a privilege’- Peter Teague hopes his versatility can be an asset for Red Hands in Dublin clash

Brendan Crossan

TWO slow-burners and two teams that aren’t altogether fancied to go all the way this year. Which is music to the ears of Malachy O’Rourke and Dessie Farrell.

Both form lines have been a bit erratic to be trusted in any successful accumulator.

Do have Tyrone enough around the middle of the field to disrupt the Dubs? Can the Tyrone forward line finally click all at the one time? Tyrone by a couple of points but not with any great conviction.

Andy Watters

The winner will take massive confidence into the semi-finals.

Tyrone have gone to sleep since they won Sam in 2021. They’ll need big performances from Kennedy and Kilpatrick in midfield to shut out Dublin behemoth Peadar O’Cofaigh-Byrne. If they win enough ball, Darragh Canavan and Darren McCurry will relish the space Croke Park affords.

If not, it’s advantage Dublin particularly if Con O’Callaghan plays up with Cormac Costello. If O’Callaghan lasts the pace, I think Dublin can edge it.

Cahair O’Kane

Tyrone will really fancy a crack off Dublin, who look so vulnerable. Cork were well fit for an hour with them. It’ll be interesting to see how Tyrone approach it in Croker. You’d love to see them kick a bit of ball and test the Dublin defence in the spaces. Tyrone to do enough on Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne to win.

The fitness of star forward Shane Walsh will be key to Galway's chances against Meath Picture: Seamus Loughran (seamus loughran)

Galway v Meath

(Sunday, Croke Park, 1.45pm, RTÉ2)

Kenny Archer

A third quarter-final where the group winners will be slight outsiders in the betting. Meath’s win over Kerry arguably said more about the latter.

The Royals are an up-and-coming outfit but Galway have been better recently and should supply Rob Finnerty and Shane Walsh with the ammunition to fire their way into the last four.

Neil Loughran

Galway’s tails are up after successive victories over Armagh and Down - there is a lot to be said for finding momentum at this stage of the All-Ireland.

Meath will be well rested, and the fact they have already beaten Dublin and Kerry in this year’s Championship proves it will be no upset should they prevail on Sunday.

But, for all the issues they have had with their goalkeepers, Galway’s overall strength - allied to the depth of talent on their bench - suggests they should make it through to the last four.

Read more:

Meath v Galway: Throw-in time, how to watch, ticket info and other match details as the Royals face tough task against Tribe

‘We didn’t look like we’d be in the Championship at all - it’s great to be in this position now’: Shane Walsh insists Galway just where they want to be

Meath stun Kerry to book All-Ireland quarter-final spot

Brendan Crossan

AFTER taking down Dublin and Kerry, Meath will fear absolutely no-one. Robbie Brennan’s name is already up in neon lights after ending the Royal County’s 15-year winless run against Dublin. Their season is already a resounding success.

Everyone has an excuse when they’ve lost to Meath. Maybe Meath are just good.

But they’re not better than Galway. The Tribesmen are good all over the field – and have a set of forwards made for Croke Park. The Tribesmen to come through.

Andy Watters

THE Royals and their old rivals Down are the success stories of the season. They beat the Dubs in Leinster and Kerry in the All-Ireland series so they’ll fancy their chances against Galway on Sunday.

The Tribesmen got over the line against Down in a brilliant game last Sunday. Winning in Newry was no mean feat and the way they stood up to the Mourne County comeback was very impressive. Shane Walsh’s fitness will, as ever, be a major factor but I expect Galway to progress.

The return of Rian O'Neill has been a major boost for Armagh this season as they look to overcome Kerry in Croke Park again Picture: Seamus Loughran (seamus loughran)

Armagh v Kerry

(Sunday, Croke Park, 4pm, RTÉ2)

Kenny Archer

I haven’t been as confident about Kerry losing for 20 years. Then it was the All-Ireland Final, against Tyrone, who’d already proven they were the best team in Ireland by at last defeating…Armagh. Now the Orchardmen hold that title and the depth of talent in Kieran McGeeney’s squad should see them beat the Kingdom for the second season in a row.

Neil Loughran

It feels like some sort of trick of the mind that Kerry have convinced so many people that they are no-hopers.

The supporting cast may not be what it once was, but any team with Sean O’Shea and the Cliffords, David and Paudie, pose a serious threat.

Armagh, though, look so settled and strong. This one could go to extra-time, just like last year’s All-Ireland semi, but the Orchard’s greater depth can seal the deal once more.

Brendan Crossan

THERE have been all sorts of newspaper articles berating Kerry’s patchy performances to date with ex-players Darragh Ó Sé and Dara Ó Cinnéide aiming a few sling shots at the Kingdom.

They were missing a few key players against Meath, so Armagh can expect to face close to the best version of Kerry.

Refreshed from their well-earned two-week break, Armagh are primed for this quarter-final. They have more players coming back to full fitness and they can out-work and out-score Kerry for a second consecutive season.

Read more:

Armagh v Kerry: Match details, throw-in time, ticket info and how to watch as two heavyweights clash at Croker

‘There wasn’t an Armagh man who didn’t get a bit of meat put on him before the ball was even thrown-in...’ Aaron Kernan expecting Kerry to fight for every ball in All-Ireland quarter-final

Gavin White hoping for Croke Park bounce for Kerry ahead of showdown with All-Ireland champions Armagh

Andy Watters

DOWN in the Kingdom they’re hoping Croke Park will get the best out of their team. Is that wishful thinking? With David Clifford and Seanie O’Shea in the team, no defence is safe and Kerry will have Paudie Clifford and maybe Paul Geaney back.

But will they see enough ball? Diarmuid O’Connor is a massive loss in midfield where Armagh could go with Ben Crealey and Niall Grimley.

The Orchardmen machine – driven by the pace of Conaty, McQuillan and Jarly Óg Burns - will need to have an off day for Kerry to win this so I think Armagh will advance.

Cahair O’Kane

The closer it gets to Sunday, the less convinced I am that Armagh will beat Kerry. Armagh’s defensive injury worries coupled with Paudie Clifford’s return to fitness does alter the dynamic. But Armagh have been really good all over and they have depth nobody else can match. Gonna stick with them, just.

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