All-Ireland QFs: Armagh/Roscommon, Dublin/Galway, Donegal/Louth, Kerry/Derry

[armaghniac]

Can anyone see a pre-quarter final county winning next weekend? I just can't myself.
Derry would have been the best bet, but the extra time grind v Mayo has watered that down.

Galway could beat Donegal, if they manage to get their main players in operating order.
We aren't sure where Kerry are, if someone puts it up to them.
Armagh should beat Louth or Roscommon, but being favourites does not suit Armagh.

[pbat]

Think there will be one upset.

[imtommygunn]

Donegal and Armagh the most vulnerable I would say as Dublin Kerry a bit too strong.

Armagh v Louth or Roscommon you would expect Armagh but you wouldn't know.

Galway would put it up to Donegal if that happened. Couldn't see Kerry or Dublin being challenged though maybe Derry will be a different beast but don't think they're at that level.

[armaghniac]

Galway would put it up to Donegal if that happened. Couldn't see Kerry or Dublin being challenged though maybe Derry will be a different beast but don't think they're at that level.

Whether it is rankings, the bookies, or drawing a line through their recent games with Armagh, Galway and Donegal are pretty much on the same level, a Donegal v Galway game would be 50/50.

[imtommygunn]

Galway on their day a match for most. It depends who's fit wrt comer, finnerty etc though.

If Derry get Donegal I would say that's their best chance. Have a feeling they will get one of the other two though.

[armaghniac]

Galway on their day a match for most. It depends who's fit wrt comer, finnerty etc though.

If Derry get Donegal I would say that's their best chance. Have a feeling they will get one of the other two though.

As in the table in Post #33, Donegal are twice as likely to get Louth or Roscommon as the Div 1 teams. There is a good chance of Armagh and Donegal reaching the semis and playing Dublin and Kerry.

[Armagh18]

Galway on their day a match for most. It depends who's fit wrt comer, finnerty etc though.

If Derry get Donegal I would say that's their best chance. Have a feeling they will get one of the other two though.

As in the table in Post #33, Donegal are twice as likely to get Louth or Roscommon as the Div 1 teams. There is a good chance of Armagh and Donegal reaching the semis and playing Dublin and Kerry.

Would we have to be kept apart at that stage as provincial final pairing or would semi be open draw if that happened?

[armaghniac]

Galway on their day a match for most. It depends who's fit wrt comer, finnerty etc though.

If Derry get Donegal I would say that's their best chance. Have a feeling they will get one of the other two though.

As in the table in Post #33, Donegal are twice as likely to get Louth or Roscommon as the Div 1 teams. There is a good chance of Armagh and Donegal reaching the semis and playing Dublin and Kerry.

Would we have to be kept apart at that stage as provincial final pairing or would semi be open draw if that happened?

I think they would be kept apart, although if you asked them they might prefer to play each other. To be sure that Armagh would avoid Kerry and Dublin if they win then we need Louth to be drawn against Donegal and win.

[Jell 0 Biafra]

From a Dubs viewpoint, Cork would be the easiest draw we could get on paper.
Comer is the man I fear most. It was great to see him back yesterday, but only saw highlights so not sure how he was moving.   A fully fit Comer can destroy our full back line. Of course Walsh going off injured not good. They can never seem to get the full complement of their best players fully fit at the same time.

The extra week is a deserved advantage obtained by the group toppers, but is no guarantee of success.

Seems as if the preliminary quarters will be done away with next year so the extra week won't be a factor anymore.
If we draw Donegal we have a chance - if we draw Kerry or Dublin we have no chance.
That's the way I see it.

I think there's an uncertainty about how good Kerry are. But even if they are really good, I think they'll be vulnerable in the quarters as they've coasted to here, and if they get Galway or Derry, they'll have to switch it on big time.

Dubs haven't reached the intensity of last year. This is similar to 2012, 2014 and 2020. It's very difficult to defend when you have reached the target the previous year and need to start from scratch again.  From 2015 the aim wasn't to win 1 AI, it was to win 2 in a row, and when that was achieved it was immediately switched to 5 in a row. Levels naturally dropped when that was achieved. We should not have won in 2020 but the way that season worked out we didn't face anyone good enough to beat us even playing in 2nd/3rd gear.

Last year was a really massive effort and the goal was achieved. Intensity levels have, naturally, been down a bit this year. I felt we would need to suffer a sore loss to get it back and come through that way. Now maybe the Mayo draw when we could/should have lost will get us back to that level, it should certainly bring us on somewhat. But we are definitely not unbeatable for a Galway, Derry, Armagh, Donegal (as we pretty much were for those teams during the 5 in a row period) if they can produce a very good performance.

Derry or Kerry, maybe. Kerry are always capable, and Derry's pace would be a worry for our full back line. But otherwise I don't see anyone Dublin need to worry about.

Though as the Euro predictions thread shows, I'm often wrong!

[Armagh18]

Draw at 8:30?

[Derryman forever]

Is the draw on RTE one

[GTP]

RTE news channel or on rte.ie

[tonto1888]

armagh roscommon
dublin galway

[tonto1888]

donegal louth
kerry derry

[OakLeaf]

Would have preferred Donegal but at least we avoided Dublin All though it's not clear if could have gotten Donegal anyway. Kerry couldn't play Louth so you wonder why they even bothered with the third phase draw?