Preview: Weekend's All-Ireland SFC action

Saturday, June 14

All-Ireland senior football championship, Round 3

Group 2

Kerry v Meath, Glenisk O'Connor Park, Tullamore, 4.15pm

The last time these sides met in the Championship, just over a year ago, Meath set up in containment mode and held Kerry for the guts of 50 minutes before the dam burst.

Kerry, or more specifically David Clifford, eventually came alive in that All-Ireland SFC group game and ran out 15-point winners.

With wins over Dublin and Cork, and a creditable draw in Roscommon, behind them in this year's Championship, Meath will surely be more forthcoming this time.

The new rules demand it anyhow. And in Jordan Morris, Eoghan Frayne and James Conlon - the latter is in the form of his career - Meath have plenty of scoring power. They have two-point shooters too in Dunshaughlin duo Conor Duke and Ruairi Kinsella though Mathew Costello's unavailability is a significant blow. He's replaced by Cathal Hickey in their only team change.

Midfield has been a problem for Meath in the really big games this season. And can their defence contain a red-hot Clifford whose 1-8 against Cork last time out brought his Championship tally to 4-25?

Kerry gorged on two-pointers against Cork having not previously chased them.

On the personnel front, Kerry have made five changes to their team. Mark O'Shea comes in at midfield for his debut and there are recalls too for attackers Killian Spillane and Dylan Geaney and defensive duo Paul Murphy and Tadhg Morley. Barry Dan O'Sullivan, Paudie Clifford, Paul Geaney and Diarmuid O'Connor are all unavailable.

KERRY: Shane Ryan; Paul Murphy, Jason Foley, Tom O'Sullivan; Tadhg Morley, Mike Breen, Gavin White; Joe O'Connor, Mark O'Shea; Graham O'Sullivan, Sean O'Shea, Micheal Burns; David Clifford, Killian Spillane, Dylan Geaney.

Subs: Shane Murphy, Dylan Casey, Tony Brosnan, Armin Heinrich, Conor Geaney, Evan Looney, Sean O'Brien, Tom Leo O'Sullivan, Darragh Lyne, Cillian Trant, Ruairi Murphy, Damien Bourke, Dara Moynihan.

Meath: Billy Hogan; Seamus Lavin, Sean Rafferty, Brian O'Halloran; Donal Keogan, Sean Coffey, Ciaran Caulfield; Bryan Menton, Adam O'Neill; Conor Duke, Ruairi Kinsella, Cathal Hickey; Jordan Morris, James Conlon, Eoghan Frayne.

Subs: Sean Brennan, Ronan Ryan, Eoin Harkin, James McEntee, Cian McBride, Conor Gray, Shane Walsh, Aaron Lynch, Daithi McGowan, Keith Curtis, Diarmuid Moriarty.

Roscommon v Cork, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, Portlaoise, 4.15pm, GAA+

For Roscommon, this is almost a carbon copy of their predicament 12 months ago, when the bottom two teams in their group clashed for a preliminary quarter-final place.

Roscommon stepped up with a big win over Cavan on that occasion and will advance to the last 12 again if they can beat Cork for the second time this season.

Davy Burke's Roscommon punished a wasteful Cork back in early March, winning by 2-21 to 0-13 on their way to promotion to Division 1.

Cork will have some good memories to call upon too where this fixture is concerned. They knocked Roscommon out of the Championship at the preliminary quarter-final stage two seasons ago.

They won that game by a point but, significantly, had home advantage whereas this one is in neutral Portlaoise.

Cork will attempt to summon the spirit they showed against Kerry in Munster. Since then they've lost tamely to Meath and Kerry in Group 2 whereas Roscommon drew with Meath last time out and could have won it late on.

John Cleary has gone with an unchanged Cork team while Roscommon have made one injury enforced switch, bringing in Pearse Frost for defender Niall Higgins who has a shoulder problem.

ROSCOMMON: Conor Carroll; Pearse Frost, Brian Stack, David Murray; Ronan Daly, Colm Neary, Senan Lambe; Eddie Nolan, Shane Cunnane; Dylan Ruane, Enda Smith, Ciarain Murtagh; Daire Cregg, Diarmuid Murtagh, Ben O'Carroll.

Subs: Aaron Brady, Robie Dolan, Ruaidhri Fallon, Keith Doyle, Donie Smith, Conor Hand, John McManus, Declan Kenny, Shane Killoran, Cian McKeon, Ciaran Lennon.

CORK: Michael Aodh Martin; Sean Meehan, Daniel O'Mahony, Maurice Shanley; Brian O'Driscoll, Sean Brady, Matty Taylor; Ian Maguire, Colm O'Callaghan; Paul Walsh, Sean Walsh, Sean McDonnell; Mark Cronin, Brian Hurley, Chris Og Jones.

Subs: Patrick Doyle, Neil Lordan, Rory Maguire, Sean Powter, Luke Fahy, Conor Cahalane, Eoghan McSweeney, Ruairi Deane, Conor Corbett, Cathail O'Mahony, Hugh O'Connor.

Group 4

Dublin v Derry, Pairc Esler, Newry, 6.30pm, GAA+

When Derry beat Dublin in last year's Allianz League Division 1, they were many people's favourites to go on and win the All-Ireland.

It is remarkable then that they have lost 12 of their 16 games across the league and Championship since then, winning just one in the regulation 70 minutes.

A more sympathetic view is that, aside from that one win over Westmeath, they've consistently faced Division 1 teams and genuine All-Ireland contenders.

Either way, they badly need a win now and will hope that drawing with Galway last time out and stopping their six-game losing streak since, ironically, drawing with Galway in the league, is the start of something positive.

Dublin have also suffered two huge body blows since that 2024 league final, exiting last year's Championship at the earliest stage since 2009 and relinquishing the Leinster title this season.

After a terrific win over Galway in Round 1, a giant wides tally and five points conceded from technical fouls cost them in a Croke Park defeat to Armagh.

Both sides need to win to avoid, potentially, finishing bottom of the group and exiting the Championship.

Con O'Callaghan is back on the bench for Dublin after missing the Armagh game through injury. Eoin Murchan is available again too, boosting their defensive options. The only team change is John Small's replacement of Colm Basquel.

Odhran Lynch is back in goals for Derry, his first start since March becuase of a quad injury. The availability again of former All-Star defender Conor McCluskey on the bench is great news too following a long-term injury.

DUBLIN: Stephen Cluxton; Sean MacMahon, Theo Clancy, David Byrne; Brian Howard, John Small, Alex Gavin; Peadar O Cofaigh Byrne, Killian McGinnis; Ciaran Kilkenny, Sean Bugler, Niall Scully; Paddy Small, Lorcan O'Dell, Cormac Costello.

Subs: Evan Comerford, Luke Breathnach, Nathan Doran, Lee Gannon, Tom Lahiff, Greg McEneaney, Ross McGarry, Eoin Murchan, Cian Murphy, Con O'Callaghan, Eoghan O'Donnell.

DERRY: Odhran Lynch; Diarmuid Baker, Eoin McEvoy, Patrick McGurk; Conor Doherty, Brendan Rogers, Padraig McGrogan; Conor Glass, Dan Higgins; Ethan Doherty, Paul Cassidy, Ciaran McFaul; Shane McGuigan, Niall Loughlin, Niall Toner.

Subs: Ben McKinless, Conor McCluskey, Ryan Mulholland, Danny McDermott, Tommy Rogers, Anton Tohill, Ruairi Forbes, Lachlan Murray, Cahir McMonagle, Caolan Devlin, Ben McCarron.

Galway v Armagh, Kingspan Breffni, Cavan, 6.30pm, GAA+

Armagh have promised to go hard at this game despite already being sure of finishing top of Group 4 and of advancing to an All-Ireland quarter-final.

The fact that it's a repeat of last year's All-Ireland final, which Armagh won by a point, and that Galway need to win to avoid potentially finishing bottom, should keep the Orchard County honest.

Kieran McGeeney will have been alarmed by the huge amount of chances Dublin created at Croke Park last Sunday week. Prior to that, Armagh conceded 2-17 to Armagh, so he will chase defensive improvements.

Rory Grugan hit 0-8 against Dublin but isn't in the 26 this time, clearing Stefan Campbell to start. Niall Grimley is also in for Ben Crealey at midfield.

After losing to Dublin and drawing with Derry, Connacht champions Galway could do with a big win to reignite their flame.

Like Armagh, they've made two team changes from their Round 2 outing with Sean Fitzgerald coming back into the full-back line and Cein Darcy lining out at wing-forward.

GALWAY: Connor Gleeson; Johnny McGrath, Sean Fitzgerald, Jack Glynn; Dylan McHugh, Sean Kelly, Liam Silke; Paul Conroy, John Maher; Cillian McDaid, Rob Finnerty, Cein Darcy; Matthew Tierney, Shane Walsh, Matthew Thompson.

Subs: Conor Flaherty, Daniel O'Flaherty, Cathal Sweeney, Kieran Molloy, Sean O Maoilchiarain, Peter Cooke, John Daly, Cian Hernon, Johnny Heaney, Tomo Culhane, Damien Comer.

ARMAGH: Ethan Rafferty; Paddy Burns, Barry McCambridge, Peter McGrane; Ross McQuillan, Tiernan Kelly, Jarlath Og Burns; Jason Duffy, Niall Grimley; Darragh McMullan, Rian O'Neill, Oisin Conaty; Stefan Campbell, Andrew Murnin, Conor Turbitt.

Subs: Blaine Hughes, Tomas McCormack, Greg McCabe, Connaire Mackin, Aaron McKay, Joe McElroy, Cian McConville, Callum O'Neill, Aidan Forker, Shane McPartlan, Jemar Hall.

Sunday, June 15

All-Ireland senior football championship, Round 3

Group 1

Donegal v Mayo, King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park, 4pm, RTE

A lot of water has passed under the bridge since Donegal beat Mayo in the 2012 All-Ireland final but Michael Murphy and Patrick McBrearty are still going strong for Donegal.

Jim McGuinness, albeit after a lengthy break away from the game, will be on the sideline again too when the sides meet in neutral Roscommon.

For Mayo, Aidan O'Shea is the only player who featured in that final 13 years ago who is playing for them.

All four teams in Group 1 are locked on two points. So all possibilities are still on the table for Mayo and Donegal heading into Round 3 - a win for either could see them potentially top the table while a loss could potentially end their summer.

Donegal are boosted by goalkeeper Shaun Patton's return after long-term injury. Daire O Baoill comes in for Caolan McColgan and with Oisin Gallen starting too, Patrick McBrearty is on the subs list.

A lot depends on which Mayo team turns up. If it's the one that lost to Cavan in Round 1, they could be in trouble. If it's the one that whipped up a storm to beat Tyrone last Saturday week, Donegal could be the ones in bother.

Interim Mayo manager Stephen Rochford, who has brought in midfielder Dylan Thornton and wing-forward Jordan Flynn, knows Donegal inside out too, as their former coach.

Ulster champions Donegal lost an exciting arm wrestle to Tyrone in Round 1 and were neck and neck with Cavan in their next game until they pulled clear in the second-half. They will hope to carry that momentum into this one and hit the ground running in Roscommon Town.

DONEGAL: Shaun Patton; Finbarr Roarty, Brendan McCole, Peadar Mogan; Ryan McHugh, Eoghan Ban Gallagher, Ciaran Moore; Hugh McFadden, Michael Langan; Daire O Baoill, Ciaran Thompson, Shane O'Donnell; Conor O'Donnell, Michael Murphy, Oisin Gallen.

Subs: Danny Rodgers, Stephen McMenamin, Odhran McFadden Ferry, Mark Curran, Odhran Doherty, Aaron Doherty, Patrick McBrearty, Jamie Brennan, Eoin McHugh, Caolan McColgan, Jason McGee.

MAYO: Colm Reape; Jack Coyne, Rory Brickenden, Enda Hession; Stephen Coen, David McBrien, Paddy Durcan; Dylan Thornton, Matthew Ruane; Conal Dawson, Jack Carney, Jordan Flynn; Aidan O'Shea, Darren McHale, Ryan O'Donoghue.

Subs: Adrian Phillips, Bob Tuohy, Davitt Neary, Diarmuid O'Connor, Donnacha McHugh, Fenton Kelly, Fergal Boland, Frank Irwin, Paul Towey, Sam Callinan, Sean Morahan.

Tyrone v Cavan, Brewster Park, Enniskillen, 4pm

This is a repeat of April's Ulster SFC quarter-final fixture which Tyrone won by seven points.

Tyrone beating Cavan has become a near tradition at this stage as the Breffni haven't taken down the Red Hand County in the Championship since 1983.

They did push Tyrone to extra-time in Ulster last year though and proved again more recently when they beat Mayo in Castlebar last month that they have excellence in their locker.

Tyrone's Round 1 win over Donegal hinted at All-Ireland potential but, like Cavan who lost to Donegal in Round 2, coming up short of Mayo then was a pin-prick to their ballooning hopes.

Despite that defeat, manager Malachy O'Rourke has announced the same starting team which means sharpshooters like Peter Harte, Ruairi Canavan and Dalata Hotel Group U-20 Footballer of the Year Eoin McElholm are all held in reserve.

With all four teams tied on four points, opportunity knocks for the winner of this one. The loser could very well be out of the Championship.

Cavan manager Raymond Galligan has attempted to beef up his attack by bringing in Paddy Lynch and Oisin Brady, both of whom came on against Tyrone. Ultra experienced Gearoid McKiernan is a huge option for Galligan on the bench.

TYRONE: Niall Morgan; Cormac Quinn, Peter Teague, Niall Devlin; Michael McKernan, Rory Brennan, Kieran McGeary; Ben McDonnell, Conn Kilpatrick; Seanie O'Donnell, Mattie Donnelly, Ciaran Daly; Darren McCurry, Mark Bradley, Darragh Canavan.

Subs: Oisin O'Kane, Aidan Clarke, Padraig Hampsey, Frank Burns, Michael O'Neill, Brian Kennedy, Cathal Donaghy, Peter Harte, Conor Meyler, Eoin McElholm, Ruairi Canavan.

CAVAN: Liam Brady; Niall Carolan, Killian Brady, Cian Reilly; Brian O'Connell, Ciaran Brady, Padraig Faulkner; Ryan Donohoe, Evan Crowe; Gerard Smith, Dara McVeety, Oisin Brady; Cormac O'Reilly, Paddy Lynch, Cian Madden.

Subs: Gary O'Rourke, Luke Fortune, Killian Clarke, Oisin Kiernan, Jason McLoughlin, Ruairi Curran, Luke Molloy, Gearoid McKiernan, Thomas Edward Donohoe, Ryan O'Neill, Sean McEvoy.

Group 3

Louth v Clare, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, Portlaoise, 2pm

A hangover of sorts was always likely when Louth ended decades of provincial frustration by finally capturing the Leinster SFC title last month.

Since then, they've lost to Monaghan, staying just about competitive in that game thanks to four goals, and came up short to Down too, requiring a second-half revival to reduce it to a one-point game in the end.

Louth, who are unchanged for this one, will still believe they can have a say in the All-Ireland series because a win will secure the last preliminary quarter-final place.

Munster finalists Clare were heavily beaten by both Down and Monaghan. Peter Keane's Banner were seven points ahead of Monaghan after a wind-assisted first-half in Round 2 but suffered a nightmare second-half and will have been glad of the two week break between games to regroup.

Cillian Rouine is back in the Clare defence for the trip to Portlaoise, replacing Fionn Kelleher. Emmet McMahon and Keelan Sexton are great options on the bench.

LOUTH: Niall McDonnell; Daire Nally, Dermot Campbell, Donal McKenny; Conal McKeever, Peter Lynch, Craig Lennon; Tommy Durnin, Ciaran Byrne; Bevan Duffy, Ciaran Downey, Conor Grimes; Ciaran Keenan, Sam Mulroy, Ryan Burns.

Subs: Tiarnan Markey, Liam Jackson, Anthony Williams, Emmet Carolan, Kieran McArdle, Dara McDonnell, Dan Corcoran, Conor Branigan, Ryan Walsh, Dylan McKeown, Paul Matthews.

CLARE: Eamon Tubridy; Rory McMahon, Ronan Lanigan, Manus Doherty; Alan Sweeney, Cillian Rouine, Ikem Igweuru; Brian McNamara, Daniel Walsh; Shane Griffin, Dermot Coughlan, Connor Meaney; Aaron Griffin, Eoin Cleary, Mark McInerney.

Subs: Tristan O'Callaghan, Fionn Kelleher, Jamie Stack, Evan Cahill, Brendy Rouine, Darren Nagle, Joseph Rafferty, Emmet McMahon, Keelan Sexton, Diarmuid O'Donnell, Ciaran Downes.

Monaghan v Down, BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, Armagh, 2pm, RTE

Monaghan could yet prove to be the dark horses in the race for this year's All-Ireland SFC title.

Sure, they've let their guard down at times this year, falling well behind Clare most recently in the first-half of that group game before recovering to make it back-to-back wins.

They were lethargic in the first-half of their Allianz league group game against Down too and eventually lost that game.

But they still ended up being promoted, went on to win the Division 2 title and showed enough against Donegal in Ulster to prove once again how comfortable they are at the top level.

They had eight different scorers against Louth in Round 1 and 11 against Clare last time out. The new rules suit the power and pace of Stephen O'Hanlon and Micheal Bannigan who have been bang on form all season. Throw in what All-Stars Rory Beggan and Conor McCarthy, as well as Jack McCarron, bring to the table and you've got a serious football team.

Manager Gabriel Bannigan has recalled Gavin McPhillips at midfield, for the injured Gary Mohan, and full-forward Andrew Woods in the two changes to his team.

Tailteann Cup holders Down held their own against Donegal in Ulster too before kicking on with big wins over Clare and Louth. In neutral Armagh, they won't fear Monaghan and will chase top spot and a golden ticket to the quarter-finals.

Daniel Guinness has been brought into Down's midfield while Eugene Branagan starts in the half-forward line.

MONAGHAN: Rory Beggan; Ryan Wylie, Kieran Duffy, Dylan Byrne; Ryan O'Toole, Dessie Ward, Conor McCarthy; Micheal McCarville, Gavin McPhillips; Stephen O'Hanlon, Micheal Bannigan, Ryan McAnespie; Jack McCarron, Andrew Woods, Stephen Mooney.

Subs: Kian Mulligan, Ronan Boyle, Louis Kelly, Darren Hughes, Aaron Carey, Ciaran McNulty, Barry McBennett, Killian Lavelle, Jason Irwin, David Garland, Karl O'Connell.

DOWN: Ronan Burns; Patrick McCarthy, Peter Fegan, Ceilum Doherty; Ryan Magill, Pierce Laverty, Miceal Rooney; Daniel Guinness, Ryan McEvoy; Danny Magill, Odhran Murdock, Eugene Branagan; James Guinness, Pat Havern, John McGeough.

Subs: John O'Hare, Finn McElroy, Aaron McClements, Donal Scullion, Shay Millar, Adam Crimmins, Oisin Savage, Caolan Mooney, Finn Murdock, Patrick Brooks, Conor McCrickard.