Saturday August 4

All Ireland SFC Quarter-Final Group 1

Galway v Monaghan, Pearse Stadium, 6pm

Monaghan need to avoid defeat to secure a much coveted All Ireland Semi-Final place for the first time since 1988.

Galway have already secured a spot at the penultimate round. It is a stage at which Galway haven't operated in 17 years so this has most certainly been an encouraging campaign for Kevin Walsh's charges.

Monaghan, though, have made smooth and steady progress themselves since losing to Fermanagh in the Ulster Championship.

Malachy O'Rourke's outfit defeated Waterford, Leitrim, and Laois in the Qualifiers. The Quarter-Final Group Phase triumph over Kildare was noteworthy, while Monaghan came within a whisker of beating Kerry.

David Clifford's splendid last gasp goal ensured the spoils were divided in Clones. How much of an impact that intervention has on Monaghan's season overall will be evident following the final whistle in Salthill.

Conor McManus was at his brilliant best in that encounter bringing his 2018 Championship total to 2-35, while goalkeeper Rory Beggan has nailed 0-16 from dead balls.

Aware that they are already guaranteed a trip to Croke Park it will be interesting to see how Galway approach this game, but the home team will want to top the pool.

MONAGHAN: Rory Beggan; Kieran Duffy, Drew Wylie, Ryan Wylie; Dessie Mone, Vinny Corey, Karl O'Connell; Niall Kearns, Darren Hughes; Ryan McAnespie, Shane Carey, Owen Duffy; Conor McCarthy, Fintan Kelly, Conor McManus.