All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
Saturday May 27
Group One
Louth v Cork, Páirc Tailteann, 3pm
Ref: Martin McNally (Monaghan)
Considering the fact that Kerry and Mayo are also in this group Saturday's encounter at Páirc Tailteann is loaded with importance.
Louth were blitzed by Dublin in the Leinster SFC Final so Mickey Harte will be demanding a swift response.
Cork suffered down south when losing to Clare so John Cleary's charges are fully aware of how vital the Louth match is for them.
Recent underage triumphs hinted at Cork's promise, but Louth, who have made impressive Allianz League progress under Harte, will pose stern questions.
Despite the fact that Louth were struggling elsewhere Sam Mulroy still illustrated his craft against Dublin on the Croke Park stage.
Undoubtedly there is talent in the Cork ranks, but a demanding assignment in Navan awaits with the stakes piled high.
Louth: James Califf, Dermot Campbell, Peter Lynch, Donal McKenny, Leonard Grey, Niall Sharkey, Anthony Williams, Tommy Durnin, Conor Early, Conall McKeever, Ciaran Downey, Conor Grimes, Paul Mathews, Sam Mulroy, Craig Lennon, Peter McStarvick, Ryan Burns, Jonathan Commins, Bevan Duffy, Liam Jackson, Ciaran Keenan, Conall McCaul, Daire McConnon, Oisín McGuinness, Dylan McKeown, Ciaran Murphy.
Cork: Mícheál Aodh Martin, Maurice Shanley, Daniel O'Mahony, Tommy Walsh, Luke Fahy, Sean Meehan, Mattie Taylor, Colm O'Callaghan, Ian Maguire, Brian O'Driscoll, Ruairi Deane, Killian O'Hanlon, Seán Powter, Brian Hurley, Chris Óg Jones, Patrick Doyle, Kevin O'Donovan, Tom Clancy, Cian Kiely, Paul Walsh, Eoghan McSweeney, Blake Murphy, John O'Rourke, Mark Cronin, Steven Sherlock, Conor Corbett.
Rian O'Neill is a key performer for Armagh. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Group Two
Armagh v Westmeath, BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 4.45pm, GAAGO
Ref: Fergal Kelly (Longford)
The harrowing manner of the Ulster SFC Final penalty shootout defeat hurt Armagh deeply.
Kieran McGeeney's team, though, will still believe that an All-Ireland SFC adventure can be launched.
Rian O'Neill, Andrew Murnin, and Conor Turbitt all featured prominently in the provincial championship so Armagh have plenty of attacking craft.
It was a disappointing Allianz League campaign for Westmeath, who triumphed in the Tailteann Cup last year.
At opposite ends of the field Kevin Maguire and John Heslin remain extremely capable performers for Westmeath, who have been drawn in a particularly demanding group.
With other tough tests ahead this fixture is crucial for Armagh and Westmeath, who will be striving to make a solid start.
Armagh: Ethan Rafferty, James Morgan, Aaron McKay, Aidan Forker, Greg McCabe, Conor O'Neill, Jarly Óg Burns, Ben Crealey, Ciarán Mackin, Rory Grugan, Jason Duffy, Stefan Campbel, Shea McGill, Ciaran Higgins, Barry McCambridge, Ross McQuillan, Callum Cumiskey, Connaire Mackin, Shane McPartlan, Conor Turbitt, Jemar Hall, Cian McConville, Oisín Conaty.
Westmeath: Jason Daly, Jack Smith, Kevin Maguire, Jamie Gonoud, James Dolan, Andy McCormack, David Lynch, Sam Duncan, Ray Connellan, Sam McCartan, Ronan O'Toole, Senan Baker, Luke Loughlin, John Heslin, Stephen Smith, Trevor Martin, Jonathan Lynam, Lorcan Dolan, Kieran Martin, Robbie Forde, David Giles, Darragh Seery, Conor McCormack, Eoin Mulvihill, Daniel Scahill, Ronan Wallace.
Conor Glass captained Derry to Ulster SFC glory. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Group Four
Derry v Monaghan, Celtic Park, 7pm, GAAGO
Ref: Noel Mooney (Cavan)
With a second successive Ulster title captured Derry bring momentum and belief into the All-Ireland series.
Monaghan, though, are precisely the type of durable team, who will examine Derry's resolve.
Vinny Corey's panel features several exciting emerging players, who have fared quite well in 2023.
However, a Celtic Park clash against a buoyant Derry featuring Brendan Rogers and Conor Glass at centrefield will be a difficult task.
Ethan Doherty's energy and Shane McGuigan's accuracy are huge factors for Derry, who will need to curtail Conor McManus' influence.
Derry's development during the past 18 months has been remarkable, but Monaghan will be especially eager to summon a defiant display away from home.
Derry: Odhran Lynch, Chrissy McKaigue, Eoghan McEvoy, Conor McCluskey, Conor Doherty, Gareth McKinless, Padraig McGrogan, Conor Glasss, Brendan Rogers, Niall Toner, Paul Cassidy, Ethan Doherty, Benny Heron, Shane McGuigan, Niall Loughlin, Ryan Scullion, Declan Cassidy, Ciaran McFaul, Shea Downey, Lachlan Murray, Ben McCarron, Paul McNeill, Padraig Cassidy, Conleth McGuckian, Mark Doherty, Diarmuid Baker.
Monaghan: Rory Beggan, Ryan O'Toole, Kieran Duffy, Ryan Wylie, Karl O'Connell, Conor Boyle, Conor McCarthy, Karl Gallagher, Killian Lavelle, Stephen O'Hanlon, Micheal Bannigan, Dessie Ward, Jack McCarron, Gary Mohan, Ryan McAnespie, Darren McDonnell, Seán Jones, Conor McManus, Shane Carey, Darren Hughes, Thomas McPhillips, Kevin Loughran, Kieran Hughes, Darragh McElearney, Francie Hughes, Colm Lennon.
Stephen Cluxton has returned to inter-county action with Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Sunday May 28
Group Three
Dublin v Roscommon, Croke Park, 4pm, GAAGO
Ref: Barry Cassidy (Derry)
Prompted by Seán Bugler's dynamic contribution Dublin cruised to a facile Leinster SFC Final win over Louth.
Before being forced off through injury Jack McCaffrey had been relevant and with Stephen Cluxton and Paul Mannion also involved there is a good cut to the Dublin team.
Ultimately, Dublin want to recapture the Sam Maguire Cup. Watching Tyrone and Kerry win All-Irelands in the past two years means Dublin are primed for this All-Ireland series.
Roscommon, though, have impressed in 2023. Davy Burke has forged a meaningful connection with a Roscommon panel that is sprinkled with impressive footballers.
Burke has also integrated and re-introduced players to the fold ensuring the depth of the panel has improved too.
The Dalys, Smiths, and Murtaghs will relish the opportunity to face Dublin at GAA headquarters.
Dublin: Stephen Cluxton, Daire Newcombe, David Byrne, Cian Murphy, James McCarthy, John Small, Lee Gannon, Brian Fenton, Tom Lahiff, Brian Howard, Seán Bugler, Ciarán Kilkenny, Paul Mannion, Con O'Callaghan, Cormac Costello, David O'Hanlon, Colm Basquel, Craig Dias, Michael Fitzsimons, Seán McMahon, Greg McEnaney, Ross McGarry, Lorcan O'Dell, Dean Rock, Niall Scully, Paddy Small.
Roscommon: Conor Carroll, Conor Hussey, Brian Stack, David Murray, Niall Daly, Eoin McCormack, Dylan Ruane, Keith Doyle, Ciarán Lennon, Ciaráin Murtagh, Enda Smith, Cian McKeon, Ben O'Carroll, Donie Smith, Diarmuid Murtagh, Colm Lavin, Robbie Dolan, Colin Walsh, Ruaidhri Fallon, Niall Kilroy, Eddie Nolan, Cian Connolly, Conor Cox, Shane Cunnane, Conor Daly, Richard Hughes.
