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Preview: Weekend's Gaelic Football Championship action

Michael McKernan, Tyrone, and Michael Murphy, in Allianz Football League action a fortnight ago.

Michael McKernan, Tyrone, and Michael Murphy, in Allianz Football League action a fortnight ago.

Ulster Senior Football Championship Preliminary Round

Saturday October 31

Monaghan v Cavan, St Tiernach's Park, 1.15pm

There will never be any shortage of Championship bite when these neighbours collide.

Cavan enjoyed a 2019 Ulster win over Monaghan, who are now under the passionate stewardship of Seamus 'Banty' McEnaney again.

On Saturday Cavan suffered a second successive Allianz Football League relegation which was a pre Championship blow.

Mickey Graham did steer Cavan into a provincial decider last year, but several of that panel are unavailable presently.

Monaghan, still being prompted by the delightful Conor McManus in attack, want to embark on another lengthy adventure.

Ulster Senior Football Championship Quarter-Finals

Sunday November 1

Donegal v Tyrone, Ballybofey, 1.30pm

By 3.30pm one of the most formidable teams in the country will be out of the Championship reckoning.

That certainly means Donegal's match with Tyrone will be worth monitoring.

A fortnight ago Donegal, with Ryan McHugh at his dashing best, prevailed in the Allianz Football League encounter between the counties.

Tyrone, though, have subsequently outfoxed Mayo, and Conor McKenna's return has added an extra layer of class in attack.

So many sub plots exist, Donegal have collected the last two provincial titles, but they didn't reach the last four on the national stage.

Getting back to that type of environment is the ultimate aim, but Tyrone are uppermost in their minds now.

Injuries have disturbed Tyrone with Cathal McShane's unavailability a factor, but Mattie Donnelly's comeback and McKenna's re-emergence are undoubted sources of optimism.

Armagh senior football manager Kieran McGeeney.

Armagh senior football manager Kieran McGeeney.

Derry v Armagh, Celtic Park, 4pm

Another match up north that should be lively and keenly contested.

Aided by the return from injury of important players, Derry are beginning to sense that a Championship run is possible.

Armagh attained Allianz Football League Division One status following a hard earned win over Clare.

Kieran McGeeney craved that status, but now Armagh want to showcase their talent on the provincial canvas.

So many talented players are dotted around the Armagh team with the O'Neill's and Stefan Campbell prominent.

Derry will feel that they can make an impact too.

ARMAGH: Blaine Hughes; Paddy Burns, Ryan Kennedy, James Morgan; Conor O'Neill, Aidan Forker, Mark Shields; Oisin O'Neill, Stephen Sheridan; Rory Grugan, Callum Cumiskey, Stefan Campbell; Jamie Clarke, Rian O'Neill, Niall Grimley.

Munster Senior Football Championship Quarter-Final

Saturday October 31

Waterford v Limerick, Fraher Field, 7pm

Billy Lee's understated, but hugely impressive work with Limerick was proven by gaining promotion from Division Four of the Allianz Football League.

The hard working Lee has stitched a solid Limerick team together with Donal O'Sullivan, Iain Corbett, and Darragh Treacy contributing handsomely.

Limerick, though, will be fully aware of how dangerous this Saturday evening fixture in Dungarvan is.

Waterford's League campaign was mixed, but Benji Whelan's panel will be hoping to earn a Championship success on home turf.

WATERFORD: Aaron Beresford; Darach O Cathasaigh, Brian Looby, Robbie Flynn; Sean O'Donovan, Tony Grey, Willie Hahessey; Michael Curry, Dermot Ryan; Dylan Guiry, Jason Curry, Jack Mullaney; Conor Murray, Shane Ahearn, Darragh Corcoran.

LIMERICK: Donal O'Sullivan; Sean O'Dea, Brian Fanning, Paul Maher; Tony McCarthy, Iain Corbett, Gordon Brown; Darragh Treacy, Tommie Childs; Killian Ryan, Cillian Fahy, Adrian Enright; Hugh Bourke, Tommy Griffin, Sean McSweeney.

Sunday November 1

Tipperary v Clare, Semple Stadium, 1pm

A lively match is anticipated in Thurles with Tipperary and Clare both eager to make progress down south.

Tipperary retained Allianz Football League Division Three status following an important success over Leitrim.

Clare, buoyed up by the return of some key players, were content to maintain their spot in Division Two.

Now Colm Collins' charges will want to show their ability in the Championship, but Tipp will also believe that some momentum can be acquired.

TIPPERARY: Evan Comerford; Alan Campbell, Jimmy Feehan, Colm O'Shaughnessy; Bill Maher, Kevin Fahey, Robbie Kiely; Steven O'Brien, Liam Casey; Jack Kennedy, Michael Quinlivan, Conal Kennedy; Jason Longeran, Conor Sweeney, Brian Fox.

Aidan O'Shea remains an influential figure for Mayo.

Aidan O'Shea remains an influential figure for Mayo.

Connacht Senior Football Championship Quarter-Final

Sunday November 1

Leitrim v Mayo, Avantcard Pairc Sean MacDiarmada, 1.15pm

The return to inter-county action in recent weeks hasn't been short on drama in Mayo.

A gorgeous display that flattened Galway was followed by a defeat to Tyrone which confirmed Mayo's relegation from Division One of the Allianz Football League.

James Horan acknowledged the mistakes which gifted Tyrone scores in Castlebar, but seven days previously Mayo had delivered in Tuam.

Leitrim return to the bottom tier of the League themselves following a loss to Tipperary.

Terry Hyland's team will know all about Mayo's pedigree and the considerable potential within the green and red ranks.

LEITRIM: Brendan Flynn; Donal Casey, Donal Wrynn, Conor Reynolds; David Bruen, Aidan Flynn, Cillian McGloin; Mark Plunkett, Domhnaill Flynn; Conor Dolan, Paddy Maguire, Jack Gilheany; Shane Quinn, Evan Sweeney, Keith Beirne.

MAYO: David Clarke; Oisin Mullin, Stephen Coen, Lee Keegan; Paddy Durcan, Rory Brickenden, Eoghan McLaughlin; Mattie Ruane, Conor Loftus; Bryan Walsh, Ryan O'Donoghue, Jordan Flynn; Tommy Conroy, Aidan O'Shea, Cillian O'Connor.

Leinster Senior Football Championship First Round

Sunday November 1

Louth v Longford, TEG Cusack Park, 1.30pm

Louth chalked up their first Allianz League win in 2020 last weekend.

Relegation, though, was already confirmed to Division Four, but Sam Mulroy's 1-7 haul helped Louth overcome an understrength Down.

Longford have been a durable team winning three of their six games in a competitive Division Three.

Darren Gallagher continues to provide leadership for the midlanders, while Rian Brady is a sharp attacker too.

Davy Burke's Wicklow claimed promotion from Division Four of the Allianz Football League.

Davy Burke's Wicklow claimed promotion from Division Four of the Allianz Football League.

Wexford v Wicklow, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 1.30pm

These teams clashed in Division Four of the Allianz Football League with Wicklow's victory earning promotion.

Now Davy Burke's team will want to produce in the Leinster Championship, but the recent evidence is encouraging under the emerging coach.

With a nice blend of youth and experience Wicklow have acquired an important winning habit.

Wexford will be adamant that they can progress too with forward Ben Brosnan still hugely effective.

WICKLOW: Mark Jackson; Patrick O'Keane, Jamie Snell, Ross O'Brien; Andy Maher, Niall Donnelly, David Devereux; Rory Finn, Dean Healy; Gearoid Murphy, Mark Kenny, Darren Hayden; Eoin Darcy, Seanie Furlong, Conor Byrne.

Offaly v Carlow, Bord Na Mona O'Connor Park, 1.30pm

There have been some promising moments for Offaly with John Maughan in charge.

The Faithful just about avoided the drop to retain Division Three status.

Offaly do feature some quality footballers, but gaining momentum is important, and a win over Carlow could provide the necessary impetus.

Niall Carew is only in charge of Carlow for just over a month, but he has significant coaching and managerial experience.

OFFALY: Paddy Dunican; Declan Hogan, Eoin Rigney, Niall Darby; Eoin Carroll, Johnny Moloney, Colm Doyle; Aaron Leavy, Jordan Hayes; Shane Horan, Ruairi McNamee, Anton Sullivan; Niall McNamee, Peter Cunningham, Bernard Allen.