SATURDAY
Ulster SFC semi-final: Armagh v Down, Clones, 5.15 (Live on GAAGO) – Armagh delivered a highly impressive display in dismantling Fermanagh at the quarter-final stages, while Down stuttered to victory over Antrim. Conor Laverty’s Mourne side had been swashbuckling during most of the league but they lost the Division Three final to Westmeath, and worryingly followed it up with that below par performance against Antrim. Over the past 26 years, Down have only managed one championship win over Armagh, with the Orchard County coming out on top on seven occasions. Kieran McGeeney’s Armagh have their sights firmly on attaining Ulster glory this year, and they have the firepower to advance beyond Down. Verdict: Armagh
SUNDAY
Leinster SFC semi-finals: Kildare v Louth, Croke Park, 1.45pm (Live on GAAGO) – It has been a challenging year for Glenn Ryan and his Kildare team – losing all seven of their Division Two league games is a stark statistic. With midfielder Kevin Flynn suspended for this game, and concerns over the form of the team, Kildare are not arriving at Croke Park brimming with confidence. Louth, hoping to reach successive Leinster finals for the first time since 1957-58, beat Kildare 1-12 to 0-12 when the sides met in this year’s league. Louth finished the league with a scoring difference of 20, Kildare finished on -37. Louth scored four goals against Wexford last time out. Kildare have only managed to score that same number of goals across the entire season so far, league and championship combined. All the metrics point to a Louth victory here, but there are lessons in history – of the 33 previous championship clashes between the sides, Kildare have won 19 to Louth’s 12. There have been two draws. The consequence of defeat for Kildare is playing in the Tailteann Cup – this is the biggest game they have faced in many seasons. That has to count for something – and in Kevin Feely, Daniel Flynn, Niall Kelly and Darragh Kirwan they have players capable of leading Kildare to a great escape. Verdict: Kildare
Dublin v Offaly, Croke Park, 4.0 (Live on GAAGO) – Offaly finished sixth in Division Three and haven’t beaten Dublin in the championship since 1982. To have any chance of changing that fact, Offaly will need to score goals but you have to go all the way back to 1960 for the last time the Faithful managed to net more than one goal against the Dubs. The motivation for Dublin will be all internal, players fighting for a jersey – either to retain one for the Leinster final or snatch one by coming in off the bench and making a big impact. It adds up to a potentially difficult afternoon for Offaly at Croke Park. Verdict: Dublin
Ulster SFC semi-final: Donegal v Tyrone, Celtic Park, 2.0 (Live on BBC NI) – Donegal produced the biggest talking point of the championship so far with their 4-11 to 0-17 deconstruction of Derry’s game plan last Saturday. Tyrone had nine debutants in their 1-23 to 3-16 extra-time victory over Cavan last Sunday. A lot will depend on which team has managed their recovery best over the last week – and in a fairer system there would have been a two-week gap for both teams to prepare. Either way, the confidence and morale in the Donegal dressingroom after their win in Derry must be huge. Getting to return to the scene of such a feelgood victory will certainly not hurt their cause here either. Tyrone have been crippled by inconsistency all year, while Donegal have yet to lose a game (league or championship) under Jim McGuinness this term. Empowered by their statement win over Derry, Donegal will take the fight to Tyrone, looking to continue where they left off at Celtic Park last week. Verdict: Donegal
