Here are our previews for the six football championship clashes that are down for decision across the country this weekend.
 

Saturday, June 18th

Connacht SFC semi-final

Mayo v Galway, McHale Park, 7pm - Sky Sports

The big battle is out west on Saturday evening as Mayo host Galway in the semi-finals of the Connacht senior football championship. Chasing a record sixth consecutive title, Mayo will look to hand their old rivals a sixth defeat in-a-row in the province, with Galway's last win over the new Connacht kingpins coming back in 2002.

After a disappointing league campaign that nearly saw them relegated from Division One, Stephen Rochford's side looked convincing in their 13-point defeat of London in Ruislip at the end of last month, having been without a couple of regulars. Debutant Evan Regan and early substitute Conor Loftus were the stars that day for the holders, demonstrating the depth that they possess, which could be an issue for the Tribesmen when they visit Castlebar this weekend.

Kevin Walsh's side didn't exactly set the world alight throughout their trail in Division Two earlier this season and have been cast as 4/1 outsiders in this derby. Shane Walsh, Danny Cummins and Damien Comer are likely to make up the inside line and one would imagine they'd need to combine for a considerable tally if their neighbours' reign in the western province is to be torn down on Saturday.

The winners advance to a provincial decider with Roscommon on July 10th, while the losers will be playing in the All-Ireland SFC qualifiers on July 9th.

Verdict: Mayo
 

All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers Round 1A

Laois v Armagh, O'Moore Park, 3.30pm - RTE

The pick of the Round 1A qualifiers sees Armagh travel to take on Laois in a game which will see both sides trying to kick start their respective seasons.

After having suffered relegation from Division Two, it was no surprise to see Laois making an exit from the Leinster SFC at the hands of Dublin but their second-half showing at Nowlan Park against the capital juggernaut offered some signs of encouragement.

Armagh, who followed the O'Moore men into Division Three for 2017, finished second best to Cavan by an eight-point margin last month, but the solo performance of target man Stefan Campbell up front showed that they're more than capable of inflicting damage against static defending - something Laois were certainly guilty of in the opening stages against the Dubs. One would imagine that defeat for the Orchard County will mean more increasing pressure upon manager Kieran McGeeney, which leans us towards an away win here.

Verdict: Armagh
 

Derry v Louth, Owenbeg, 5pm

The first ever championship meeting between Derry and Louth takes place on Saturday and there isn't likely to be a whole lot to separate the sides when all's said and done in Owenbeg.

Derry's off-colour display against Tyrone in the Ulster SFC last month replicated their performances in the latter part of the league and defeat against the Wee County on Sunday spells an end to what would be viewed a disastrous first season in charge for Damien Barton.

In contrast, Louth backed up Division Four success with a solid win over Carlow in their Leinster SFC opener before falling to Meath in a battling display at Parnell Park last Sunday. Having to travel up to Derry will be viewed upon as a hindrance, but going on evidence thus far this season Colin Kelly's men certainly aren't lacking in belief and will no doubt look to give the fancied hosts their fill of it on Sunday evening.

Verdict: Derry
 

Carlow v Wicklow, Netwatch Cullen Park, 7pm

This Leinster derby at Newatch Cullen Park will see an end to either Carlow or Wicklow's season come Saturday evening, which means it's 'do or die' time for both these sides.

Carlow lost out to Louth (2-24 to 3-11) in their Leinster SFC opener last month, while Wicklow were guilty of leaking goals to Laois in a 3-16 to 0-18 defeat last time out. When these two counties last met in the championship back in 2010, it was the Garden men that recorded a 10-point victory in Portlaoise and the bookmakers are anticipating a similar outcome. Neither side is expected to go far in the qualifiers this summer, but that shouldn't deter them from going hell for leather at one another on Saturday with bragging rights up for grabs.

Verdict: Wicklow

 

Sunday, June 19th

Ulster SFC semi-final

Tyrone v Cavan, Clones, 2pm

Clones is the place to be for football fans on Sunday as Ulster's two emerging sides battle it out for a place in the province's decider. Last month saw Tyrone back up their Division Two final victory over Cavan with another convincing display against Derry at Celtic Park, while the Breffni men were equally as impressive in their handling of Armagh on home soil. Sunday's clash will be the first championship encounter between these two counties since 2005 - when Mickey Harte's side annihilated the Blues (3-19 to 0-7) after a replay before going on to win Sam Maguire - and the general feeling is that it's going to be a much closer contest this time around.

The Red Hands have yet to lose a game this season and are vying for their first Ulster final berth since their win over Monaghan in 2010. Inside men Ronan O'Neill and Conor McAliskey have been in lethal form for them all season, while Colm Cavanagh has grown brilliantly into the sweeper's role and Tiernan McCann has been a star in driving forward from the back.

Terry Hyland side's season really transformed since February's thrilling second-half comeback against Meath in Navan and Blues fans will be optimistic that the likes of Gearoid McKiernan, David Givney and Seanie Johnston can be instrumental in causing an upset and steer the county towards its first Ulster final appearance in 15 long years.

Verdict: Tyrone


All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers Round 1A

Leitrim v Waterford, Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, 2pm

Carrick-on-Shannon's Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada will be the final playing venue for either Leitrim or Waterford on Sunday as both sides bid to keep their 2016 season alive.

This is the first ever championship encounter between these two counties and it's one which the hosts are expected to come through with sharp forwards like Emlyn Mulligan and Kevin Conlan at their disposal. Shane Ward's side may have finished 13 points and three men behind Roscommon the last day, but they should still have enough to see off the visiting Deise men, who exited the Munster SFC to Tipperary on a 1-15 to 1-7 score-line after a poor showing in Dungarvan.

Verdict: Leitrim

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