We preview all the eight football championship matches down for decision this weekend.

Saturday, July 9th

All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers Round 2A

Derry v Meath, Owenbeg, 2.30pm

They meet for the second time this year, having drawn 2-12 each in their Division 2 clash in Owenbeg in late March.

Meath led by 2-4 to 1-6 at half-time but Derry went four points clear midway through the second half before Meath scored 0-5 to lead by one in stoppage time. However, a pointed free by Ryan Bell earned Derry a draw.

Home advantage is a big plus in the Oak Leaf County's favour and their qualifier win over Louth will have raised confidence in their camp.

Ir remains to be seen how the Royals react to their 10-point Leinster SFC semi-final defeat at the hands of Dublin.

Verdict: Derry

Cavan v Carlow, Kingspan Breffni Park, 5pm

Cavan's Ulster SFC ambitions lie in ruins following their heavy 2-17 to 5-18 loss to Tyrone last Sunday.

Terry Hyland and his players haven't had much time to lick their wounds as they had to turn their thoughts to a first ever championship clash against Carlow.

The Barrowsiders lost to Louth in the Leinster first round before beating Wicklow in the first round of the championship.

They are bidding to win a second successive qualifier tie in the same season for the first time since the championship system was changed in 2001.

Verdict: Cavan
 

All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers Round 2B

Cork v Limerick, Semple Stadium, 3pm

These Munster neighbours meet in the All-Ireland qualifiers for the first time since 2010 when Cork won a Round 4 clash by two points after extra-time, en route to winning the All- Ireland title.

2010 was the last year that Cork, who suffered a shock Munster semi-final defeat to Tipperary, entered the qualifiers in Round 2, having been in all the Munster finals between 2011 and last year.

Limerick are seeking their first championship win over Cork since 2003 when they won a Munster quarter-final tie by ten points in Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

Rebel manager Peadar Healy has a number of injury headaches entering the fixture but they should possess sufficient strength in depth to return to winning ways.

Verdict: Cork

Mayo v Fermanagh, MacHale Park, 3.30pm - RTE

After winning the Connacht title for the last five seasons, Mayo are in the qualifiers this year against a Fermanagh team that did very well on the 'back door' route last year.

They beat Antrim, Roscommon and Westmeath to reach the All-Ireland quarter-final against Dublin, losing by eight points. Fermanagh have one qualifier win behind them this year, beating Wexford in Round 1.

Mayo's last qualifier game was against Longford in 2010, when they lost by 1- 12 to 0-14 in Round 1 in Pearse Park.

The pressure is very much on Stephen Rochford and his players in what will be the fourth championship clash between Mayo and Fermanagh with one win each and a draw from the previous three.

Verdict: Mayo

Monaghan v Longford, Clones, 6.30pm

Monaghan and Longford meet for only the second time in the championship, having previously crossed swords in the 2004 All-Ireland qualifiers when Longford won a Round 1 tie by 4-15 to 1-17 (after extra-time) in Clones.

Fresh from their Ulster SFC semi-final replay defeat to Donegal, Malachy O'Rourke and his players will look to get that disappointment out of their system as quickly as possible.

The Farney boss knows they face a difficult assignment following Denis Connerton team's 2-24 to 3-13 extra-time victory over Down last time out.

"They came and beat Down in Newry so they will be coming really determined to take what would be to them another big scalp in taking out a Division 1 side," he remarked.

Verdict: Monaghan

Kildare v Offaly, Newbridge, 6.30pm

These Leinster neighbours meet for the second successive year at the same stage of the qualifiers.

Kildare won by 1-15 to 1-13 last year in Tullamore to record a fourth successive championship win over Offaly, whose last win over the Lilywhites was in 2006.

To say that Cian O'Neill's team has flattered to deceive so far this year is something of an understatement.

They scraped over Wexford (0-9 to 0-8) in the Leinster quarter-final before making a tame 1-11 to 1-12 semi-final exit to Westmeath.

Verdict: Draw

Sunday, July 10th

Connacht SFC final

Galway v Roscommon, Pearse Stadium, 2pm - RTE

Galway's surprise semi-final victory over six-in-a-row chasing Mayo has set up an intriguing Nestor Cup decider.

The Tribesmen and the Rossies meet for the first time in the championship since the 2012 Connacht quarter-final.

It will be the first provincial final between the counties since 1998 when Galway won in a replay on their way to taking the All-Ireland title.

"It's a huge opportunity for us and it's a huge challenge as well," remarked Galway manager Kevin Walsh, who was on the field of play that day, remarked.

"We're aware of that. If we could get silverware it would be brilliant for Galway, particularly where we've come from in the last few months."

The team in maroon and white are bidding to win the Connacht title for the first time since 2008 while Roscommon's last success was in 2010.

Roscommon captain Ciaran Murtagh was 17 years of age back then and he says: "It's great to be back in a final now. It gives us a chance.

"You have a 50-50 chance once you are in a final and we'll be looking to get a performance now."

Verdict: Roscommon

All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers Round 2A

Clare v Laois, Cusack Park, Ennis, 2pm

Mick Lillis brings his Laois team to Ennis to take on his native county Clare in what is expected to be a close encounter.

"I love Clare," remarked the O'Moore County boss. "I'm a proud Clare man, but I'll be a proud Laois manager next Saturday evening. I am up here 30-odd years and there is no room for sentiment in this."

The Leinster outfit will be having their fifth game in this year's championship, having played twice in Leinster, followed by a qualifier double against Armagh when a re-fixture was ordered after they won the first game by three points.

The Banner County have already claimed Division 3 honours this year and will fancy their chances of bouncing back from their 0-17 to 2-23 defeat to Kerry in the last four of the provincial championship.

Verdict: Clare

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