It's the final round of the Super 8s and four counties are looking to book a place in the semi-finals alongside Dublin and Galway for next weekend.

 

Saturday, August 4th

All-Ireland SFC quarter-final phase 3

Galway v Monaghan, Pearse Stadium, 6pm - Sky

This one is 'do or die' for Malachy O'Rourke's Monaghan side with opponents Galway already guaranteed their berth in the semi-finals next weekend.

It's only the second ever championship meeting between the counties while their league clash back in March saw the Tribesmen score a 0-17 to 1-10 victory and secure their place in the Division 1 final against Dublin.

Monaghan return to Salthill on Saturday evening looking to cement a first All-Ireland semi-final in 30 years at the second attempt.

David Clifford's spectacular late goal in Clones foiled the Farney men's bid two weeks ago and now they're fighting for their season against the Connacht champions - whose only competitive defeat this year came in that aforementioned league decider against the Dubs.

For Monaghan, it's as clear as crystal. A win sees them finish top of the table, avoiding Dublin next Saturday week in the process, while a draw sees them through in second place. Defeat and it'll be in Kerry's hands.

It should be a cracker…

Verdict: Draw

Kerry v Kildare, Fitzgerald Stadium, 6pm - Sky

Kerry's season dangled by a thread a fortnight ago before some late David Clifford magic in Clones salvaged it for them and now they find themselves in with a decent chance of reaching the All-Ireland semi-finals.

With Kildare out of contention in the last four and effectively playing for pride, the Kingdom are 1/12 favourites to hand the Lilywhites their third defeat of the inaugural Super 8s but it still may not be enough for them.

If Monaghan gain even a draw against Galway in Salthill then the Munster champions' season is over, regardless of what they do in Killarney.

Winning will be all that's on Eamonn Fitzmaurice and his players' minds regardless and it's likely to see the Kerry boss go with veteran target man Kieran Donaghy from the start again this weekend.

When these two teams last met in the championship, Kerry scored a massive 27-point win at the All-Ireland quarter-final stage and while it won't be near that margin here, the hosts should prevail comfortably when all's said and done at Fitzgerald Stadium.

Verdict: Kerry

 

Sunday, August 5th

All-Ireland SFC quarter-final phase 3

Donegal v Tyrone, Ballybofey, 3.30pm - RTE1

This one really whets the appetite as it's a straight shoot-out between Donegal and Tyrone on Sunday afternoon for a place in the All-Ireland semi-finals.

Both these teams have beaten Roscommon and lost to Dublin and now must battle it out in Ballybofey, where Donegal are undefeated in 19 league and championship outings, to see who advances through in second in Group 2.

A draw suffices for Tyrone and they've named Ronan McNamee in their starting 15 despite their full- back said to be a serious doubt for the high stakes MacCumhaill Park clash as a result of the calf injury he sustained against Dublin two weeks back.

Cathal McCarron is definitely out for the Red Hands while on the Donegal end key defender Eoghan Bán Gallagher has been added to the long-term injury list alongside sharpshooter Paddy McBrearty.

Nonetheless, this Ulster derby is still littered with the right ingredients for a classic encounter and neutrals will be hoping they're treated to exactly that this weekend.

Verdict: Donegal

Dublin v Roscommon, Croke Park, 3.30pm - RTE News Now

Roscommon have made five changes for this dead rubber tie against the All-Ireland champions at Croke Park, where they're set to be 11/1 underdogs.

Manager Kevin McStay is serving a 12-week ban as a result of his shove on linesman Niall Cullen during the defeat to Donegal the last day, which means Ger Dowd and Liam McHale will patrol the sidelines for the Rossies at HQ this weekend.

It's set to be the fifth ever championship clash between the two counties, with Dublin having won the previous four and it's almost impossible to envision the beaten Connacht finalists tearing up the script here.

While many see this one as being a game with nothing to play for, Dublin's bench players will be keen as ever to impress Jim Gavin as we get down to the business end of the season.

Already through to their ninth successive semi-final, the Dubs should be more than comfortable in continuing their winning ways here.

Verdict: Dublin

Stay up-to-date with all this weekend's football and hurling championship action on the hoganstand.com live match tracker.

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