Huge weekend of football. What does everyone think?

Saturday 30 June

Ulster SFC semi-final
Tyrone v Donegal, Clones - Donegal to put down a big marker for the rest of the year

All-Ireland SFC qualifier round 1
London v Antrim - Antrim got a lucky draw and will get by here but not any further
Wicklow v Waterford - Wicklow easily enough
Laois v Carlow - Laois to beat a deflated Carlow
Longford v Derry - Longford will have no fear at home and will coninue their good progress
Tipperary v Offaly - Hard to call. Both teams got relegated to Div 4 and changed managers. Home advantage might be enough for Tipp
Westmeath v Louth - Should be a very good game between two Div 2 sides, deserves more attention really. Have a sneaky feeling Louth will do it.

Sunday 1 July

Leinster SFC semi-finals
Dublin v Wexford - Sorry Wexford, Dublin seem to be still improving and could win well here
Meath v Kildare - Never write off Meath and other such cliches but on form, momentum and preparation you'd surely have to fancy Kildare

All-Ireland SFC qualifier round 1
Fermanagh v Cavan - Cavan to win and to show Peter the great how tough a job he has on his hands
Roscommon v Armagh - Armagh shouldn't have too much to worry about here if they show like they did against Tyrone

doublehop (Kildare) - Posts: 4172 - 27/06/2012 19:31:28    1203840

Ulster SFC semi-final
Tyrone v Donegal, Clones - Donegal to muscle out Tyrone over the 70 mins. Tyrone are re-building!

All-Ireland SFC qualifier round 1
London v Antrim - Would love to see London win but Antrim will sneek it
Wicklow v Waterford - Wicklow
Laois v Carlow - Carlow missed there chance of a big win this year. Laois with plenty to spare.
Longford v Derry - If longford show same momentum they showed against wex, they will win.
Tipperary v Offaly - Will go with Offaly but just about.
Westmeath v Louth - Farce of a draw for Westmeath, have a feeling they won't let this slip and show they should have won their Leinster champo match!

Sunday 1 July

Leinster SFC semi-finals
Dublin v Wexford - Hope we don't have a day like last year. We should win this one, won't be a big gap. Dublin
Meath v Kildare - would love a Meath win, but the gut says Kildare

All-Ireland SFC qualifier round 1
Fermanagh v Cavan - Cavan by a good few to spare
Roscommon v Armagh - Fully agree, same flair they showed against tyrone will see them through.

Penguin1985 (Dublin) - Posts: 119 - 27/06/2012 20:11:07    1203872

Ulster SFC semi-final
Tyrone v Donegal, Clones - Tyrone to take this. Still improving after an excellent league campaign and with a nice blend of youth and experience. Harte will have the guile to combat Donegal's endless handpassing game.

All-Ireland SFC qualifier round 1
London v Antrim - Antrim to win but maybe just.
Wicklow v Waterford - Wicklow at a stroll
Laois v Carlow - if Carlow have a go at them then they will run them close but you have to favour Laois.
Longford v Derry - Longford to take Derry after a poor showing in Ulster
Tipperary v Offaly - Neither team going anywhere fast. A lot of rebuilding to be done in Offaly but would fancy them to take this narrowly
Westmeath v Louth - louth are not as bad as their first outing suggests. The Wee county to win by 3

Sunday 1 July

Leinster SFC semi-finals
Dublin v Wexford - If Dublin turn up then Wexford will get a hiding. I don't fancy that though. I fancy Dublin to struggle up front and Wexford to come out all guns blazing. Similar to last year, Dublin to scrape through by 2 to 3 points.
Meath v Kildare - Kildare's reputation is building but you can never underestimate Meath as Dublin found out to their cost in Leinster a couple of years ago. Meath to take this by the odd point.

All-Ireland SFC qualifier round 1
Fermanagh v Cavan - Two weak Ulster teams but Cavan to come through.
Roscommon v Armagh - Petty Roscommon have to get that U21 talent through and established in the senior side. I think this could be close. I would have fancied Armagh to win easy a couple of years ago but now maybe by the skin of their teeth.

Joxer (Dublin) - Posts: 4749 - 27/06/2012 20:28:55    1203890

Ulster SFC semi-final
Tyrone v Donegal, Clones - Donegal all the way.

All-Ireland SFC qualifier round 1
London v Antrim - Antrimr
Wicklow v Waterford - Wicklow
Laois v Carlow - Laois to beat a deflated Carlow
Longford v Derry - Derry
Tipperary v Offaly - Tipp
Westmeath v Louth - Westmeath. Louth have lost to many key players.

Sunday 1 July

Leinster SFC semi-finals
Dublin v Wexford - Dublin
Meath v Kildare - Never write off Meath. A big test for Kildare, they should win but wont have it their own way. Kildare win.

All-Ireland SFC qualifier round 1
Fermanagh v Cavan - Fermanagh
Roscommon v Armagh - Armagh

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my two cents for what its worth.

bluedubstar (Dublin) - Posts: 835 - 27/06/2012 20:43:38    1203909

Tyrone v Donegal- TYRONE
London v Antrim - ANTRIM
Wicklow v Waterford - WICKLOW
Laois v Carlow - LAOIS
Longford v Derry - LONGFORD
Tipperary v Offaly - TIPPERARY
Westmeath v Louth - LOUTH
Dublin v Wexford - DUBLIN
Meath v Kildare - KILDARE
Fermanagh v Cavan - FERMANAGH
Roscommon v Armagh - ARMAGH

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OLLIE (Louth) - Posts: 12224 - 27/06/2012 21:21:55    1203936

Tyrone v Donegal- donegal with a few to spare
London v Antrim - london by 1 or 2
Wicklow v Waterford - wicklow. By 5 o
Laois v Carlow - carlow will get this one
Longford v Derry - longford by 3
Tipperary v Offaly - tipp by a couple
Westmeath v Louth - westmeath, louth lucky first day and with so many deserting, this will be easy for the lake
Dublin v Wexford - dublin by as much as they want
Meath v Kildare - meath. Fantastic new team emerging. Win with couple to spare pulling up
Fermanagh v Cavan - cavan and then draw kildare. Now that be fun
Roscommon v Armagh - rosscommon just

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 27/06/2012 21:29:32    1203942

Draw
Antrim
Wicklow
Laois
Longford
Tipp
Louth
Dublin to do a job on Wexford
Kildare just
Cavan
Armagh just

unclegerry (Mayo) - Posts: 1223 - 27/06/2012 21:47:14    1203968

I must completely be on a different wave length as regards the Ross /Armagh game, i have that down as Armagh certainty, nailed on imo.

51longago (Mayo) - Posts: 2981 - 27/06/2012 21:57:15    1203981

Tyrone v Donegal- DONEGAL
London v Antrim - ANTRIM
Wicklow v Waterford - WICKLOW
Laois v Carlow - LAOIS
Longford v Derry - DERRY
Tipperary v Offaly - TIPPERARY
Westmeath v Louth - WESTMEATH
Dublin v Wexford - DUBLIN
Meath v Kildare - KILDARE
Fermanagh v Cavan - FERMANAGH
Roscommon v Armagh -

MourneArmy (Down) - Posts: 1787 - 27/06/2012 21:58:44    1203986

Ulster SFC semi-final
Tyrone v Donegal, Clones - Tyrone in transition. Fancy Donegal to win comfortably. 5 point win for them.

All-Ireland SFC qualifier round 1
London v Antrim - London are at home for this one. Their league form should be taken into account and a lot will depend on confidence on their part. I expect them to get a few early scores and actually sneak it by 1 or 2.
Wicklow v Waterford - Wicklow to win. Showed promise early on against us. 5 points up in a leinster quarter final as underdogs is no mean feat. They will win by 7 points plus.
Laois v Carlow - Laois to beat a Carlow team still in mourning.
Longford v Derry - Too tight to call. Longford's form would suggest that they would be the hungrier. I think it will end up a draw.
Tipperary v Offaly - Tipperary hold all the aces before a ball is kicked here. Offaly will not fancy an away tie after a local derby hammering at the hands of Kildare. I expect Tipperary to set a marker here that they have the potential to maybe even secure a quarter final place and win by 10 points plus here. Yes I know that Tipperary had a bad league campaign and suffered relegation but I just have a feeling in my bones that this will be their year.
Westmeath v Louth - Westmeath to win by 7 or 8. Louth are useless and have lost too many important players.

Sunday 1 July

Leinster SFC semi-finals
Dublin v Wexford - This game will either be one of two outcomes. Dublin hammering Wexford or a late rally and a moral victory for the model men. Dublin will have the usual defensive setup and there won't be much free flowing attacking football. Realistic outcome would be a 4 point Dublin win I suppose.
Meath v Kildare - Kildare simply won't deal with the pressure that faces them. They know this is a make or break game for them in terms of their season prospects. I think it will be a draw. If extra time is playable Kildare will go on to win. If not the replay would be a tight encounter again, with us maybe sneaking it

All-Ireland SFC qualifier round 1
Fermanagh v Cavan - Fermanagh by 2
Roscommon v Armagh - Armagh by 6

Jimin10 (Meath) - Posts: 783 - 27/06/2012 21:58:59    1203988

Ulster SFC semi-final:

Tyrone v Donegal - Donegal seem to be trying to play a better brand of football this year & I hope they continue to do so as the summer progresses. They are a very solid unit and play to their system well. Tyrone are always very tough to beat in Ulster but I think Donegal could have a big say in this years championship. Donegal by 4.

All-Ireland SFC Qualifier Round 1:

London v Antrim - Antrim
Wicklow v Waterford - Wicklow
Laois v Carlow - Laois
Longford v Derry - Longford
Tipperary v Offaly - Tipperary
Westmeath v Louth - Westmeath
Fermanagh v Cavan - Cavan
Roscommon v Armagh - Armagh

Leinster SFC Semi-Finals:

Dublin v Wexford - Dublin will no doubt be the team to beat this year. They are playing with the confidence that comes with being AI champs. Wexford are a decent team with a few good fowards but I think they missed their opportunity to beat the Dubs last summer. Dublin by 5 or 6

Kildare v Meath - This is the big match of the weekend. I dont really rate this Meath team & from what ive seen over the last couple of years, midfield seems to be a hugh problem for them. Of course they have always had some letal fowards in Bray, Big Joe, Cian Ward etc. With talent like that up front they are dangerous opponents. Kildare have been improving well over the last number of years, but they have yet to beat one of the top teams in the country. ( A fact pointed out by Meath posters at least twice a day on this forum :) ) However I think this might be the year they finally make a breakthrough. These matches are always tight, and if the Meath fowards start well on Sunday they could easily sneak this by a point or two. However Kildare are a better balanced, better conditioned team with a foward line thats improving all the time (Without SJ). Kildare by 4

Rebel.Og (Cork) - Posts: 519 - 28/06/2012 09:16:17    1204008

Tyrone v Donegal- Donegal - will be close but Dgal by a 1-2 points
London v Antrim - ANTRIM
Wicklow v Waterford - WICKLOW
Laois v Carlow - LAOIS
Longford v Derry - Derry - Cant be as bad again and have an awful lot to prove
Tipperary v Offaly - TIPPERARY
Westmeath v Louth - LOUTH
Dublin v Wexford - DUBLIN - Nap
Meath v Kildare - KILDARE
Fermanagh v Cavan - Fermanagh
Roscommon v Armagh - ARMAGH

ballybannongael (Down) - Posts: 547 - 28/06/2012 11:49:08    1204128

Tyrone v Donegal- Just can't call it, a draw
London v Antrim - London
Wicklow v Waterford - Wicklow
Laois v Carlow - Carlow
Longford v Derry - Longford to pull through, just
Tipperary v Offaly - Offaly just
Westmeath v Louth - LOUTH
Dublin v Wexford - Dublin
Meath v Kildare - Kildare
Fermanagh v Cavan - Fermanagh, just
Roscommon v Armagh - draw

Kildare30 (Kildare) - Posts: 603 - 28/06/2012 13:24:42    1204170

Surprised to see so many people tipping Longford. Derry arent half as bad as they showed against donegal and have some major firepower in their forwardline. Longford are a great team building some momentum under Glen ryan, but I think Derry will have way too much up front for them, especially the two bradleys

97Cavans (Cavan) - Posts: 451 - 28/06/2012 15:32:05    1204285

97Cavans
County: Cavan
Posts: 13

1204285
Surprised to see so many people tipping Longford. Derry arent half as bad as they showed against donegal and have some major firepower in their forwardline. Longford are a great team building some momentum under Glen ryan, but I think Derry will have way too much up front for them, especially the two bradleys

Longford are a tough team to beat at home and are going well at the moment. If it was in Celtic Park I would have going for Derry but Longford have beaten both Mayo and Derry at home in the quailifiers in recent years and the Dubs where lucky to come away with a win in the Leinster championship in 2006 which was the Dubs last Leinster championship game away from Croker.

OLLIE (Louth) - Posts: 12224 - 28/06/2012 15:53:57    1204299

Tyrone v Donegal- TYRONE
London v Antrim - ANTRIM
Wicklow v Waterford - WICKLOW
Laois v Carlow - LAOIS
Longford v Derry - DERRY
Tipperary v Offaly - TIPPERARY
Westmeath v Louth - WESTMEATH
Dublin v Wexford - DUBLIN
Meath v Kildare - KILDARE
Fermanagh v Cavan - FERMANAGH
Roscommon v Armagh - ARMAGH

Byanthon (Tyrone) - Posts: 1800 - 28/06/2012 18:11:57    1204418

Dublin vs Wexford- The outcome of this game will be decided after ten minutes, if Wexford keep it tight early on, they'll stand a fighting chance, but if they allow Dublin to dictate the game early on, it will be a whitewashing, Wexford should be well up for this after two hard fought games against Longford and especially after loosing last years Leinster final the way they did, but even at that, Dublin should win by 5+ points

Kildare vs Meath- If Kildare have ambitions of winning all Ireland titles this game should'nt be close, Meath struggled to get past a spirited but average Carlow side whereas Kildare beat Offaly in the end in third gear, However tradition and the derby factor should make this a tight affair, with Kildare winning by 3

Tyrone vs Donegal- This has all the makings of a great game, Donegal are a serious outfit now that they have combined attack with a solid defense, Tyrone are going through a poor period by their standards but they always have the quality and mentallity to win big games like these, Donegal just have enough to win it and they should do so by 2

Laois vs Carlow- If there have ever been a game Carlow would love to win it would be this one, but it looks like Carlow's first game against Meath is yearly performance over and done with, Laois are overrated and have been punching above their weight for years, but should win this handy by 8+ points

Louth vs Westmeath- Two fairly depleated sides here, Westmeath will be spurred on by revenge for their last minute loss to Louth in the championship earlier this year, and they should achieve it with an unconvincing 3 point win

Roscommon vs Armagh- Roscommon seem to have taken a few steps back this year with that poor showing against Galway who themselves gave a very poor showing against Sligo, Armagh seem to have enough in them to win this by 6+ points

Fermanagh vs Cavan- Fermanagh looked very dissapointing against Down even with Peter Canavan on the sideline, Cavan are in complete dissarray and have lost there one score getter in attack, Home advantage will help Fermanagh and they should win this by two

Tipperary vs Offaly- This is a tough one to call, two disasterous league campaigns and two mid-season managerial losses says a lot about the state of football in both counties, Tipperary gave a good account of themselves against Kerry, whereas Offaly showed signs of improvement in the first 15 minutes against Kildare, for Tom Coffey, this is the game he would have earmarked since he took over, but home advantage will be major factor in the result of this game and i see it ending up as a draw

London vs Antrim- Antrim should fear this tie greatly, London will feel like they let themselves down against Leitrim and will in no doubt be up for this one, Antrim's commitment to the cause will be the deciding factor in this game, if they want to play on Saturday, they should win by 5+ points

Wicklow vs Waterford- There is nothing in Waterford football that says this wont be an easy win for Wicklow, Wicklow have the better quality and the advantage of Aughrim, Waterford will have their sights set on beating Tipperary in the Munster Hurling Final instead on the game on Saturday so Wicklow should win by 9+

Longford vs Derry- Arguably the tie of the weekend, Derry were outrageous bad against Donegal, and i dont see them having the heart to defeat Longford in their own back yard, Longford would have had their sights fully focused on Croke Park on Sunday instead of this game but should win come out of this with a 4 points win

hurlinhand95 (Offaly) - Posts: 17 - 28/06/2012 18:23:31    1204431

Well another big week of football. Let's actually get a thread going talking about matches for a change:

Saturday 14 July
All-Ireland SFC qualifier round 2
Roscommon v Tyrone - Tyrone will be ready after Armagh being ambushed and will win handy
Antrim v Galway - Galway got a handy draw and should have enough here
Tipperary v Wexford - Wexford will be seriously deflated after blowing it so badly the last day. If Tipperary come out meaning business they might have a chance of causing an upset but still. Wexford to win.
Leitrim v Wicklow - Wicklow won by 6 when they met in the league. Expect a similar result here
Longford v Limerick - Should be a great game. Longford have a good bit of momentum and love playing at home. Should get them through.

Sunday 15 July
Connacht SFC final
Sligo v Mayo - Terrible preparation for Mayo considering todays news but this Mayo team have a serious attitude that you may not have associated with Mayo before. They'll want the front door and will get it.

All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers Round 2
Westmeath v Kerry - Kerry could put a big score here if they start well.
Cavan v Kildare - Kildare will be very physical and Cavan struggled against Donegal for this reason. Take away all the other circus attractions. Kildare have never lost a qualifier under McGeeney and should win in the end
Laois v Monaghan - Huge game for Laois. Lose and McNulty will be gone by Monday. Would the players be sorry to see him go? Home advantage will mean nothing as Laois fans have abandoned this team. Monaghan will want to make up for leaving the Down game behind them and will win here.

doublehop (Kildare) - Posts: 4172 - 11/07/2012 20:38:39    1215281

All-Ireland SFC qualifier round 2
Roscommon v Tyrone - It will be good for Tyrone to get a good hard championship game under their belt and considering their back door record they should win.
Antrim v Galway - Antrim will need to up their game here but Galway should win even though they are unpredicable.
Tipperary v Wexford - Hard game to call and it will come down to how Wexford react to their loss to Dublin. Narrow Wexford win.
Leitrim v Wicklow - No wins for Leitrim in the back door to continue.
Longford v Limerick - Longford impressed me last year against Tyrone in the back so I have not been surprised by their progress since. Home win.
Westmeath v Kerry - Kerry should win easy.
Cavan v Kildare - I expect a backlash from Kildare against a Cavan team that do not appear to me to be at the same standard.
Laois v Monaghan - Possibly the hardest game to call but I just think Monaghan may have the better forwards to get a narrow win.

Mayo V Sligo Hard to judge Mayo but if they are to build on last years progress they should win this.

Byanthon (Tyrone) - Posts: 1800 - 12/07/2012 09:59:23    1215440

Saturday 14 July
All-Ireland SFC qualifier round 2

Roscommon v Tyrone - Tyrone to take full control of the game
Antrim v Galway
Tipperary v Wexford - Wexford will be looking for a boost after last time out
Leitrim v Wicklow - wicklow by 3
Longford v Limerick - longford

Sunday 15 July
Connacht SFC final
Sligo v Mayo - sligo beat them in 2010 but couldnt tell how much they have improved since mayo to win handy enough

All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers Round 2
Westmeath v Kerry - Kerry 10+
Cavan v Kildare - Kildare 5+
Laois v Monaghan - im going for monaghan but wonder what the odds is for a draw on this one..

another great weekend of football is right feet up and few beers ;-)

dubbydave. (Dublin) - Posts: 3927 - 12/07/2012 10:33:50    1215467