PREDICTIONS

Donegal v Antrim

Rory Gallagher won’t find out too much and the margin of victory depends on how Antrim set up. Boosted by Matthew Fitzpatrick’s availability, they’ll still lose heavily.

Monaghan v Fermanagh

SAME story, but Peter Mcgrath (right) can adopt a more tactically astute game plan that could frustrate Monaghan – who should still win by six to eight points. Will Conor Mcmanus find form again beside Jack Mccarron?

Mayo v Sligo

ALL about Sligo getting a performance. Mayo have bigger fish to fry but want the Connacht title back. Aidan O’shea could wreak havoc inside. Mayo could win by 10.

Louth v Wicklow

THE absence of Derek Maguire and Andy Mcdonald has Louth reeling but they’ll still win at Parnell Park. Jonny Magee has done trojan work with limited resources in Wicklow and it’ll be closer than bookies think.

Carlow v Wexford

THE weekend’s potential upset. Wexford’s disrespect of Westmeath and Carlow in the last League games didn’t sit well, and they were embarrassed in the final – Waters, Malone, Brosnan, Lyng and Banville looked a pale shadow of their former selves. Hard to beat at home, Carlow can upset the 2/1 odds.

Longford v Laois

Leinster’s Jeckyll and Hyde, that’s Laois. Peter Creedon (inset) is probably tearing his hair out. Discipline is their Achilles heel but with key men fit they could have enough at home to win by a couple of points against whole-hearted Longford.