WEEKEND BOOTROOM
TODAY ALL-IRELAND SFC QUARTER-FINALS TYRONE v ARMAGH
Croke Park, 4pm The Ulster rivals meet in Championship for the first time in three years, with Armagh heading into this clash on the back of that impressive second-half showing against Kildare last weekend.
However, that win came at a cost, with Andrew Murnin — scorer of 1-1 against the Lilywhites — failing to recover from the hamstring injury that saw him withdrawn in the 48th minute. The Orchard are also set to be without defender Aaron McKay.
Tyrone arrive as Ulster champions, although Mickey Harte’s men are used to having come through more difficult battles by this time of the year — they breezed past Derry and Donegal on their way to the provincial decider and finished the final eight points clear of Down.
Harte has warned officials to be alert to offthe-ball incidents, but the heated, high-tempo battles we’ve seen before seem to be a thing of the past.
Tyrone should be able to remind everyone in Croke Park that they are a Division 1 team and playing against a Division 3 side, as their silent charge towards the Sam Maguire continues.
VERDICT: Tyrone.
LAST THREE C’SHIP MEETINGS:
July 2014: Armagh 0-13 Tyrone 0-10 (All-Ireland Qualifiers) June 2012: Tyrone 0-19 Armagh 1-13 (Ulster quarter-final) July 2011: Tyrone 2-13 Armagh 0-13 (All-Ireland Round 3 qualifier) KEY STAT: Mickey Harte will be leading Tyrone into the All-Ireland quarterfinals for the 13th time. TV: LIVE on Sky Sports Arena from 3pm Referee: David Gough (Meath)
DUBLIN v MONAGHAN Croke Park, 6pm
Dublin manager Jim Gavin has been complaining about the state of the Croke Park surface following the recent sell-out concerts by Coldplay and U2, but in reality, Dublin would be expected to win this game if it was moved down the road to Dollymount Strand.
While Monaghan have troubled Dublin in recent League outings, Gavin’s side are a different animal when it comes to Championship and as usual they have blown any challengers out of the water on their path to the last eight.
That said, the Farney men will still represent Dublin’s most difficult test to date, with the contribution of Monaghan’s substitutes this summer particularly impressive.
Dublin’s defence were caught napping against Kildare at times, and such lapses in concentration here are likely to be punished given the form of Monaghan frontmen Conor McManus, Jack McCarron and Conor McCarthy, who hit some magnificent scores in defeating Down last weekend.
Still, Dublin have plenty of magic themselves up front, with Bernard Brogan rolling back the years against the Lilywhites while Dean Rock and Co remain as reliable as ever. So, don’t expect any surprises. VERDICT: Dublin.
LAST THREE C’SHIP MEETINGS:
August 2014: Dublin 2-22 Monaghan 0-11 (All-Ireland quarter-final) July 1923: Dublin 2-5 Monaghan 0-0 (All-Ireland semi-final) June 1922: Dublin 2-8 Monaghan 0-2 (All-Ireland semi-final)
KEY STAT: Since the introduction of the quarter-finals in 2001, the only year Dublin didn’t qualify for the last eight was 2003, when they lost to Armagh in the qualifiers.
TV: LIVE on Sky Sports Arena from 6pm
Referee: Conor Lane (Cork)
TOMORROW ALL-IRELAND SHC SEMI-FINAL GALWAY v TIPPERARY
Croke Park, 4pm In their last two meetings at this stage, each of these sides has come out on top by a single point once each, but the more telling point of reference may be the Tribesmen’s League final hammering of Tipperary back in April.
Galway have seemingly only gone from strength to strength since then, landing a Leinster title with relative ease to reinforce their status as All-Ireland favourites.
Tipp, on the other hand, have stuttered their way to the semifinals, defeat by Cork in the Munster Championship followed by a comfortable stroll through the qualifiers in which they haven’t really been tested.
Of course, the reigning All-Ireland champions have more than enough talent in their ranks to beat any side in the land, and history shows us that the favourites tag often doesn’t sit too well with Galway.
Still, if Galway can continue the form that has seen them record nine straight League and Championship wins, the Premier will need to really lift their levels if their Liam MacCarthy defence is to continue.
The key battle here looks to be the one between Tipp’s alarmingly problematic defence and Galway’s free-scoring forward line.
VERDICT: Galway.
LAST THREE C’SHIP MEETINGS:
August 2016: Tipperary 2-19 Galway 2-18 (AllIreland semi-final
August 2015: Galway 0-26 Tipperary 3-16 (All-Ireland semi-final)
July 2014: Tipperary 3-25 Galway 4-13 (All-Ireland qualifier)
KEY STAT: Both Tipperary and Galway have won five and lost five of their last ten All-Ireland semi-finals.
TV: LIVE on RTÉ2 from 3.30pm and Sky Sports Arena from 3pm
Referee: Barry Kelly (Westmeath)