Kernan predicts a weekend Ulster double at Croker

JOE KERNAN is backing Down and Tyrone to secure victory in the weekend’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals.

The Galway boss, who steered his native Armagh to September glory in 2002, believes that the loss of key players will be keenly felt by Kerry against the resurgent Mourne men.

And while Dublin have shown signs of recuperation through the qualifiers, Kernan argues that the memory of previous heavy reversals at the hands of Mickey Harte’s men will be too much to shake off for Pat Gilroy’s side.