All-Ireland SFC qualifiers

TODAY

Extra-time if required

Cork v Down, Croke Park, 6pm, (Michael Duffy, Sligo) TV3

TEN months on and Down can count themselves lucky they’re catching a Cork team who have been left stewing a Munster final defeat for three weeks. That, Benny Coulter’s return to full fitness and the momentum built over the last four weeks put Down ahead under a number of headings.

Cork may have been prone to an ambush, but Down aren’t highway robbers. The All-Ireland champions know full well their opponents aren’t lacking in motivation.

Then again, Cork will see this as a chance to amend a few things. Starting with their bad habit of rusty first-half performances.

Verdict: Cork

Derry v Kildare, Croke Park, 4pm (S Doyle, Wexford)

PUT it this way — if Derry win they deserve kudos. What is asked of them is incredibly unfair and virtually impossible.

And that’s without mentioning the form and challenge presented by Kildare, who have proven possibly the greatest qualifier team since the backdoor was introduced. Derry have no end of physicality but they’re unlikely to last the game as impressively as Kildare.

That the in-form James Kavanagh is named on the bench is an indication of the bounty at Kieran McGeeney’s disposal.

Verdict: Kildare

Wexford v Limerick, Portlaoise 7pm (D Fahy, Longford)

THE one surprising element of Limerick’s win over Waterford last weekend was their failure to score a goal. To beat Wexford they must rediscover that touch.

Jason Ryan has assured us his team will be right. Wexford’s attitudes buzz with as much positivity as their style of football although Shane Roche is unlucky to lose out to PJ Banville.

Verdict: Wexford

Round 3: Tyrone v Armagh, Omagh 7pm (Marty Duffy, Sligo)

A ROSE by any other name is still a rose and don’t try telling the 17,000 or so who will pack into Healy Park this evening that games between these teams have lost any of their lustre.

Armagh have got things back on track and will take plenty from becoming the first county not to lose a SFC game to Mick O’Dwyer’s Wicklow in Aughrim.

Tyrone won a tricky tie in Longford as well and will benefit from the couple of weeks off, even if the Owen Mulligan episode was a distraction. The game is almost too close to call but Mickey Harte looks like he has more of a blend between youth and experience.

Verdict: Tyrone