All-Ireland SFC weekend previews: Donegal aiming for Munster double as Cork visit
Jim McGuinness Donegal Manager ahead of the game. Pic: ©INPHO/James Lawlor.
Donegal v Cork, Ballybofey, 3pm (D. Gough, Meath)
After demolishing one Munster powerhouse, Donegal now turn their attention to the other. Jim McGuinness has named the same XV that lined out in the Round 1 win over Kerry. Caolán McColgan and Jamie Brennan are notable returnees to the bench. Throw in the significant advantage of playing at fortress MacCumhaill Park and you can understand why Donegal are 1/7 favourites. Now is the time for Cork to deliver a season-defining performance. Scratch that, an era-defining display. Cork got no joy with an appeal against Colm O'Callaghan's red card in the win over Meath so he'll sit this one out. Seán Walsh takes his geansaí. Ruairí Deane is also in for David Buckley. There's no TV coverage for this one but there'll be another day out at least for whoever loses.
Verdict: Donegal
Monaghan v Roscommon, Clones, 4.30pm (P. Faloon, Down). GAA+
Bobby McCaul's ACL setback was a big blow for player and county but Monaghan still possess enough x-factor talents to score a statement win in Clones. They're stronger for the recall of Ryan Wylie in defence and have a deep bench with injury concerns Stephen O'Hanlon and Ryan McAnespie both present. Roscommon are without Enda Smith entirely, and have dropped Ruaidhrí Fallon to the reserves. In front of their home supporters, this is the sort of occasion that Monaghan players like Conor McCarthy, Jack McCarron, Wyle, Rory Beggan and Micheál Bannigan live for, an old school do-or-die. Roscommon didn't exactly flop against Tyrone last time out and will fancy themselves if they rekindle their provincial chutzpah.
Verdict: Monaghan
Six months after the counties met in a December challenge in Newbridge, they'll reconvene there. Tomás Kennedy scored 1-2 for an experimental Kerry who won by two points that evening. Fresh off All-Ireland U-20 success, perhaps Kennedy, listed at number 24, will use this platform to really ignite his senior career. Into the Kerry team from the loss to Donegal come Brian Ó Beaglaoich, Tony Brosnan and Joe O'Connor for Tadhg Morley, the suspended Micheál Burns and Keith Evans. There's still no Seán O'Shea, Tom O'Sullivan or Shane Ryan. Interestingly, Jack O'Connor has only named two of a possible four stand-by players; Brian Kelly and Charlie Keating. Kildare took an even greater hammering from Galway and thus have drafted in Padraic Spillane, Shane Farrell and Jack Robison for this make-or-break.
Verdict: Kerry
Ruairí Kinsella's ACL injury is a desperate blow to a Meath side chasing a first win in Championship 2026. Adam O'Neill is centre-forward Kinsella's nominal replacement but expect pre-match changes as usual. One of three changes to the published Derry lineup is a first Championship start for the highly rated James Sargent at number 11. Meath beat Derry in Round 1 of the League, but that was at Croke Park on a January evening and this rematch is in Derry's home. It should be an interesting clash of styles, Derry's more carefully choreographed yin to Meath's attack-minded yang. Truth be told, the season will go down as a big disappointment for whoever loses.
Verdict: Derry
All-Ireland senior football championship, Round 2A
Louth v Armagh, Inniskeen, 1pm (C. Lane, Cork). RTÉ TV
After igniting their Championship campaign with a first Championship win over Dublin since 1973, Louth are on home soil this time. Well, kind of. Inniskeen's Páirc Grattan is just across the border in Monaghan but it's been a fortress for Louth in recent seasons. Just ask the Cork crew of 2024. Paul Matthews, who hit a point as a sub against Dublin, starts this time, replacing Seán Callaghan. It's as you were otherwise. Ulster champions Armagh are unchanged. It is Armagh's sixth Championship game and they have yet to drop the ball and suffer a defeat. Defensively excellent and surgically incisive, with a team full of powerful runners and a stacked bench, Armagh are worthy favourites. The carrot for victory is a quarter-final place and some extra down time.
Verdict: Armagh
Galway v Westmeath, Salthill, 2pm (B. Griffin, Kerry). GAA+
If you'd told Galway after their provincial exit that they'd get the opportunity to rebuild their summer with ties against Kildare and Westmeath - two Division 3 teams for 2027 - they'd have taken it gladly. They skipped past Kildare comfortably although Westmeath are a different animal. The Leinster champions have won their last three games after extra time, indicating a steely resolve. Luke Loughlin's absence hasn't hurt them either, so far anyway. Shane McGrath comes into the Galway team for Ciarán Mulhearn, who drops to the standby list, but that's the only change. The Westerners' bench includes Johnny McGrath and Damien Comer who will no doubt see action. An unchanged Westmeath have a solid subs list too with John Heslin there again. Boidu Sayeh is an option too after injury.
Verdict: Galway
Tyrone v Mayo, Omagh, 3.30pm (B. Cawley, Kildare). RTÉ TV
Tyrone had their sights set on Roscommon from a long way out and duly delivered in Round 1. It was a strong, and badly needed, performance after an underwhelming start to 2026. Malachy O'Rourke goes with the same team so there is no place for Darragh or Ruairí Canavan. Take note though because Darragh, who had a hip problem, is one of Tyrone's four standby players. Bob Tuohy comes into the Mayo midfield for former captain Stephen Coen. Alongside Coen on the bench is a stellar cast; Aidan O'Shea, Paddy Durcan, Rob Hennelly, Diarmuid O'Connor, Tommy Conroy. Andy Moran will hope for some more Kobe fireworks as both teams chase a win that would set their season alight.
Verdict: Tyrone
All-Ireland senior football championship, Round 2B Cavan v Dublin, Kingspan Breffni, 2pm (L. Devenney, Mayo) This is a game that Dublin simply cannot lose and so manager Ger Brennan, who will resume sideline duties after a 12-week suspension, has made significant changes. Evan Comerford is back in goals after being dropped for the loss to Louth. Theo Clancy starts too, nominally for Killian McGinnis (knee) though there could easily be more late changes. Surely if Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne, named on the bench, is fit, he starts? Former All-Star Colm Basquel is finally available after a solitary substitute appearance all year, against Wicklow. Cavan may feel broken, or inspired, by their extra time near miss against Westmeath. Ryan Tobin starts after coming on against Westmeath, as does Dara McVeety. But there's still no Gearóid McKiernan as manager Dermot McCabe chases some relief after a torturous run of near-miss results across the last 18 months or so.
Verdict: Dublin
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