Weekend GAA Previews: Dublin will ask questions but Kerry can figure out answers

Saturday's semi-final is as novel a pairing as we've seen in 22 years.

Brian Howard of Dublin in action against Joe O'Connor of Kerry during the Allianz Football League Division 1 match between Dublin and Kerry at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

SATURDAY 

All-Ireland SFC semi-final Louth v Mayo, Croke Park, 6pm (D. Coldrick, Meath) Live RTÉ, BBC.

As novel a semi-final as we have seen in 22 years and with that in mind the build-up in both counties has to be considered. Those in Mayo say anticipation for this game is slightly muted. In many areas of Louth they are going buck mad at the thoughts of a first All-Ireland final in 69 years having bridged the same gap to their previous semi-final. It was with reason that captain Sam Mulroy asked people to respect the group following the quarter-final win over Monaghan. “I love the support and I hope people don’t take this the wrong way, it’s important that the lads stay grounded, and stay in the zone,” he told LMFM. “Absolutely, the fans are going to enjoy this, the team is going to enjoy this, but it will be up to us to stay in our bubble because we have a lot of work to do…” 

Louth are no strangers to parades and the pomp that goes with big games in Croke Park but as Mulroy says this is “unchartered territory”. They are pioneers. Mayo have the edge on them in that sector but Louth have looked indomitable since getting back at Dublin early last month. 

The Mayo madness is something they might try and legislate for but really can’t. Donal McKenny will likely take up Darragh Beirne but Kobe McDonald’s roaming threat will have to be considered too. If Mayo get close to break even with Louth on kick-outs and pull the trigger for in-form Enda Hession to run, it will go a long way for them. They also have a beefed-up bench. 

Paddy Tally’s knowledge of his fellow Tyrone man Gavin Devlin’s ways will be useful. You would say vice-versa but, while Mayo’s defensive play has improved, their tactics remain unpredictable. As Derry great Tony Scullion would say about his Ireland Compromise Rules jersey and 1993 Celtic Cross, “I can’t separate them”. It may require extra-time to do just that. It’s Mayo by a whisker. 

Verdict: Mayo.

Tailteann Cup SFC final: Down v Wicklow, Croke Park, 3.30pm (B. Tiernan, Dublin) Live RTÉ.

Three weeks is quite the build-up. It would have allowed both teams to complete running repairs after a hectic schedule. It also gives the counties a worthy build-up and there are many flocking from both to attend. Down will always fancy themselves in Croke Park but some of their recent wins there against Fermanagh, Wexford and Laois haven’t been wholly convincing. Eight goals in their last three games, Eamon Brown scoring two of them, is an encouraging indicator. 

This feels like the final game of Oisín McConville’s tenure in Wicklow and the significance of that won’t be lost on the players. Dean Healy is an evergreen captain and his battles with the likes of Odhrán Murdock will be fascinating. A genuine championship team, Wicklow are ready and there is more of an onus on Down to win here, but if they truly are a big fish in a small pond they have to demonstrate it. 

Verdict: Down.

SUNDAY 

All-Ireland SFC semi-final: Dublin v Kerry, Croke Park, 4pm (B. Cawley, Kildare) Live RTÉ, BBC.

Kerry don’t feel the burden of the favourites’ tag like other counties so understandably Ger Brennan attempted to add some weight to it earlier this week. Mentioning Shane Murphy as extensively as he did, the fact he had a difficult day in the Division 1 final, Brennan was clearly putting an onus on the Kerry goalkeeper. The Dublin manager will find Murphy isn’t as deliberate as Connor Gleeson in getting the ball back in play, though. That expediency is what Dublin will be homing in on to give themselves a platform on the kick-outs as they did against Galway. 

Kerry, as Brennan says, have “big lumps” too but they have better secondary ball winners to tidy up if Brian Howard and Ciarán Kilkenny go spoiling aerial ball. Seán MacMahon is named to start but there is serious doubts about his participation, which is unfortunate for Dublin as he was strong against David Clifford in the league encounter. After Nathan Doran’s season-ending injury, another absence in their half of the field will be felt even if Theo Clancy moves back. 

In Kerry’s half, they are stacked at least with their starting sextet. Save for Clifford, Dublin aren’t going to rejig too many things and likewise Kerry will probably keep most of their shape and decline the option of man-marking Con O’Callaghan. He will flitter between the lines and while he appears to be minding his hamstring, his efficiency of effort has been incredible.

The stars are a large reason for the full house but the playmaking of Niall Scully and Paudie Clifford are quite the attraction too. Clifford showed against Tyrone that he is almost up to speed. Joe O’Connor is also due a big game. Line each team up against each other and Kerry have the slight advantage. Compare their substitutes benches and there is only one winner. 

Like Tyrone, Dublin aren’t a team that will show Kerry too much respect. There would be a school of thought in both counties that but for their star man they are a good, not great side. Dublin will ask questions but Kerry will figure out a lot of them. 

Verdict: Kerry.

All-Ireland JFC final, Croke Park, 1.45pm, Spórt TG4.