Donegal and Armagh lead the way in race for Sam
Hughie Hennessy with the Nestor Cup at Abbey Park, Boyle, on Saturday last. Picture: Bernie O'Farrell
Roscommon’s fate in the All-Ireland 2B draw is known. A tough battle against Monaghan awaits in Clones.
After the first round, it was Donegal who landed a powerful uppercut on Kerry in Killarney, leaving Jack O’Connor’s men with a bloody nose and plenty of soul-searching to do.
The most remarkable result of the championship to date was Down beating Donegal, which made little sense unless Jim McGuinness decided to exit the provincial series early on the logic that if a team win their first two games in the new qualifier format, they are into the All-Ireland quarter-finals rather than ploughing through a provincial minefield.
Right now, Donegal are the front-runners in the race for Sam if they maintain what they produced against the All-Ireland champions, having beaten the Munster men three times in 2026. Despite those setbacks, it’s impossible not to see Kerry winning their next game against any opposition in the 2B draw.
Outside of the Rossies, Kieran McGeeney’s Armagh are my second favourite GAA team, such is their resilience and durability. They are one of the most remarkable sides I have seen, with the courage and conviction to bounce back from any setback they endure. Having been crowned Ulster champions will only fuel their desire to have a serious crack at winning another All-Ireland crown.
My outside fancy is Galway, who, on their day and in full flow, have the talent to beat either Donegal, Kerry or Armagh — but taking two of them out might be pushing it. With Shane Walsh and Damien Comer back in full swing, Pádraic Joyce’s side are All-Ireland semi-final material.
Let’s hope Roscommon can continue what has been a wonderful season. NFL Division One safety and beating Mayo and Galway to win Connacht was massive, and despite being below par against Tyrone, they only lost out in a photo finish. Consistency is now back, and another win would leave Mark Dowd’s men one fence out from the last eight.
Overall, the championship is shaping up for a fantastic finish, with Mark McHugh’s Westmeath a breath of fresh air. Football games are now Top of the Pops — scoring has gone through the roof, with more orange flags than a July 4th parade.
Crowds are back, and championship games are becoming wonderful days out, with Donegal and Armagh ahead of the chasing pack.
The wait is over for the Roscommon U-17 footballers as they are back in the ring on Saturday against a Derry side that lost the Ulster final to Tyrone last Friday night.
Could Roscommon, after beating Galway in a thrilling Connacht final, be ring-rusty after being idle for a month? Derry, despite losing the provincial final, will be playing for the third week in a row. On the one hand, the Oak Leaf boys will have a short turnaround to ease the pain of losing, but, on the other, they could be more match-sharp than Roscommon.
Shane Moran’s young Primrose and Blue heroes won a thrilling Connacht championship, going through the campaign unbeaten and edging out the Tribesmen in the decider. This provided enough evidence that they can repeat last season’s heroics by reaching the All-Ireland semi-final.
In recent seasons, beating Ulster opposition at U-17 level has proved a difficult assignment for teams from the other three provinces. Tyrone and Derry have won the last three All-Irelands, and in 2023 and 2024 the deciders were all-Ulster affairs, with Monaghan and Armagh losing out to Derry in the respective finals.
The challenge in front of both Roscommon and Galway this Saturday is huge, with the Maroon and White facing Tyrone. This will take Roscommon’s best performance to get over the line, but they will have noted that Derry are only averaging 0-12 per game in their last two outings.
If Roscommon can get their defensive house in order, the Primrose and Blue have the firepower to shoot them to victory.
With no money in the Liverpool “Slot” machine, my Tuesday Teaser dealers turned loose change into a winning hand.
Can you name the last Scotsman to captain a side to a major European Cup final victory? It was John McGinn with Aston Villa in this season’s Europa League final.
QPR, Frenchpark, was first to hit the jackpot, along with Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis; PJ Martin, Kiltoom; Michael Scally, Ballaghaderreen; Murt Hunt, Ballyhaunis; John Croghan, Bundoran; Pat, Sligo; Mary Gilfillan, Kilmore; Mick Fetherston, Dublin; Mary McCarthy, Holloway; Marcus Ward, Lytham; Kevin Flanagan, Dartford; Seán Toolan, Heston, and Michael Kearns, Clapham, also collecting their winnings.
This week’s Teaser: Can you name the last Roscommon footballer to score a goal in four consecutive SFC games.
Answers by email to willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086 8356227. This week’s teaser came from London.
Star pupil: Matthew Farrell, as the Oran man refereed the Christy Ring Cup final in Croke Park between Derry and Kerry.
Crucial win for: Kerry, who won their first All-Ireland U-20 football title since 2008 with victory over Tyrone.
Must do better: Cavan let a great chance slip through their fingers against Westmeath.
Spot of bother: Heartbreak for Arsenal, who lost the Champions League final to PSG on penalties.
Weekend highlight: A wonderful weekend for Tulsk GAA Club, who held a massive hooley to celebrate the official opening of its new pitch and facilities.
What a cracker: Cork and Limerick have become the biggest rivalry in hurling, and Sunday’s Munster SHC final will add another layer to an already decorated cake.
“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.”
The World Cup soccer tournament starts in nine days’ time on Thursday, June 11th.
Both Jim McGuinness and David Clifford can count their blessings that the unsavoury incidents during the Kerry and Donegal championship game are now closed with no sanctions being handed out.
