AFTER LAST NIGHT’S clashes in Roscommon and Omagh, the Super 8s attention shifts to Newbridge and Clones this afternoon.
There’s Group 1 games down for decision with Kildare entertaining Galway at 2pm in St Conleth’s Park while Monaghan host Kerry at 4pm in St Tiernach’s Park. For Galway and Monaghan, there is a chance to take a major step towards the All-Ireland semi-final stage after last Sunday’s wins in Croke Park while Kildare and Kerry need to mount a response to save their championship seasons.
It’s only the fifth ever championship meeting between Galway and Kildare with the Tribesmen winning the big ties played out most recently in the 2000 All-Ireland semi-final and the 1998 All-Ireland final.
For Monaghan and Kerry, this is the seventh time they have crossed paths in the championship arena. Monaghan have never won, their best result coming in 1985 when they forced an All-Ireland semi-final draw, with narrow defeats suffered in 2007 and 2008 in Croke Park.
So how do you see today’s encounters unfolding? Pick your likely winners from the two showdowns.
Poll Results:
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I think the Galway game is a fore gone conclusion, barring Galway not showing up. On the other hand, Mon Vs Kerry is very tasty. If Monaghan win, they’re in the 1/2 final. Not only that, the kingdom will be gone. If Kerry win, you’d fancy them to beat Kildare and Galway to beat Monaghan. That’s all in an ideal world of course, this is sport and that doesn’t always pan out.
IMO, I think Monaghan will take Kerry today. I think Monaghan learned a very valuable lesson against Fermanagh. There’ll be no complacency today. If history has taught us anything, Kerry fans won’t travel in big numbers. The 16th man will be a huge advantage to Monaghan.
I’m taking Monaghan to win by 2-4 pts. All the pressure is on Kerry, lose and they’re out. Monaghan, on the other hand, get a 2nd life, regardless.
@Stephen Duggan: agree with that.
In a wider context the gaa have to address this handball / basketball and mass defence carry on. Sky or anyone else can tell me last night match was great but it wasn’t a great spectacle. Why the lethargy or reluctance on trying rule changes? Serious question for those more in the know ???
@Declan Doyle: They should bring in a rule where a hand pass can only go forward. It would stop a lot of hand passes and more play with the boot.
@Mike Keane: something anything Mike would be worth trying. I thought Howard was great for Dublin last night but he like more is bringing in this basketball spin move to get away from a player.
@Declan Doyle: there’s a rule in Gaelic football seldom enforced…….. Four steps. That would stop some of it, not that it’s a huge problem.
@Kieran Doherty: it is actually kieran I agree with you but at this stage it’s just aussie rules run with the ball stuff. Think you’d have to be around 12 stepd now to have a chance of being blown up for it but you’re right if enforced it would help but again the blanket defense forces guys to run rugby league style to try and break the lines.
Galway to win in Newbridge. If Kerry decide to get off the bus this week and that forward line click, I believe they will win. Lots of “ifs” and certainly a tough battle lays ahead.
Kerry lacking in depth this year and Galway seem like the only team able to go toe to toe with the Dubs.
Write Kerry off at your peril. They are more or less going into this one as underdogs which will suit them. They were horrendous last week but I think that will have grounded them and make them more hungry for this one. Monaghan are a fantastic team and very entertaining to watch. But I reckon the kingdom will have too much for them. Dessie mone is a weak link in their defence.
Cmon Galway . Nowhere like Newbridge for a win
Write Kerry off at your peril. They are more or less going into this one as underdogs which will suit them. They were extremely poor last week but I think that will have grounded them and make them more hungry for this one. Monaghan are a fantastic team and very entertaining to watch. But I reckon the kingdom will have too much for them. Dessie Mone is a weak link in their defence.