With the National League now in the rear-view, it is time to take it up a degree as championship soccer motion begins in earnest.
This weekend, there’s motion throughout all 4 provinces and in Ulster, there’s the tantalising preliminary spherical conflict between Armagh and Tyrone at the Athletic Grounds [16:15 BST] – one you’ll be able to watch dwell on BBC Two NI, BBC iPlayer, web site and app.
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It guarantees to be a summer time of twists and turns with a lot to ponder, to The GAA Social is joined by Philly McMahon and Conor McManus to talk about what we would see in the weekend and months ahead.
Armagh enter as favourites in opposition to Tyrone
Armagh and Tyrone have served up some memorable video games down by means of the years and their rivalry in the 2000s in maybe certainly one of the most enduring in latest Gaelic soccer historical past.
Of course, a derby can tackle a lifetime of its personal and there are completely no ensures when these sides meet, however former Armagh All-Ireland winner Oisin McConville feels his native county go into Sunday’s recreation with better momentum after a way more encouraging league marketing campaign.
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“What we’ve seen over the past few years in the league is that teams who are going well, you can pick stuff out and go, ‘they are nearly there’,” he stated.
“It’s probably now a stretch for teams who haven’t had fundamental form in the league to spring a massive surprise in the championship.”
Tyrone had been thought to be just a little unfortunate to discover themselves in Division Two of the league this 12 months, relegated on seven factors in 2025 once they went on to contest an All-Ireland semi-final.
With All-Ireland U20 wins in 2024 and 2025, there’s undoubted expertise in the O’Neill County, however Malachy O’Rourke’s facet go into Sunday after a disappointing league.
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“You hear a lot about this Tyrone team coming through and the strength of their development squads, they get their man [Malachy O’Rourke] but things just haven’t clicked,” McMahon, a winner of eight All-Irelands with Dublin, instructed the podcast.
“As much as Monaghan and Cavan is one of those one-off go and have a rattle, so is Armagh-Tyrone. I still think Armagh are a little bit ahead of Tyrone.”
While former Monaghan star Conor McManus feels it’s best to “write Tyrone off at your peril”, he identifies areas of concern for the Red Hands.
“With the kick-outs, it’s become a dog fight and the teams with the size have an advantage. Armagh have the size and while Tyrone have Conn Kilpatrick and Brian Kennedy, outside of that they are quite small which is going against them,” McManus notes.
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“Darragh Canavan was supposed to fly out to Australia for a month – those things aren’t what you’d associate with Tyrone or a team trying to win an All-Ireland.
“I do know he did not get away, however the furore round that does not assist and when Malachy was over us [Monaghan], these issues simply did not occur.”
Big opportunity on the other side of Ulster’s draw
Neighbours Cavan and Monaghan meet in a 19 April quarter-final [Getty Images]
The winner of Sunday’s opener faces Fermanagh 13 days later with a semi-final against either Donegal or Down to look forward to.
McMahon is “leaning in direction of Armagh and Donegal” to meet on 3 May but what of the other side of the draw?
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Derry host Antrim on 18 April with Cavan at home to Monaghan the following day – both games live on the BBC – with the winners meeting in a 2 May semi-final.
While the Oak Leafers missed out on promotion from Division Two, they found form after a difficult 18 months and “are positively again on the street” according to the former Dublin defender.
Should they overcome the Saffrons, then who do they face from the following day’s derby?
Monaghan lost their Division One status after a difficult campaign, while Cavan managed to survive in Division Two.
Neither are on a hot streak, but McManus notes “there’s a gap for any group on that facet of the draw to get to an Ulster closing, so it is a huge recreation”.
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“Division One is a really unforgiving place to be when you have got loads of accidents and you’re blooding loads of younger lads at one time,” McManus said of the Farney men.
“We noticed that the first day in opposition to Armagh and it simply adopted that sample the complete means by means of. They had a superb efficiency in opposition to Donegal and hopefully they may have 4 or 5 lads again like Ryan McAnespie, Conor McCarthy, Killian Lavelle, Dylan Byrne, Louis Kelly.
“Cavan aren’t firing on all cylinders either but on their worst day, Cavan or Monaghan can always get themselves up for that game.
“Neither group are coming in on the crest of a wave, so if ever there was a 50-50 recreation, that is it.”
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Have Donegal solved the Clifford conundrum?
Paudie Clifford was a thorn in Donegal’s side during last year’s All-Ireland final [Getty Images]
You can listen to the podcast to hear the full predictions of all three for their provincial and All-Ireland winners, but it won’t come as a surprise to learn the trio place Donegal and Kerry as leading contenders.
Last year, the Kingdom reigned but Donegal turned the tables in the recent league final, which may have “sharpened Kerry’s knives” according to McManus.
Donegal using goalkeeper Gavin Mulreany as an added defender will give Kerry much to ponder should they meet again later this year, but then Jack O’Connor will likely have some key figures to return.
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“You can say Donegal tactically acquired it proper, however they nonetheless have not answered the query on Paudie Clifford,” says McConville
McMahon disagrees on that point, and feels Donegal manager Jim McGuinness may have found the solution which could lead to ultimate glory this year.
“[Clifford’s] influential, however did McGuinness get it incorrect tactically final 12 months? I believe you simply have get in his face and do not let him hit these passes.
“I find it very hard to see any team beating Donegal and Kerry.
“The solely group that has received back-to-back since 2006 is Dublin and Kerry. Can Kerry do it? Yes, but it surely’s an enormous ask and that is why I’m veering in direction of Donegal.”