Live

OTB Gold

01:00 PM-02:00 PM

OTB Gold
Advertisement
Football

Breakdown of week one of the Super 8s

Meath's win over Clare yesterday means the lineup for this year's Super 8s is now complete. Over ...



Breakdown of week one of the S...
Football

Breakdown of week one of the Super 8s

Meath's win over Clare yesterday means the lineup for this year's Super 8s is now complete. Over the next four weeks, the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship quarter-finals will take place in three phases. 

The top team from each group will meet the second-placed county of the other in the second weekend of August to contest this year's semi-finals.

Group 1:

Dublin

Roscommon

Tyrone

Cork

Group 2:

Donegal

Kerry

Mayo

Meath

Phase 1 Fixtures:

Roscommon v Tyrone, Dr Hyde Park, 5pm, Saturday 13 July.

A replay of the opening game of last year's Super 8s as Roscommon will look to put their dismal showing 12 months ago behind them. The Rossies will be hoping that home advantage and the confidence of winning the Connacht Championship will give them a boost and they're not in for a repeat of the 18 point hammering the Red Hand inflicted on them in Croke Park last time out. Mikey Harte's side have come through the qualifiers convincingly though, gaining momentum with every game.

Dublin v Cork, Croke Park, 7pm, Saturday 13 July.

As Leinster Champions the Dubs welcome beaten Munster finalists Cork to Croke Park on Saturday evening as their push for an unprecedented five-in-a-row continues. Dublin are of course favourites to finish top of this group and it's hard to imagine them being particularly challenged. Cork though will make the trip with a stronger sense of optimism than they've had in recent years. They've scored 10 goals in their last 3 outings and are coming off the back of a 14 point win over Laois.

Donegal v Meath, Ballybofey, 2pm, Sunday 14 July.

Donegal's successful Ulster Championship campaign that saw them retain the Anglo-Celt Cup has led many to believe they will be Dublin's biggest challengers this year. The sides met twice in the league, once in the north-west venue and then again in the final in Croke Park, wtih Declan Bonner's side winning both ties. With the heavy-weights in this group and a trip to Castlebar on the cards next week, many will sense Meath's campaign could be over before it's really begun.

Kerry v Mayo, Killarney, 4pm, Sunday 14 July.

Easily the biggest and most interesting clash of the weekend. This tie may also shape this group. With three All-Ireland contenders involved and only two semi-final spots up for grabs, both sides will be hoping to lay down a marker. Kerry may be Munster Champions but their 3 point win over Cork was far from convincing, particularly in a defensive sense. With Mayo on a far longer road than the Kingdom though many will sense having played three more games than their opponents will be evident in terms of energy and fitness.

Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!

Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.


Read more about

Football GAA Super 8s