Previewing the Inter-County action with Matt O’Callaghan

Ever since Limerick were knocked out of both the Senior Hurling and Football All-Ireland Championships in successive weeks, the Treatysiders have turned to the rest of the nation’s counties to get their fix of inter-county action. This weekend sees the All-Ireland Championships really heat up with three All-Ireland Football Quarter Finals on Saturday and Monday whilst there will be a titanic Hurling Semi Final wedged in between on Sunday.

We caught up with Matt O’Callaghan to get his verdict on the aformentioned matches. On Saturday evening Armagh will take on Ulster Champions Tyrone. This game was a staple of the early 2000’s as both sides captured maiden All-Ireland’s. Directly after Dublin will take on Monaghan as they aim to capture a third successive All-Ireland.

“It would look as if the Provincial Champions in both of those games would go through. Its very hard to see Monaghan beating Dublin. If there is a possibility, a vague possibility of an upset, it may be Armagh and Tyrone”

On Monday Roscommon will do battle with Mayo once more in a repeat of last Sunday’s thrilling draw at Croke Park. Roscommon started the better and raced into a big lead early on. However Mayo battled back as they have done numerous times this year and in the end it was the Rossies that snatched the draw late on. There is very little between the teams but Mayo’s experience at this stage could see them over the line.

“I think they (Mayo) have been through so much,  been down so many roads,  so many near misses, so much expectations, so much unfulfilled expectations…

I somehow feel Roscommon may have missed their chance.. I think Mayo will just about edge it.”

The biggest game of the weekend is undoubtedly the clash of Galway and Tipperary on Sunday in the All Ireland semi final. Galway are favourites heading into the game after winning the League and Leinster titles in 2017. Tipperary were defeated by Cork in the quarter finals in Munster but have been plotting their journey back to Croker ever since and seem primed to face the Tribesmen. These sides have met at this stage a couple of times over the past number of years and have served up some classics.

“I just fancy Galway. The one caveat i would put in is how they respond to the break they have had since the Leinster Final.

They looked so good throughout the League and looked very good in the Leinster Final without stretching themselves.

Its going to be so close, I certainly wouldn’t be wagering anything on it.”

Here’s a video from the 2015 semi final which served up one of the best championship games ever seen to get you in the mood for Sunday.