Opinion | Power Ranking the Contenders to lift the Sam Maguire in July

With this years Sam Maguire just around the corner it’s time to see the potential teams that could raise the trophy in July.

The Allianz National Football League has given us, the fans, a real spectacle to watch. Lower ranked teams such as Limerick, Louth and even Roscommon have played out of their skin, earning promotion. Galway joined the Rossies in moving back to the top tier for 2023 where they will replace Dublin and Kildare who fall.

Kerry were the pace setters in the top division where they will face Mayo in a repeat of the 2019 League final.

Defending All-Ireland Champions Tyrone started to find their feet after a shaky start while Armagh proved they can mix it with the best.

For those competing in the top two tiers for 2023, their place in the hunt for the Sam Maguire is assured while those in Div 3&4 will have to make a provincial final to have any chance of competing for the top tier championship.

Below we analyse each teams as the championship looms.

Tailteann Cup bound

Provincial champions in 2020, both of Cavan and Tipperary were promoted from Division 4 last week but that is not enough to ensure their place in the All-Ireland Senior Championship.

Tipp’s route seems simpler as a win over Waterford followed by one against the winners of Limerick/Clare will see them into the Munster final.

Cavan’s route seems more difficult as they have Antrim in the Ulster quarters with the winners of Armagh and Donegal awaiting in the semi-finals.

Outside of this, the likes of Westmeath, Antrim and Fermanagh have their work cut out to reach the All-Ireland series.

Outsiders

16. Louth

Foreign lands for the Leinster side having not won the championship since 1957, division three finalists Louth will have the ability to play with freedom and ease. This Louth side have impressed this season with five wins in the league and may have an opportunity, playing bottom tier Carlow in the first round of Leinster.

15. Limerick

Limerick like Louth will see this as bonus territory as they avoid the Tailteann Cup in its first year. However, Billy Lee’s men will rue the loss in UL to the same opponents earlier in the year and will fancy their chances in the League final Saturday.

Also, Limerick look to have a preferable provincial passage, as they face neighbours Clare in the quarter-finals.

26 June 2021; Cian Sheehan of Limerick during the Munster GAA Football Senior Championship Quarter-Final match between Limerick and Waterford at LIT Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

14. Cork

After a disappointing season in division two, things don’t get any easier for the Rebels. Facing Kerry in the Munster semis, there is little hope for Keith Ricken’s side, bit stranger things have happened, as seen by them in 2020.

Still, after managing just two wins in their division, some drastic changes will have to be implemented to change that.

13. Clare

Similar to Cork, Clare will be disappointed with their display in this years Allianz football league only managing two wins after a solid start to the campaign.

In the grand scheme of things, their only wins came against seventh place Offaly and bottom of the pile Down.

Limerick await in a mouthwatering Munster quarter-final.

12. Meath

Finishing fourth in their league campaign this Meath side have shown the ability to compete with top teams. And with either Laois or Wicklow, we can expect these to get past round one of the Leinster championship anyway.

They looked to be building a couple of years back and if Andy McAntee’s men can rediscover that form, they will be dangerous.

Dark Horses

11. Kildare

Despite being relegated from division one Kildare have been reasonably impressive this season. With wins over Monaghan and Dublin it shows their ability and they will likely use the Leinster championship to re-announce their credentials.

Glenn Ryan, former Kildare captain, knows what it’s like to go far in the All-Ireland’s leading his Kildare team to an All-Ireland final back in 1998. His warrior like spirit is certainly sown into the team in the way they play with dogged aggression.

10. Derry

Rory Gallagher’s side, even in their first year back in Division 2, will be very disappointed not have secured promotion to the top tier. Many will point to the dubious decision to send off Shane McGuigan against Roscommon as a turning point with the sharpshooter off the field when Derry were presented with a chance to find the winner that would have most likely seen them promoted.

Still, they are a real threat in Ulster where they will meet the winner of Fermanagh and Tyrone in the quarter-finals.

29 May 2021; Shane McGuigan of Derry in action against Cillian Clarke of Cavan during the Allianz Football League Division 3 North Round 3 match between Cavan and Derry at Kingspan Breffni in Cavan. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

9. Roscommon

Finishing division two without a loss is not to be underestimated as the Rossies are the only team without a loss in the Spring. They have produced a brand of football that suits them and have been very efficient in using it. They beat a shadow Galway team in their league finale to restore their top tier league status.

Roscommon face Galway in the league final Sunday April third in a rematch that will be a good test for both teams up in Croke Park, with Mayo on the horizon for both in Connacht.

On The Cusp

8. Galway

Making the league final is what should be expected of this Galway side who looked far too good for their opponents in the League. The Tribesmen have achieved goal one of earning a division one spot and they will look to complete the next job as League champions against the Rossies.

Forward Shane Walsh has been a key man in the set up for a while now and if he can hit the summer running, his ability could be the game changer for the Connacht side.

7.Monaghan

Holding their own in division one Monaghan have been able to retain their spot up there for a ninth successive season at the least. A huge victory over Dublin relegated Dessie Farrell’s side and they can take confidence from beating the six in a row All-Ireland champions.

Star man Conor McManus is an inspiration for the team producing top quality football every time he steps on the pitch. The Oriel county has drawn Down for first round of the Ulster Championship and they should have too much before tougher tests lay ahead in the northern province.

6. Donegal

Donegal have been off the mark in recent years and many will feel they have missed out on a lengthy run in the championship with the quality at their disposal. Nonetheless, fourth place in this years league is a good position for them and they have looked somewhat better this year than the past two or three.

Laden with quality all over the field, if they can get past Armagh in the first round of Ulster, Declan Bonner’s side could go far.

5.Armagh

So far this season Armagh have impressed those around them and had some crucial victories through the league campaign. With wins over defending champions Tyrone and Dublin this team has the capability of a lot this championship.

In Rian O’Neill, they have one of the best players in the country, with the Crossmaglen man ably complimented by Kieran McGeeney’s impressive squad.

One worry is how they will fare against teams like Mayo, Kerry and potential Ulster rivals Tyrone and Donegal with the Orchard County having little championship experience at the highest level in recent years.

17 July 2021; Conor McManus of Monaghan in action against James Morgan of Armagh during the Ulster GAA Football Senior Championship Semi-Final match between Armagh and Monaghan at Páirc Esler in Newry, Down. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Perenial All-Ireland contenders

4.Dublin

Dublin are the brightest dark horse there has been in this competition. A team littered with talent, skill, determination and class, Dublin have been unable to produce any real standard of football getting relegated from division two and winning just two games.

Without Con O’Callaghan for the League, the Dubs will be hoping the return of the Cuala man can provide the spark needed. With losses to Kerry, Kildare, Armagh, Mayo and Monaghan, this side has a lot of work to do before meeting the better sides in this championship.

However, still expect them to walk through the Leinster championship to reinvigorate Dessie Farrell’s side.

3. Tyrone

Reigning champions Tyrone must not be written off after they started to show what they were about as the League concluded.

Tyrone were the only team to beat Kerry and even better they won down in the Kingdom proving that last year’s All-Ireland semi-final win was no fluke.

They are littered in All-Stars and last year joint-managers Feargal Lohan and Brian Dooher showed what they are about.

2. Mayo

Mayo have fallen just short so much in recent times it can be hard to back them as favorites for the championship.

Facing Kerry on Sunday will be a good experience and indication as to where they are at with a potential meeting in the All-Ireland final to come.

Manager James Horan is enjoying his time during his second spell with the county and looks more determined than ever to win this cup. With wins over Dublin and Armagh and a narrow loss to Kerry this side have continuously shown they can mix it with the best.

1.Kerry

Much has been expected of this Kerry side since their draw with Dublin in the 2019 All-Ireland final but two collapses have put paid to that.

25 July 2021; David Clifford of Kerry during the Munster GAA Football Senior Championship Final match between Kerry and Cork at Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney, Kerry. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

The losses to Cork in 2020 and last year with Tyrone will sting but they have looked a real force under Jack O’Connor this spring.

In the league, the Kingdom won five games, drew one and lost one with the defeat to Tyrone coming after they booked their place in the final.

Their talent pool is unmatched and right now they are the team to beat.

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