Qualifiers - Saturday July 23rd

'We're going to Croker!'

This is a great weekend for football with some interesting clashes. The Croke Park double-bill is a hot ticket as first Derry take on Kildare followed by a rematch of the last year's All-Ireland Final with Cork v. Down. The other two matches are Tyrone v. Armagh and Wexford v. Limerick. The winner of the Tyrone v. Armagh match has a meeting with Roscommon the following week to determine the last spot of the final eight.  Let's take a look at the match-ups...

Cork v. Down
If you aren't excited about this one something is wrong with either your heart or brain or both. Down have a chance to dethrone the Champs and earn revenge for their All-Ireland Final defeat. Cork and Down have a common opponent this year in Clare. Cork won by 15 while Down struggled for a one point victory. Still Cork have been idle for 3 weeks and rust can be a real problem. Down have been playing every week and building momentum. I predict Down to start strong and win the first half. At the final whistle Cork's poise and depth particularly at midfield will win out but this match should have plenty to keep the crowd in Croker on their feet. Cork +3

Derry v. Kildare
Derry were unlucky in the Ulster Championship last week and have to meet the hottest team in the Qualifiers on 6 days rest. I can't see this ending well for Derry. They won't be able to keep up with the pace of Kildare. I feel bad for Derry who were thinking Ulster Championship and beyond six days ago. By this evening they'll be thinking about next year. Kildare +5

Wexford v. Limerick
If not for some badly wasted possession and an own goal, Wexford would have beaten Dublin two weeks ago and have a Leinster Championship to celebrate. Limerick have had a prolonged run in the Qualifiers since losing badly to Kerry in the opening round of the Munster Championship. Wexford will put an end to Limerick today before the papers get a chance to write fluffy feel-good articles about a Cinderella run for Limerick. I can just see it - the Limerick team is inspired by John Galvin's broken hip and bringing together a gang-ravaged city blah blah blah. Not this time. Wexford +5

Tyrone v. Armagh
I haven't seen either team this year but that won't stop me from commenting! Not surprisingly the bookies have Tyrone as heavy favourites. After all, Armagh did draw with Wicklow. I'm going to follow a hunch here and pick Armagh. Maybe I just don't like Tyrone but they don't seem to have put it together this year. Let another Ulster county have some glory! Armagh +2