Match Predictions: 24 July 2010 - Round 4 Qualifiers

Monaghan v Kildare  Verdict: Kildare
Monaghan will get back to their fast-paced attacking style after running into a brick wall wearing a Tyrone jersey last week.  Monaghan have to be questioning their quality and Kildare are just the side to match them score for score and finish them off in the end.  I was impressed with Kildare's win over Derry last week.  They fell behind 1-02 to 0-0 early but composed themselves and the match ended in a lopsided beating.  Of course, Derry self-destructed this summer with internal personality problems but that is another story.

Dublin v Louth  Verdict: Dublin
Dublin all the way.  Louth may have gotten robbed by that horrible mistake v Meath but their fragility was exposed in that match.  Croker is going to be rockin' and the baby-faced Louth squad will be overwhelmed.  I don't think Dublin are particularly good this year.  I just think Louth are the weakest team left in the qualifiers.

Limerick v Cork  Verdict: Cork
I would pick Limerick against any other team in the qualifiers.  I have been impressed by their balanced but aggressive play.  John Galvin is a beast in midfield and really exposed the weakness of the Kerry 8 & 9.  At the end of the MFC against Kerry, if a few kickouts didn't somehow find their way to the immobile Micheál Quirke, Limerick may well have won that match.  Still, Cork are just too good not to pick them to win.  They have the strength and skill to make it to the final again.   

Sligo v Down  Verdict: Down
I like Down in this one.  Sligo are reeling from their loss to Roscommon and don't have the physical strength to match up with Down.  Benny Coulter should have a big day provided the rest of the team feed him the damn ball.  Sligo's finesse will be slowly beaten out of them and the tank will be empty in the last 10 minutes when they need it most.