All-Ireland qualifiers first round

SATURDAY Carlow v Derry Dr Cullen Park, 5pmCarlow are worth watching for Brendan Murphy alone, impressing since his return from Australian Rules, and considering Derry are without first choice midfielders Fergal Doherty and Patsy Bradley there is a glimmer of hope for an upset.

Derry should have enough about them to get clean possession up to Paddy Bradley. Achieve that and Bradley will do the rest.

Kildare v Antrim

Newbridge, 7pm

Kildare were expected to build on last season’s provincial final appearance but defeat to Louth shows progress under Kieran McGeeney has stalled. Antrim reached the Ulster final last year and gave Kerry a decent game so they will be targeting another qualifier run after running foul of Tyrone again in Ulster. But Kildare, presuming McGeeney has solved their numerous problems, to marginally shade it.

Offaly v Clare

Tullamore, 2pm

Despite the loss of Shane Sullivan to a broken bone in his hand, there is enough about the Offaly attack to suggest a comfortable enough progression into the deeper waters of round two. If they can’t handle a Clare already bested by Waterford, they don’t deserve to be in Monday’s draw.

Longford v Mayo,

Pearse Park, 7pm

Longford have a good track record in qualifiers of punching a bit above their weight and if ever favourites looked ripe for the plucking, it would be a demoralised-looking Mayo. But the visitors, who name their team before throw-in, are likely to have the choice of Alan Dillon, Trevor Howley, Chris Barrett and Pat Harte, who were all unavailable for the Sligo debacle and although Glenn Ryan’s team have Brian Kavanagh fit again, this looks like an away win.

Armagh v Donegal

Crossmaglen, 3.30 (LIVE RTÉ)

The heavyweight pairing of the first round involves, as it usually does, two Ulster teams. Donegal have more reason to be happy with their championship showing than Armagh but the trip to Crossmaglen is a daunting one. Nonetheless, the length of Paddy O’Rourke’s injury list – Ronan Clarke, Martin ORourke, Ryan Henderson, Finnian Moriarty and Colm Watters – and the doubts triggered by the Monaghan defeat mean a shock is on the cards.

Cavan v Wicklow

Kingspan Breffni Park, 7pm

Wicklow’s triumphant march through last year’s qualifiers was often at the expense of Ulster teams but judging by this summer’s form Cavan may just about be able to surmount the loss of Paul Brady to handball commitments and David Givney to long-term injury.

SUNDAY

London v Wexford

Ruislip, 2.30

Imagine the Dubs were forced over to London tomorrow. Instead, it is Wexford’s punishment for fading so badly when seven points clear in Croke Park. Still, there were enough positives in the opening 45 minutes for them to win comfortably here and prepare for whatever comes next.

WEXFORD: A Masterson; J Wadding, G Molloy, B Malone; A Flynn, D Murphy, A Doyle; D Waters, E Bradley; C Morris, M Forde, R Barry; C Lyng, S Roche, PJ Banville.

Tipperary v Laois

Thurles, 3.30

If Tipperary keep their heads after the disappointingly conclusive defeat by Kerry last month and the loss of a number of players since they may have a chance here after Laois’s calamitous meltdown against Meath only last week after which manager Seán Dempsey reacts by making four changes including an entirely changed half-forward line.

– SEÁN MORAN and GAVIN CUMMISKEY