All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers Round Two

Compiled by GAVIN CUMMISKEY

Saturday

Roscommon v Tyrone, Dr Hyde Park, 2pm – Game of the day. The sides had a fine battle in Croke Park last summer with Seán Cavanagh’s two goals the difference. The four time All Star is in rehab, along with Kyle Coney and Tommy McGuigan, while Philip Jordan and Brian Dooher are the most notable retirees.

Roscommon are a young team spearheaded by Donie Shine, who has the potential to become one of the best players in the country.

However, this fixture feels like bad timing. Tyrone retain match winners in Stephen O’Neill and Owen Mulligan while Peter Harte is gradually growing into a dominant force.

There is also Tyrone’s qualifier record to consider. They crave these battles on the road. It has shaped them into champions before.

Shine even admitted this week that Roscommon need Tyrone to malfunction. But even if Tyrones stars don’t perform, there are others to drag them through.

ROSCOMMON: G Claffey; S McDermott, N Carty, S Purcell; N Collins, P Domican, I Kilbride; C Shine, K Mannion; N Kilroy, C Cregg, N Daly; S Kilbride, C Compton, D Shine.

TYRONE: P McConnell; A McCrory, C Clarke, D Carlin; C McCarron, C Gormley, S O’Neill; J McMahon, C Cavanagh; Mattie Donnelly, M Donnelly, P Harte; M Penrose, S O’Neill, O Mulligan.

Referee: R Hickey (Clare)

Tipperary v Wexford, Semple Stadium, Thurles, 3pm – Both counties showed well against Kerry and Dublin but can they perform when expectation exists?

Wexford seem better equipped to progress. Tipperary’s strides at underage have yielded glimpses of future success but they have stalled in recent months.

Jason Ryan has reacted to the Dublin loss by dropping Aindreas Doyle and Colm Morris as Rob Tierney starts at corner back and Paddy Byrne at centre forward.

The plan will be the same though; the fire-power of Ben Brosnan and Ciarán Lyng should be enough to guide them through.

TIPPERARY: P Fitzgerald; A Morrissey, P Codd, C McDonald; B Fox, R Kiely, A Campbell; G Hannigan, H Coghlan; R Ryan, B Mulvihill, D Leahy; M Quinlivan, P Acheson, P Austin.

WEXFORD: A Masterson; R Tierney, G Molloy, B Malone; A Flynn, D. Murphy, L Chin; D Watters, E Bradley; S Roche, P Byrne, B Brosnan; PJ Banville, C Lyng, R Barry.

Referee: M Duffy (Sligo)

Antrim v Galway, Casement Park, 3pm – The return of Michael Meehan is a tremendous boost for Galway while it is unclear if Antrim manager Liam Bradley is going to drop Paddy Cunningham. Their primary attacking weapon may be punished for missing the qualifier victory over London.

This direct contrast between the teams – clarity and confusion – indicates a Galway victory. Alan Mulholland’s side was impressive against Roscommon yet equally poor against Sligo but Meehan’s return changes everything.

Tom Fahy, Fiontan Ó Curraoin and Conor Doherty also come into the starting XV as the Tribesmen seek to end an eight-year drought since their last qualifier win.