For all the superlatives thrown around about Donegal’s venture south last month; the victors of that game are out, and the losers are still rolling through the championship. That juxtaposition, in and of itself, is a perfect snapshot of why this format can work.<\/p>\n
Now as Jack O’Connor’s squad return to Croke Park looking to emulate their All-Ireland winning run from 12 months ago; they are once again faced by a familiar foe, of historical and recent times.<\/p>\n
![\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/00247dd4-614.jpg\"\/)
\nTyrone last beat Kerry in the championship in 2021<\/p>\n
Can the Red Hand of Tyrone prove strong enough to strangle a Kerry attack that racked up an impressive 4-15 from play; with Clifford scoring 1-07 of that tally from open country?<\/p>\n
Stopping this level of service and limiting time on the ball will be pivotal for a Tyrone side who managed to thwart Kobe-mania<\/a> last time out. Malachy O’Rourke’s men conceded just eight first half points to Mayo; and a mere 1-17 in total, including extra-time, against Armagh, in the opening game of the championship.<\/p>\n Defensive structures have dominated this rivalry since the bygone days.<\/p>\n If Tyrone can stifle the waves and waves of Kerry attack, while also creating just enough space for the likes of Darren McCurry, Ronan Cassidy or Ethan Jordan to name just three; then maybe Jack O’Connor truly is jinxed, and may never guide the Kingdom to back-to-back titles.<\/p>\n When these two counties met in last year’s semi-final<\/a>, Kerry were tested but ran out six point victors. In 2023, the margin was 11<\/a> in this very round; and 2021 feels like just yesterday<\/a>.<\/p>\n A formative experience where the raging hot favourites were denied in an epic encounter; as Tyrone went on to lift their fourth Sam Maguire.<\/p>\n So write them off at your peril is sure to be the message for a Tyrone side who know exactly where the Kerry bruises are and when to punch them. They can look to 2021 or 2008, just as much as their opponents will dwell on last year.<\/p>\n Brennan’s band of merry men march on<\/p>\n Written off, discounted and overlooked; but not anymore. The Dublin bandwagon bus will be calling more frequently this week, as out of the doubts comes a reason to get behind them once more.<\/p>\n Dublin’s gruelling extra-time win over Donegal<\/a> last Sunday was akin to the dogged determination of Brennan’s playing days, when Dublin were last plucky underdogs. They return to that corner of the ring again this weekend against a Galway side who are refreshed, and improving game on game.<\/p>\n Recent meetings between the eastern and western seaboard counties have been tenacious to say the least. It was in Pearse Stadium in Salthill that Ger Brennan’s altercation with with Galway strength and conditioning coach Cian Breathnach<\/a> led to his 12-week suspension, a game that Galway went on to win, thus relegating the Dubs back to Division 2.<\/p>\n Two years ago on the Croke Park stage came Galway’s last championship victory over Dublin<\/a>; their first in 90 years as they marched to an All-Ireland Final. That too was a tussle of fascinating proportions, with Galway just managing to shake off the Dublin rearguard on the same night that Taylor Swift was prancing around the Aviva.<\/p>\n A similar contest could yet unfold on Sunday, although it may require a couple of Lazarus like recoveries. Dublin fans and neutral will be sweating on the fitness of the influential Con O’Callaghan among others, who if fit, would greatly improve their chances at GAA HQ.<\/p>\n O’Callaghan, now 30, has been a key cog since his debut nearly a decade ago, with his importance growing in recent years. His absence was almost conspicuous in how he was so sorely missed in the defeat to Westmeath in the Leinster final<\/a>.<\/p>\n Galway on the other hand look healthier than they have done in years, having often come through the old round robin format with little left to give. The likes of Cillian McDaid, Shane Walsh and Se\u00e1n Kelly have seen their injury concerns alleviate this campaign, opening the door to the Tribesmen’s true potential.<\/p>\n Walsh in particular seems to be having an Indian summer, lighting up Galway’s fine run of form with his twinkle toes. His 1-10 over the past two games fails to recognise his link-up with the sharp-shooting Rob Finnerty, who has barely put a foot wrong over the past three seasons.<\/p>\n Getting better every week and buoyed by just the right amount of chips on the shoulder could well be enough to see Dublin over the line in front of a partisan crowd on Sunday; and yet everything we have seen since the last hurrah of 2023 would have you tipping Padraic Joyce’s Galway.<\/p>\n Double chasers with nothing to lose<\/p>\n The Cork hurlers are not the only show in town it seems, not least after the footballer’s exploits a fortnight ago. Another group spurred on by being written off, the Rebels can lay claim to their win some 400 kilometres north<\/a> being one of the greatest championship results in recent years.<\/p>\n They now return to Croke Park with nothing to fear but fear itself knowing for all of Mayo’s star power; they are just as beatable as the reigning league champions.<\/p>\n It’s easy to forget that the 13th, and most recent championship matchup between the counties saw Cork come out on top back in the 2023 round robin stages<\/a>, albeit the 1-14 to 1-11 final score is a distant memory we can scarcely remember now.<\/p>\n Steven Sherlock was the game-changing super-sub in that game, scoring 1-05 in a 30 minutes cameo; and will be key for Cork’s chances this time around. The prolific St. Finbarr’s man has already bagged a tidy 0-36 in the championship so far, all the while stepping up as one of the finest two-point shooters in the land.<\/p>\n Half of his tally have come from outside the arc, and he has kicked eight two pointers across the last 140 minutes of action alone. If the Rebels are to make it to the final four for the first time since 2012, and claim a first win at GAA HQ since 2013; then you feel like Sherlock will be vital.<\/p>\n The same can be said for Mayo’s prodigal son Kobe McDonald, who continues to play like a man ten years his senior, despite having the freedom of youth bestowed upon him. Since his debut in the Connacht semi-final<\/a> defeat to Roscommon, McDonald has proved a handful for any defender tasked with reining him in.<\/p>\n His first run out at Croke Park is one that many will pray won’t be his last, as like the aforementioned Clifford, the Crossmolina native has a star power quality to him.<\/p>\n Who will break their knockout hoodoo?<\/p>\n For all the glitz and glamour of other fixtures, the sense of potential history about the meeting of Louth and Monaghan helps up the stakes surpass that of other ties.<\/p>\n The Farney men last qualified for the semi-finals back in 2023 but have not made a final since their sole appearance in 1930. While for Louth you have to go back to 1957 for their last semi-final birth, on route to All-Ireland glory.<\/p>\n Remarkably, this is the third meeting in three years between the two counties with Monaghan winning a pulsating round robin clash last year by 1-23 to 4-08<\/a>; while it was a deadlock a year prior at 2-10 apiece<\/a>. Whether or not that familiarity helps the cause remains to be seen.<\/p>\n Fans of the Monaghan march through the knockouts will hope for calmer seas than their last quarter-final victory.<\/p>\n![\"21](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/002491ee-614.jpg\"\/)
\nDublin’s win over Donegal could be a catalyst in the capital<\/p>\n![\"13](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/00249207-614.jpg\"\/)
\nCan Cork replicate their magic from Ballybofey?<\/p>\n![\"24](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/002492f8-614.jpg\"\/)
\nMonaghan defeated Louth in last year’s round robin<\/p>\n