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All-Ireland SFC, Round One (All games on Saturday)
Group 1
Armagh v Westmeath; Athletic Grounds, 6.0 – Armagh scraped to victory when the sides met 12 months ago – and just like last year, the Orchard County enter this game on the back of losing the Ulster final after a penalty shoot-out. A lot will depend on Armagh’s ability to park that disappointment, but Kieran McGeeney’s side do have more attacking options than Westmeath. On their way to finishing second in Division Two, in their seven group games Armagh scored an average of 18.8 points per match. On their way to finishing second in Division Three, Westmeath scored an average of 13.5 points per game. Armagh have posted 20 points or more in six games this year. Westmeath’s biggest tally is 16 points, which they managed twice. Verdict: Armagh
Group 2
Dublin v Roscommon; Croke Park, 5.0 (Live on GAAGo) – Roscommon earned a draw in this corresponding fixture last year, but Davy Burke’s side were playing with more confidence 12 months ago. Dublin enter the match on the back of collecting a 14th consecutive Leinster crown and after last year’s draw the chances are Dessie Farrell’s side will bring an edge to their play. Dublin scored a total of 154 points during their Division One campaign (not including the final) while Roscommon posted just 92 points in the same division. Roscommon’s last win over the Dubs at Croke Park was during the league in 1984. That stat is unlikely to be updated this weekend. Verdict: Dublin
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GROUP 3
Donegal v Tyrone; MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey, 7.15 (Live on GAAGo) – It took extra-time to separate these sides at Celtic Park last month, a game Tyrone led for the most part but which was ultimately won by Donegal. The sides were level on 10 occasions and Donegal needed an injury-time point by full back Brendan McCole to avoid defeat and send the game to extra-time. So, suffice to say Tyrone won’t have to look far for motivation.
However, it is hard not to feel the Donegal dressingroom must now be an even more confident place than it was on the day of the Ulster semi-final win over Tyrone, because by capturing the Anglo-Celt morale and spirits must be sky-high with this group of Donegal players. They also have home advantage here, so all the ingredients are present for Donegal to get their round-robin campaign off to a winning start. And you thought it would be impossible to get through an entire preview of this game without a single mention of the Jim McGuinness factor! Verdict: Donegal
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GROUP 4
Louth v Meath; Grattan Park, Inniskeen, 5.30
Monaghan’s capitulation in Killarney last Saturday has all but confirmed this group is going to become a mini-tournament between the Farney County, Louth and Meath for the second and third spots. Louth have the best form-line of that trio but playing their home game at Grattan Park probably doesn’t help their cause. Inniskeen is a neutral venue for these counties and though Louth enter the game on the back of a positive provincial campaign, Meath have traditionally never feared their neighbours. Colm O’Rourke’s men beat Louth during the league by two points but there might not even be that between the sides on Saturday. Verdict: Draw
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