ROUND 3A
Sligo v Clare Markievicz Park, 2.0
Big prize on offer here. While Sligo have been regular visitors to the last 12, Clare have never won their way into the final round of the qualifiers – their one visit was as beaten Munster finalists in 2012 and it was just their luck they ran into Kerry. This time, the winners here will meet either Tipperary or the Connacht runners-up who'll be on a six-day turnaround. You'd take that at the start of the summer.
Clare have beaten Sligo soundly enough in the league over the past two seasons and come in here with their tails up after the win over Laois last Sunday. They look to have more scoring power and strength around the middle and can dig out a big win on the road.
Verdict: Clare
Cavan v Derry Breffni Park, 3.30
There ought to be juice left in Cavan's summer yet – the most interesting aspect of this encounter with Derry will be finding out if they share that view themselves. Tyrone gave them the mother and father of dressings-down but the way they lost their shape that day was an aberration due to having to chase the game from early in the second half. Losing David Givney for this is a blow but they likely won't change their approach too significantly.
For Derry, the year was saved with that blinding second half against Meath last weekend – it will be worth watching whether they abandon the three-sweeper system from the start like they did after half-time last week. But Cavan are a better-organised proposition than Meath and with home advantage, Terry Hyland’s side should come through.
Verdict: Cavan
ROUND 3B
Longford v Cork Pearse Park, 3.00
If and when they come up with a better system than the qualifiers, they will do well to replicate the fun Longford have had over the past few weeks. An extra-time win on the road against Down, followed by the shock of the summer in Clones last weekend. And now knives sharpened for a home draw against Cork, who they've never played in championship before.
Could they do it again? Certainly Cork aren’t exactly coming in bouncing off the ground. They’ve had a rotten season, been relegated in the league, fell to Tipperary for the first time since 1944 and lost Brian Hurley and Jamie O’Sullivan to injury. If ever they were open for an ambush, they are today. Maybe the return of Aidan Walsh can lift them out of the mire. Maybe.
Verdict: Cork
Mayo v Kildare MacHale Park, 7.0 Live, Sky Sports 5
Arguably the right fixture at the right time for both counties. It's the time in the summer to really find out where you stand - Kildare are probably a good bit back of Mayo but at the same time, Mayo look just vulnerable enough for Kildare to go west imagining they have a shot. Cian O'Neill needs a stand-out victory to squeeze the bellows under his young side and they're not without a sniff here.
Defeat for Mayo would be a disaster though. Fermanagh made them look oh-so ordinary at times last week and it took the likes of Lee Keegan, Colm Boyle and Keith Higgins to turn it around. The penalty didn’t hurt obviously but it would have been for nothing without that trio getting them within touching distance. They can do it again here.
Verdict: Mayo
