Brian Fenton continues to impress for Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
Group One
Sunday June 2
Westmeath v Galway, TEG Cusack Park, 3pm
These counties clashed a year ago at the same stage when a late Galway flurry proved decisive.
During the Allianz Football League, Galway had to deal with significant injury issues, but Padraic Joyce's panel is returning to full strength.
Recent wins over Mayo and Derry ensure momentum has been generated with Paul Conroy and Rob Finnerty in excellent form.
Westmeath, though, summoned a brave display against Armagh, and Dessie Dolan will have the midlanders, who feature Luke Loughlin and John Heslin, primed for a battle.
Dolan and Joyce played back in 2006 when Westmeath famously defeated Galway at Pearse Stadium.
Westmeath: Jason Daly; Jamie Gonoud, Kevin Maguire, James Dolan; Sam McCartan, Ronan Wallace, David Lynch; Ray Connellan, Andy McCormack; Jonathan Lynam, Ronan O'Toole, Conor Dillon; Luke Loughlin, John Heslin, Robbie Forde.
Subs: Jack Connaughton, Shane Allen, Charlie Drumm, Eoin Mulvihill, Matthew Whittaker, Daniel Scahill, Senan Baker, Lorcan Dolan, Stephen Smith, Kieran Martin, Conor McCormack.
Galway: Connor Gleeson; Johnny McGrath, Seán Fitzgerald, Jack Glynn; Dylan McHugh, John Daly, Liam Silke; Paul Conroy, John Maher; Johnny Heaney, Matthew Tierney, Céin D'Arcy; Liam Ó Conghaile, Shane Walsh, Cillian McDaid.
Subs: Conor Flaherty, Seán Ó Maoilchiaráin, Eoghan Kelly, Daniel O'Flaherty, Kieran Molloy, Cian Hernon, Patrick Egan, Cathal Sweeney, Cillian Ó Curroain, Tomo Culhane, Niall Daly.
Derry v Armagh, Celtic Park, 4pm, RTE
This will be a vital clash between two teams intent on making a serious bid for national silverware.
Last year's Ulster SFC Final went the distance with Derry eventually prevailing following a dramatic penalty shootout.
Derry suffered a disappointing loss to Galway in the first round and will be eager to summon an instant response. Lachlan Murray impressed in that match, while Paul Cassidy and Ethan Doherty are other prominent players for Derry.
Armagh, prompted by the splendid Rory Grugan, chalked up an important victory over Westmeath, and will be hoping to generate further momentum.
Derry: Odhran Lynch; Conor McCluskey, Chrissy McKaigue, Diarmuid Baker; Conor Doherty, Eoin McEvoy, Emmett Bradley; Conor Glass, Brendan Rogers; Ethan Doherty, Ciarán McFaul, Paul Cassidy; Niall Toner, Shane McGuigan, Lachlan Murray.
Subs: Ryan Scullion, Martin Bradley, Declan Cassidy, Mark Doherty, Shea Downey, Ruairi Forbes, Donncha Gilmore, Danny McDermott, Cahir McMonagle, Cormac Murphy, Eunan Mulholland.
Armagh: Blaine Hughes; Barry McCambridge, Aaron McKay, Peter McGrane; Joe McElroy, Ciarán Mackin, Aidan Forker; Rian O'Neill, Ben Crealey; Stefan Campbell, Rory Grugan, Tiernan Kelly; Oisín Conaty, Andrew Murnin, Conor Turbitt.
Subs: Ethan Rafferty, Connaire Mackin, Greg McCabe, Niall Grimley, Paddy Burns, Jason Duffy, Oisín O'Neill, Shane McPartlan, Aidan Nugent, Ross McQuillan, Jarly Óg Burns.
Group Two
Saturday June 1
Roscommon v Mayo, Dr Hyde Park, 5pm, GAAGO
The Connacht neighbours meet in the 2024 Championship again.
In the provincial semi-final, Kevin McStay's charges prevailed on a 1-15 to 0-13 scoreline.
Subsequently Mayo lost the western decider to Galway before overpowering Cavan. In that fixture Paddy Durcan suffered a serious knee injury which is a real blow for Mayo.
Ryan O'Donoghue is in fine scoring form for Mayo, registering 1-33 in four outings, while Mattie Ruane and Cillian O'Connor starred against Cavan.
Roscommon caused Dublin some problems last weekend with Conor Cox, Daire Cregg, and Diarmuid Murtagh carrying a potent attacking threat.
Roscommon: Conor Carroll; David Murray, Brian Stack, Niall Higgins; Niall Daly, Robbie Dolan, Eoin McCormack; Enda Smith, Tadhg O'Rourke; Dylan Ruane, Donie Smith, Ciarán Lennon; Conor Cox, Daire Cregg, Diarmuid Murtagh.
Subs: Colm Lavin, Patrick Gavin, Shane Cunnane, Ruaidhri Fallon, Ronan Daly, Cian Connolly, Ultan Harney, Keith Doyle, Conor Hussey, Adam McDermott, Conor Hand.
Mayo: Colm Reape; Jack Coyne, David McBrien, Donnacha McHugh; Stephen Coen, Sam Callinan, Eoghan McLaughlin; Jack Carney, Mattie Ruane; Darren McHale, Ryan O'Donoghue, Jordan Flynn; Aidan O'Shea, Tommy Conroy, Cillian O'Connor.
Subs: Rob Hennelly, Fergal Boland, Diarmuid Duffy, Enda Hession, Conor Loftus, Conor McStay, Eoin O'Donoghue, Padraig O'Hora, Michael Plunkett, Paul Towey, Bob Tuohy.
Cavan v Dublin, Kingspan Breffni, 7pm, GAAGO
Kingspan Breffni provides the backdrop for Saturday evening's encounter - a repeat of the 2020 All-Ireland SFC Semi-Final.
Cavan, minus the injured Paddy Lynch, were soundly beaten by Mayo in Castlebar, and face another daunting task against the standard bearers.
Pádraig Faulkner and Oisín Brady have enjoyed productive moments in the championship for Cavan, who beat Monaghan before losing narrowly to Tyrone in Ulster.
Dublin finished strongly against Roscommon with Con O'Callaghan continuing to make an impact. In four championship matches this year the Cuala forward has contributed 4-12.
Brian Fenton and John Small have also been influential figures for Dessie Farrell's accomplished team.
Cavan: Gary O'Rourke; Cian Reilly, Killian Brady, Luke Fortune; Padraig Faulkner, Niall Carolan, Oisín Kiernan; Ciarán Brady, Brian O'Connell; Oisín Kiernan, Cian Madden, Gerard Smith; Ryan O'Neill, James Smith, Oisín Brady.
Subs: Liam Brady, Mark Magee, Conor Rehill, Paddy Meade, Peter Smith, Ryan Brady, Tiarnan Madden, Ryan Donohoe, Matthew Smith, Cormac O'Reilly, Darragh Lovett.
Dublin: Stephen Cluxton; Eoin Murchan, Michael Fitzsimons, Seán MacMahon; Brian Howard, John Small, Seán Bugler; Brian Fenton, Tom Lahiff; Niall Scully, Cormac Costello, Ciarán Kilkenny; Paul Mannion, Con O'Callaghan, Colm Basquel.
Subs: David O'Hanlon, Theo Clancy, Jack McCaffrey, Ross McGarry, Killian McGinnis, Daire Newcombe, Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne, Cian O'Connor, Lorcan O'Dell, Brian O'Leary, Paddy Small.
Group Three
Saturday June 1
Cork v Donegal, Páirc Uí Rinn, 2.30pm
These are encouraging times for Donegal, who followed up the Ulster triumph with a solid home victory over Tyrone.
Peadar Mogan drove forward to land three sweet points for Jim McGuinness' dynamic team.
At centrefield Michael Langan and Jason McGee have been dovetailing nicely for a developing Donegal outfit.
Cork, though, were heartened by the away victory over Clare with John Cleary satisfied with the progress being made.
Brian Hurley and Chris Óg Jones are capable attackers for a Cork side, who will be eager to examine Donegal's credentials.
Cork: Christopher Kelly; Kevin Flahive, Daniel O'Mahony, Maurice Shanley; Rory Maguire, Tommy Walsh, Matty Taylor; Ian Maguire, Colm O'Callaghan; Paul Walsh, Seán Powter, Brian O'Driscoll; Chris Óg Jones, Conor Corbett, Brian Hurley.
Subs: Mícheál Aodh Martin, Seán Meehan, Darragh Cashman, Thomas Clancy, Killian O'Hanlon, Fionn Herlihy, Jack Cahalane, Eoghan McSweeney, Ruairi Deane, Mark Cronin, Steven Sherlock.
Donegal: Shaun Patton; Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Brendan McCole, Ciarán Moore; Ryan McHugh, Caolan McGonagle, Peadar Mogan; Jason McGee, Michael Langan; Shane O'Donnell, Ciarán Thompson, Daire Ó Baoill; Paddy McBrearty, Oisín Gallen, Niall O'Donnell.
Subs: Gavin Mulreany, Kevin McGettigan, Stephen McMenamin, Odhran Doherty, Domhnall MacGiolla Bhríde, Jeaic MacCeallbhuí, Caolan McColgan, Jamie Brennan, Aaron Doherty, Mark Curran, Cathal MacAonghása.
Sunday June 2
Tyrone v Clare, O'Neill's Healy Park, 1.30pm
Following opening round losses this match in Omagh matters deeply to Tyrone and Clare.
Tyrone's challenge was fended off by Donegal in Ballybofey so they will be intent on producing a defiant display.
Darragh Canavan and Darren McCurry remain key performers inside for Tyrone, who will afford Clare the utmost respect.
Dermot Coughlan impressed in the Munster final for the Banner, while Aaron Griffin and Ciarán Downes are others delivering.
Tyrone: Niall Morgan; Niall Devlin, Padraig Hampsey, Michael McKernan; Ben Cullen, Mattie Donnelly, Kieran McGeary; Brian Kennedy, Conn Kilpatrick; Ciarán Daly, Michael O'Neill, Seán O'Donnell; Darren McCurry, Darragh Canavan, Ruairi Canavan.
Subs: Oisín O'Kane, Frank Burns, Aidan Clarke, Peter Harte, Nathan McCarron, Lorcan McGarrity, Cathal McShane, Joe Oguz, Shea O'Hare, Cormac Quinn, Tiernan Quinn.
Clare: Stephen Ryan; Manus Doherty, Cillian Brennan, Ronan Lanigan; Alan Sweeney, Cillian Rouine, Ikem Ugweru; Brian McNamara, Darragh Bohannon; Daniel Walsh, Dermot Coughlan, Gavin Murray; Ciarán Downes, Aaron Griffin, Emmet McMahon.
Subs: Tristan O'Callaghan, Micheál Garry, Darren Nagle, Jamie Stack, Diarmuid O'Donnell, Mark McInerney, Joe McGann, Éinne O'Connor, Cian Burke, Shane Griffin, James Curran.
Group Four
Sunday June 2
Meath v Kerry, Páirc Tailteann, 2pm
It has been a tough spell for Meath, suffering heavy losses to Dublin and Louth.
The defeat in Inniskeen against neighbours Louth ensures that Meath, Tailteann Cup winners in 2023, need to earn a positive result on home turf.
Eoghan Frayne has been consistent for Meath throughout 2024, while Donal Keogan provides experience and leadership in a defence that will be severely tested.
Kerry cruised to a comfortable success against Monaghan with Tom O'Sullivan motoring forward to land three points from play in that triumph. O'Sullivan has rifled over seven points in Kerry's three championship games this year.
Paul Geaney and Tony Brosnan are others making scoring contributions alongside the Cliffords and Seán O'Shea.
Meath: Billy Hogan; Donal Keogan, Adam O'Neill, Ronan Ryan; Harry O'Higgins, Darragh Campion, Seán Coffey; Ronan Jones, Cian McBride; Ciarán Caulfield, Cillian O'Sullivan, Cathal Hickey; James Conlon, Mathew Costello, Eoghan Frayne.
Subs: Seán Brennan, Michael Murphy, Seán Ryan, Brian O'Halloran, Ross Ryan, Conor Gray, Daithí McGowan, Ruairi Kinsella, Jack O'Connor, Jordan Morris, Aaron Lynch.
Kerry: Shane Ryan; Dylan Casey, Jason Foley, Tom O'Sullivan; Brian Ó Beaglaíoch, Mike Breen, Gavin White; Diarmuid O'Connor, Joe O'Connor; Tony Brosnan, Paudie Clifford, Cillian Burke; David Clifford, Seán O'Shea, Paul Geaney.
Subs: Shane Murphy, Dara Moynihan, Tadhg Morley, Paul Murphy, Seán O'Brien, Adrian Spillane, Barry Dan O'Sullivan, Killian Spillane, Darragh Roche, Armin Heinrich, Dylan Geaney.
Monaghan v Louth, St Tiernach's Park, 3.30pm
Buoyed up by a fine win over Meath, Ger Brennan's developing Louth outfit will be anxious to secure a place in the knockout stages.
Craig Lennon's dashing display was a key feature in Louth's success over neighbours Meath.
With Sam Mulroy and Conor Grimes productive throughout the championship, Louth are hopeful about making further improvements.
Monaghan, though, need to deliver following bitterly disappointing losses against Cavan and Kerry.
Those two defeats hurt Monaghan, who will be looking for attacking inspiration from the talented Conor McManus and Micheál Bannigan.
Monaghan: Rory Beggan; Ryan Wylie, Kieran Duffy, Ryan O'Toole; Jason Irwin, Killian Lavelle, Conor McCarthy; Gary Mohan, Karl O'Connell; Stephen O'Hanlon, Micheál Bannigan, Michael Hamill; Ciarán McNulty, Joel Wilson, Conor McManus.
Subs: Darren McDonnell, Jack McCarron, Stephen Mooney, Kevin Loughran, Ryan McAnespie, David Garland, Micheál McCarville, Andrew Woods, Barry McBennett, Seán Jones, Thomas McPhillips.
Louth: Niall McDonnell; Donal McKenny, Dan Corcoran, Peter Lynch; Conall McKeever, Anthony Williams, Craig Lennon; Tommy Durnin, Bevan Duffy; Niall Sharkey, Ciarán Keenan, Conor Grimes; Ryan Burns, Sam Mulroy, Ciarán Downey.
Subs: Craig Lynch, Chris O'Neill, Peter McStravick, Liam Jackson, Dermot Campbell, Ciarán Murphy, Tom Jackson, Leonard Grey, Ciarán Byrne, Conor Early, Paul Mathews.
