Five takeaways from the weekend's GAA action
Monday 25 June 2018 18:04, UK
After a massive weekend of Gaelic football action, we look at the main takeaways.
Donegal are headed for the Super 8s, and they'll take some stopping
Declan Bonner's side found a way through the previously-watertight Fermanagh defence early on in the Ulster final, and had no issues in picking them apart from there. Averaging 2-19 per game across four matches on their way to the Ulster title, Tir Chonaill seem to have a renewed vigour about them under Bonner.
They now head for the Super 8s, and will join Dublin in the group. First up is a challenge against the Dubs, most likely in Croke Park. This will test the mettle of this side, who impressed in HQ during the league. Much will depend on their draw, where they must travel and what team goes to Ballybofey.
Nonetheless, we have seen enough so far to suggest they are more than capable of progressing through the Super 8s.
Are there chinks in the Dublin armour?
Dublin were far from their best in the first half of the Leinster final, but ultimately Laois did not have the tools to truly push the reigning champions to their limit.
Nonetheless, the likes of Eamonn Fitzmaurice and Declan Bonner will have seen enough holes in the Dubs' first-half performance to draw confidence.
The Dubs rearguard struggled at times when high balls were sent in, and the Boys in Blue were far from clinical as they left the O'Moore County off the hook on several occasions. Jim Gavin's outfit will need to improve for the Super 8s, as superior opposition to Laois could expose these faults.
Kerry step it up a level
Any questions remaining as to whether the Kingdom's young stars are up to the challenge were emphatically answered on Saturday evening, as they put a fancied Cork side to the sword.
Eamonn Fitzmaurice's side trotted out to the new Pairc Ui Chaoimh in front of a big Rebel home crowd, and made it look like a training session. They now power onto the Super 8s, joining Galway and two qualifiers in the group.
Judging by Saturday evening's Lee-side fireworks, Kerry are the best-placed team to dislodge the Dubs.
Beaten provincial finalists face an uphill task to reach the Super 8s
The average winning margin in the three provincial finals this weekend was just shy of 16 points. Cork, Fermanagh and Laois head for the back door with their tails well and truly between their legs.
The question remains if they can turn things around in time for the Round 4 qualifiers, possibly facing sides who have put a run of three wins together.
On form, Roscommon are the only beaten provincial finalist who have reason for confidence of reaching the Super 8s, but with so many big guns coming through the qualifiers, they could be up against it.
Mayo handed a tricky task
The draw for Round 3 of the All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers was made on Monday morning, and the standout tie of the round is undoubtedly Kildare vs Mayo.
Mayo are on the road once again, and as they continue to make their way through the back door, the same questions arise as to whether or not they still have what it takes to reach the latter stages.
The Lilywhites endured a tough League campaign in Division 1, losing all seven games, but were unlucky not to pick up a few wins along the way. Cian O'Neill will look at how Tipperary troubled Mayo in the first half on Saturday, and will feel his side have the tools to cause the Connacht county greater problems.
