Paul Earley backs Donegal and Tyrone to win Ulster replays

It's another big weekend of Gaelic football and we have two mouth-watering replays to look forward to in Ulster.

I wouldn't rule out at least one of them going to extra-time either.

I think the season is finding a nice tempo now. We have had some really intriguing tussles in the past few weeks and here are my thoughts on some of the main games on the menu this weekend.

Tipp must keep it tight

Tipperary need to pull down the hatches from the start in their Munster final against Kerry.

Making a provincial final is a huge thing for Tipp, and they did really well to beat Cork last time out, but they must not make the mistake they made against Kerry last year and let their opponents in for an early goal.

That would kill them right from the off, as it did last year. And it killed Clare when they met Kerry in the Munster semi-final a few weeks ago and lost two early goals as well.

Tipp have to approach this game in blocks. They need to keep it tight for the first 10 minutes until they get a foothold in the game. Just keep out the goals. That will give them a chance. Then they need to aim to get to half time and still be in the shake-up.

If Tipperary can remain competitive until the 50th minute or so, they will be doing well. I base my analysis on this because with a much better team they were still beaten by six points by Kerry last year. And Kerry were in contention against Dublin, the best team in the land, for up to 55 mins in the NFL final this year.

Since then the Kingdom have introduced two U21 players to their squad, they have so many options at midfield and a wealth of experience on the bench. They are at home as well so Tipp are really up against it. I don't think they will win but they could be competitive.

Harte the replay master

Tyrone should also have the measure of Cavan this time around in their Ulster semi-final replay. They comfortably got more scores than Cavan in the drawn game and it is unusual to see them leaking two goals late on in any match.

I admire Cavan and I think they have great variety to their play. They can run with the ball or send it in direct and long to David Givney and Gearoid McKiernan.

But Mickey Harte is always very good in a replay situation. He never lets the status quo remain - he always offers something new. He will have a trick or two up his sleeve and I feel that Tyrone are better equipped with their athleticism and running game to emerge from this semi-final at the second time of asking.

Still, the one concern that I have is that Tyrone haven't yet managed to impose their style of play on a team in wet conditions and the weather on the day could impinge on their ambitions. But that's just one variable. Overall I think they should win.

Do Donegal possess a bigger punch?

Donegal look to have a little bit more in the tank too for their Ulster semi-final replay against Monaghan.

I felt Donegal could have finished out the game last weekend, to be honest. They missed quite a few frees and it cost them in the end. But Monaghan showed great composure and leadership to hang in there and their play was of high quality under duress in the dying stages of that game.

And yet, I just wonder do Donegal possess a bigger punch this time around? The likes of Karl Lacey will have had another game under his belt and quite a few players who haven't been training regularly lately will be close to returning to full fitness. And, as I said, had some of those frees gone over they could have been winners first time around.

But it's a fool's game predicting this one. It could easily go to extra-time. If pressed I would hesitantly give Donegal the nod.

Positions are out the window

Modern football is often criticised but it is intriguing too. By that I mean it was incredible to see that some of the chances in the red zone were presented to out-and-out defenders, not forwards.

Donegal full-back Ciaran Gillespie was through on goal at one stage and should have scored, and on the other side the Wylie brothers were pumping forward at every opportunity. Christy Toye was also handed a chance for a late score by Eamon McGee who had burst forward from his full-back line.

On the other hand, you had Conor McManus back in his own full-back line at one stage and he even made a vital interception. This is modern football. Positions are out the window. And if you want to be part of the game you have to be fluid, fit into the shape and go looking for the ball - wherever that may be.

Sideline antics

The sidelines need to be policed. A great game was in danger of being ruined last Saturday night by the antics of the Donegal and Monaghan management. It was horrible to watch runners invading the field from all angles, slowing down play.

There were extra players on the pitch one minute, and too few players on it the next. One team even tried to bring a sub on without going through the fourth official. And a few weeks ago we had Armagh losing to Laois but getting a lifeline because Laois used seven subs on the day.

Managers owe a duty of care to themselves, their players and their county to stay cool when the pressure comes on in the closing minutes. If they lose their heads that will result in chaos and the players will pick up on it too.