THE games are coming thick and fast over the next few weeks as the provincial championships ramp up.

Last weekend Armagh and Tyrone made it through their respective games to set up a mouth-watering clash between these arch rivals.

Starting with Tyrone, they looked impressive enough at stages without setting the world alight, but you would also have to question the quality of that Cavan team.

Tyrone were efficient and economical. They got the job done and, if we’re being honest, they took their foot off the gas in the last quarter which put a better look on the scoreline.

The big concern from a Tyrone point of view was the absence of Darragh Canavan, but I’m sure it was more precautionary than anything so I expect to see Darragh line out against Armagh.

Armagh also got the job done and when you look at the game, you can see why Antrim made such a fuss of retaining home advantage because it helped them make a game of it and that’s what the championship is all about.

The game was tight for long periods but Armagh’s strength in depth helped them pull away towards the end. Now, for them, it’s all about raising it a level or two to face Tyrone.

This weekend, all eyes will be on Clones as the Donegal juggernaut rolls into town. Monaghan have had a fantastic league campaign and they are showing very well. It’s just a pity it’s Donegal they meet at this point in the season.

Donegal are flying at the moment and it’s very difficult to see any way Monaghan could halt them in their tracks.

If we look at Donegal first. Their strength in depth is what sets them apart this year because they can now roll out four or five subs off the bench and the standard doesn’t drop.

That impact is massive for them as they head into the summer months. We knew earlier on in the year when we heard about how hard Donegal were training that this was the year that they were going to make their big push. Now, it’s all about who if anyone can stop them on the tracks.

Monaghan have been handed that task on Sunday, so we will see how they fair out. Monaghan have been really impressive and scoring at will this year but the big thing for me, and I said it a few weeks ago, is the gulf between Division One and Division Two.

I got to see a lot of league games this year live, and, to me, it was scary the difference in quality and intensity between those divisions.

In Division One, teams rarely made mistakes and the ball was protected at all times. In Division Two, it was a lot looser and if you lost possession, it wasn’t punished as severely as it would have been against a top-flight side.

For me, personally, that is the biggest challenge Monaghan face this weekend. They have the players, they have the quality, but do they have the ability to raise their intensity levels from what they have been used to playing all year.

Clones will obviously be a big plus for Monaghan but unfortunately for them I don’t think that will help them enough to get over the line.

I just think that Donegal have been playing to a higher standard this season. With their strength in depth and options we already spoken about, I just can’t see any way Monaghan can beat them.

If you are asking for me a scoreline, I’ll go Donegal 1-21 Monaghan 1-12. If you stick a few pounds on that and win, make sure buy me a Guinness next time I see you.

Pull quote

“With their strength in depth and options we already spoken about, I just can’t see any way Monaghan can beat them.”

This week’s Gaelic Lives pod looks ahead to this weekend’s Ulster SFC games. Our guests are Kieran Hughes and Shane King.