Flynn’s All-Ireland football semi-finals forecast & analysis dives into Kerry, Tyrone, Donegal, Meath, Limerick, and Kildare’s chances this weekend, outlining the critical battles ahead and where each team must excel to progress.
ICYMI: Killarney Royals require early spark to cause Donegal upset – Ó Sé
Kerry’s Firepower Faces Tyrone’s Structure
Kerry’s quarter-final win came with a burst of brilliance, but Flynn notes that no two games are the same, especially under new rules. Tyrone will have studied Kerry closely and will look to avoid Armagh’s mistakes, particularly on kick-outs where Kerry dominated. However, with Niall Morgan’s precise long kick-outs and Tyrone’s strong midfield, they can challenge Kerry if they press too high. Kerry’s attacking trio of Sean O’Shea, David Clifford, and Paudie Clifford will cause problems for Tyrone, who may struggle to shut down all three. Flynn believes Kerry have too much upfront firepower and should edge Tyrone, provided they stay composed.
Donegal Can’t Get Complacent Against Meath
Flynn sees Donegal as favourites but warns that complacency could be their downfall. Meath has improved significantly in winning breaking ball since struggles against Louth, and they will need to win the kick-out battles to disrupt Donegal’s rhythm. Donegal’s running game is a strength, but Meath’s man-to-man marking needs to be disciplined to prevent Donegal from finding gaps. Meath also needs to be efficient in scoring their points to keep pace with Donegal’s average high scores. Flynn worries that even if Meath executes well, Donegal’s quality might still see them through, but Meath will push them to the limit.
Limerick’s Growth Meets Kildare’s Mission
Limerick’s rebuild this season has been remarkable, with leaders like Ian Corbett and Tommy Childs stepping up and a potent attacking trio in Danny Neville, Peter Nash, and James Naughton capable of scoring heavily. Having won at Croke Park already this year, Limerick’s experience will be valuable. However, Kildare, under Brian Flanagan’s focused leadership, are on a mission where only a win will satisfy. For Kildare to edge this contest, leaders like Kevin Feeley and attackers Alex Beirne, Darragh Kirwan, and Daniel Flynn will need to deliver big performances.
Flynn predicts Kerry and Donegal to progress, while Kildare, with their quality, might just edge past Limerick in what promises to be a tightly contested semi-final weekend.
