Colm O'Rourke's football predictions

We had a feast of football last week with nine games, we're down to three this weekend. Still there are three provincial semi-finals looming down the tracks.

RTÉ GAA analyst Colm O'Rourke gives his assessment

SATURDAY

Munster SFC semi-final

Cork v Kerry, Páirc Uí Rinn, 6pm

Donal Lenihan was making the point that Ed Sheeran was causing problems in Thomond Park. Well, he's caused problems in Páirc Uí Chaoimh as well. The game was switched to Killarney, the Cork players dug in and said they wanted to play in Páirc Uí Rinn.

Kerry graciously exceeded to the wish but that's probably as far as their generosity is going to extend.

Last year, this game was 4-22 to 1-09, after Cork went ahead early by five points. And it was a game too that David Clifford only scored one point. It's difficult to see anything other than a relatively easy Kerry victory.

Cork had a poor league campaign, were lucky to avoid relegation to Division 3. John Cleary is in charge in Cork and he will be good at rebuilding the team. But Kerry are league champions, All-Ireland favourites and under Jack O'Connor, they have serious intent on winning the All-Ireland. So, it looks like an easy Kerry victory.

Verdict: Kerry

SUNDAY

Ulster SFC semi-final

Donegal v Cavan, Clones, 4pm

Only two teams in the championship have beaten a team from a higher division, Derry beat Tyrone and Galway beat Mayo.

The last time they met was in the Ulster final in November 2020, it's not that long ago. Cavan caused a major upset. It would be a similar sort of an upset if they did it again. Lightening is hardly likely to strike twice.

Donegal hadn't a great league campaign but they're still in Division 1 and they showed against Armagh that probably their sole focus this year was the championship.

C