Colm O'Rourke's football predictions

All-Ireland SFC qualifiers - Round 2

Saturday

Clare v Roscommon, 3.45pm, Croke Park

It's a pity that these counties have been brought to Croke Park. If Clare and Roscommon were playing in Galway it probably would be a much better atmosphere. I watched the Clare game against Meath last week and they were full value for their win; Colm Collins is still doing a remarkable job with them.

Roscommon's last outing was in the Connacht final, where Galway beat them fairly easy. I was impressed with the Roscommon spirit even though they were a bit passive in the whole game, quite unusual for a Roscommon team. The best part of their team are the forwards, but they do leak a lot of scores.

Clare might not be able to take advantage of that and I think Roscommon are more likely to win this one.

Kildare v Mayo, Croke Park, 6pm

This is the tie of the round on Saturday evening, but maybe Tullamore might have been a better place to stage it. Mayo will be heavy favourites for this after beating Monaghan last weekend. They showed great spirit again and should be thankful they have the likes of Lee Keegan. The problem for Mayo has been scoring and ii continues.

Kildare's big issue in the Leinster final was that they were leaking goals and the game was over after 15 minutes. Kildare may be outsiders in this one but I think there's something in them. I was impressed by them during the league. I think they will put up a big showing and I wouldn't be a bit surprised if they won this.

Sunday

Cork v Limerick, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 1.30pm

It's tough on Limerick having to travel to Páirc Uí Chaoimh but the local arrangements prevail. It's also hard for the Limerick footballers to live in the giant shadow cast by their hurlers. They are playing their fourth