Colm O'Rourke's Tailteann Cup predictions

TAILTEANN CUP SEMI-FINALS

Sunday

Sligo v Cavan, Croke Park 1.45pm

Cavan are a good example of a team that have taken the Tailteann Cup very seriously.

They could have easily turned their noses up at and said that after being Ulster champions a couple of years ago that it was beneath them.

Instead of that they've put all their resources into it and have had great wins over Down and Fermanagh recently.

Sligo had that exciting shootout with Leitrim, the first penalty shootout in the Tailteann Cup before a huge crowd in Carrick on Shannon.

Cavan are outright favourites for this - and with good reason. They've set their sights on winning it, they've already won a title at Croke Park this year, beating Tipperary in the Division 4 final. I think it looks like Cavan for this one.

Offaly v Westmeath, Croke Park, 4pm

Niall Darby's injury is a significant injury for Offaly, who have had a great year. I suppose that applies to all the counties in the semi-finals. They're all having their fifth championship match and without the Tailteann Cup most of them would have been finished a lot earlier.

This is a derby. If it was 40 or 50 years ago there'd be skin and hair flying in this one.

It'll probably be a quieter affair now. Offaly were relegated from Division 2, Westmeath are already in Division 3 and staying there so they'll be playing each other in the league again next year.

With that injury to Niall Darby, it probably tilts things in Westmeath's favour.

The Tailteann Cup is a competition I've always wanted to see in the GAA. I thought it could have had a bit better promotion but the players and counties have embraced it. It'll be fantastic for them to get to Croke Park this Sunday. And it will be great for the supporters of those counties who