Football Power Rankings #3 — The Rossies are on the rise
Connacht champions Roscommon are this week’s big movers, while Kildare’s big day awaits.
14 Carlow 13 Cork, 12 Armagh, 11 Galway
10 Tipperary
The devastating loss to Cork could’ve written Tipperary off for the summer, but they’ve bounced back in fantastic fashion with a massive comeback against Cavan while they were missing a handful of starting personnel. A home tie awaits against Armagh, if Tipp can get some of their big names back to full fitness then their summer is far from over.
9 Down
An Ulster final awaits, yet we still have Down way down in nine. They were good but far from inspiring against Monaghan, and you’d fancy them or Donegal to have a greater crack at the All-Ireland campaign. We may have to eat these words, but Down have a lot to prove yet. (Up from 14)
8 Donegal
An awful performance against a fantastic Tyrone team has knocked Donegal for six. Many were expecting the young side to rise to the top of Ulster once more, but Micky Harte’s men were sublime and made Donegal look every bit the young team they are. They only managed 12 points against Longford and itched past Meath by a point. Despite all that, a win over Galway in the next round will give Donegal a massive kick. (Down from 4)
7 Roscommon
A fantastic win against Galway in the Connacht championship has the Rossies’ spirits high. Kevin McStay means business this summer, as judged by his escape down the tunnel at full time. He has bigger plans for Roscommon and that’s guiding them through an All-Ireland series. (Up from 12)
6 Monaghan
Down stunned Monaghan in the Ulster championship, denying them a shout in the final against Tyrone. Despite that, you still fancy Monaghan as one of the stronger Ulster teams as the summer rolls on and a hammering against Wexford at the weekend would’ve boosted things massively. Carlow awaits in the next round.
5 Mayo
A miserable loss to Galway sentenced to the qualifiers, where they’ve overcome Derry handily enough and then passed the improving Clare at the weekend. A draw away to Cork awaits, who shouldn’t pose much of a threat. (Down from 3)
4 Kildare
Kildare, last week’s big movers, crack the top five for the first time this summer. A fantastic nine point win over Meath sent them into the Leinster final where they await Dublin, in what may be the Dubs’ toughest challenge for the crown in years. Kildare are the dark horses of this year’s championship, with most potential to crack the pot of the big three. (Up from 7)
3 Tyrone
A great win in the Ulster semi-final against Donegal has Tyrone back amongst the top table of football’s elite. They await an Ulster final against Down, and will fancy themselves to win and go long into the summer. Mickey Harte has the The O’Neill County ticking like few would have expected early in the year, he may be developing his fourth All-Ireland winning side. (Up from 5)
2 Kerry
Munster champions against an awful Cork side, Kerry are Dublin’s greatest contender to the crown. They have the most uniquely talented forward line in the county with Paul Geaney and James O’Donoghue, an absolute joy to watch.
1 Dublin
An absolute demolition of Westmeath leads to a hotly anticipated Leinster Final against Kildare, which may be the Dubs’ toughest test in years. They lead the pack though in the hunt for their third All-Ireland in a row.
