We have only four games to dwell on this weekend and they’re all football – a real comedown from last weekend’s hectic schedule. For those watching at home, Saturday’s qualifiers are live on Sky, while RTÉ host the two biggies: the provincial finals on Sunday. This won’t suit the senior Duignan household but really, have we that much to quibble about?

There were four games on live TV last weekend and just one of them was on Sky. For those “only paying” the €160 licence fee, there was a decent qualifier from Ennis, a Connacht football final from Galway and the Munster hurling final from Thurles. It wasn’t too long ago when those of us old enough to remember – like myself and Michael – had only four live matches a year, never mind over a weekend. And we might add here: does nobody want to listen to the radio any more?

But back to on-the-field matters. In the game of the weekend, those noble defenders of the Republic, freedom of speech, thought and expression, Dublin, are taking on the minnows from Kildare. Us neutrals badly want the Lilywhites to test the Dubs for a number of reasons, not least the bellicosity their manager has so uncharacteristically shown in recent weeks. Clearly the defending champions have decided to circle some wagons this summer in order to capture the three-in-a-row – and it’s a pity as their brand of free-flowing football was all the talking they ever needed to do.

Kildare can approach this Leinster final – their first in eight years – with trepidation or embrace it for the occasion it will be. We’ll be close to a full house in Croker, as Kildare can count on a large and fervent support base, while the Dubs, too, have been known to turn out. Especially if they think there might be a contest. And there could be. The underdogs are after all a Division One side again, are playing with fluency and – whisper it – have strolled into this provincial final in an almost Dublin-like fashion.

At the top level, and the Dubs in championship are just that, you must have free-scoring forwards, comfortable with the ball and clinical when the situation demands it. This was a failing that probably cost the Lilywhites an All-Ireland in the 1997-2001 Micko era when they had everything else, but there are signs they have unearthed a couple of potential gems this summer.

Daniel Flynn and Cathal McNally have had their scoring boots on these past few weeks, scoring 3-13 from play between them in two games. Regardless of the opposition, that’s a decent return and what will pique Dublin’s interest is their size and shape. They’re solid men: Flynn is a former Aussie Rules export, as is Paddy Brophy, another Kildare forward newly returned from down under.

One obvious advantage that Dublin have had in recent years is their edge in conditioning. Athletes that can also play football never hurt your team; Jim Gavin has had this luxury for some time. It is here that Kildare can start making things interesting, by matching the Dubs’ physicality.

If Cian O’Neill’s side are tuned in to do this, then we may see Dublin experiencing some turbulence. In recent years, they have only looked vulnerable when Mayo, Donegal and to an extent Kerry have gotten among them, done some suffocating and ultimately turned possession over. You’ll only have a chance of beating Dublin when that doesn’t take having 15 men behind the ball.

That’s Kildare’s blueprint for Sunday: exceptional work rate that lasts for 75 minutes; a ruthless approach in front of goal; a kind referee and the bounce of the ball you always need to win finals. Not too much to ask then. This might be a step too soon but maybe, just maybe, a day they learn a lot from. It is still the Dubs.

Tyrone v Down

Tyrone and Down make for an unusual pairing in the Ulster final. Down were surprise back-door All-Ireland finalists in 2010 (losing by a point) but that was a strange year. In truth, they haven’t been contenders for a long time, their last time gripping the Anglo-Celt Cup as far back as 1994. Tyrone have won seven titles since. Including 12 months ago.

This latest Harte incarnation have leaders back in their midst, both Cavanaghs, Sean and Colm, manager’s son Peter, Padraig Hamsey and Niall Sludden all delivering inspiration when needed. Their demolition of Donegal was one of the performances of the summer to date.

Down will be hoping to do a Roscommon on it, Clones is notorious for that happening and Tyrone could hit a flat spot but we may be clutching at straws. Mickey Harte has been building this side for almost three years. They are in the mix to frighten Dublin and they should be good enough to overcome Down.

Qualifiers

Saturday sees only two qualifiers as the wheat-and-chaff sorting continues. Dr Cullen Park hosts Carlow’s rare foray into July football and, alas, Monaghan look like bringing that journey to an end. Winning three championship matches for the first time in 73 years is a milestone to build on and Turlough O’Connor’s post- and pre-match interviews are a breath of fresh air in these days of manager speak. When it comes on Saturday evening, we hope it is a good end.

Which leaves us with this year’s potential fairytales: Tipperary and Armagh. The winners of this clash in Thurles will be thinking Croke Park and August. They’ll have every right to. And let’s not forget that Tipp still have that roadmap from a year ago.

Kieran McGeeney hasn’t been seen on a television for quite some time now, despite his recent touch-line ban ending. Since their unlucky opening Ulster loss to Down, Armagh have claimed the scalps of Fermanagh and Westmeath, while Tipperary travelled to Breffni Park, fell behind by six at half-time and still came back to win by three against Cavan.

That was impressive and players that turned over Galway last year in Croker – men like Michael Quinlivan, Conor Sweeney, Brian Fox and Philip Austin – are a year older and producing again. This is one I’ll be keeping an eye on (thanks Sky) because the winners will be really rolling after this. My hunch all along has been Armagh to be the back-door wonders of 2017; Saturday can confirm that. CL