GAA Football Championship Preview

This weekend will see the Leinster and Ulster championship semi finals tie up as the hunt for Sam heats up.

Sunday will see Croke Park open its doors for a Leinster championship double header, setting up two mouth-watering ties.
First up, Meath will face Wexford. Meath made hard work to dispose a gallant Wicklow side. The Royal's young side were less than convincing but will go into Sunday as favourites nonetheless.

It would be completely stupid to write off Wexford. They have seen their sporting fortunes shift rapidly from hurling to football in recent years and on the back of a victory over Louth, Wexford will look to overturn the Royal county.

Second up and the main event of the day will see defending Leinster champions Dublin will take on Kildare.

Dublin go into this encounter as hot favourites after Jim Gavin's men disposed of Westmeath without breaking a sweat. Kildare have become known as a team to avoid but a team that falls at the last hurdle.

Both these counties are the pillar proof of how important youth development is within a counties set up. Under 21 players have made the step up to senior level for both Kildare and Dublin and have made an immediate effect on this years championship.

Croke Park is Dublin's home turf and with Hill 16 roaring, its going to take Kieran McGeeney and his men to step up to a level the county hasn't seen since the era of Mick O'Dwyer.

It all points toward a repeat of last years Leinster final between arch enemies Meath and Dublin.

Up North, Cavan will take on close rivals and neighbours Monaghan in a bid to meet the reigning All-Ireland champions, Donegal, in this years Ulster Final.

Both teams are on the relatively weak side of this years Ulster championship. Cavan have certainly been the surprise package of the championship so far, stringing two fantastic wins over Armagh and Fermanagh respectively.

The rivalry between these two counties is fierce and should be a great showing. If Cavan continue their great run it will be celebrated all across the county, but they will go in underdogs to a Monaghan side who continue to impress over the last 10 years.