Paul Flynn's football championship predictions

CONNACHT SFC FINAL

Mayo v Galway, MacHale Park, Sunday 4pm

I don't necessarily agree (that there's less of an incentive to win the Connacht SFC final because the victors will go into a tough All-Ireland SFC group with Armagh/Donegal, Dublin and Derry).

I think the loser going into Group 1 alongside the winners of Ulster (Armagh or Donegal), Tyrone and Cavan isn't that attractive either to be honest. Both teams this weekend are going to have tough draws regardless, but I don't think it's relevant anyway. I think their focus will be on winning the Connacht title.

There's so much at stake. There's rivalry, there's Mayo coming in as underdogs, little giving them hope, and it's at home against a Galway team who are going for four in a row.

When I look at it objectively, I just think Galway have a stronger panel, greater depth, even without Damien Comer and Shane Walsh. Who thought we'd be saying that last year?

They just seem to be really going well. Up front, young Matthew Thompson is a fantastic player, Cillian McDaid is playing outrageous football and Paul Conroy is still pulling the strings there.

Their midfield is so strong, Céin D'Arcy was so good the last day.

The one area I don't expect Galway to be so dominant is in midfield believe it or not because I just cannot see, with the type of players Mayo have, that they're going to allow that happen. If there is a deficit in quality, there won't be a deficit in determination and hunger from Mayo, that's for sure.

I just feel Galway are a little bit ahead of them at this stage.

MUNSTER SFC FINAL

Kerry v Clare, Fitzgerad Stadium, Sunday, 1.45pm

I think Kerry should win this, but we saw last week what happens when anybody comes in undercooked or in any way complacent.

Clare will be ready to go at them. They've very much welcomed Eoin Cleary and Keelan Sexton back into their forward unit and they really make them click. They are very good going forward, Mark McInerny had a fanstatci day teh last day scoring 2-05.

So they have threats and if Kerry are any way off it, Peter Keane's boys will be certainyl ready and I'm sure it'd be a win that he'd love to get too.

Paul Flynn was speaking on RTÉ Radio's Morning Ireland

Watch a provincial football final double-header, Kerry v Clare (1.45pm) and Mayo v Galway (4pm) on Sunday from 1.15pm. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1.

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