The Saturday Game verdict on Meath v Galway and Armagh v Kerry
Conor McManus and Enda Smith were in agreement on which teams would progress to the All-Ireland SFC semi-finals when they previewed Sunday's action at Croke Park on The Saturday Game.
Meath and Galway do battle in the first encounter in Sunday's double-header at headquarters.
"It's hard to look past Galway," McManus opined. "They have been under the cosh in quite a few games, have been on the brink of exit.
"Nobody has managed to put them out and I think that will make them stronger.
"They have been in big games in the latter end of the All-Ireland series in recent years.
"They are very hard to beat. The team that beats Galway will have a day's work over them. You would have to fancy Galway."
Smith said "Meath have shown great signs of progression throughout the year.
If they do lose, it's hard to know whether it will be a positive year for them. They beat Dublin and Kerry but they will look at the Leinster final as the one that got away.
"Across the pitch you look at Ruairí Kinsella, James Conlon and Matthew Costello, they have been chipping in with huge scores all year.
"They will be a test for Galway but I do see Galway pulling through."
Conor McManus and Enda Smith give their verdicts on Meath v Galway and Armagh v Kerry. Follow the action from 1.15pm on Sunday on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player and listen to commentaries on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1. pic.twitter.com/1OkT6le6lz
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 28, 2025
Armagh v Kerry is the main event for most neutrals and the Roscommon player said: "It's hard to know where Kerry are at, even coming up to a quarter-final stage.
"They had a comfortable win last weekend against Cavan, but Armagh so far this year have looked every inch All-Ireland champions.
"They've worn that badge of honour throughout the year. They've looked strong and they've added more players to the strength in depth that they already had.
"Even losing Rian O'Neill at the start of the year, and I know he's come back in, but they have looked really strong and it is hard to look beyond them with Kerry's injuries and the way Armagh are going at the moment."
McManus, while wary of the Kingdom's attacking talent, also came down on the side of the Orchard County, saying: "You can't discount a team that have the two Cliffords and Seanie O'Shea; you simply can't. So, yes, they certainly have a chance.
"But it's around midfield that you'd imagine they are going to struggle.
"Diarmuid O'Connor is a huge loss and just the form that Armagh have been in all year probably edges them ahead of Kerry at the minute.
"Stefan Campbell not being available to Armagh is definitely a loss.
His impact off the bench is nearly guaranteed at this stage. Every day he comes on, he gives you one or two scores; he's setting up scores.
"For them not to have him to call on in the last 20-25 minutes is definitely a loss to Armagh, but still, you'd imagine Armagh will shade this one."
Watch two All-Ireland Football Championship quarter-finals, Meath v Galway and Armagh v Kerry, from 1.15pm on Sunday on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to commentaries on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1. Watch highlights on The Sunday Game at 10.15pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
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