GAA Power Rankings After Round Two Of The Sam Maguire Round Robin | Balls.ie

Now that all the counties chasing the Sam Maguire have got a couple of championship games under their belts, their placings in our overall power rankings has become more clearer.

It’s not surprise that the frontrunners are Dublin and Kerry, the two most recent All-Ireland winners, while there’s some shifting between the teams leading the chasing pack.

You can read our previous power rankings here. We published our last power rankings last week.

1. Dublin (unchanged)

The Dubs remain the team to beat and on the evidence in front of our eyes so far this season, it’s going to be at least another few weeks until we see where they’re really at. Without having to exert themselves too much, they were able to easily brush aside Cavan in Kingspan Breffni Park last weekend and while Mayo will offer a much stiffer test (hopefully), Dublin are still favourites to come through.

2. Kerry (up 1)

On a day when David Clifford was relatively quiet and didn’t give his best performance, he still hit 2-2 as Kerry swept past Meath with the minimum of fuss. They will need Clifford at full flow if they are to regain the Sam Maguire later on in the summer, but they have enough quality throughout their team to deservingly sit in second place on our power rankings.

3. Donegal (down 1)

The Donegal hype train was slightly derailed last week with their defeat to Cork, but it hasn’t been halted altogether just yet. With McGuinness at the helm, Donegal will also have plenty to offer in terms of their All-Ireland credentials, but perhaps the three goals conceded to the Rebels with operate as a huge wake up call and Donegal are expected to come out swinging against Clare in two weeks’ time.

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4. Galway (unchanged)

Injuries could really hinder Galway’s chances of contesting for the big prize, but when they have a full team out, they are one of the top teams in the country. It’s all ifs buts, and maybes with Galway at the minute and if they are to reach the latter end of the All-Ireland series, then they’ll need the likes of Damien Comer and Sean Kelly to quickly recover from whatever knocks and bangs is currently keeping them out.

5. Armagh (up 1)

The old saying of ‘you can only beat what’s in front of you’ rings true for Armagh as they ruthlessly dismantled Derry last weekend and showed the resilience that Kieran McGeeney has installed in that changing room. If the Orchard County play like they did in Celtic Park for the rest of the season, then they are going to ask plenty of questions against the top teams.

6. Mayo (up 1)

Mayo’s biggest test is in front of them as they return to Dr Hyde Park for their date with destiny against Dublin. The Dubs hammered Kevin McStay’s side in last year’s All-Ireland quarter-final and if Mayo are to offer a real crack at the Sam Maguire, then they’re going to have to at least show they can live with Dublin the next day out.

7. Cork (up 3)

Cork became the second team this season to defeat Donegal (Derry in the McKenna Cup final was the other) and issued a statement of intent to the rest of the country that they can contest at the top table. The next step for Cork is backing that up and they could well do that in their next outing against Tyrone and a win would see John Cleary’s men top the group.

1 June 2024; Cork players Brian Hurley, left, and Sean Powter celebrate after the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 2 match between Cork and Donegal at Páirc Uí Rinn in Cork. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile

8. Derry (down 3)

Derry’s All-Ireland challenge has all but crumbled. Despite three consecutive championship defeats, Mickey Harte’s men remain in the race for Sam Maguire, but given the nature of those beatings, it’s very unlikely that the Division One League champions will still be around for the latter stages of the competition. They’re dramatic fall from arguably the second-best team in the country to where they sit now is truly remarkable.

9. Tyrone (down 1)

In terms of winning the All-Ireland, Tyrone just aren’t at that level yet but it won’t be long until they are back contesting for the bigger prizes, given the underage success the county has experienced in recent years. In saying that, they could well top their group, and no one will fancy facing the Red Hands in a knockout game at Croke Park.

10. Louth (down 1)

Louth put it right up to Dublin in the Leinster final and now they have the same chance to demonstrate what they have to offer against another top team in Kerry in the final round of the group. They probably should have beaten Monaghan in their last outing, and they fact they didn’t see the game out will be a stiff learning curve for Ger Brennan’s men.

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11. Roscommon (unchanged)

Roscommon have a very winnable game against a deflated Cavan in the final round of the group stages to book their spot in the preliminary quarter-finals and while they have a forward line that could cause anyone trouble, the draw will dictate how far they go.

12. Westmeath (unchanged)

Like last year, Westmeath caused Armagh and Galway problems in the group stages but ultimately came away from both games emptyhanded. They’ll really fancy their chances of beating Derry in the last round and that’ll see them progress to the last 12.

2 June 2024; Westmeath manager Dessie Dolan during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 2 match between Westmeath and Galway at TEG Cusack Park in Mullingar, Westmeath. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile

13. Cavan (unchanged)

Cavan’s season is threatening to really fizzle out having suffered hefty beatings to both Mayo and Dublin and without Paddy Lynch to call upon, Raymond Galligan’s men were always going to struggle to get out of the group.

14. Monaghan (unchanged)

There’s always a backlash with Monaghan and they’ll be confident of beating Meath in their final round clash to remain in the competition, but it looks like Monaghan’s race has been run in terms of battling for the big prize.

15. Meath (unchanged)

Colm O’Rourke’s side offered little resistance against Kerry last weekend and while their season is still hanging by a thread, Meath with have to dramatically turn their fortunes around if they are to overcome Monaghan in the final round.

16. Clare (unchanged)

Unfortunately for Clare, they have to face a Donegal team that are still battling for top spot, which could all come down to score difference. It’ll be a huge test for Clare, and one that will ultimately knock them out of the All-Ireland series unless they can pick up an unexpected win.