KEVIN CASSIDY: The gift that just keeps on giving

BEFORE I get stuck into this week’s action, I just want to touch on the structures around the championship, the fact that they are set to change next year.

I understand in the past that perhaps things might not have worked out as we had hoped with a few dead rubbers here and there, but you would have to admit that this year’s All-Ireland series has set fire from the first game. And it looks as if it will just get better with each passing week.

Perhaps the powers that be should hold fire until the end of the championship, analyse how it went, and then make a decision on next year’s structure from there.

To the Donegal and Tyrone game itself last weekend. If I am being 100 per cent honest, I was a little bit concerned for Donegal heading into that contest. Let me explain the reasons why.

Donegal have set their stall out early this year, starting with a preseason training camp in Dubai. On their return, they headed into the National League at 100 miles an hour and continued that trend by really going after the Ulster championship.

Now, if the Ulster Championship is your main goal, then that is absolutely fantastic, but I think that after last year’s success, Jim McGuinness and his troops have their eyes firmly fixed on the biggest prize of them all.

By going after the Ulster championship, it means that you are in the limelight and everyone is watching your every move coupled with the emotion and adrenaline of those high-octane games. To keep that up week on week for me is virtually impossible.

Tyrone have been sitting idle for a number of weeks, prepping for this game, and you could see early doors that they just brought more energy and intensity to last weekend’s encounter. They were deserving winners last weekend, and, to be honest, it’s one they needed and it sets them up nicely moving forward.

From a Donegal point of view, the lads will be disappointed, but I honestly don’t think it’s the worst result in the world as it may just help bring things back down to earth.

The downside to that loss for Donegal is that they will now struggle to top the group which means that they may be asked to play week on week and that itself puts pressure on the depth of your squad.

Donegal travel to Cavan on Sunday in what is now a must win game for us, but I’d be fairly confident that the lads will turn in a better performance this weekend and we will see a reaction to last weekend’s defeat.

This Sunday, I’ll make my way to Celtic Park to watch Derry face off against Galway. It’s a game that I am looking forward to for a number of reasons.

I watched Galway a few times this season live and I have to say that I have been extremely impressed by them to date.

They had a disappointing outing against the Dubs so I’m sure Pádraic Joyce will also be looking for a reaction from his team as they travel to play the Oakleaf County this weekend.

There is no doubt that there is pressure on Galway to deliver this weekend because, much like Donegal‘s group, their group has also been blown wide open with Dublin and Armagh already sitting on two points.

Paddy Tally would have had a lot to think about after last weekend‘s game against Armagh.

Derry started off very poorly, but, I’m fairness to them, they stuck to the task and battled their way back into the contest.

This is a must one game for Derry, so it will be very interesting to see how they approach this game because another defeat here could end their season.

There is a lot at stake in all of these games this weekend, but if you’re asking me for a prediction then I fully expect Donegal and Galway to come away with two much needed points.

Elsewhere, I’ll go for a Tyrone win against Mayo which really would set things up for a cracking final day of matches.

Check out this week’s Gaelic Lives podcast with Seanie Johnston and Kevin McKernan looking ahead to the weekend of All-Ireland SFC action.