KEVIN CASSIDY: The Mourne Ultimatum

THERE are three things certain here in this life – death, taxes and pundits getting predictions wrong.

Over the last few weeks, it has been next to impossible to predict some of the championship games so great credit must go to the Football Review Committee because this is exactly what we have been looking for.

More games are going down to the wire as we head into the final stages of matches, and when you compare this to some of the bore-fests that we used to witness then it really is night and day.

The FRC had been given a mandate and regardless of what some of the control freaks of coaches out there might think, they have given us exactly what was needed and what was wanted.

Something that is also refreshing, and what was alien in GAA circles, is that they are also not afraid to admit a mistake and rectify it. The glaring example this week was the pull back on the punishment for impeding on a kick-out mark.

The FRC listened to opinions, they understood change needed to be made and they brought it to the powers that be, so I applaud them for their fantastic leadership since this whole process began.

Now let’s get back to the on-field action where we have had some fantastic games and some very interesting results over the last few weeks.

When we look at the championship as it stands at the minute, I suppose all of the heavy-hitters are still in there apart from maybe Mayo and Derry. In saying that, if you spoke to most people at the start of this year’s championship and asked for your potential winners then I don’t think Mayo and Derry would have been up there given their form so in that regard all of the big-hitters are still standing.

Some of those big-hitters took a wobble or two on the way to getting here so the question for them now is whether or not the head has cleared and will we see a reaction?

The safety net has gone after last week so now we are asking for the real leaders in the pack to show us what they have because no team can afford any more slip ups or it’s curtains for their season.

When you look at this week’s fixtures, they are all big games but the biggest one that may stand out is the clash of Down and Galway.

I have to say that I’ve been really impressed by Down so far this year and the progress they have made so the big question for them now is can they take out one of the so-called big teams?

There is no getting away from the fact that Galway have struggled to find form so far this season and apart from a good second half against Armagh, you would have to say that they have been disappointing to date.

They kept their season alive against Armagh with that second-half performance so everyone will be watching on to see if that is the moment that kick-starts their season or will Conor Laverty and his troops dump them out in the Marshes.

Dublin against Cork is probably the next big game but with Dublin at home in Croke Park and with Cork just so unpredictable, I expect to see the Dubs make it through to the quarter-final stages.

Donegal should have far too much for Louth at home in Ballybofey. Louth have been extremely disappointing after their Leinster final win so I can’t see anything else happening here apart from an easy Donegal win.

In the last game, I also expect Kerry to win their home tie against Cavan.

Despite what a lot of people are saying, I think this extra game is exactly what is needed for Kerry right now to fight off the chances of them being caught cold at the quarter-final stage where they’d face champions Armagh if my following predictions are right.

For me this weekend, it’s Galway, Dublin, Donegal and Kerry to come through.

Check out this weekend’s preview podcast with Damien Diver looking ahead to the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals. We also have an interview with Fermanagh manager Kieran Donnelly ahead of Sunday’s Tailteann Cup semi-final.