Road to Glory: Analysing the Exciting All-Ireland Football Semi-Finals

The 2025 All Ireland Football Championship is rapidly approaching its climax, with just four teams remaining after a thrilling quarter-final stage. The new rules introduced for the 2025 Gaelic football season have undoubtedly contributed to higher-scoring matches, adding extra excitement to each game.

Some teams seem to be benefiting more from these changes, particularly those with strong midfielders like Meath and prolific attacking units such as Kerry. As a result, Donegal, Kerry, Tyrone, and Meath have booked their places in the All-Ireland semi-finals. Ulster champions Donegal will take on Meath, while Tyrone and Kerry, two long-time rivals, go head-to-head in the other semi-final.

Let’s preview these two eagerly awaited All-Ireland semi-final clashes and assess which teams are best placed to reach the final on July 12 and 13.

Tyrone vs Kerry

The first semi-final, taking place on Saturday, pits Ulster’s Tyrone against Munster champions Kerry. These sides have shared a fierce rivalry, especially since the turn of the millennium. Their first championship meeting came in the 1986 All-Ireland final, where Kerry emerged victorious with a 2-15 to 1-10 scoreline. Most recently, they met in the 2023 quarter-final, which Kerry also won, 2-18 to 0-12.

Overall, they have faced each other nine times in the championship, with Kerry winning five and Tyrone four. Kerry have had the upper hand recently, winning four of the last five encounters. However, Tyrone’s best run against Kerry came between 2003 and 2008, when they beat the Kingdom three times in a row, once in an All-Ireland semi-final and twice in finals.

This is the fifth time these teams will meet in an All-Ireland semi-final. Tyrone have won two of the previous four, including a memorable victory in 2021, a match delayed due to a COVID outbreak in the Tyrone camp. Both teams were impressive in their quarter-final wins: Tyrone overcame Dublin, while Kerry delivered a scintillating scoring performance, knocking out reigning champions Armagh with a tally of 0-32.

Donegal vs Meath

The second semi-final sees Ulster champions Donegal face the championship’s surprise package, Meath. Meath have been outstanding this season, defeating Dublin in the Leinster semi-final and overcoming Kerry in the group stage. Their momentum carried them past Galway in the All-Ireland quarter-final, earning a remarkable place in the last four.

Meath pose a genuine threat thanks to their strength in midfield and their ability to accumulate points, particularly through two-pointers. However, Donegal are formidable opponents, as demonstrated by their exceptional second-half performance to see off Monaghan in the quarter-final. Donegal have played more championship games than any other team this season, which could lead to fatigue, though they benefit from a two-week break between their quarter-final and semi-final fixtures.

Who will reach the final?

Both semi-finals promise to be captivating affairs, with every team well capable of reaching the final on merit. All four enter the weekend in fine form, buoyed by strong quarter-final displays and full of confidence.

Predicting these matchups is no easy task. The showdown between Tyrone and Kerry is particularly hard to call due to their long-standing rivalry, but Kerry look especially formidable this year. With David Clifford, Paudie Clifford, and Sean O’Shea all in top form—O’Shea alone contributed 0-12 in the quarter-finals—the Kingdom’s attacking prowess should give them the edge.

Meath’s dream season may come to an end against Donegal. While Meath have been excellent, Donegal’s well-balanced side is difficult to break down, with strength in both attack and defence. If these predictions hold, the All-Ireland final will see Kerry take on Donegal, a rematch of the 2014 decider. Either way, fans can look forward to a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 All-Ireland Football Championship.

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