Monaghan “could be in for a whipping” says Dublin legend Diarmuid Connolly

"I see this as a foregone conclusion really.”

Dublin legend Diarmuid Connolly believes that Dublin's match against Monaghan is a "foregone conclusion" and that the Ulster side could be in for a "whipping." The ex-Dublin star wasn't interested in sugar coating his words when asked what his predictions were for this weekend's semi-finals. The Dubs are overwhelming favourites, but due to Monaghan's incredible habit of managing to cause upsets and punch above their weight, some are giving them a fighting chance. However, when speaking exclusively to BoyleSport “Looking at the form book you can see why Dublin are 1-8 favourites here, even in an All-Ireland semi-final. “I was looking at the scores Monaghan have put up this year and I can't see how they're going to put up about 2-13, 2-14 to beat this Dublin side. "They scored 2-17 against Tyrone in Ulster and that sort of a scoreline will trouble Dublin, but I don't see Monaghan's forwards having that score in them this time. “Where Monaghan could get a little bit of joy is the likes of Conor McCarthy breaking forward and breaking lines, but I don't see too many runners coming down the middle because Dublin are playing really well at the minute and Brian Howard is covering that six spot.

“Monaghan will probably get a lot of bodies back behind the ball, but I see that as a negative. If they don’t come out and play man for man they could be in for a whipping because Dublin have expertise against this hybrid defence.

"Monaghan will need goals and since Stephen Cluxton came back, Dublin haven't let one in. They've also scored 15 of their own already in this championship, so I see this as a foregone conclusion really.”

Dublin and Monaghan play Saturday evening at 5.30pm live on RTE Two. Related links:

• David Moran compares Kerry's 2014 All-Ireland champions to 2022 team
• “It’s a funny enough county" Paddy Bradley on unusual trait in Donegal that other counties don't have
• Times, TV channels, dates - this weekend's GAA schedule is mighty