Arabic version: يعتقد بيغان أن لوث سيتفوق على مايو ويرجح فوز كيري

Monaghan goalkeeper Rory Beggan is set for punditry duty as two All-Ireland SFC semi-finals head to Croke Park, with the full house signs expected to be rolled out for the weekend. The BBC reports that Louth meet Mayo on Saturday and Dublin face Kerry on Sunday. BBC News

Beggan rates the Louth v Mayo tie as “the tightest one of the weekend” and points to Louth’s defensive strength and size as potential deciders. He noted that Louth played with 14 men in their win over Monaghan and that their ability to compete for the full 70 minutes and win kick-outs could give them the midfield edge that lets their forwards punish Mayo. He also suggested match-ups such as Donal McKenny on Ryan O’Donoghue will be important.

The game matters because Louth are making their first last-four appearance since 1957 and have built confidence from big wins over Armagh and Dublin and a 2025 Leinster final win over Meath. Mayo’s return to the semi-finals under Andy Moran — their first since 2021 — means both sides view Saturday as a significant step in their seasons.

On Sunday Beggan describes Kerry as favourites to end Dublin’s resurgence but says Dublin are “live ones” after eliminating Donegal and Galway. He highlighted several Dublin players standing up, including Colm Basquel, Con O’Callaghan, Ross McGarry, Ciaran Kilkenny and Niall Scully, and mentioned Ger Brennan’s return to the sideline following a 12-week ban. Beggan added that Kerry have been building after an opening defeat to Donegal, with strong wins over Kildare and Armagh and a tight quarter-final against Tyrone.

What happens next: Louth play Mayo on Saturday at 18:00 BST and Dublin meet Kerry on Sunday at 16:00 BST, with Beggan on punditry duty for the Saturday game.

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