Get your tickets ahead of a bumper weekend of football at Croke Park

This weekend at Croke Park will be the busiest weekend of football action when the race for Sam Maguire is likely to be cut down to four contenders.

Arguably the biggest weekend of football outside the final itself, eight counties and their supporters will make their way to Jones' Road full of hope and expectation as the championship really heats up. First up on Saturday is the clash of Ulster rivals Tyrone and Monaghan and while history would favour the Red Handers, form would appear to be on Malachy O’Rourke’s side. They will hope to replicate the the performance that saw them dethrone the All-Ireland champions Donegal in the provincial final, as will their jubilant supporters. Monaghan will look to the Hughes brothers, Darren and Kieran, along with the likes of Dessie Mone, Paul Finlay and Vinnie Corey to lead the challenge, though in truth their performance was built on a huge work ethic from everyone that took to the field. Darren Hughes and Sean Cavanagh will renew rivalries this weekend Tyrone have steadily gone about their business since their Ulster exit, without ever looking like genuine All-Ireland winning material thus far. Sean Cavanagh turned in another virtuoso performance last week against Meath, while Darren McCurry looked to lessen the burden on Stephen O’Neill up front. Mickey Harte has never lost a championship game to Monaghan as Tyrone boss and he will be confident of extending that run on Saturday. The second game on Saturday should see a large vocal support for the home team when Jim Gavin’s men take on the Rebels in what promises to be an intriguing clash at HQ. Form and logic would point to a Dublin victory, as they have looked at various times to be unstoppable during the championship. With an embarrassment of riches up front, their pace and power on the break has been well documented, though the full-back line has looked beatable the few times they have been tested, while centre-field was a concern against Meath last time out. And these weaknesses have possibly been exaggerated given the outstanding facets of play from the rest of the team. One of the main dangermen for Cork in a potentially lethal attack For Conor Counihan it is a case of a) getting the right team onto the pitch and b) looking for consistency in performance that has been glaringly missing against Kerry and Galway. There is little doubt of the talent at Cork’s disposal, but question marks hang over a team that has only one victory – Kerry in Munster – over a top ranked side since they claimed the All-Ireland victory three years ago. It promises to be an open game given that both sides operate less defensively than some of the other teams left at this stage, with the bookies favouring the home side to reach the semi-final stage. First up on Sunday will be the clash of the Kingdom and Cavan, with the 1947 Final at the Polo Grounds given a lot of airtime since the draw was made, as has the 1997 clash at Croke Park. Then, just like now, Kerry will go in as raging hot favourites. Expect the Gooch to be pulling the strings on Sunday Kieran Donaghy is back in a forward line that oozes class, with Paul Galvin and Donnchadh Walsh winning breaks and threading balls into Declan and Darran O’Sullivan in the inside line. And if they aren’t threading the ball, well, then the Gooch most certainly will be. In brilliant form since taking the number eleven jersey at the start of the summer, he will be central to Kerry's ambitions of claiming a 37^th title. Cavan, for their part, have been winning admirers for their performances all year, and in Martin Dunne and Eugene Keating they have an inside forward line that will trouble any defence given enough supply. Far from Cavan being a two-man team, Cian Mackey has been one of the stand-out performers of the 2013 season, the midfield duo of David Givney and Damien O’Reilly has looked solid and Alan Clarke has been a rock at centre-back. Few outside of the Breffni County will give the underdogs much of a chance of an upset, though the same was said prior to the 1947 decider and we know how that went. Last, but by certainly no means least is the clash of the round when All-Ireland champions Donegal square off against many people’s favourites for Sam Maguire in Mayo. A repeat of last year’s final, both teams come into this in contrasting form which merely adds to the interest level. Mayo have been nothing short of sensational this year, dismantling any team in their path, though they will experience a huge step up in class this weekend. A far stronger team, and squad, from last year, their main concerns will surround their injuries. Rob Hennelly will retain his place between the sticks after injuries to their first and second choice goalkeepers David Clarke and Kenneth O’Malley, while Andy Moran and Alan Dillon are not long recovering from injury concerns of their own. Jim McGuinness has injury concerns of his own – well documented in his post-match comments in the qualifier victory over Laois – with Mark McHugh hoping to be fit for consideration, while Karl Lacey is still getting back to form after his own lay-off. The defeat to Monaghan led to some questioning the depth of the strength in depth of the squad, but with forwards of the calibre of McFadden, McBrearty and Murphy, Mayo will need no reminding of their star quality. Colm McFadden will hope to repeat last year's trick The midfield battle will be crucial and Mayo will feel that they are fully equipped to exact revenge on last year’s horror start and send Donegal out of the championship. The bookies have them as slight favourites, which should be all the motivation the reigning champions require. With large attendances expected on both days supporters are reminded that tickets for this weekend and all remaining fixtures can be purchased online at gaa.ie (including print@home tickets). Tickets are also available from 288 Tickets.ie outlets in selected Centra and SuperValu stores across the island. Tickets are priced at €30 for stand and €20 for terrace. Concessions include €5 for Juvenile (Stand), €20 for Senior Citizens (Stand), €20 Student (Stand) – Cusack and Davin Stands only. Club passes are also available at just €10 per ticket - a 75% discount on regular ticket prices. One per club - minimum 15, maximum 50.