NFL Divison 1A
Cork v Tyrone
It’s top versus bottom in the clash of Cork and Tyrone in Allianz NFL Division 1A on Saturday night, throw in at 7.30pm.
Cork have made an abysmal start to the league and, should they lose on Saturday night, they'll have to start facing up to the reality of a drop to Division Three and the possibility of a very long time in the wilderness.
Billy Morgan has made three changes for the match, with Owen Sexton, Dermot Hurley and Kevin McMahon replacing Eoin Cadogan, Alan Cronin and Daniel Goulding.
Tyrone, meanwhile, are leading the way in the league, dropping no points, and have turned in impressive displays against Dublin and Fermanagh. In the meantime, they managed to pick up the McKenna Cup with victory over Donegal despite (or perhaps because of) having Kevin Hughes sent of during the final, while also fielding allegedly ineligible players (and while their county board re-ignited the GPA controversy).
Tyrone are on a roll and it will take a better and, crucially, more confident team than Cork to beat them.
Verdict: Tyrone
Donegal v Dublin
A crucial game for Dublin against Donegal in Allianz National League Division 1A, with a throw in at 2pm.
After a spectacular collapse against Tyrone in the second half in Croke Park and a close-run thing against Limerick, the Dubs have started this campaign with a limp. And, with just two points from two games, they’ll need to start racking up wins in order to ensure their presence in Division 1 next year.
Donegal have come down from the mountains a leaner, meaner beast this year. No longer the team that could be overhauled with minutes to go, there's something feral about them and they'll have smelled the fear in this Dublin team. They currently sit just behind Tyrone in the table with maximum points (having beaten Cork and Mayo).
Sure, they lost the McKenna Cup final 2-09 to 0-05 points - a pretty bad defeat - but they have shown real form in the NFL; if they can keep Dublin from hitting the net they'll have enough in the tank to see them off comfortably.
Expect the Dubs to turn in some good football in spells, but ultimately roll over when the game turns ugly.
Verdict: Donegal
Fermanagh v Kerry
Fermanagh will host the All-Ireland and NFL champions of 2006, Kerry, at their temporary home in Kingspan Breffni Park for this NFL clash, throw in at 2.30pm.
Kerry, with only two points in the bag thanks to an opening round defeat against Mayo, will be aware of the need to pick up points. While not being in next season's Division 1 would be an unlikely disaster, failing to contest this year's league will not be looked upon favourably, and their quest to make a mark under new boss Pat O'Shea will not run smoothly if they don't take points this weekend against Fermanagh.
They've already gotten some good news: charges of assault, obstruction and breach of the peace against Aidan O'Mahony have been thrown out. They'll still be missing their Dr Crokes contingent, though, as they take on Moorefield of Kildare in their replay in Nenagh. And Brendan Guiney's chest infection will keep him out of the game.
Fermanagh, meanwhile, are one of two teams in 1A on nil points and, unlike Cork, even the most valiant fight will probably not be enough to prevent them from slipping down the ranks.
While this prediction might be seen as a bit premature in Fermanagh, even the most die-hard supporters will be hard-pressed to see their side overthrow the Kingdom.
Verdict: Kerry
Mayo v Limerick
It’s the tightest game of the weekend in the National Football League Division 1A as Limerick take a trip to Mayo, throw in at 2.30pm.
Having tossed the monkey off their back at the first opportunity, Mayo were beaten in their second match by a determined Donegal. They'll have Ronan McGarrity back after injury ruled him out of the first two matches, and they'll need him if they're to pick up two points against Limerick.
The Treaty side are in the same position as Mayo, having lost narrowly to Dublin and beaten Fermanagh. The manner of their performances, though, will have caused some managers in 1A to re-evaluate their threat. A young and fit team, they're not easy to shake off and Mayo will need to fight to take two points in this one.
John O'Mahony, like any manager in any sport, has been issuing press statements claiming his side will be 'taking nothing for granted' against Limerick. It may not be the usual publicity bluster.
If Limerick can get in under Mayo's skin early, then it may unsettle the Connacht side and give Limerick a much-needed win over their close rivals in Division 1A.
But, like all good gamblers will tell you, you win by betting with the odds; thus,, though this is the tightest game of the weekend in Division 1A, Mayo should just shade it.
Verdict: Mayo
NFL Division 1B
Galway v Armagh
Galway will be hoping to get their NFL campaign back on track when they tackle Armagh at Pearse Stadium on Sunday, throw-in at 1.30pm.
The Tribesmen are without a win after two games. They took a hiding from the Orchard County 12 months ago and will be eager to make amends. However, they just don’t seem to have the strength in depth of their opponents.
Despite the loss of the Crossmaglen contingent, due to involvement in the AIB Club Championships, Joe Kernan’s brigade has put on a decent showing so far this year. Steven McDonnell will prove too much to handle for the inexperienced Galway defence.
Just how they handle the early throw-in, not to mention the journey from Armagh, remains to be seen but it’s difficult to see where Galway can find a weakness with the players they have to call on.
Unless they can run the legs off their opponents in the second half they are unlikely to have an impact on their home turf.
Verdict: Armagh
Kildare v Derry
Derry will be looking to leapfrog Kildare when they visit Newbridge on Sunday, throw-in at 2.30pm.
The Lilywhites have performed well so far and remain undefeated, despite the absence of the men from Moorefield. Their form depends on that of Johnny Doyle but this hasn’t hindered them thus far and if he can trouble the Oak leaf side then they will be on their way to another valuable three points.
Derry will have been disappointed to lose out to Westmeath at home on their last outing. Manager Paddy Crozier was said to be, understandably, ‘upset’ following the loss so only the Derrymen will know the ‘training’ he’s put them through in recent sessions.
This could turn out to be the (surprise) game of the day and home advantage should be enough to inspire the Lilywhites to consolidating their position at the top of the table.
Verdict: Kildare.
Laois v Louth
If Louth are to continue on their path to safety they will need to a win when they take on Laois at Portlaoise on Sunday, throw-in at 2.30pm.
Aidan Fennelly and Colm Parkinson are not available for Laois manager Liam Kearns. Kearns will be hoping that his side will take heart from the way they edged out Galway by a single point two weeks ago. They were disappointing in their opening game against Westmeath.
Louth have also endured a close battle, ending up on the losing side to neighbours Armagh on their last outing. They have impressed in their initial tests but they will surely be targeting this clash as somewhere they can grab two points.
But Laois always seem to come good in the latter stages of the NFL. The O’Moore County has a habit of starting slowly but eventually making the knockout stages. They should have too much savvy at this level to allow the Wee County to shock them at home.
Verdict: Louth
Westmeath v Down
Westmeath will be looking to continue to prove the critics wrong when they host Down in Mullingar on Sunday, throw-in at 2.30pm.
They are sitting pretty at the top of Division 1B with a decent score-average to boot (+9). If they keep their performance levels as high as they have in the early games then they are a sure thing to make the knockout stages. All of a sudden it seems as though last year’s defeat of Galway in the SFC was no flash in the pan.
Down have been suffering somewhat. Following an opening-day loss to top-flight newcomers Louth, they failed to defeat Kildare at home. They just cannot seem to get into their stride and manager Ross Carr will have been glad to have the experienced Alan Molloy back in training.
However it will take more than one man to stop the Mourne side succumbing to another defeat as they continue to flirt dangerously with the bottom of the table.
Verdict: Westmeath.
