Barry Whyte looks ahead to this weekend's National Football League Division 1A and 1B clashes.
Click here to read Barry's hurling previews for this week
NFL Division 1A
Dublin v Fermanagh
Bottom-side Fermanagh face a tricky trip to Parnell Park to face Dublin in their Allianz NFL Division 1A clash on Saturday night, throw-in at 7.30pm.
Fermanagh will probably have resigned themselves to life in Division 2 at the very least by now, and the trip to the capital is unlikely to buck the trend that began four matches ago.
The Dubs, though, are having a mediocre season. Though on the fringes of a semi-final spot, Dublin should be aiming – and getting – higher than that.
Four points adrift of leaders Donegal is a long gap to bridge, but a four-point slide down towards Fermanagh can be no more difficult than a slip in concentration here, or a missed tackle there. It's probably safe to surmise, though, that this slide will not start in Parnell Park on Saturday night.
Pillar Caffrey has named the same team as the last time out, and will be glad that Jason Sherlock's possible hamstring injury turned out not to be.
The Dubs will have to fight for the win but they should be able to outclass Fermanagh in the end.
Verdict: Dublin
Cork v Mayo
It's a crucial game for Cork as they host Mayo on Saturday in Páirc Uí Rinn, with a relegation battle on the cards if they fail to win this game, which throws in at 7.30pm.
Mayo are on an impressive streak in this league season, having only lost once. And the return of Ciaran McDonald to training – though he probably won't be fit to play against Cork this weekend – will be a further boost to a Mayo psyche that is healing far more rapidly than anyone could have predicted at the final whistle of the 2006 All-Ireland final.
Still, they're not without their injuries: no Ronan McGarrity and no David Brady, while Trevor Mortimer's leg injury could keep him out of the game.
Cork, meanwhile, are having a poor league, and they sit just two points ahead of Fermanagh. After a great performance against Tyrone they slumped to defeat against Dublin, so Billy Morgan has brought Kevin McMahon and Michael Cussen into a re-jigged forward department.
If Cork can put in the effort against Mayo that they did against Tyrone, then a much-needed victory should be theirs. Since they need the points more urgently, the Rebels will probably just do enough to shade it.
Verdict: Cork
Donegal v Kerry
It's first versus second in the Allianz NFL Division 1A on Sunday, with Donegal and Kerry throwing-in at 2pm.
Donegal are the surprise package of this league campaign (though perhaps they shouldn't be). A 100% record, some fine performances, and a recently-acquired ability to finish teams off have all contributed to their current position.
Meanwhile, Kerry have had a so-so start by their own standards, though they've ground the results out since the opening round defeat to Mayo. Still, they'll be making the trip north – the long trip north – with the fate of Dr Crokes still hanging in the balance and the club’s contingent out of the equation.
And that's not to mention Pat O'Shea. The Kerry and Dr Crokes boss is juggling plates at the moment, and something is bound to slip. If forced to choose between a trip to Donegal in the middle of the league season, and the All-Ireland club final, he'd certainly choose the latter. Kerry might just be on auto-pilot come this weekend, and Donegal will probably continue their impressive run.
Verdict: Donegal
Limerick v Tyrone
This is a must-win game for Tyrone, as they take a trip to Limerick in Allianz NFL Division 1A, throw in at 3.30pm.
Limerick are a combative side who are unfortunate not to be higher in the table than they are now. They ran Kerry very close in Tralee in the last match with only Mike Frank Russell's goal separating them at the end.
Mickey Ned O'Sullivan has dropped Thomas Cahill, Sean Cronin and Mike Crowley from that side, and replaced them with Stephen Lavin, John Cooke and Darren Horan.
Tyrone, meanwhile, need a win this weekend if they're to entertain any hopes of reaching the semi-finals. Two defeats to Cork and Donegal in recent weeks leave them on four points, a dangerous position at this point in the league.
Mickey Harte's claim that Tyrone are 'fighting for their lives' is a warning signal not only to everyone in Division 1A, but also to most of the men in red and white. While relegation is not a real possibility – the Red Hand men will win any dogfight should it come to that – a failure to get into the semi-finals will not do much for their chances in the championship come summer.
Expect a much-improved performance from Tyrone.
Verdict: Tyrone
Division 1B
Armagh v Down
It’s the clash of the bottom two as Armagh and Down meet in what will certainly be a fiercely contested Allianz NFL Division 1B clash at Crossmaglen, throw-in at 3.30pm.
Diarmuid Marsden is back for Armagh after his brief retirement, and he is slotted back at full-forward, relegating Malachy Mackin to the bench.
Like Kerry, the biggest problem for Armagh is the All-Ireland club final. Joe Kernan has been in this position before, so he won't be grumbling too much, but he'll also be aware that, unlike Kerry in Division 1A, Armagh really need the points in Division 1B.
And two points couldn't come any sweeter than at the expense of local and bottom-of-the-table rivals Down, with whom they are likely to be involved in a major relegation dogfight further down the line. Kernan, the crafty old motivator, will certainly be putting that one to his troops before the game.
Down have not really gotten into the swing of this league season and they were hammered against Laois in the last match. This game will be a bit tighter though, and home advantage and the greater desire in Joe Kernan’s charges should be enough to secure victory for the Orchardmen.
Verdict: Armagh
Westmeath v Galway
Galway take the trip to Westmeath for this Allianz NFL Division 1B clash in Cusack Park, with throw-in at 3.30pm.
Though things are tight in 1B, the Tribesmen will need two points from this as insurance when things inevitably string out towards the end of the league stage.
Moreover, Galway will be looking for a bit of revenge after a very tight defeat by Westmeath in the All-Ireland qualifiers last summer. They’ll be missing Niall Coleman, but otherwise go into this game in good shape, only two points adrift of Westmeath, though the table gives the false impression that they're further behind.
Westmeath’s 100% run in the league was ended by Louth, who earned victory by the simple, old-fashioned expedient of taking scores ruthlessly. Galway will have taken cognisance of this, but putting it into action is a different matter entirely.
This will be one of the tightest – though not necessarily the best – games of the weekend, and Westmeath should just about come out on top.
Verdict: Westmeath
Derry v Laois
Laois take the trip to Derry in this Allianz NFL Division 1B clash, with throw-in at Celtic Park at 2.30pm.
Beano McDonald won't line out for Laois after picking up a wrist injury in the win over Down in the last match, while Tom Kelly has been ruled out of the rest of Laois's league campaign. And injuries to Aidan Fennelly (shoulder), Rory Stapleton (elbow) and Colm Parkinson (finger), and goalkeeper Fergal Byron mean they'll be severely depleted going into this match.
Derry's only injury worry is Paul Carton, who dislocated his shoulder in his side's win over Armagh.
With things so tight in 1B, a win here could be crucial for either side. Expect the injuries to make all the difference.
Verdict: Derry
Kildare v Louth
Louth, on a high after steamrolling over Westmeath, will hope to continue their run against Kildare, throw-in at 3.30pm in Newbridge.
Kildare. The Thoroughbreds, as some football commentators like to call them. And not just because of the predominance of horses around the shortgrass county. Just like the animals they're named for, Kildare footballers are talented but flighty. A dazzling performance today can be a dismal one tomorrow.
Last week's performance against Galway provides a perfect example. An utterly execrable opener, in which Kildare gave Galway a lead that couldn't be overhauled.
Still, they'll be boosted by the news that John Doyle's injury against the Tribesmen was nothing more than a bad case of bruising. And Dermot Earley might be back in the white jersey too, having recovered from a broken bone in his foot.
Louth, too, will be hoping that John O'Brien's eye-injury will have healed sufficiently to allow him to make the journey to Newbridge.
Depending on which Kildare team turns up, and whether Doyle and Earley take a full part, Louth may find it difficult to overcome the home side. But with such quixotic hosts, Louth will head in as slight favourites.
Verdict: Louth
