NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

(Matches 3.0 p.m. unless stated)

DIVISION ONE,

Cork v Meath

(Pairc Ui Chaoimh)

THIS had a "match of the day" look to it before Meath found themselves short nearly their entire first choice team. There should still be some edge to proceedings as the old enmities endure, as was evident in how quickly the blood pressure rose when last month's drawn All Ireland brought back into focus the 1988 replay between these counties.

Larry Tompkins's appointment to the helm in Cork is already causing comment. His demandingly austere training sessions are likely to sort out any faint hearted panellists and certainly advance the team's fitness. Encouragingly for Cork, Colin Corkery is said to be among those who are responding well.

After the opening day's draw up in Donegal, Tompkins was said to be far less pleased than the final quarter overhaul of a five point deficit might have suggested, as the chances were there to win the match. Last week's county final in Cork will have done little to encourage the new manager, as Clonakilty's best players were retired inter county men and UCC's outstanding few were from Kerry.

Who can say what the attitude in Meath is to this fixture? Already disgruntled by the All Ireland suspensions, having to travel to Cork with a second team will hardly improve their mood. Cork to record first win.

Tyrone v Donegal (Omagh)

DANNY Ball's advent to the manager's desk in Tyrone has resulted in a few interesting come backs. Mattie McGleenan was generally expected to return, but former under 21 star and senior player Eamonn McCaffrey's career looked to be in free fall. It will be greatly to the team's advantage if he can be restored to his best form as the team still struggles to cope with the absence of Peter Canavan.

Donegal must be weary enough facing into the league. Having lost the last two finals and followed up with disappointing championships, it's hard for them or manager PJ McGowan to get too worked up over the competition.

Kerry v Derry (Killarney, 2.00) ANOTHER two counties deep in the throes of experimentation. Derry's decision to set aside a number of the county's more experienced players in order to focus on the emerging is a good idea and one that has been on the cards for over a year. Like Donegal, Derry's last two years have seen the league assume an uncomfortably dominant role in affairs.

Kerry laid down a marker in last season's league, but few could have foreseen how poorly the championship breakthrough would end. The highlighting of the team's structural inadequacies by Mayo at least gives Paidi O Se and Seamus Mac Gearailt a specific shopping list full back midfielder, a couple of foiwaids.

Derry's need has consistently been in the forwards, and the latest generation getting a inn cut still has some way to go, judging by the performance against Tyrone they won comfortably but managed only one point from play. But being so tight at the back, they get the nod.

Cavan v Kildare (Kingscourt)

GOOD results for both counties in their opening matches. Micko performed his familiar party piece - beating Kerry - and the team sheet provokes similar feelings of deja vu. Tom Harris best remembered for his private punch up with Keith Barr, in front of 60,000 or so people in the 1992 Leinster final is back in the team at centre forward.

Martin Lynch's wanderings continue. He made his name at midfield during Dwyer's previous tenure, but has been tried everywhere since and the current fashion is for him at full forward. Although Kerry were understrength a fortnight ago, Kildare's display was sound enough and they are narrowly favoured to overcome a Cavan side that showed bundles of spirit when spoiling Meath's All Ireland homecoming by sharing the points in Navan, despite the continuing sabbatical being taken by manager Martin McHugh.

DIVISION TWO

Laois v Mayo (Portlaoise, 3.30) IT originally appeared as if Mayo might be limping through the preChristmas programme struggling to overcome the suspension of half their All Ireland team, but the team named for tomorrow is a respectable enough looking lineup. In contrast, Laois have inflicted their own problems by fixing their county football final as the curtain raiser. Mayo should have enough residual fitness to punish this administrative eccentricity.

Louth v Clare (Drogheda)

CLARE'S rotten start to the league makes the main news in their selection particularly welcome. David Keane was the brightest star in their attack five years ago, when the county won the B All Ireland. A bad knee injury kept him out of all the history making endeavour that followed further injuries and a certain disillusionment hampered his career in the years since and his return could be very important as Clare in common with lots of others - could do with a scoring forward. Louth's strong opening in Armagh may set them up for a reasonable season bearing in mind that they narrowly missed promotion two and three years ago, and they are taken to bag the points tomorrow.

Dublin v Armagh (Parnell Park) DUBLIN continue the trawl for new performers, and in that context, the "resting" of John O'Leary and Paul Curran is understandable. Taking a look at another goalkeeper is a long term necessity, and, so David Byrne steps in. Injuries take a fair toll with Paul Bealin, Mick Deegan. Jim Gavin and Pat Gilroy all out. St Sylvester's have also withdrawn their players in advance, of the Leinster club championship. Armagh's inability to claw back Louths wind assisted interval lead may prove difficult for their promotion chances later in the season. Tomorrow should prove seven more difficult.

Monaghan v Leitrim

(Scotstown)

LEITRIM have been a very consistent presence in this division over the past three years. Their opening win over Dublin underlined their steady ability to pick cup points. This fixture against promoted Monaghan will be tricky, but is also the sort of claustrophobic challenge on which Leitrim thrive. We're also heading into the weather patterns that will inconvenience a physically unimposing team like Monaghan.

DIVISION THREE

WICKLOW'S strong start in Belfast, with Kevin O'Brien in excellent form, should be built upon with the visit of Roscommon to Aughrim. Wexford can redeem themselves after a chastening trip to Newry when they entertain Antrim in Enniscorthy (1.00). Relegated counties meet at Mullingar as Westmeath have the chance of repeating last year's - at the time - promising defeat of Down, this time in Division Three. Finally, home side Longford, frequent victims of one point defeats, may surprise a Galway side already being distracted by committee room rows and presumably smarting after that unexpected defeat by Westmeath.

DIVISION FOUR

TOMMY Lyons made a fine start to his inter county management career by taking Offaly to a big win over Tipperary. Tomorrow is his home debut in Tullamore, with Waterford the visitors. After a number of false dawns in recent seasons, Offaly may be on their way out of the basement, at last. Tipp, having appointed Paddy Morrissey as manager, should take the usual two points in Nowlan Park against Kilkenny. At home, Carlow will be expected to avenge last year's embarrassing defeat over in London, whereas resurgent Fermanagh, already in the B final, should continue the good work in Enniskillen with the visit of Sligo.

. Meanwhile on the club hurling front, Antrim champions Cushendall, looking to emulate or better their predecessors Dunloy who reached the last two All Ireland finals, look too strong for the Down champions, Portaferry, in tomorrow's Ulster SHC club final.

Significant senior hurling finals take place in the counties which contested the All Ireland final, Wexford and Limerick. Enniscorthy Rapparees face Rathnure in Wexford Park, while favourites Patrickswell take on Brurce at the Gaelic Grounds. In Tipperary, Boherlahan Dualla, walloped in last year's final by Nenagh play a re invigorated Toomevara who were All Ireland finalists two years ago.

The weekend also sees, a programme of club matches in Leinster. Details in sports diary.

. The Cork Waterford match in the South East League, sponsored by Waterford Glass has been switched from today to tomorrow at 1.00.