The National Football League kicks back into life next weekend with four matches in Section D. The matches feature Waterford against Tipperary, Kildare against Cork, Limerick against Wicklow and Clare against Down - the first named teams playing at home.

The most attractive of these is the game between Kildare and Cork at Newbridge. These two sides are at the top of Section D with eight points each.

There is, however, a slight difference between the two sides insofar as their position in the table is concerned. Kildare have won all four of their matches to date while Cork have played five but lost one of those.

Cork, however, have a better scoring difference. They have recorded 6-67 (85) in their five matches and have conceded 5-40 (55), while Kildare have scored 4-53 (65) and conceded 4-32 (44). Cork, therefore have a 30 point gap between for and against while Kildare's gap is 21.

Roscommon, not engaged on Sunday, are in third place in the table with six points having won two, drawn two and lost one, while Down are also on six having won three and lost one of their four matches.

Down are equal with Roscommon on six points and would benefit from a win over Clare (who have five points) in Ennis while further down the table Wicklow are on three points and Tipperary on two while Waterford and Limerick, who clash in Stradbally, are both point - less after four defeats on the trot. The preliminary round of the Sigerson Cup competition will be played tomorrow with six matches down for decision. The ties are: Dublin Institute of Technology against Athlone RTC, Limerick RTC v Galway RTC, Maynooth v Sligo RTC, ST Pat's , Drumcondra v UCC, Coleraine v UCD and St Mary's, Belfast v Dublin City University.

Tipperary All-Ireland under-21 hurling medal holder Brian Flannery has decided to throw in his lot with Waterford in 1998. Flannery, now living in Waterford city where he plays his club hurling with Mount Sion, will make his debut for the county against Cork at Dungarvan on Sunday next.

Waterford (SH v Cork): S Brenner, B Flannery, S Cullinane, M O'Sullivan, S Frampton, F Hartley, P Queally, G Gater, T Feeney, D Shanahan, G Harris, K McGrath, B O'Sullivan, P Flynn, D McGrath.

Eamon Creegan and Ger Loughnane, who clashed over the airwaves after last September's AllIreland Senior Hurling final, come face to face for the first time at Ennis on February 22nd when the AllIreland champions pit their skills against the National League champions in a match arranged to raise funds for the St Flannan's College building programme.