Tomorrow

(Matches at 2.00 unless stated)

Division One A:

Cork v Donegal, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 1.30 - Cork's championship hangover continues with two defeats to date. Another one tomorrow would virtually ensure that they won't be around to defend their NFL title in the spring knockout stages. Donegal attracted much publicity for the 21 wides they kicked against Galway and this looks a tricky assignment for them as the holders have been getting closer to their best line-out by the return of Anthony Lynch and Podsie O'Mahony. Home win.

Armagh v Galway, Athletic Grounds - Last year Armagh were an up-and-coming team who inflicted a rare defeat on Galway. This time around, it's the Ulster champions who are jaded after a long year and an experimental Galway that are looking the more lively. Armagh are, like Cork, trying to get something in the bank before Christmas while John O'Mahony will be just happy to observe evidence of options for the months ahead. Armagh have the Cross lads back and are hanging on to Kieran McGeeney despite the entreaties of Na Fianna but the visitors look to have the momentum.

Tyrone v Roscommon, Dungannon - At the end of a bruising and somewhat unfulfilling decade, Tyrone are engaged in a fair bit of team-building as Art McRory (the George Mitchell of Tyrone football) and Eugene McKenna try and build a bridge between the county's under-age excellence at either end of the 1990s. Roscommon will be buoyant after the late victory over Cork but the home side's form against Dublin is taken as more representative than the ill-starred trip to Tralee.

Dublin v Kerry, Parnell Park, 2.30 - Dublin have been experimenting to date. Jonathan McGee's performance at centrefield against Armagh caught the eye and maybe he'll become the latest of the county's centre backs to migrate up the field. Paul Croft has some experience in the forwards at under-age and club level and perhaps it will help regenerate his form which suffered after his three-month suspension last year. Kerry have been going a bomb (In the League? No wonder the millennium is changing.) and will come to Parnell Park favourites to avenge the awful whacking they got here over 18 months ago when still All-Ireland champions.

Division One B:

Down v Sligo, Newry - Sligo have cut a swathe through All-Ireland champions in the NFL in recent years, beating both Meath, a fortnight ago - and Kerry in 1997. Now they get their opportunity against one of the decade's high-achieving counties. Down may have fallen on comparatively hard times - and even at their peak, they didn't expend too much energy on the League - but they can still field half a dozen All-Ireland medallists. A narrow vote for the home team.

Fermanagh v Meath, Enniskillen - A meeting between the All-Ireland champions and the favourites for the B competition next week. Fermanagh will be strengthened by the return of the slightly unlucky Enniskillen players after last week's Ulster final. Tom Brewster is injured but brother Paul is back and James Farry who played well against Crossmaglen is rewarded with his first county callup. Meath, for their part, welcome back Trevor Giles whose virtuosity shone as brightly in the county final six days ago as it did during the championship and in Australia. Meath are less likely to slip up here than they were in Sligo.

Derry v Clare, Celtic Park, 1.00 - Central defence is Derry's immediate concern as Sean Lockhart faces a late fitness test and Henry Downey is brought back for his attacking adventures to pivot the defence. More pressing in the long term is the lack of zip up front but despite Clare's capable defence, the home attack should be sufficient to the day.

Mayo v Kildare, Castlebar - Today's Connacht replay gives Pat Holmes his cue to select the team this evening after assessing the intentions of the Crossmolina players. There was some encouragement up front for the new Mayo manager in the win over Fermanagh with the performances from some of the newcomers. Kildare similarly still suffer from a lack of penetration but if they create chances at the rate they managed in the draw against Derry, they should still win.

Division Two A:

Limerick v Louth, Kilmallock, 1.45 - Louth to maintain the momentum created by their opening win against Antrim.

Offaly v Antrim, Tullamore - Excellent win for Offaly in Aughrim and no reason for a slip-up against visitors with next week's All-Ireland B final on their minds.

London v Leitrim, Ruislip - Memories to make Leitrim shudder. Only Declan Darcy's late and dubiously awarded penalty kept the county afloat in the championship two years ago. Less prospect of similar excitement this time around.

Wicklow v Westmeath, Aughrim - More unsavoury memories. The counties' previous NFL meeting ended up with one player in hospital nursing a broken cheekbone and a tribunal of inquiry dragging on into the summer. Westmeath favoured to win again - hopefully without the trimmings.

Division Two B:

Carlow v Monaghan, Cullen Park - Having been edged out by Laois two weeks ago, Monaghan are unlikely to slip up against a struggling Carlow.

Cavan v Laois, Breffni Park - Once more Cavan look to be making extraordinarily heavy weather of the League. Laois's visit will hardly alleviate matters.

Wexford v Tipperary, New Ross - Narrow vote for the home side.

Waterford v Longford, Dungarvan - A bit of a struggle ahead for Waterford this season with Kilkenny refusing to come out and play and London and Limerick in the other section.