Weekend NFL Previews

A look at the weekend's action

Today

Division One A

Kerry v Offaly, Tralee, 7.45pm - Even with the great old rivalry between these two teams, it's hard to get excited about this one. Kerry have been moving along steadily - with three wins and one loss to date - without making any great statement about their true ambitions for the league. Making the play-offs would be nice, but that's clearly not where their season will be judged.

Monaghan looked to have matched them last Sunday before a late point from Colm Cooper salvaged the Kerry win, which suggests the over-reliance on his scoring talents hasn't quite been addressed the way manager Jack O'Connor would like.

Still, the Eamonn Fitzmaurice experiment at centre forward seems to be working well, and defensively Kerry remain very strong.

Offaly, in contrast, can't seem to get any consistency together. Last Sunday, they matched Tyrone impressively for the first half but still ended up losing by nine points.

Unfortunately for them, there are no points for bravery in the league and another loss here is almost certain to reserve a ticket down to Division Two.

Tomorrow

(3.30pm unless stated)

Mayo v Cork, Castlebar - As the only unbeaten team in Division One A, Mayo have already provided the first success story of this year's campaign.

With Ciarán McDonald coming back on board this week there's no reason to believe they can't make the play-offs now unbeaten. They hit 17 of their 19 points from play against Fermanagh last Sunday.

Cork had to dig deep for their win over Dublin, earning their first points of the league but, even with that boost in confidence, the points are likely to stay with the home team.

Fermanagh v Dublin, Enniskillen - This is the game that could well define the league campaign of both teams. With two wins each, and two losses, the difference between winning and losing this one will mean staying in contention for the play-offs or slipping into the relegation zone.

So it has the makings of a good, old-fashioned league battle. Dublin's form has probably been the more inconsistent. With Denis Bastick suspended, Ciarán Whelan returns to the line-up, as does Alan Brogan, and that sees them start as favourites.

Fermanagh have been proving hard to beat at home this year, as Tyrone realised. They'll certainly match Dublin for fitness and if they can stay with them on the scoreboard for long enough then they have every chance of taking the points.

Tyrone v Monaghan, Omagh - It's very possible that last Sunday's nine-point win over Offaly marked a turning point in the league for All-Ireland champions Tyrone. Manager Mickey Harte reckoned it was their best performance so far.

With Stephen O'Neill and Seán Cavanagh slowly regaining form, they're suddenly looking like daunting opposition again. Monaghan certainly won't be relishing this trip to Omagh, having lost to Kerry last Sunday.

Despite the memorable win over Dublin, they have still only one win from four starts.

Division One B

Down v Armagh, Newry - With their chances of defending the league title as good as gone, Armagh's concerns now lie with fighting off relegation. This is not the kind of game they would want in that scenario. And, to make things worse, Francie Bellew is suspended.

Derry proved just a little too fit and hungry for them last Sunday, closing down an early deficit, and Down present a similar prospect.

Meath v Kildare, Páirc Tailteann - Defeat for both these teams last Sunday adds a certain air of nervousness to this one. Meath can afford to be a little more confident. Add the recent rivalry of these teams to the mix and you have the potential for one of the hardest contests of the day.

The main thing in Meath's favour, however, is their desire to perform for the home crowd, as seen against Laois - and a repeat should sneak them another two points.

Galway v Wexford, Pearse Stadium, 2.30pm - Wexford's inspired comeback against Meath last Sunday provided their first points of the campaign, and for now has staved off what looked like a certain drop to Division Two.

Galway have only three points of their own so this match probably qualifies as the first relegation battle of the year.

Galway have been the more consistent, even without their Salthill crew, but with Wexford all fired up again this one could go the way of the visitors.

Laois v Derry, Portlaoise, 2.30pm - With Derry looking to maintain their unbeaten run and Laois always looking to win on home soil this one is almost certain to be played at championship pace.

In fact, both teams are currently operating at that speed, displaying unseasonably high levels of fitness.

Having hit 21 wides against Meath a fortnight ago, Laois were relieved as much as satisfied with their five-point win over Down last week. Nine players made the scoresheet, including goalkeeper Fergal Byron, and against that sort of form Derry's unbeaten record is definitely under threat.

Division Two A

Clare v Donegal, Cusack Park, Ennis - While Donegal extended their unbeaten run against London last week, their one draw, plus the postponed match against Longford yet to play, means a victory here is essential if they are to keep alive their hopes of promotion.

Carlow v Leitrim, Dr Cullen Park - Liam Hayes' league nightmare continued last week as Roscommon handed his Carlow team a fourth successive defeat. In fairness, there has been little separating the teams in this division, but Leitrim have been setting the higher standard and can make it three wins from five.

Longford v Roscommon, Pearse Park - Like Donegal, Longford have plenty of incentive to win this one with the extra game in hand. Roscommon, however, are slowly finding their form under manager John Maughan and look better placed to maintain the promotional run.

Limerick v London, Gaelic Grounds, 11pm - Another two points for Limerick, who lead the division with seven points, would practically ensure their promotion.

Division Two B

Cavan v Antrim, Kingspan Breffni Park - The two points that separate these teams illustrate the closeness of the division. Cavan seem the more settled of these two, however, and look poised to build on their narrow win over Sligo.

Louth v Wicklow, Dundalk Gaels - Louth's unbeaten run has been one of the surprises of this division, but they've deserved all they've got. While Wicklow have been playing well, the home advantage should help send another two points the way of Louth.

Waterford v Tipperary, Dungarvan - Despite starting out the league with great hopes, these teams have struggled to find both form and consistency.

With only two points each to date they'll both be desperate for another win, but Tipperary's marginally superior class should decide it.

Sligo v Westmeath, Markievicz Park - Having confirmed Tommy Breheny as manager for the rest of the season, Sligo can finally put all their efforts into the field of play, which they badly need to do. However, even on home turf they'll hardly be up for the challenge of Westmeath, who are sailing with the wind towards promotion.

National Hurling League

Division Three A (refixture)

Sligo v Monaghan, Tourlestrane, 2.30pm - A heavy defeat to Donegal last Sunday will have knocked back Monaghan a little, and Sligo can take advantage.