On Monaghan and climb up table
functioned superbly on the day, showing signs of a more ruthless streak that brought them to last year’s Ulster final.
Table-toppers Cavan — and such a prospect looked decidedly dubious prior to the league starting — have a trip to the sparkling new Pairc Ui Chaoimh to look forward to tomorrow when they face second-placed Cork.
No fewer than 10 debutants took the field for Cavan in their opening-round draw with Clare, with snatching a draw at the death a major moment for their development.
In Division Three, it is a huge showdown for Ulster rivals Derry and Fermanagh tonight as they go head-to-head under the Brew- ster Park floodlights.
Derry only got off the mark in their third game, at home to pointless Offaly, while Rory Gallagher’s Ernemen have been undefeated so far with wins over Wexford, Offaly and Sligo.
With Armagh also to come to Brewster Park, they are in a good position to push for promotion. Their cause is also helped by the fact that Derry are still without their Slaughtneil contingent.
However, manager Damian McErlain has brought a number of players from his successful minor teams into senior football and it must be said that the management of this team is certainly a long-term project.
Armagh also have a 100% record that they put on the line when they make the trip to Tullamore to face an Offaly side that appear to be out of their depth.
Kieran McGeeney’s side have been free-scoring all year, with Ethan Rafferty emerging as a central figure in attack. Their average score in league games so far is 20 points, while Offaly’s average concession is just a fraction more than that.
Finally, Antrim can keep their bid to get out of the basement of Division Four going when they make the trip to London, the exiles playing all their games at home this season due to the development of McGovern Park in Ruislip.
Antrim should nab a win here. ANTRIM skipper Conor McKinley faces into the biggest test of his leadership at Cushendall tomorrow when his side must overcome Limerick in a vital Allianz Hurling League Division 1B tie if they are to have any chance of avoiding relegation.
Having lost to Galway, Dublin and Laois, the Saffrons must avoid shipping another reverse and McKinley is urging his players to produce a top-flight performance.
“We know we cannot afford to concede any more points at this stage. Limerick are unbeaten but we must focus on our own situation,” insisted McKinley.
In Division 2B, Down travel to face Donegal, who surprised Derry but have otherwise found the going difficult. Down, in contrast, have been racking up some impressive scores.
Derry, meanwhile, host Armagh at Celtic Park where both sides will be anxious to put some recent disappointing displays behind them.
Meanwhile, two players who normally find themselves in the same netball team will be in opposite corners tomorrow when Tyrone and Armagh clash in the Lidl Ladies National Football League.
Armagh’s Caroline O’Hanlon and Red Hands dynamo Neamh Woods were in the Northern Ireland netball team that won the Nations Cup in Singapore and also play together for Larkfield in the same code while they are normally first-choice players for Ulster in the Ladies Football Inter-provincial series.
They will each shoulder considerable responsibility for their respective teams tomorrow as Tyrone bid to get back on track after a reversal against Tipperary, while the Orchard County seek to build on a runaway win over Sligo.
Down, meanwhile, will face Offaly at Abbey GS, Newry where they will hope to come out on top and stay in the promotion race, while in Division Four Antrim face a tricky mission against Wicklow at Roundwood and Derry will strive to maximise home advantage at Ballymaguigan against Louth.
In the National Camogie League, Antrim take on Cork today in Division One while in Division Two tomorrow, Down will host Wexford, Derry will face Kilkenny and Armagh will oppose Tipperary.