THIS WEEKEND’S PREVIEWS

FOOTBALL

All throw-ins 7pm unless stated TODAY Allianz FL Division 1 Tyrone v Donegal, Healy Park They no longer mirror each other in terms of game-plan. Donegal have been winning plaudits for their expansive ways but they look a little exposed at the back, which might just see Tyrone profit on the counter.

Verdict: Tyrone Allianz FL Division 2 Cavan v Down, Kingspan Breffni After back-to-back wins over Meath and Cork, the home side looked primed for a return to the top flight, and a notoriously inconsistent Down are unlikely to puncture their momentum.

Verdict: Cavan Allianz FL Division 3 Armagh v Derry, Athletic Grounds As open and shut as these things come.

Verdict: Armagh Wexford v Offaly, Innovate Wexford Park, 3pm Whoever loses is resigned to playing in the League’s bottom tier next season, which is pretty much home from home for Offaly these days.

Verdict: Wexford

TOMORROW

Allianz FL Division 1 Dublin v Kerry, Croke Park, 4.00, Eir Sport If Galway, playing on a tight Austin Stacks pitch, can create five clear goal-scoring chances against this Kerry defence, how many can the best team in the land rack-up playing in the vast expanses of Croke Park? That could make for an ugly number.

Verdict: Dublin Galway v Monaghan, Pearse Stadium, 12.30pm, TG4 This qualifies pretty much as a semi-final meeting. Galway, with that new mean defensive streak, look the more likely.

Verdict: Galway Kildare v Mayo, Newbridge, 2.00, TG4 This is Kildare’s last realistic shot at survival. Mayo welcome back Cillian O’Connor and possibly Tom Parsons which might be just enough to swing it their way.

Verdict: Mayo Allianz FL Division 2 Tipperary v Louth, Semple Stadium, 12.30pm Tipperary will hardly be derailed by a hopelessly outof-their-depth Louth outfit. Verdict: Tipperary Clare v Roscommon, Cusack Park, 2.00 Roscommon on a promotion charge will have too much.

Verdict: Roscommon Meath v Cork, Pairc Tailteann, 3.00 Cork are in a battle to finish as the fourth highest ranked Munster team in the League. Meath’s greater need to edge it. Verdict: Meath Allianz FL Division 3 Sligo v Longford, Markievicz Park, 2.00 It will get no better for Sligo’s Cathal Corey here.

Verdict: Longford Westmeath v Fermanagh, TEG Cusack Park, 3.00 A huge match in terms of the promotion race and the visitors have built up such a head of steam that it is hard to see them being stopped.

Verdict: Fermanagh Allianz FL Division 4 round 5 London v Laois, McGovern Park Ruislip, 1.00 pm Verdict: Laois

HURLING TOMORROW

All throw-ins 2.30pm Division 1A Kilkenny v Wexford, Nowlan Park, (Deferred TG4) With fitness doubts over key players, promotion secure and the option of a bit of shadowboxing ahead of the crunch Leinster championship game at the same venue, it’s hard to see Wexford going full Davy for this one.

Verdict: Kilkenny Tipperary v Cork, Semple Stadium Outside threat of relegation is sure to focus minds.

Verdict: Tipperary Waterford v Clare, Walsh Park With a -19 score difference, it’s the relegation play-off that Derek McGrath will really be targeting.

Verdict: Clare Division 1B Galway v Limerick, Pearse Stadium Limerick’s motivation is stronger and their need certainly greater.

Verdict: Limerick Laois v Dublin, O’Moore Park Former All-Star Danny Sutcliffe described this one as ‘massive’ for Pat Gilroy’s Dublin and Laois will make them work hard for that last quarter-final.

Verdict: Dublin Offaly v Antrim, St Brendan’s Park, Birr A sort of homecoming for Offaly hurling and a rare outing in the spiritual heartland of Birr. Should be a successful one, too.

Verdict: Offaly