THREE GAMES THAT WILL DETERMINE WHO MAKES THE DROP TO DIVISION 3

MARCH 3 CORK v KILDARE Páirc Uí Chaoimh

It is simply win or bust for Kildare. Mathematically, they could still survive by losing, provided Armagh beat Fermanagh at the weekend, which is a likely outcome, but to have any realistic chance they need to get their first victory. In the process that would also drag Cork into the mire, but no matter what way you weigh it up, Kildare look doomed. They host Donegal in their penultimate round game, which is almost certain to see them draw another blank. For Cork, there is a defined pathway to survival. Win here and they will be favourites to also beat Meath on the road, while hosting Armagh will not be so daunting if the Orchard County have already secured promotion. After having 13 points to spare over Kildare last year, Cork will fancy that the gap has not narrowed in the interim.

MARCH 17 LOUTH v FERMANAGH Ardee

This is likely to be the fixture which will determine who joins Kildare in Division 3. Both were hotly tipped to go down at the start but the winner here will almost certainly survive at the expense of the other. When they last met in Enniskillen two years ago, Louth edged it by 2-12 to 0-14. And home advantage could be key to the outcome to ensure a repeat result.

MARCH 23 KILDARE v LOUTH Dr Cullen Park

It may well be a dead rubber by the time it comes around, but if avoiding relegation is still in play, it is a fixture that is likely to be bigger for Louth than Kildare. For example, should Cork manage to win just one of their remaining three games, Louth need only to match that to stay ahead of the Rebels because of their head-to-head advantage.

BOOKIES’ VERDICT

Kildare: 1/8; start of season: 7/1 Louth: 5/6; start of season: 3/10 Fermanagh: 6/4; start of season: 1/3 Cork: 9/4; start of season: 14/1.