Margins are two fine in second and third tier
Division 2 and 3
THIS is really where the excitement is because of the link to the Championship – with teams who finish down the lower end of Division Two facing the prospect of Tailteann Cup football if they don’t make their provincial final.
Division Two is hugely competitive. Most observers are backing Armagh to go straight back up and I would agree. But there is a serious battle for the other promotion place and the latter rounds especially could be far more appealing than the Division 1 fare late on.
All eyes will be on Jim Mcguiness and Donegal to see if he can get an immediate bounce in his team. They face a crucial clash against Cork tomorrow.
Remarkably, Cavan will be hoping to change divisions for the eighth year in a row by getting promoted. The appointment of Raymond Galligan was a surprise but nobody will know better what the group needs and they will certainly be in the mix.
Kildare on their day can put it up to anyone but consistencywise don’t have it in the tank to get promoted. Meath are an interesting prospect but I don’t see them troubling the top teams here.
I expect Louth, minus Mickey Harte, to struggle and Fermanagh are very unlikely to cope in this division without Ryan and Conall Jones as well as Sean Quigley for this year.
Division Three looks clear cut with Westmeath and Down favourites to go up although Offaly might be best equipped to spoil the party for one of them.
The battle to avoid the drop looks likely to be between the other five teams. I think
Wicklow in particular will struggle, and Limerick and Clare appear to be two counties in freefall.
PREDICTIONS DIVISION 2
Promotion: Armagh, Cork. Relegation: Louth, Fermanagh DIVISION 3
Promotion: Westmeath, Down. Relegation: Wicklow, Limerick Division 4
AN ultra-competitive division with the promotion race likely to come down to Laois, Longford, Wexford and Leitrim. PREDICTION
Promotion: Wexford, Laois