Now it’s time to stand up & be counted

THE MEN will be separated from the boys in two Division 2 bone-crunchers – Kildare v Roscommon in Newbridge and Westmeath v Armagh.

The losers can forget about getting promoted.

I’d expect Armagh (above) to win but Westmeath haven’t fired fully yet and are very hard to beat in the league at home.

If the Armagh that turned up against Laois turn up in Mullingar they will get stuffed. But they should still have enough quality to win by three or four points.

The other game features two of the promotion favourites and, to date, both have been disappointing.

The losing team will be plunged into a relegation battle. Kildare in particular would be in trouble as it would mean they will have taken just two points from eight. Defeat, therefore, is unthinkable.

Roscommon are a bit of a puzzle right now so it will take a serious effort to win this. However it’s a fixture that they are capable of getting something from – thus pouring more misery on Jack O’connor.

He must be wondering why, with so much talent, Kildare are so inconsistent. Rossies to win.

I CALL this moving weekend. Game four is massive for so many teams.

The most significant game in Division 1 this weekend is Monaghan v Mayo. Both are on three points and the losing team will be in a relegation dogfight over the final three rounds.

With Mayo yet to face Kerry, Galway and Tyrone, this is a must-win game for them.

l was disappointed with their performance against Meath in Navan. It lacked quality and structure, but they won thanks to Kevin Mcloughlin.

I feel Monaghan, with a new-found vigour and swagger under the management, will win. Their intensity and physical application may be to much for Mayo in Clones.