Today’s Previews
ALLIANZ NFL DIVISION 1
Armagh v Tyrone, Athletic Grounds (2.0)
The suspicion is Armagh are already well ahead of the curve in comparison to most others in the division and that would include Tyrone, who are not long back from their team holiday. They will not afford Rian O’Neill the kind of space he enjoyed in Croke Park, but he will still find a way.
Verdict: Armagh
Monaghan v Mayo, Clones (2.0) No matter how this rolls, it won’t alter the reality for James Horan that he has lost star forward Tommy Conroy to a season-ending injury. And, while there was much to admire in their resolve in Mayo’s final quarter comeback against Donegal, their performance overall was flat.
Verdict: Monaghan
Donegal v Kildare, Ballybofey (2.30)
Donegal’s draw last week felt more like a defeat, and Kildare’s a victory. The latter’s Daniel Flynn-led attack can get enough scores to keep them afloat, but Declan Bonner’s team will be bristling after that final-quarter fade-out. Kildare could pay the price.
Verdict: Donegal
DIVISION 2
Meath v Roscommon, Páirc Tailteann (2.0)
With Enda Smith in sublime form, Roscommon made the brightest of starts in beating Cork, while Meath didn’t score for 45 minutes in Galway, which should make the outcome here cut and dry.
Verdict: Meath
Offaly v Derry, O’Connor Park (2.0)
Last season’s lop-sided Division 3 final provided an accurate measure of where these teams are at, and that gap has only grown in the interim.
Verdict: Derry
DIVISION 3
Laois v Westmeath, O’Moore Park (2.0)
After a wipe-out season, the only way was up for Laois. It has to be said that the tune Billy Sheehan is getting out of his charges early doors has taken people aback.
Verdict: Laois
Longford v Louth, Pearse Park (2.0)
Two teams with some defensive issues to resolve – between them they gave up seven goals last weekend – and Mickey Harte looks the better placed to stop the bleeding.
Verdict: Louth
Wicklow v Fermanagh, Aughrim (2.0)
Whoever loses here will have one foot in the bottom tier, and Colin Kelly’s consolation is that his team showed attitude in losing to Westmeath, while Fermanagh showed absolutely nothing last weekend.
Verdict: Wicklow
DIVISION 4
London v Waterford, Ruislip (1.0) The two lowest-ranked teams are in the unusual position of hitting the second round unbeaten. Something has to give and London usually do.
Verdict: Waterford
Sligo v Carlow, Markievicz Park (1.0)
Niall Carew will expect a response from his Carlow team after blowing a lead against London, but Sligo have the structure and form to win this.
Verdict: Sligo
Cavan v Wexford, Breffni (2.0) Cavan hardly pulled up any trees in beating Leitrim, but they were always likely to coast through this division.
Verdict: Cavan
Tipperary v Leitrim, Semple Stadium (2.0)
Tipperary’s promotion push is already in trouble, and this won’t be as easy as it might look against Andy Moran’s improving team.
Verdict: Tipperary
ALLIANZ NHL DIV 1 GROUP A
Wexford v Limerick, Wexford Park (1.45, Live on TG4)
Wexford will be hoping they got the dirty petrol out of their system in that lifeless Walsh Cup defeat by Dublin, and it will be interesting to see what change in style there is from the
Davy Fitzgerald years.
Verdict: Limerick
Galway v Offaly, Pearse Stadium (2.0)
Daithí Burke is the new Galway captain as Henry Shefflin looks to start with a win in his first league game in charge of his adopted county. The three away-two home split won’t help the county’s chances of adapting to life back in Division One.
Verdict: Galway
DIVISION 1 GROUP B
Kilkenny v Antrim, Nowlan
Park (1.0)
With Ballyhale Shamrocks in an AllIreland final, it says so much for the club’s attacking riches that three of their best would fit into the Kilkenny forward line – TJ Reid, Eoin Cody and Adrian Mullen. But Brian Cody still needs a coherent puck-out strategy.
Verdict: Kilkenny
Dublin v Waterford
Parnell Park, 3.45pm (TG4) Ref: C Cunning (Antrim)
Dublin are playing with a verve and confidence that suggests they can build on a 2021 in which they knocked Galway out to reach a Leinster final. But Liam Cahill will want his side to make a statement.
Verdict: Waterford
DIVISION 2A
Kildare v Meath
Newbridge, 12pm
Ref: R Fitzsimons (Offaly)
Naas’ continued exploits on the club scene show the rising standard of Kildare hurling, but Meath will be looking to make an instant impression with Seoirse Bulfin part of the coaching ticket for 2022.
Verdict: Meath
Westmeath v Kerry
TEG Cusack Park, 12.30pm Ref: S Hynes (Galway)
Westmeath were convincing winners over Carlow last weekend, while Kerry come with the mixed memories of that historic win over Tipperary before Limerick brought them firmly back down to earth.
Verdict: Westmeath
Down v Carlow
Ballycran, 1pm
Ref: T Gleeson (Dublin)
With Carlow IT continuing to establish itself as a serious force, the county team should be experienced enough to come through this.
Verdict: Carlow
Division 2B: Donegal v London, Letterkenny (12.0); Mayo v Wicklow, Ballina Stephenites, (2.0)
Division 3A: Warwickshire v Monaghan, Pairc na hEireann (1.0); Roscommon v Tyrone, Dr Hyde Park (2.0). Division 3B: Lancashire v Leitrim, Abbottstown (1.0).