ALLIANZ LEAGUE MATCHBOX

DONEGAL TYRONE, 7.30PM Div 1, Ballybofey (RTE 2)

TYRONE will have a stronger hand to play this weekend after getting over Kildare without their suspended quartet last Sunday, a result which helped to distance themselves from relegation with more difficult fixtures to come, starting with this trip to Ballybofey. Donegal flatter to deceive too often but, still, they rarely lose at Maccumhaill Park and will be smarting from last year’s Ulster semi-final, which they let slip from their control before Tyrone went all the way.

VERDICT: Donegal MAYO ARMAGH, TOM. 2PM Div 1, Dr Hyde Park

MAYO remain on the road for this ‘home’ game with Machale Park not yet fit for action, though their unbeaten start suggests it’s doing them little harm ahead of this top of the table clash. Armagh tightened up a little against Monaghan after their Dublin and Mayo performances, though errant umpiring arguably cost them a win. Mayo are probably the best opposition they’ll have faced so far and a first defeat may be on the cards.

VERDICT: Mayo

OFFALY MEATH, 2.30PM Div 2, Bord na Mona O’connor Pk

IT’S getting close to the point of no return for both sides and whoever loses this first League meeting of the counties since 1993 today will likely be relegated to Division Three. Offaly’s game with Galway fell victim to the weather last Sunday, while Meath laboured to a draw with Down, though they probably have the greater depth of the two sides all told.

VERDICT: Meath

DOWN ROSCOMMON, 5PM Div 2, Pairc Esler (BBC/GAAGO)

DOWN hung on for a draw in atrocious conditions in Navan last Sunday; whether it’s a point gained or lost will only become clear in the coming weeks.

Their fate in the division is likely to be determined more by games against Cork and Offaly, rather than the visit of Roscommon, who should have too much for James Mccartan’s side.

VERDICT: Roscommon

WITHOUT a victory over Dublin in

League or Championship since 2000, Kildare have scarcely had a better chance than this in the last couple of decades. Should they pull this off and hasten Dublin’s slide to Division Two, it would also be a shot in the arm for that most ailing of competitions the Leinster SFC. It’s easy to see Kildare being competitive here, but winning? It’s getting close to now or never for Dublin in this League.

VERDICT: Dublin MONAGHAN KERRY, TOM. 2PM

HAVING been reeled in for a draw in Newbridge, going to Inniskeen is another test of Kerry’s muchquestioned mettle after comfortable home wins over Dublin and Donegal in the interim. They won on their last visit to this venue in 2020 in front of no fans in their first postlockdown game, but lost there two years earlier. Monaghan may feel they should have more points by now and Kerry get the nod to consign them to a second loss.

VERDICT: Kerry

CORK GALWAY, 5PM Div 2, Pairc Ui Chaoimh

WHATEVER hopes Cork had of promotion were extinguished against Derry last Sunday; now they must ensure that they can stay afloat to avoid having to compete in the Tailteann Cup, with an unappealing Championship tie with Kerry awaiting them. Galway have done all that could be expected so far and they look set to maintain winning start.

VERDICT: Galway

CLARE DERRY, TOM. 1PM Div 2, Cusack Park, Ennis

TWO of the unbeaten sides go head-to-head in Ennis but Derry have set a brisk pace at the top of Division Two and look set for a second successive promotion.

Clare have followed up a comfortable opening day win over Offaly with draws in Cork and Roscommon but Rory Gallagher’s side are set to be their biggest test yet.

VERDICT: Derry