Seán Moran previews all this weekend's National Football League action.
(Matches at 2.30 unless stated)
Saturday
Division One A
Cork v Dublin, Páirc Uí Rinn, 7.45, live on Setanta – Neither side will be entirely happy with last weekend. Dublin's almost-fatal bout of catalepsy did much to qualify the good vibes in Parnell Park although importantly not the two NFL points. Plus points were Jason Sherlock's good show at centre forward, Conal Keaney's impressive return from injury and the impact of Declan Lally.
Cork could have done with the match that was called off in Omagh. With Nemo players back, a match would have benefited their reintegration. Billy Morgan may feel he’s better off reintegrating at home to Dublin than away to the All-Ireland champions. Cork have an excellent home record against Dublin (unbeaten since the 1983 All-Ireland semi-final replay) and gave Dublin a sound beating last year.
Paul Caffrey should be feeling lucky this week after the deus ex machina liberation of the Omagh Four, who are late additions to the bench. Cork make one change, bringing in Donnacha O’Connor for his debut with Fintan Goold – selected for last week’s postponed fixture – who is excused to assist the under-21s.
This looks a much stronger Cork side than the ones that lost the opening matches. Dublin’s form is better, with four out of six points, but also erratic and this could be an unpleasant surprise for them.
Sunday
Division One A
Monaghan v Kerry, Scotstown, 2.0 – Disappointing failure to follow up on the Dublin success by Monaghan last week. They were a man down for the final quarter but there was no doubting their second-fiddle status against Mayo. Kerry are slowly grinding back into action, as demonstrated by the ultimately comfortable repulsion of Fermanagh.
Jack O’Connor’s policy of rotating goalkeepers continues despite Kieran Cremin’s good display seven days ago. Diarmuid Murphy returns. Also back is Seán O’Sullivan, who impressed after coming on as a replacement against Fermanagh. Even a restoration of the standard that beat Dublin wouldn’t guarantee Monaghan anything tomorrow and Kerry are strong favourites.
Offaly v Tyrone, Tullamore – If Offaly and manager Kevin Kilmurray are feeling tender after last week's debacle, the All-Ireland champions are presumably the last thing they wanted to see – even before the success of the Omagh appeals. It hasn't been a great start for Tyrone either but they won this fixture by a great deal last year and will be confident tomorrow.
Tyrone make one change from the team due to face Cork, allowing Mickey Murphy play with the under-21s and drafting in Ryan Mellon. The other Ryan – McMenamin – continues to be named at wing forward but with an intended function as an extra defender. Ger Rafferty is the only change on the home team although his attempts to wind up Mark Vaughan hardly did him credit. Even factoring in the wild mood swings of the current NFL, this has to be an away win.
Mayo v Fermanagh, Castlebar, deferred broadcast TG4 – Decent comeback by Mayo last week after the disappointing display of the FBD final. Conor Mortimer's prolific form can only have deepened the frustration at news he has been reported for verbal abuse of a referee, an offence carrying an eight-week tariff. Fermanagh were neck-and-neck with Kerry an hour into last week's match despite having missed a penalty. A further boost came during the week with Barry Owens's nomination as Ulster Player of the Month.
For Mayo Liam O’Malley is given a run at full back in David Heaney’s absence through suspension but otherwise Mickey Moran is forced into only one other change despite much speculation on the fitness of Peadar Gardiner and Ronan McGarrity during the week.With spirits high the home side can push on towards the play-offs.
Division One B
Laois v Down, Portlaoise – Dublin weren't the only team to ship three late goals last week but Down were even further ahead so it mattered less. Still this is an important match for Paddy O'Rourke's men, who have run up a 100-per-cent record in the league to date. Laois present a major test, as they possess more quality than the teams already beaten by tomorrow's opponents – even allowing for the slightly careless defeat by Meath a week ago. Benny Coulter is back for Down to strengthen the attack but Laois played well in Navan, losing out to poor shooting. They can remedy that sufficiently to put a dent in Down's record.
Wexford v Meath, Wexford Park – Another disaster for Wexford last week. Only when the match was effectively over did they start to play and, although John Hudson is back, this is a hard task against a Meath side beginning to play with real confidence under Eamonn Barry. Wexford's three defeats have been against top-four opponents but they'll need to start motoring if they're to stay at this level. Odds look against it.
Derry v Armagh, Celtic Park – The most interesting match of the day with an in-form Derry hosting opponents who have snapped out of a fruitless spell. Oisín McConville gave a great show at full forward for Armagh in his first full match of this NFL but with Kevin McCloy also playing well this will be an interesting tussle. Seán Marty Lockhart returns to the team to keep Steven McDonnell company so the Armagh full forwards won't have it easy. Neither will their backs as the Bradley brothers have been scoring well and Paddy was a thorn in Armagh's side in last year's championship. Armagh will be more sanguine at centrefield where Paul McGrane made a crashing return to action last week. Derry are favoured to continue their run.
Kildare v Galway, Newbridge – The loss of Dermot Earley was a major blow for Kildare, who came very close up in Derry last week. Galway weren't able to make the best of a promising position in Armagh and ended up well beaten. This could be an opportunity for the Connacht champions to get a first win as Earley's absence will spare them a roasting at centrefield.
Division Two A
Limerick v Clare, Gaelic Grounds (3.45) – Limerick should be able to keep their good sequence going against their neighbours.
Roscommon v Carlow, Dr Hyde Park – Roscommon got their season on track in Ennis last week and can maintain that progress.
London v Donegal, Ruislip – A fixture that has attracted far more off-the-field attention than would normally be the case should resolve itself in the expected substantial away win.
Leitrim v Longford, Carrick-on-Shannon, 3.0 – This will be a big test of Leitrim's top-of-the-table credentials against another unbeaten team. Longford to edge it.
Division Two B
Sligo v Cavan, Markievicz Park – Little respite from Sligo's poor start – no points, no manager – in sight.
Tipperary v Louth, Semple Stadium – It's been a fine start for Louth and although Tipp have been
unusually competitive for this time of year, this should be an away win.
Westmeath v Antrim, Cusack Park – Westmeath's so far flawless promotion push to continue.
Wicklow v Waterford, Arklow – Overdue win for Wicklow.