A look ahead to the weekend's matches

SATURDAY

NFL Division One (all 7pm unless stated)

Dublin v Mayo , Croke Park – This is an attractive match and one which should give Dublin fans a better impression of where they stand after two facile wins over a half-interested Cork and a less-interested Kerry.

Mayo are always ‘up’ for the league and even without the regular attacking trio of Andy Moran, Alan Dillon and Cillian O’Connor, they have named an experienced side. Aidan O’Shea has become the dominant figure for Mayo and is named at centre-forward.

The Westerners will hope to neutralise Bernard Brogan, gain supremacy around the midfield sector and hope that they don’t go to sleep as they did against Tyrone a fortnight ago. Darragh Nelson has been handed the full-back jersey and though Dublin may struggle for possession they should edge this.

Division Two

Armagh v Longford , Athletic Grounds – Relegation becomes a serious prospect for the loser of this one. This is a really critical game for Glen Ryan’s team, who have performed encouragingly despite losing their first two games of the season. It won’t get any easier with a visit to Armagh. The Orchard County is still coping with the aftershock of Crossmaglen’s exit from the All-Ireland club championship but it means that Paul Grimley has been able to draft Jamie Clarke and Aaron Kernan back into his team.

Laois v Louth, Portlaoise – Laois had seven different scorers in the 0-20 they posted against Armagh in the opening weekend of the league, a strong hint that they were going to push hard for promotion. That momentum was abruptly halted by Derry, further evidence that there is a quicksand quality to Division Two.

Louth are motoring nicely under Aidan O’Rourke’s watch, with Brian White’s return and Paddy Keenan’s unflagging form helping to transform them from a team who could scupper chances of promotion into a team who could push for the top tier themselves.

Laois at home are a testy proposition and manager Justin McNulty may get one over on his former Armagh team-mate here.

Division Three

Meath v Cavan, Páirc Tailteann – It still jars to see the name of Meath posted under the Division Three banner. This derby is heavy with historical relevance. Both counties are concerned with radical improvement and returning to the higher divisions so this match should be typically keen.

David Givney has been in storming form for the resurgent Cavan men but Meath showed a bit of the old snarl against Wicklow. They can edge this.

Antrim v Fermanagh , Casement Park – Fermanagh’s play has been conspicuously bright and a good performance here would shorten the odds on Peter Canavan’s team making the jump to Division Two.

Paddy Cunningham is among three changes made to the Antrim side and they will target a big performance here in Belfast: a win could set them up for a strong league run.

Division Four (all 7pm)

Waterford v Limerick, Dungarvan – Waterford have had the Indian sign on Limerick in the league over the past few years. Both teams are travelling well with two wins from two but Limerick’s win over Offaly was significant and they can keep rolling here.

SUNDAY

NFL Division One

Donegal v Tyrone, Healy Park, (all games at 2pm) – This is the choice match of the weekend and the message from both camps is that it will be a full dress-rehearsal for their championship meeting in May. But it still seems unlikely that either manager will show their full hand here.

Tyrone have wasted little time in re-establishing their Division One credentials. The management had a look at Owen Mulligan in training last week but the Cookstown veteran has not been invited back as yet, further evidence that Mickey Harte is intent on building yet another team. Tyrone have included their own Michael Murphy, starting the talented young midfielder alongside Seán Cavanagh.

In a way, this game has more to do with the championship than the league, which is half the fascination. Colm McFadden has yet to tap into the magnificent form of last summer but is fit again and with Michael Murphy kicking scores for fun, Donegal can lay down their first marker of the year.

Kildare v Kerry, Newbridge – Perhaps Oisín McConville got close to the heart of the Kerry mystery when he suggested their mysteriously poor form will prove a smoke-screen when they reveal themselves in summer. Eamon Fitzmaurice has a calm disposition which has been useful after two dismal performances against Mayo and Dublin.

The Lilywhites will have the salt and pepper out: a sell-out crowd and the strange sensation of turning up in Newbridge half expecting to beat Kerry. Chances are that Kerry will be looking sharper than they did three weeks ago and they showed glimpses of their ability to create goals in the first half against Mayo.

Kieran McGeeney has named a championship-calibre first 15 , with Hugh Lynch making his first start of the season at midfield.

Even without Colm Cooper, Kerry will threaten but Kildare are too strong and focused to miss what is a chance to put themselves in a strong league position.

Down v Cork, Newry – It may be that Cork have had enough of this winning-the-league-without-really-trying lark. Nonetheless, they have a happy track record against Down dating back to the All-Ireland final of 2010. Noel O’Leary comes in at centre-half back instead of the unavailable Tom Clancy. The veteran brings the urgency that Cork may require. Tomas Clancy and Barry O’Driscoll also come into the side.

James McCartan made it plain that his emphasis was the championship this year but has asked Niall Moyna to join the backroom team. Down have proven canny Division One survivors and their losing streak against Cork – five in a row – has to end sometime.

Division Two

Wexford v Derry, Wexford Park – Derry have been the most unreadable team in Gaelic football over the last five years. Consistency has eluded them: this match represents a good chance to prove they are developing that quality.

Wexford left Armagh haunted by coughing up a nine point lead in the last 20 minutes. Still, they are taking scores with confidence and are going with an unchanged side here.

Galway v Westmeath , Salthill – These are worrying days in the West. The retirement of Pádraic Joyce breaks the link with the glittering days and manager Alan Mulholland is rightly moving the chairs to find the right balance this year. He has made five changes, including John Egan for Manus Breathnach in goal. Mulholland has already expressed concern about the work-rate of his players and confidence has taken a bashing in recent seasons. Doron Harte is available for Westmeath but Dessie Dolan is out with injury.

Division Three

Roscommon v Wicklow, Dr Hyde Park – John Evans will target a win here. Seánie Furlong’s anticipated return adds some firepower to the Wicklow cause but they travel north low on confidence.

Monaghan v Sligo, Clones – These are uncertain days for two teams who should be regarded as promotion contenders. Monaghan were disastrous against Cavan and may atone for that here.

Division Four

Offaly v Clare , Tullamore – Mick O’Dwyer’s charges were impressive against FBD winners Leitrim last time out. Offaly have been competitive but had no luck. Form may be with the Banner men.

Carlow v Leitrim, Dr Cullen Park – Anthony Rainbow has made two changes and Shane Redmond switches from the half-forward line to fullback. The feel-good factor Leitrim generated in their FBD win has been tempered by two league defeats.

Tipperary v London , Thurles – Tipperary are smarting after their loss to Waterford should exact a measure of revenge here.

Interprovincial SHC final

Munster v Connacht, Cusack Park (2pm) – Eight Tipperary players are available to manager Liam Sheedy for the final of this year’s storied exhibition, including Lar Corbett and Pádraic Maher.

Connacht, represented by Galway, will use this as an extra match in their league programme and will be keen to preserve the winning habit against the Munster selection.