Glamour clash between Cork and Kerry

If the opening weekend of the Allianz Football League provided a series of exciting games and big crowds, the second round next weekend promises to be even more dramatic, starting in Tralee on Saturday night with the televised clash between Cork and Kerry.

Day or night, a clash between Kerry and Cork is always a glamour occasion and next Saturday’s floodlit clash in Tralee will be no exception.

New managers Billy Morgan and Jack O’Connor will be extremely anxious to gain an early psychological advantage over each other in advance of a likely championship tie next summer.

Cork were easy winners (4-8 to 1-9) in the corresponding league fixture at Pairc Uí Rinn last year.

The clash has taken on extra significance for Kerry who lost to Longford last Sunday as a second defeat would seriously dent their hopes of making the knock-out stages.

Tyrone, who tormented Fermanagh twice last year, will have home advantage for the clash with Charlie Mulgrew’s crew.

Fermanagh will be hoping for a better showing that they produced in either last year’s League semi-final where they lost to Tyrone by 4-11 to 1-11 or the All-Ireland quarter-final where they were hammered, 1-21 to 0-5.

Mayo, winners over Fermanagh last Sunday, host Dublin in Castlebar.

Dublin will be on a high after their one-point win over All-Ireland champions Tyrone, so this promises to be quite a clash.

Newly-promoted neighbours Westmeath and Longford are certain to provide a hugely competitive clash at Mullingar.

All the more so, since both sides are on a high at present.

Longford’s win over Kerry last Sunday was a massive boost to the squad, while Westmeath took a point from their trip to Cork, a result which means that they have lost just one of five games so far this year.

The TG4 cameras will be at Pearse Stadium, Salthill for one of Sunday’s top attractions, as the 2001 and 2002 All-Ireland champions go head to head.

Their clash in Crossmaglen last season was a real cracker, with Galway, who also beat Armagh in the 2001 All-Ireland qualifiers, winning by 1-17 to 1-14.

The counties had contrasting experiences last Sunday, with Galway losing a big lead and the game against Meath while Armagh steered home to a one-point win over Wexford.

Laois, whose only defeat in last year’s League was in the final against Tyrone, started badly against Limerick last Sunday, losing by 11 points, which makes their clash with Sligo, easy winners over Cavan, hugely important.

Laois beat Sligo by 1-8 to 0-5 in the corresponding clash last year.

Wexford, unlucky one-point losers against Armagh on Sunday, will be hoping for better luck at home to Meath while Cavan will also be trying to get off the mark against a buoyant Limerick side at Kingscourt.

The full line-up is as follows:

Saturday

Div 1A: Kerry v Cork, Tralee, 7.30 (Live on TG4).

Sunday (2.30 unless otherwise stated): Div 1A: Tyrone v Fermanagh, Omagh; Mayo v Dublin, Castlebar; Westmeath v Longford, Mullingar.

Div 1B: Galway v Armagh, Pearse Stadium (Live on TG4); Laois v Sligo; Portlaoise; Wexford v Meath, Wexford Park; Cavan v Limerick, Kingscourt.

Div 2A: Leitrim v Donegal (venue to be decided); Offaly v London, Tullamore; Roscommon v Carlow, Dr.Hyde Park; Monaghan v Clare, Clones.

Div 2B: Tipperary v Waterford, Clonmel; Wicklow v Down, Aughrim; Derry v Louth, Celtic Park; Antrim v Kildare, Casement Park.