Weekend previews: Formidable Dubs can test Derry's 100% record

John Fogarty provides all the weekend GAA previews.

PROVEN CLASS: Dublin’s Brian Fenton. Pic: Morgan Treacy, Inpho

SATURDAY

Allianz Football League, Round 5

Division 1

Derry v Dublin, Celtic Park 5pm (M. McNally, Monaghan) Live RTÉ.

The one motivating factor for Dublin from last year’s defeat is how they dictated the tempo of the game for so long until the closing stages when Derry cheered on by a good crowd won it through Brendan Rodgers. 

In ways, it was like the close-run defeats to Monaghan and Mayo where they were the better team but still came out on the wrong side. Derry are meaner creatures now but if their 100% record is going to end, it’s likely to be against a Dublin side looking more like their formidable selves. 

Verdict: Draw.

Mayo v Roscommon, Hastings Insurance MacHale Park 7.30pm (J. McQuillan, Cavan) Live TG4.

The last time Roscommon landed in Castlebar, they had taken the wind from Mayo’s sails after winning a Division 1 title the weekend before. Mayo will be out to prove a point following back-to-back defeats and should have more of their reliables to call on. 

Their midfield needs to buck up a bit and Enda Smith will give them a test. He has carried on his All-Star form from last year and will be the fulcrum for Roscommon. Mayo can work on scoring more during the two-week break but for now, a result will do.

Verdict: Mayo.

Division 2

Fermanagh v Armagh, Brewster Park 6pm (P. Faloon, Down) Live BBC iPlayer, GAAGO.

Fermanagh are probably still punchdrunk after Cork’s last-gasp winner last weekend, which has pulled them into the relegation battle. There will be a bit of frustration in the Armagh ranks after they had gone ahead against Donegal only to have to split the points. The return of Rian O’Neill gives the visitors an extra dimension to push on for the win. 

Verdict: Armagh.

Cavan v Meath, Kingspan Breffni 7pm (J. Molloy, Galway)

Winning their last two games, Meath can relax a little knowing that one point from their final three outings should secure their Division 2 status for 2025. To take something from this short trip would be a bonus but Cavan really have to push it now if they are to make a stab at promotion before facing Armagh on March 16. 

Verdict: Cavan.

Division 3

Limerick v Clare, Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale 6pm (M. Farrelly, Cavan).

Mark Fitzgerald is rightly earning praise for the early work he has done in Clare when they have been decimated by retirements and other forms of unavailability. Jimmy Lee is dealing with his own braindrain too and that is going to be a longer project. Clare to keep the promotion drive going. 

Verdict: Clare.

Division 4.

Carlow v Wexford, Netwatch Cullen Park 7pm (A. Coyne, Westmeath).

Wexford may have two wins on the board but they really need a scalp of note to give them a boost going into the latter rounds. Carlow have picked up the scent of promotion but may have to settle for a point. Verdict: Draw

Laois v London, Laois Hire O’Moore Park 7pm (E. McFeely, Donegal).

Carlow might say otherwise but the Round 6 game between Laois and Leitrim already seems like a dress rehearsal for the final. Laois have found their flow under Justin McNulty and will pick up a fifth straight victory. 

Verdict: Laois

Lidl Ladies Football League, Round 5

Division 1

Cork v Mayo, Mallow 2.30pm (S. Mulvihill, Kerry).

Galway look doomed at this stage but then Cork and Mayo haven’t been setting too many tongues wagging with the quality of their football. It’s early doors, mind, and Cork can take a leap up the table.

Verdict: Cork

SUNDAY

Division 1

Kerry v Tyrone, Fitzgerald Stadium 1.15pm (D. Coldrick, Meath) Live TG4.

These two at this venue have thrown up all sorts of results, from Tyrone being hammered (2021) to the visitors inflicting the only defeat of Kerry’s Division 1 and All-Ireland winning season a year later. Without a couple of good defenders, Tyrone are weakened and while Darragh Canavan could wreak havoc at one end his team may not have the essentials to negate David Clifford at the other. Jack O’Connor won’t so much expect a response to that heavy Dublin loss as demand it. 

Verdict: Kerry.

Monaghan v Galway, St Tiernach’s Park 3.15pm (B. Cassidy, Derry) Live TG4.

Monaghan’s opening day win over Dublin sure feels a long time now after losing the following three games. The great survivors of top flight football, a point here would be something to build on going into the last couple of matches away to Tyrone and at home against Mayo. Monaghan don’t usually operate until their backs are against the wall and they can take something from this as Galway again have to do without Damien Comer and Shane Walsh. 

Verdict: Draw.

Division 2

Donegal v Louth, Fr Tierney Park, Ballyshannon 2pm (P. Neilan, Roscommon).

Louth continue to be competitive in this section but it’s going to be a nervy finish for Ger Brennan and his men. Donegal won’t be sparing them much as they tee up their promotion bid. Louth do have enough brawn to make things awkward for Donegal but it’s unlikely they will be able to sustain the challenge. 

Verdict: Donegal.

Cork v Kildare, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh 3.30pm (D. Gough, Meath).

Cork could have floated home from Ederney such was the relief from Maurice Shanley’s late winning goal. It gives them valuable confidence facing a team that has been operating with little success and lost three of their starting forwards against Meath to injury. Not that Cork can take a team featuring Kevin Feely and Daniel Flynn for granted but Kildare are so goal shy right now. 

Verdict: Cork.

Division 3

Antrim v Westmeath, Corrigan Park 1pm (F. Pierce, Offaly).

Antrim’s good form in the early rounds has deserted them and they will do well to take anything from this game. Westmeath haven’t been setting the world alight but they look better than the vast majority of teams in the division. 

Verdict: Westmeath.

Down v Sligo, Páirc Esler 2pm (B. Tiernan, Dublin).

Conor Laverty won’t be assuming anything against a Tony McEntee-managed side and Sligo come to Newry on the back of three consecutive victories. Both sides have been scoring relatively freely and it may turn out to be a shoot-out, conditions pending. 

Verdict: Down.

Offaly v Wicklow, Glenisk O’Connor Park 2pm (D. Murnane, Cork).

Oisín McConville returns to the sideline following his two-game suspension and it’s a rescue mission now for Wicklow. Offaly are also pointless but will feel they threw away at least two points in the previous four matches. 

Verdict: Offaly.

Division 4

Tipperary v Waterford, Bansha 2pm (D. Hickey, Carlow).

Moved away from Thurles, Tipperary’s draw in London all but ended their hopes of making a swift return to Division 3 although they were strong against league leaders Laois last weekend. Waterford have been conceding an average of 20 points total per game. 

Verdict: Tipperary.

Longford v Leitrim, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park 2.30pm (K. Faloon, Armagh).

Longford will have a pep in their step after putting two wins together but the Leitrim team they face are on an upward trajectory and can keep themselves in the shake-up for a final berth. 

Verdict: Leitrim.

Lidl Ladies Football League, Round 5

Division 1

Armagh v Kerry, Box-It Athletic Grounds 1pm (M. Farrelly, Cavan).

Armagh have certainly started like they mean to go on although by this stage the competition should be beginning to catch up on their early work. Kerry will be wary but have the attack to take the points.

Verdict: Kerry

Waterford v Dublin, Fraher Field 2pm (J. Murphy, Carlow).

A so-so campaign by the All-Ireland champions Dublin so far, which mightn’t be all that surprising. More of their regulars are back now and that should transfer to the scoreboard. 

Verdict: Dublin

Galway v Meath, Duggan Park, Ballinasloe 2pm (K. Corcoran, Mayo).

Galway may be without a point but their score difference is just minus eight and they will fighting to avoid the drop. Meath, though, have been doing a lot of things right and shouldn’t be denied a fourth win.

Verdict: Meath.