Football League Preview: Kerry look for third win on road, Cork relaunch promotion bid

Elsewhere Armagh are in greater need of points when they take on Dublin on Saturday.

WEEKEND PREVIEWS: Kerry are in search of third away win when they travel to a Mayo side finding some form. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

SATURDAY

Allianz Football League, Round 5.

Division 1.

Mayo v Kerry, Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, 3pm (S. Hurson, Tyrone).

For an extended period in Pomeroy last Sunday, it appeared Kerry were looking down the barrel of a third consecutive defeat and a relegation battle. They have positives to take from this campaign but their two away wins are coloured with fortune.

Mayo showed a bit of stout in Armagh city following their win over Tyrone and may just be getting out of this funk. Kerry have won two of their last three games in Castlebar but a fifth game in as many weekends may catch up on them.

Verdict: Draw.

Armagh v Dublin, Box-It Athletic Grounds, 7.35pm (N. Cullen, Fermanagh) Live RTÉ.

Since losing to a good Donegal side, Dublin have been impressing everyone but they go into this clash without their top scorer Seán Bugler. Dessie Farrell should be able to call on more established players but 

Armagh are in greater need of points and that incentive may translate to the final scoreboard.

Verdict: Armagh.

Division 2.

Cavan v Down, Kingspan Breffni, 6pm (J. Molloy, Galway).

Down’s comeback victory against Cork has been followed with consecutive defeats and they make a trip to face a team who are coming off the back of two victories. Down aren’t a bad side but they aren’t the biggest. Cavan’s wily men may be the difference.

Verdict: Cavan.

Cork v Roscommon, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 7pm (S. Lonergan, Tipperary).

After another away defeat, Cork must ask themselves the question are they actually good enough to be promoted? They don’t seem to have an issue finding the posts but protecting the set at the other end is the issue.

This should turn out to be a shoot-out and Roscommon won’t mind that but they are down a number of key bodies.

Verdi ct: Cork.

Division 3.

Laois v Antrim, Laois Hire O’Moore Park, 5pm (J. Hayes, Limerick).

A must-win game for Laois if they are to remain in the promotion shake-up. The stakes are the same for Antrim too. If there are losers, they will have a two-week break to contemplate avoiding relegation. Verdict: Laois.

Fermanagh v Sligo, Brewster Park, 6pm (D. Boylan, Monaghan).

If Sligo are going to escape demotion, they simply have to pick up two points in Enniskillen. Fermanagh took down high-flying Offaly last weekend and will be expecting more of the same.

Verdict: Fermanagh.

Division 4.

Limerick v Tipperary, Mick Neville Park, 6.30pm (A. Smith, Meath).

Tipperary had been exceeding expectations before losing to London with a last-gasp two-pointer at home last weekend. Limerick would have been expected to make a decent stab at promotion after Jimmy Lee oversaw a personnel overhaul last season. Advantage lies with the home side in Rathkeale.

Verdict: Limerick.

Waterford v Wexford, Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field, 6.30pm (C. Maguire, Clare).

A fourth consecutive win for Wexford and they will have one foot in Division 3 next season. Providing they aren’t too complacent in Dungarvan, they can solidify their place at the top of the table.

Verdict: Wexford.

Lidl National Ladies Football League, Round 5.

Division 1.

Dublin v Meath, Parnell Park, 3pm (M. Farrelly, Cavan).

The new Dublin set-up have been using this run to find out more about themselves. Meath, on the other hand, look to have rediscovered some magic. Dublin wouldn’t mind showing their neighbours they remain a force but Meath to take the points. Verdict: Meath.

Division 2.

Cork v Roscommon, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 3pm (B. Redmond, Wexford).

It’s not too early to suggest Cork and Galway will be back in the top flight next season but the former have to take care of business. A fourth victory is on the cards. Verdict: Cork.

SUNDAY

Allianz Football League, Round 5.

Division 1.

Donegal v Derry, Fr Tierney Park, Ballyshannon, 1.45pm (J. Henry, Mayo) Live TG4

It might not be as impressive as it is in Ballybofey but Donegal’s record in Ballyshannon isn’t too shabby. After resting leading players for the Galway game, their team should have a more familiar look to it here against a struggling Derry side. A win for Donegal and their top-flight status will be secure. That is probably all that Jim McGuinness wants from this league.

Verdict: Donegal.

Galway v Tyrone, Tuam Stadium, 1.45pm (B. Cawley, Kildare) Live TG4.

Tuam is not a happy hunting ground for Tyrone. Cathal McShane’s season ended there in 2020 when Galway gave them a trimming, one of three defeats Tyrone have suffered there since 2018. A rearguard action is required if Tyrone are to prevent relegation but Galway already look bound for the final.

Verdict: Galway.

Division 2.

Louth v Monaghan, Integral GAA Grounds, Drogheda 2pm (S, Mulhare, Laois).

There are grounds to claim this is a de facto semi-final seeing as the winners will have the head-to-head advantage should they finish up on the same points. Louth have a better record in Ardee than Drogheda and like the Roscommon game they may lack home comforts.

Verdict: Monaghan.

Westmeath v Meath, TEG Cusack Park, 3.15pm (B. Judge, Sligo).

If Westmeath do go down nobody can say they didn’t fight. In all of their four defeats, they have been competitive but without retired John Heslin and Ronan O’Toole, they have lost teeth. Meath appear to have done more homework on the new rules than most other counties and are thriving.

Verdict: Meath.

Division 3.

Clare v Kildare, Cusack Park, 2pm (B. Griffin, Kerry).

If Clare are to be promoted, likely alongside Kildare, this is the first of five games in as many weekends including the final. It’s bound to stretch their resources but the visit of by far and away the best so far in the division to Ennis will focus minds on the job in hand. Clare can make things tricky for Kildare but an away win looms.

Verdict: Kildare.

Leitrim v Offaly, Páirc Seán Uí Eslín, Ballinamore, 2pm (A. Coyne, Westmeath).

Offaly’s turn to inflict the pain on a Leitrim team clearly in the grips of reconstruction. Offaly won’t mind it after a difficult day in Ederney last weekend.

Verdict: Offaly.

Division 4.

London v Longford, McGovern Park, Ruislip 12.30pm (K. Faloon, Armagh).

Liam Gallagher’s winning two-pointer in Thurles has The Exiles believing they have a chance at promotion. At home, Longford might be slight favourites but in Ruislip they are the rightful underdogs.

Verdict: London.

Wicklow v Carlow, Echelon Park, 2pm (P. Clarke, Cavan).

Wicklow have got their act together since losing to London and should be able to continue their push up the table with a win in this derby.

Verdict: Wicklow.

Lidl National Ladies Football League, Round 5

Division 1.

Armagh v Kildare, Silverbridge, 2pm (A. Gallagher, Dublin).

Armagh have been flawless thus far and Kildare, although they have picked up a couple of wins, don’t yet seem equipped to stop their march on a league final berth.

Verdict: Armagh.

Tyrone v Waterford, Aghyaran 2pm (E. Cuthbert, Down).

Only one point separates them in the table but the scorelines indicate Waterford are on course to claim the three points. It will take a lot from Tyrone to recover from shipping four goals to Kerry.

Verdict: Waterford.

Mayo v Kerry, Swinford Amenity Park, 2.30pm (G. Chapman, Sligo).

It's a second road trip in the space of a week for the All-Ireland champions but like the visit to Tyrone they can make this another worthwhile journey. Mayo are in deep relegation bother.

Verdict: Kerry.

Division 2.

Donegal v Galway, MacCumhaill Park, 2pm (D. Carolan, Armagh).

Two teams who have yet to lose a game and yet by virtue of Donegal’s three draws in four games they find themselves six points behind table-toppers Galway. Donegal really have to win in Ballybofey if they are to gain promotion but the visitors haven’t put a foot wrong yet.

Verdict: Galway.

Clare v Monaghan, Shanahan McNamara Memorial Park, Doonbeg, 2pm (K. Phelan, Laois).

Monaghan’s trouble is they are not scoring enough and while they can be sticky at the back, Clare should be able to unlock them for a second win.

Verdict: Clare.

Tipperary v Westmeath, Seán Treacy Park, Tipperary Town, 2pm (D. Hurson, Monaghan).

The battle of the bottom two should result in a victory for the home side who at least have picked up a win to this point.

Verdict: Tipperary.