Football previews: Cork's trip to Tyrone will prove fruitful for Rebels
Chris Óg Jones of Cork celebrates. Pic: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
A so-so campaign for both teams thus far. Armagh’s attack doesn’t have the cutting edge of recent years. Verdict: Kerry.
Great strides made by Cork this spring and a win over Meath would all but send them into a Division 1 final. Verdict: Cork.
Not panic stations just yet for Dublin but they need to find a way out of this hole. Galway aren’t going to guide them. Verdict: Galway.
Waterford are eyeing up the final and they can make Kildare’s trip to Dungarvan a fruitless one. Verdict: Waterford.
If Kerry’s 95% shooting accuracy was the most stunning statistic from last weekend, Armagh’s impressive 70% kick-out retention against Dublin was the second. Kieran McGeeney may have been trying to avert our gaze from that fact when he spoke of piggery fighting for restarts. With something on the line for both teams, it should be entertaining but just how much will that imminent Tyrone game play on the mind of Armagh? Kerry have more to gain and less to lose but Armagh can do enough to stave off relegation. Verdict: Draw.
Dublin find themselves in second but last spot and yet have the meanest defence behind Donegal and Kerry. The problem has been in front of goal, which for a team that has played four times in the best underfoot conditions in Croke Park is troubling. Galway’s bag has been mixed but the gang is slowly but surely coming together and knowing what they have to do to send Dublin down at their expense will sharpen minds. Verdict: Galway.
Kerry’s experience last year should inform Mayo and Roscommon here that a league final is not out of reach. Who stands to benefit more from getting there is the question. Mayo are bound to be sore from the scolding Kerry gave them in Tralee. Not to take much away from Roscommon’s win over Donegal but Jim McGuinness’ men might have checked out. Verdict: Draw.
McGuinness says one thing while his selector Neil McGee says another. McGuinness plays down the importance of making the league final, McGee claims it is an objective. Who are we to believe? Monaghan’s race is run but they will want to put in a display before the Ulster SFC. Still, it might be tougher for Donegal to pull the reins than release them. Verdict: Donegal.
On their own patch, Derry have been a force to be reckoned with so putting that Louth defeat in Ardee last weekend out of their minds shouldn’t be an issue. They have to hope somebody else does them a solid elsewhere. Cavan need a win as much as Derry to ensure they don’t go down but the home team won’t be beaten. Verdict: Derry.
After starting so promisingly, things have taken a dive for Kildare. Now they face a resurgent Louth team who will be brimming with confidence after dismissing Derry although they were leaky in defence. It’s a day for leaders like Kevin Feely to take the game by the scruff of the neck. A good home crowd could play its part. Verdict: Draw.
Offaly wouldn’t mind standing in the way of their neighbours getting back to the elite but morale is low and attention will have been redirected to facing Laois next month. Meath are playing some excellent football and the audacity of their attack is unlikely to be silenced in Tullamore. Verdict: Meath.
As with any good team suffering bad results, there is rumour and conjecture. Tyrone has been full of that this past week and while only something extraordinary will see them relegated and possibly miss out on a Sam Maguire Cup berth, their form is alarming. It’s not as if Omagh is a happy hunting ground for them either. Cork’s last trip to Ulster was one to forget but with promotion so close they can taste it, they can secure the necessary point to go up. Verdict: Draw.
The Division 3 final has never been as important as this year because of the Sam Maguire Cup ramifications. Down have known they will be in Croke Park on March 28 for a week now but they will want to keep winning. Verdict: Down.
Fermanagh are already condemned but they shouldn’t be dismissed by Limerick who themselves have to win and trust a result or two goes their way in Sligo and/or Newry. Verdict: Limerick.
With nothing to play for, Clare wouldn’t be blamed for being slightly indifferent about the outcome here. Sligo to ease their relegation fears. Verdict: Sligo.
Two good wins has Wexford back on track for a stab at a second consecutive promotion. They mightn’t have the firepower to match the visitors, though. Westmeath need only a point to elevate. Verdict: Westmeath.
What a story it would be were London to advance to Division 3. Antrim are the form team of the division, though, and have to be favoured. Verdict: Antrim.
Carlow’s promotion chase has suffered blips but they can confirm one of the two positions. Leitrim’s win over Longford will ensure Carlow are forewarned. Verdict: Carlow.
A campaign that has been too topsy-turvy for Oisín McConville’s liking. Longford are only behind them in the table but a home win would be slightly surprising. Verdict: Wicklow.
Only a gargantuan win combined with results away from Thurles will see Tipperary go up. The win should be the one thing beyond doubt. Verdict: Tipperary.
Monaghan to put more distance between themselves and Wexford at the bottom. Verdict: Monaghan.
Donegal’s pursuit of promotion shouldn’t be halted here. Verdict: Donegal.
Cavan’s defence is the tightest in Division 2. Tyrone will have to work to break it down. Verdict: Draw.
Mayo are capable of claiming a third victory of this renewal. Verdict: Mayo.
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