Allianz FL previews: Holders head west

February 05, 2016

Plenty of action to look forward to

Previews for this weekend's National Football League Round Two fixtures (Divisions 1-4).

Saturday, February 6

Allianz FL Division 1

Mayo v Dublin, McHale Park, 7pm
A repeat of last year's All-Ireland SFC semi-final meeting and the replay result looks the likely outcome again here. Last Saturday night saw Dublin in cruise control in a six-point win over Kerry, squandering an array of goal chances in the process, while the following afternoon was one to forget for Stephen Rochford and the Mayo footballers down in Cork. The Connacht champions, who will be without captain Lee Keegan, couldn't have asked for a much tougher assignment to try and bounce back from their nine-point defeat to the Rebels.
Verdict: Dublin

Allianz FL Division 2

Armagh v Laois, Athletic Grounds, 7pm
Minus the services of their top contingent, both sides have opened their respective campaigns in defeat and will be citing Saturday night's clash at the Athletic Grounds as 'a must win' to try and avoid early relegation concerns. Expect home advantage to count for a lot in this one.
Verdict: Armagh

Cavan v Derry, Breffni Park, 7pm
Cavan's brave effort in Omagh fell just short last Sunday, while Derry came from behind to topple Fermanagh and another all-Ulster showdown at Breffni Parkon Saturday night could tell a lot about which way both teams are headed in Division Two. Damien Barton has implemented an attacking brand of football in the Oak Leaf County, which has seen his team score a remarkable 13-86 in six outings in 2016, meaning a defensive Cavan outfit will have their work cut out for them to try and outscore their province rivals this weekend.
Verdict: Derry

Allianz FL Division 4

London v Carlow, Ruislip, 1pm
Saturday night's battle of the minnows isn't likely to see a huge Carlow contingent heading across the water but a win is required if the Barrowsiders are to mount an outside chance of promotion. Only two scores stood in the way of London gaining a shock result against Louth last Sunday and you can be sure their opponents will be taking nothing for granted this weekend.
Verdict: Carlow


Sunday, February 7

Allianz FL Division 1

Donegal v Cork, Ballyshannon, 2pm
Peader Healy's Cork face a long trip north on Sunday as they bid to keep their 100 per cent start to 2016 intact. While the Rebels' hammering of Mayo may not have been as emphatic as Donegal's demolishment of Down, the calibre of opposition needs to be taken into consideration. Daniel Goulding and Brian Hurley have been firing on all cylinders for the Leesiders and Rory Gallagher and co will no doubt be devising plans this week to shut them down.
Verdict: Cork

Kerry v Roscommon, Fitzgerald Stadium, 2pm
Eamonn Fitzmaurice lamented the lack of bite in Kerry's performance against Dublin in their league opener against Dublin last weekend and it's almost certain to reap a response from the Munster champions this Sunday. Roscommon were left demoralised after a Conor McManus-inspired comeback from Monaghan in Kiltoom last Sunday and they face a tall order in Killarney to try and avoid a second loss.
Verdict: Kerry

Monaghan v Down, Clones, 2pm
Despite a below par showing, Monaghan found a way to win against Roscommon last weekend and welcome a Down outfit seemingly out of sorts to Clones on Sunday. The Mourne men were lashed by Donegal on home turn in their opening game and it would seem that the Ulster champions are now next in line to pick them off.
Verdict: Monaghan 

Allianz FL Division 2

Fermanagh v Meath, Brewster Park, 2pm
Following their nine-point defeat to Derry, Fermanagh are now 50/1 to claim the Division Two title and Sunday provides them with another stiff test as an in-form Meath side come to Enniskillen. The Royals, who captured the O'Byrne Cup last month, were comfortable in their disposal of Armagh but can expect a trickier assignment against Pete McGrath's Ernesiders. 
Verdict: Meath

Galway v Tyrone, Pearse Stadium, 2pm
Along with Derry, these two are the current favourites to gain promotion into Division One and it's not hard to understand why. Galway were impressive in dictating the terms against Laois for a 3-12 to 1-10 win, while Tyrone grinded out victory against a spirited Cavan side in dreadful conditions in Omagh. A tight contest is anticipated for this one and Mickey Harte's men tend to find a way under the circumstances.
Verdict: Tyrone

Allianz FL Division 3

Kildare v Offaly, Newbridge, 2pm
Kildare were the team to beat coming into this campaign and after having saw off fellow promotion hopefuls Westmeath last weekend things haven't changed much in the third tier. Offaly welcomed back star forward Niall McNamee in their victory over Longford but they'll need a lot more than him to step up to the plate come throw-in time at St Conleth's Park on Sunday.
Verdict: Kildare

Longford v Limerick, Glennon Bros Pearse Park, 2pm
Having reached the O'Byrne Cup final, many expected Longford to come away from Tullamore with the points last Sunday but they simply fell flat in the second-half against Offaly. The Midlanders have the ideal opportunity to rectify things in front of their home support this weekend against a Limerick side which were heavily reliant on Ian Ryan's frees in their draw with neighbours Tipperary.
Verdict: Longford

Sligo v Westmeath, Markievicz Park, 2pm
It may still be early days, but this one is already shaping up to be a case of relegation battlers verses promotion contenders. Sligo's season has gotten off to a dismal start while Westmeath are 4/9 favourites to book their first win of the Division Three campaign at Markievicz Park this weekend.
Verdict: Westmeath

Tipperary v Clare, Sean Treacy Park, 2pm
Tipperary face into another all-Munster affair on Sunday and should have enough against Colm Collins' Clare despite being without some of their top contingent from provincial champions Clonmel Commericals, whom are currently gearing up for All-Ireland semi-final duty.
Verdict: Tipperary

Allianz FL Division 4

Antrim v Wexford, Corrigan Park, 2pm
Antrim welcome Wexford to Belfast this weekend knowing that a win would see them as the new favourites to claim top spot in Division Four. With both sides fancied for promotion by the bookmakers, an intriguing contest is being anticipated this Sunday at Corrigan Park.
Verdict: Draw

Leitrim v Wicklow, Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada, 2pm
Leitrim's brave effort in Wexford last weekend saw them lose out by a single point last weekend and with home advantage for Sunday they look likely to put Wicklow, who were made hold at home against Waterford, to the sword.
Verdict: Leitrim

Waterford v Louth, Carriganore, 2pm
Declan Byrne and Jim McEneaney were on song in Louth's six-point win over London and the duo will have to be held if Waterford are to cause an upset at Carriganore on Sunday.
Verdict: Louth


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