Compiled by Jackie Cahill  

The race for coveted Lidl National League final slots will intensify over the busiest weekend of the season to date – with 16 games down for decision over Saturday and Sunday.  

Some big hitters are also looking anxiously over their shoulders as they aim to avoid relegation scraps and the picture at the top and bottom of the various divisions will become clearer by close of play on Sunday afternoon.  

There are two Division 1 fixtures on Saturday, with Meath entertaining Mayo at Páirc Tailteann in Navan (2pm) before leaders Kerry welcome Dublin to Austin Stack Park, Tralee, for a 5.15pm throw-in (live on TG4).  

On Sunday, Waterford make the trip to Donegal for a 1pm start in Letterkenny, as Galway prepare to welcome Cork to Pearse Stadium for a 2pm start.  

All fixtures in Divisions 2, 3 and 4 are scheduled for Sunday, and all games bar the live TG4 match are available to view via the LGFA’s live-streaming portal: https://bit.ly/3k9k8CB  

*All games 2pm unless stated  

*All weekend squad lists are available to view in hyperlinks above and at: http://bit.ly/3lHEUds

 

Saturday 18th February  

Lidl NFL Division 1  

Meath v Mayo; Páirc Tailteann, Navan 

Having suffered defeat to Waterford last time out, Mayo now find themselves with serious relegation problems to contend with.  

The Westerners have lost all three of their League fixtures to date and are pointless at the bottom of the pile alongside Donegal.  

Champions Meath, meanwhile, have recovered well from their opening round loss to bank four points.  

The Royals beat Donegal before drawing with Galway last time out in a game they could have won, and which saw Emma Duggan make a big impact off the bench.  

Duggan is named on the bench again but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see her feature from the start in a repeat of the 2022 League semi-final.  

Meath (v Mayo): M McGuirk; A Sheridan, M.K. Lynch, K Newe; N Gallogly, S Ennis (capt.), A Cleary; M O’Shaughnessy, A Minogue; M Thynne, M Byrne, C Smyth; O Callan, S Grimes, N O’Sullivan.  

Mayo (v Meath): L Brennan; E Ronayne, R Flynn, D Caldwell; L Wallace, S Tierney, K Sullivan (capt.); C McManamon, S Cafferky; H Reape, S Howley, M Cannon; L Cafferky, R Kearns, T Needham.  

 

Kerry v Dublin; Austin Stack Park, Tralee, 5.15pm - Live on TG4 

Kerry are the story of Division 1 so far this year, with three wins from three.  

The Kingdom have the only 100 per cent record in the top flight and have adapted brilliantly on their return to Division 1 fare.  

Having captured the Division 2 title last year, Kerry’s primary aim would have been consolidation but another win would move them a step closer to the Final.  

Dublin, however, are showing some good signs, with victories over Meath and Cork sandwiching a loss to Galway.  

The Sky Blues are third in the table behind Kerry and Galway – and this is a pivotal fixture in the race for the top two final slots at Croke Park on April 15.  

Kerry (v Dublin): M.E. Bolger; E Lynch, K Cronin, C Murphy; A O’Connell, C Lynch, L Galvin; L Scanlon, M O’Connell; N Carmody, N Ní Chonchúir, C Evans; H O’Donoghue, S O’Shea (capt.), L Ní Mhuircheartaigh.  

Dublin (v Kerry): E Ní Eafa; T Quinn Corbally, M Byrne, J Tobin; L Caffrey, D Lawless, O Nolan; J Dunne, E O’Dowd; K Sullivan, C Rowe (capt.), E Gribben; C O’Connor, J Egan, S Wylde.  

 

Sunday 19th February  

Lidl NFL Division 1  

Donegal v Waterford; Letterkenny, 1pm  

Donegal were beaten Division 1 Finalists last year but now find themselves in a battle to avoid the drop.  

Boss Maxi Curran is still without some key names and experienced stars but he’ll want to avoid relegation to Division 2 before getting his strongest team out in the Championship.  

Waterford would have been viewed by many as relegation candidates but the Déise have been really competitive to date. 

They only lost to high-flying Kerry by a point before drawing with Cork and beating Mayo.  

Another win here would almost guarantee survival in Division 1 for another season and keep Waterford, who have Lauren McGregor in sparkling attacking form, in the hunt for a Final place.  

Donegal (v Waterford): A McColgan; N Carr, E McGinley, E Gallagher (capt.); A Boyle Carr, N McLaughlin, T Hegarty; S Twohig, L Ryan; S Boyle, K Long, K Dowds; J McFadden, S White, C McGarvey.  

Waterford (v Donegal): E O’Brien; C Murray, M Dunford, A Murray; E Power, E Murray, H Power; K Hogan, A Waring; A O’Neill, A Fitzgerald, C McCarthy; Karen McGrath (capt.), B McMaugh, L McGregor.  

 

Galway v Cork; Pearse Stadium  

Galway’s 100 per cent record was ended by Meath in Navan last time out – and the Tribeswomen needed a late equaliser to avoid a first defeat.  

Galway have been moving nicely, though, and with seven points from a possible nine to date, they’re in a strong position.  

Galway management have been easing Kilkerrin-Clonberne’s All-Ireland club winners back into the fold in recent weeks and there’s a solid strength in depth within the county ranks.  

Cork are not out of the equation for a Final place either, with four points on the board.  

Shane Ronayne’s charges produced an excellent second half display which could have seen them beat Dublin last time out, before Carla Rowe came up trumps for the visitors late on.  

Galway (v Cork): A Griffin; K Geraghty, S Ní Loingsigh (capt.), E Gavin; C Cooney, N Ward, A Molloy; A Davoren, L Ward; L Coen, O Divilly, M Glynn; E Noone, R Leonard, K Slevin.  

Cork (v Galway): M O’Sullivan; S Kelly, S Leahy, D Kiniry; L O’Mahony, M O’Callaghan (capt.), M Duggan; B O’Sullivan, E O’Shea; E Cleary, A Ring, A O’Mahony; K Quirke, E Kiely, R Leahy.  

 

Lidl NFL Division 2  

Tipperary v Laois; Fethard Town Park 

A big game in the race for promotion in Fethard.  

Joint first plays third as Tipp, with three wins from three, take on a Laois side with two victories from three outings.  

Another win from Tipp would leave them in a very strong position to secure a final place but visitors Laois will provide a stern test.  

 

Monaghan v Cavan; Donaghmoyne 

Both teams are on three points heading into a crucial Ulster derby.  

Monaghan lost to high-flying Armagh in their last outing, as Cavan claimed a precious victory over Westmeath.  

A one-point win for Cavan is the type of result that could see the Breffni County maintain Division 2 status but Sunday’s opponents still have plenty of work to do.  

 

Tyrone v Armagh; O'Neills Healy Park, Omagh 

Tyrone suffered a narrow one-point defeat to Laois last time out and now face a big test against Armagh.  

Taking Armagh and Tipperary, with nine points each, out of the equation and it’s an extremely level playing field in the rest of the Division.  

A win for Tyrone would blow the promotion race wide open but Armagh will be fancied to make it four from four.  

 

Roscommon v Westmeath; Kiltoom   

Roscommon lost out by two points in a low-scoring encounter against Tipperary in their last outing and badly need a positive result soon.  

The Rossies are rock bottom of the table after three defeats, while visitors Westmeath suffered a one-point loss to Cavan in Round 3.  

Another loss for Roscommon, last year’s Division 3 winners, will leave them in serious trouble but a win could transform their League season.  

 

Lidl NFL Division 3  

Sligo v Wexford; Connolly Park, Collooney, 1pm 

Sligo are struggling and pointless after three games. 

They face another big test against last year’s Division 3 Finalists Wexford, with two wins from three fixtures and chasing another Final slot.  

The Slaneysiders need another win to keep pace with Kildare and Louth at the top – and they’ll fancy their chances of getting it.  

 

Down v Longford; Páirc Esler 

Down’s victory over Wexford last time out propelled them into the promotion race and they’re now level on six points with Wexford.  

Longford, meanwhile, collected their first win of the campaign last time with a three-point success against Offaly.  

Another win would go a long way towards ensuring another season in Division 3 for the Midlanders.  

 

Offaly v Clare; Bretland Park, Clara 

Offaly have lost their opening three games and after coming up from Division 4 last year, they’re in danger of going back down unless their fortunes change quickly.  

Clare will have been encouraged by their last game, despite losing by two points against in-form Kildare.  

Another win would go a long way towards pushing Clare away from danger and the need is great for both sides here.  

 

Kildare v Louth, Manguard Plus COE, Hawkfield 

A top of the table clash where victory for either side would leave them in a brilliant position to make the Final.  

Both sides are on nine points but the chance is there to move to move to the outright head of affairs.  

The loser will be sucked back into the chasing pack and results elsewhere could even see them drop out of the top two.  

 

Lidl NFL Division 4A 

London v Antrim; Ruislip

TG4 All-Ireland Junior champions Antrim are one of the favourites for promotion from Division 4. 

They got off to a winning start against Fermanagh, who they also defeated in the 2022 All-Ireland Final replay, and make the trip to Ruislip for a clash with London, who lost out to Carlow in their opening fixture.  

 

Fermanagh v Carlow; Darver Pitch 1 

Carlow made a winning start to their campaign against London and have the chance to make it two from two against Fermanagh.  

The Ulster outfit will be keen to get off the mark, however, following defeat to Antrim in Round 1.  

Lidl NFL Division 4B 

  

Limerick v Leitrim; The Bog Garden, Rathkeale 

Something’s got to give as the top two battle it out in Rathkeale.  

Limerick and Leitrim have both won their opening two games and a third victory for either side will open up a clear path to a semi-final slot.  

 

Wicklow v Kilkenny; Baltinglass 

Kilkenny produced their most promising display of the campaign to date against Derry last weekend but still fell to a ten-point loss.  

Wicklow, meanwhile, will be confident of making it two wins from three, to follow up on an opening day victory over Derry, and a defeat at the hands of Limerick.  

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