Compiled by Jackie Cahill

ANOTHER crucial weekend of Lidl National League action could see Final placings confirmed in Divisions 1 and 3, depending on results, while a number of counties are fighting to avoid the drop.

In Division 2, there’s a final dress rehearsal on the cards as Tyrone and Kildare, who are already looking forward to Division 1 football next year, meet ahead of a second tier decider at Croke Park on Sunday April 7.

In the top flight, Dublin and Cork meet at DCU St Clare’s on Saturday a 4.30pm to get Round 6 of fixtures underway, with Tipperary at home to Monaghan in Division 2 earlier in the day.

All other games in Divisions 1, 2 and 3 are down for decision on Sunday.

Meath v Kerry; Ashbourne, 3pm - Live stream at https://page.inplayer.com/streamsportireland/

This one is beautifully poised. Kerry, in second place on ten points, make the trip to Donaghmore/Ashbourne to take on hosts Meath, who are a point further back.

A victory for holders Kerry would see them inch closer to another Lidl NFL Division 1 Final, while a victory for Meath would boost their hopes significantly.

Kerry were flying in their opening three rounds but have dropped points in their last two games, drawing with Mayo before losing to Armagh.

Meath, too, have suffered wobbles in Rounds 4 and 5, with back-to-back defeats against Armagh and Galway but they’re still in the running for a Final place.

Hosts Meath bring in Katie Newe and Meadhbh Byrne for Shauna Ennis and Seona Lynch as they aim to get back to winning ways.

Kerry, too, will be looking for a much improved performance following the Armagh defeat and their starting team shows six changes in personnel.

Bríd O’Connor, Ciara Murphy, Ciara McCarthy, Danielle O’Leary, Lorraine Scanlon and Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh all come into the Kingdom’s starting line-up, with Deirdre Kearney, Fay O’Donoghue, Cáit Lynch, Niamh Ní Chonchúir, Amy Harrington and Katie Brosnan held in reserve for this one.

The counties meet for the first time since the 2023 TG4 All-Ireland Senior championship quarter-final, when Kerry ended Meath's reign as champions. 

Meath: M McGuirk (capt.); K Newe, A Sheridan, N Troy; N Gallogly, M.K. Lynch, A Cleary; M O’Shaughnessy, S Melia; M Thynne, E Moyles, C Smyth; M Byrne, M Farrelly, E Duggan.

Kerry: C Butler; B O’Connor, E Lynch, C Murphy; A O’Connell, K Cronin, C McCarthy; M O’Connell, A Galvin; N Carmody (capt.), D O’Leary, L Scanlon; H O’Donoghue, E Dineen, L Ní Mhuircheartaigh.

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