Allianz Football League Division Two

Saturday February 25

Down v Meath, Pairc Esler, 7pm, live on eir Sport

What a difference a week made for the Meath footballers. Kildare beat the Royals by 10 points, but then Andy McEntee's side outfoxed Derry by 15.

"We looked for a response, we looked for a change in attitude, and I think we pretty much got that," was McEntee's assessment following the Derry victory.

Now Meath travel to Newry for a clash with Down, who have lost to Fermanagh and Clare. Those two disappointing results ensure Down need to earn positive results quickly if a second straight relegation is to be avoided.

Meath want to be heavily involved in the promotion race so the form of Bryan Menton encourages McEntee.

"I've worked with Bryan for a long time with Ashbourne, I know what he is capable of," McEntee remarked following Fenton's four point haul against Derry.

Down will be hoping to make a statement, while Meath will want to maintain the level of performance displayed in the second half against Derry.

MEATH: Paddy O'Rourke; Donal Keogan, Conor McGill, Ruairi O'Coileann; Willie Carry, Brian Power, Shane McEntee; Bryan Menton, James Toher; Alan Forde, Cillian O'Sullivan, Cian O'Brien; Graham Reilly, Brian Sheridan, Donal Lenihan.

Sunday February 26

Cork v Fermanagh, Pairc Ui Rinn, 1pm

Cork left Pearse Stadium on the opening weekend nursing some regrets about not converting late chances to win against Galway.

A subsequent loss to Kildare ensures the upcoming clash with Fermanagh can be classed as a vital encounter.

Pete McGrath's hard working team were beaten by a Damien Comer inspired Galway in their last game. McGrath is relishing the Cork test. “If we can take them on and play the game on our terms then we have a very good chance of winning and I feel we should being going down there full of confidence.

“The Galway game is over, a lot of things conspired against us and also, we have areas to improve on. Now it is on to Cork.”

Luke Connolly registered 1-3 for Peadar Healy's charges in the defeat against Kildare. Cork trailed by five points at the interval before narrowing the gap to two in the closing stages.

Kildare, though, finished strongly which was a worry for Cork, who know that a victory needs to be registered on Sunday.

CORK: Ryan Price; John McLoughlin, Tom Clancy, Kevin Crowley; Tomas Clancy, James Loughrey, Stephen Cronin; Aidan Walsh, Ruairi Deane; Brian O'Driscoll, Luke Connolly, John O'Rourke; Niall Coakley, Peter Kelleher, Paul Kerrigan.

FERMANAGH: Thomas Treacy; Mickey Jones, Che Cullen, Barry Mulrone; Declan McCusker, Ryan McCluskey, Lee Cullen; Eoin Donnelly, Ryan Hyde; Aidan Breen, Eoin McManus, Ryan Lyons; Eddie Courtney, Sean Quigley, Tomas Corrigan.

Derry v Kildare, Celtic Park, 2pm

Cian O'Neill's Kildare have acquired some belief and momentum. Solid victories over Meath and Cork have been posted with Kevin Feely's fetching ability at centrefield a real feature in those games.

The emerging Ben McCormack and Neil Flynn carry a sharp threat up front for Kildare with O'Neill looking forward to the Celtic Park fixture.

“We had no pre-match stay over last year so this will be a new experience for some of the lads, but it will be great - a chance to talk, chat, breakfast together," O'Neill says about Kildare's trip to Derry.

"Another learning experience and hopefully a very positive experience.”

Damian Barton is giving youth a chance with Derry, who were comprehensively defeated by Meath following a draw with Clare.

Benny Herron, Enda Lynn, and James Kielt have made scoring contributions in the early rounds, but Derry face a tough test.

Galway v Clare, Pearse Stadium, 2pm

Galway and Clare have both taken three points from their first two games so an important game is imminent.

Kevin Walsh's Tribesmen did well to earn a draw against Cork with a late flurry of points, while the success over Fermanagh was achieved with a good second half effort.

Eamonn Brannigan and Damien Comer were central to that Galway win, but Clare will make the short journey to Salthill loaded with hope.

Alan Flynn, who managed Galway to All Ireland Under 21 glory in 2013, is involved as Clare's trainer and will know the locals strengths.

Clare will be without Gary Brennan for their next two League matches due to his commitments with Ballyea, who are busy preparing for the AIB All Ireland Club Hurling Final.

That is a huge blow for Clare, who were convincing victors over Down at Cusack Park. Kealan Sexton continues to develop into an exciting footballer, while David Tubridy is an accomplished finisher in attack.

Jamie Malone and Eoin Cleary are two other key performers, who are producing at this level for Clare.