Allianz Football League Div IV Preview

There is only one place to start when it comes to Division IV and that is Fermanagh. There has been so much hype around the Erne County since the appointment of former Tyrone captain and two time All-Ireland winner Peter Canavan that Fermanagh have been set as odds on favorites by the bookies to win the Division.

But you will have to look at their recent performances in the league and see that Canavan has a job on his hands if he is to produce promotion. Last year alone they were four points off second place and will face stiff competition against the likes of Limerick and Waterford this year.

Another manager who brought much hysteria to GAA circles on his appointment was that of Mick O'Dwyer and Wicklow. They will look to battle on this year without the Kerryman's services as O'Dwyer stood down as manager of the Garden County after five eventful years. Harry Murphy is now at the helm hoping to bring something of his own to the table and help Wicklow progress up the ladder.

Usually the two teams that are relegated from Division III are the trend setters or the teams to beat but with Canavan now at Fermanagh, the pressure is somewhat off Limerick and Waterford.

The Treaty County looked to be having one of those years in 2011 from indications in the early summer months. Relegated from Division III only by the skin of their teeth and then beaten convincingly by Kerry in their opening game of the Munster Football Championship. However, a steady string of performances in the "Back Door" system saw them beat Offaly, Waterford and Wexford en route to Croke Park were they unfortunately were struck by lightening for the second time, losing to Jack O'Connor's men.

Waterford, who finished below Limerick last year, will be looking for a better return from 2012. John Owens' men made a positive start to last year's campaign with two wins and a loss after three games. But the Déise were unable to keep up that good early form and found themselves on a downward spiral they couldn't get out of. But Waterford, Limerick and Fermanagh look like they will be the benchmark in the earlier stages of the 2012 Division IV league season.

Clare and Leitrim have the tag of being the teams that are somewhere in between the advancers and non-movers. Last year both teams collected six and seven points respectively and will be hoping for better this time around. Only London and Kilkenny finished lower than them last year. The Banner were knocking on the door of promotion when they finished third just one point behind Limerick while in 2009 it was Leitrim who finished just outside the top two, three points behind Sligo.

London can take confidence from their Championship campaign last year. They forced the eventual Connacht Champions to extra-time in the opening round of the Championship and then tasted victory for the first time in 34 years after they overcame Fermanagh in the opening round of the Qualifiers last year. Unfortunately their one game winning streak came to an end at the hands of Waterford.

The signs do not look good for the Exiles and the Cats though if history is anything to go by. Both London and Kilkenny have been propping up the table for the last number of years and it looks like it may be the same come April.