Allianz Football League Previews

It’s on to Round 2 of the Allianz Football League this weekend after the opening series of games delivered several very interesting results which suggests that an extremely competitive campaign is in store across all four Divisions over the coming months.

Fifteen games were played last weekend – the London v Fermanagh Division 4 clash was called off due to the bad weather in London. Of the 15 games played, nine were home wins, four were away wins, one game was drawn while the Kildare v Tyrone game was played at a neutral venue (Croke Park).

Click on the links below for comprehensive previews for each of the four games being played in Division I of the Allianz Football League this weekend.

Saturday, February 11
Allianz Football League Division I

Mayo v Dublin, McHale Park, 6.30pm

Kerry v Armagh, Austin Stack Park, 7.00pm

Sunday, February 12
Allianz Football League Division I

Donegal v Laois, Letterkenny, 2.30pm

Cork v Down, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 2.00pm

Allianz Football League Division II: Early promise by Tyrone, Meath, Galway and Louth 

Sunday (2.30): Westmeath v Meath, Mullingar; Monaghan v Kildare, Clones; Tyrone v Derry, Omagh; Galway v Louth, Pearse Stadium.

Wins for Meath, Tyrone, Galway and Louth last weekend will leave all four in optimistic mood as they head into Round 2. Tyrone and Galway will be especially pleased as they beat Kildare and Derry respectively in Croke Park and Celtic Park, which leaves them in a good position as they stage their first home ties next Sunday.

Tyrone put 2-11 past Kildare and now take on Derry, whom they beat by three points in the recent Dr. McKenna Cup final while Galway, who hit Derry for 1-15 last Sunday, host Louth. Monaghan and Kildare both lost last weekend which makes their clash in Clones hugely important in promotion terms as the losers would almost certainly have to win all five remaining games to have any chance of being in the top two. Meath managed just one win in last year’s League but have already matched that after an impressive victory over Monaghan which sets them up nicely for the visit to Mullingar to take on Westmeath who lost to Louth last Sunday.

Allianz Football League Division III: High-scoring starts for Longford and Wexford 

Saturday (7.0); Cavan v Longford, Kingspan Breffni Park.

Sunday (2.30): Sligo v Wexford, Markievicz Park; Offaly v Roscommon, O’Connor Park; Tipperary v Antrim, Thurles.

High-scoring was the order of the day for Wexford and Longford, both of whom returned 21 points totals last Sunday. Sean McCormack scored 0-10 as Longford hit Offaly for 2-15 while Eric Bradley (2-0), Ciaran Lyng and PJ Banville (1-1 each) were on form for Wexford who put 4-9 past Cavan.

Both Longford (v Cavan) and Wexford (v Sligo) will be away next weekend. Sligo came away from Casement Park v disappointed last Saturday night after losing by a point to Antrim. The Ulster men travel to Thurles next Sunday to take on Tipperary who lost by three points to Roscommon in the first round. After losing heavily to Kildare in the O’Byrne Cup and to Longford in the League last Sunday, Offaly face a real test of character in their first home game against Roscommon.

Allianz Football League Division IV: Clare and Limerick chase top spot 

Saturday: Waterford v Kilkenny, Dungarvan, 7.0.

Sunday (2.30 unless stated): Limerick v London, Gaelic Grounds 1.0; Carlow v Leitrim, Dr. Cullen Park; Fermanagh v Clare, Enniskillen.

Wicklow were the Division’s top scorers last weekend, putting 3-25 past Kilkenny with Joe Kelly scoring 1-7 and Seanie Furlong 1-5. They have a bye next weekend which gives Clare and Limerick a chance to set the early pace. Both won last weekend and will now take on London (Limerick) and Fermanagh (Clare) next Sunday. Fermanagh’s game with London was postponed last Sunday because of the bad weather in England but will be looking forward to their first home tie against the Banner men. Carlow, who had a bye last Sunday, make their seasonal debut at home to Leitrim.