Preview: Weekend's Allianz Football League action

Allianz Football League Division 1

Sunday, March 1

Kerry v Monaghan, Fitzgerald Stadium, 1.15pm

A difficult Allianz Football League Division 1 campaign thus far for Monaghan is unlikely to get any easier here.

The Farney County have lost all four matches they’ve played by an average of 10 points each, and come into this game on the back of a 19-point trimming at the hands of Mayo.

Kerry looked like a team starting to find their stride in last weekend’s win over Dublin when returning big-name players like Paudie Clifford and Tom O’Sullivan impressed as substitutes.

Forwards like Tony Brosnan, David Clifford, and Sean O’Shea are all in good form, so you’d fancy the Kingdom to win with a bit to spare and put themselves very much in the picture for a place in the League Final.

Mayo v Armagh, Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, 1.15pm

Mayo bounced back from their Round Three defeat to Donegal with a very impressive win over Monaghan last weekend.

10 different players got on the scoresheet but the one everyone was talking about after the game was substitute Kobe McDonald who hit a stylish 1-4 from play on his League debut.

Bob Tuohy’s display at midfield was another big positive for Mayo who are building nicely under Andy Moran.

Most impressive has been their cutting edge in attack. Last year they scored less than any other team in Division 1 whereas this year they’ve scored more than any other team after four rounds.

That spells trouble for an Armagh team that has conceded an average of 23 points per game so far in the campaign.

Kieran McGeeney’s team have played better than a record of just one win from four matches suggests, but a porous defence and a forward line that has been profligate at times has undone a lot of good work in general play.

You’d still give them a great chance here though in a match that will be a revealing test for both teams.

Donegal v Galway, Father Tierney Park, Ballyshannon 1.15pm - TG4

With four wins from four, Donegal are the form team in the country so far this year.

They’ve conceded less than any other team in the division and marry that defensive tenacity with a potent attacking game that sees them attack in numbers from a variety of angles.

They’re not reliant on any one player to do their scoring, with the likes of Oisin Gallen, Conor O’Donnell, Jason McGee, and Michael Langan all excellent in recent weeks.

They’re playing with a lot more consistency within matches than a Galway side that at times have played really well but at others have been very much off the pace.

That streakiness was summed up by last weekend’s defeat to Roscommon when they went from 13 points up early in the second-half to losing the game by a single point.

Only bottom of the table Monaghan have conceded more than Galway, who may struggle to contain Donegal’s hard running, overlapping style of play.

Roscommon v Dublin, King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park, 2pm - TG4 player/App Deferred

Roscommon have been the surprise package so far of the Division, winning three games in a row after being very unlucky to lose their first against Kerry.

Coming from 13 points down to win by one against Galway last weekend showcased the spirit and quality in their team.

They’re scoring an average of 24 points per match with forwards like Diarmuid Murtagh, Daire Cregg, and Enda Smith bang in form.

Dublin, in contrast, haven’t looked nearly as sharp in attack. They’re averaging just 17 points per game which is the lowest of any team in the division and are very reliant on Con O’Callaghan for inspiration.

Form favours another Roscommon win here and if that transpires then the Dubs will be in big relegation trouble.

Allianz Football League Division 2

Saturday, February 28

Cavan v Louth, Kingspan Breffni, 5.15pm - TG4

This should be a big game in the context of the relegation picture.

After losing their first three matches Cavan gave their hopes of avoiding the drop a big boost last weekend with a win over Kildare but they probably need another one here.

That won’t be easily done against a Louth side that were very impressive last weekend when beating Tyrone.

Their mastery of the weather conditions and ability to win hard ball in the middle third proved decisive and they’ll aim to win that battle again here.

It’s going to be a match of very fine margins that could go either way, but home advantage could swing it for Cavan.

Tyrone v Offaly, O’Neill Park, Dungannon, 6pm - GAA+ & BBC iPlayer

It’s been a miserable Allianz Football League campaign for an injury-hit Offaly team that’s lost four from four by an average margin of 11 points each.

Worryingly for them, their worst display of the campaign so far came last weekend when Derry beat them by 23 points.

Tyrone have really struggled to find any sort of rhythm and the departure of Darragh Canavan to Australia robs them of their most potent attacking threat, but they should still win this comfortably enough.

Kildare v Meath, Cedral St Conleth's Park, 7pm - RTE

Kildare’s young team started the campaign very impressively but back-to-back defeats to Derry and Cavan has sucked them into the relegation picture.

They’ve been too reliant on Ben Loakman for scores and need the supporting cast in attack to start making a bigger contribution.

This might not be a bad time to play a Meath team that lost some momentum last weekend when losing their top of the table clash with Cork.

But you’d still fancy the Royals to come out on top thanks to the form of forwards like Eoghan Frayne, Jordan Morris, and Ruairí Kinsella.

Sunday, March 1

Derry v Cork, Find Insurance Celtic Park, 1pm

This looks like being a pivotal game in terms of the promotion picture.

Cork top the table with four wins from four and since losing their opening round game to Meath, Derry have gone on a three match winning sequence.

There has been much to admire about both teams in recent weeks. Cork have scored more than any team in the division with forwards like Steven Sherlock, Mark Cronin, Chris Óg Jones, Colm O’Callaghan, Dara Sheedy, and Sean McDonnell all bang in form.

Derry’s attack has also been functioning well and it’s buttressed by arguably the best midfield in the division in Conor Glass and Brendan Rogers and definitely the meanest defence.

The Oak Leaf county have conceded an average of four points less per match than Cork, and that defensive steel could give them an edge here.

Allianz Football League Division 3

Saturday, February 28

Down v Fermanagh, Páirc Esler, 6pm

Down are the form team in the division with four wins from four by whereas Fermanagh have lost all four of their matches.

The Erne County have had a reputation in recent years for being very tight defensively but this year they’ve been extremely porous, conceding an average of 23 points per match.

A Down team with in-form shooters like Pat Havern, Odhran Murdock, and Daniel Guinness should make hay.

Laois v Westmeath, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, 6pm

The only game Westmeath have lost this year was against table-toppers Down and they ran them very close.

Laois have looked decent at times but poor at others and have won just one game out of four.

They’ve scored less than any other team in the division, and a Westmeath attack that’s averaging eight points more per match should be too hot for them.

Limerick v Clare, Mick Neville Park, 6pm

A win here is a must for both teams if they hope to mount a late push for a place in the Division 3 Final.

Both teams have been very competitive in every match they’ve played even when the result hasn’t gone their way, and a tight game is expected here.

Limerick have the best defence in the League but a Clare attack with in-form finishers like Mark McInerney, Aaron Griffin, and Eoin Cleary could give the Banner a slight edge.

Sunday, March 1

Wexford v Sligo, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 1pm

After a very strong start to the campaign that saw them claim impressive wins over Fermanagh and Laois, Wexford have faltered with back-to-back defeats to Limerick and Down.

They were unfortunate to lose to a late goal against Limerick and can take some consolation that last week’s conquerors, Down, have also beaten everyone else they’ve played.

Sligo’s form has been very up and down and it’s hard to know what to expect from them. A Wexford team with home advantage look like the more reliable bet here.

Allianz Football league Division 4

Saturday, February 28

Antrim v Wicklow, Roger Casements, 5pm

After three defeats on the bounce Antrim finally found some form with an unexpectedly convincing win over Leitrim last time out and they’ll be keen to build on that momentum here in front of their home support.

Wicklow have shown better form so far though with three wins from four and forwards like Kevin Quinn, Eoin Darcy, and John Paul Nolan looked really sharp last time out against London.

Throw in the deadly free-taking of goalkeeper Mark Jackson and you’d fancy the Garden County to have an edge here.

Sunday, March 1

London v Waterford, McGovern Park, Ruislip 1pm

Waterford are rock bottom with four defeats from four games and last weekend’s loss to Carlow was their heaviest yet so their morale might be low coming into this game.

London were well-beaten last weekend by Wicklow but prior to that had been playing very well.

If they can get back into that groove they should be too strong for the Deise.

Longford v Carlow, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 2pm

Carlow have been the form team in the Division with four wins from four games and will have one foot in the final if they make it five from five here.

They look like a very well-coached team under Joe Murphy with a nice balance between defence and attack. They’ve scored more than any other team in the division and only Wicklow have conceded less.

Longford’s record isn’t bad – two wins, one draw, and one defeat – but their two wins have come against bottom teams Antrim and Waterford so their form line isn’t as convincing as Carlow’s.

Tipperary v Leitrim, Clonmel, 2pm

Both teams have four points from four matches and this game represents the last chance for both to mount a late charge for a place in the Division 4 Final.

Leitrim suffered a morale-sapping defeat last time out against an Antrim side that had previously lost three from three whereas Tipp showed some grit to claim a last-gasp draw with Longford.

Home advantage can also help the Premier County here.