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Preview: Allianz Football League Division Three

Michael Hurley scored five points for Cork against Offaly at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Michael Hurley scored five points for Cork against Offaly at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Allianz Football League Division Three

Saturday February 1

Down v Derry, Pairc Esler

Sunday February 2

Louth v Tipperary, Gaelic Grounds, 2pm

Leitrim v Cork, Pairc Sean MacDiarmada, 2pm

Offaly v Longford, Bord Na Mona O'Connor Park, 2pm

By Cian O'Connell

A couple of opening round draws ensures the stakes are piled high again in Division Three this weekend.

Pairc Esler provides the backdrop for a critical contest involving Down and Derry.

Last weekend Derry divided the spoils with Leitrim, while Down were involved in a stalemate against Tipperary.

Ultimately it means both counties crave a victory because a defeat could have severe implications for the rest of the campaign.

Tipperary, with Conor Sweeney still very prominent, will be anxious to record an away success against Louth at the Gaelic Grounds.

The home team, though, need a positive outcome following a loss in Longford so Wayne Kierans' charges will be primed for a battle.

Offaly manager John Maughan speaking to his players following last Saturday's loss against Cork.

Offaly manager John Maughan speaking to his players following last Saturday's loss against Cork.

At Páirc Sean MacDiarmada Leitrim will be aware of the various threats Cork possess.

Ruairi Deane's direct running and the continued development of some promising youngsters were evident when Cork outfoxed Offaly.

Leitrim came within a whisker of registering a dramatic road triumph over Derry, but Terry Hyland located significant positives from the display.

Only a matter of weeks ago Offaly and Longford contested the O'Byrne Cup Final at Bord Na Mona O'Connor Park.

Offaly and Longford return to the Tullamore venue for another important tussle with the visitors' bolstered by a Darren Gallagher inspired triumph over Louth.

John Maughan's Offaly outfit, though, caused Cork some problems initially at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, and will know about the value and relevance of this upcoming encounter.

CORK (v Leitrim): Micheal Martin; Seanie Powter, Thomas Clancy, Kevin Crowley; Tadhg Crowley, Liam O'Donovan, Mattie Taylor; Ian Maguire, Brian Hartnett; John O'Rourke, Sean White, Ruairi Deane; Michael Hurley, Ciaran Sheehan, Cathal O'Mahony.

OFFALY (v Longford): Paddy Dunican; David Dempsey, Eoin Rigney, Colm Boyle; Eoin Carroll, Declan Hogan, Niall Darby; Cathal Mangan, Michael Brazil; Shane Horan, Ruairi McNamee, Jordan Hayes; Bernard Allen, Anton Sullivan, Cian Johnson.

TIPPERARY (v Louth): Evan Comerford; Alan Campbell, John Meagher, Colm O'Shaughnessy; Emmet Moloney, Robbie Kiely, Daire Brennan; Steven O'Brien, Conal Kennedy; Bill Maher, Jack Kennedy, Brian Fox; Liam Boland, Conor Sweeney, Kevin O'Halloran.