Preview: Allianz Football League Division Two
Promising Cork footballer Ronan O'Toole in Munster Championship action against Tipperary last year.
Sunday January 27
Allianz Football League Division Two
Clare v Donegal, Cusack Park, 2pm
Clare's winter focus has been centred on this demanding Ennis encounter against Donegal.
Despite the unavailability of a skilled Gaoth Dobhair contingent Declan Bonner's charges still delivered some fine displays in the Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup prior to losing at the semi-final stage.
Colm Collins' Clare did secure McGrath Cup success, but they want to produce in the League.
In 2018 Clare won three and drew two at this level and Collins will be striving to improve that record in the coming months.
CLARE: Robert Eyres; Kevin Hartnett, Cillian Brennan, Gordon Kelly; Dean Ryan, Aaron Fitzgerald, Eoghan Collins; Gary Brennan, Cathal O’Connor; Cian O’Dea, Jamie Malone, Dermot Coughlan; Kieran Malone, Keelan Sexton, David Tubridy.
Fermanagh v Cork, Brewster Park, 2pm
Fermanagh regained Division Two status and marched into the Ulster Final under Rory Gallagher, who will have his team ready for this opener.
Four losses in seven Allianz League games last year brought plenty of worry in Cork so this match should be revealing.
Ronan McCarthy held an extensive audition process in the McGrath Cup with players given a chance to shine and they feature four players making League debuts on Sunday.
CORK: Mark White; Kevin O’Donovan, Kevin Flahive, Conor Dennehy; James Loughrey, Tom Clancy, Mattie Taylor; Ian Maguire, Ronan O’Toole; Tom Clancy, Eoghan McSweeney, Ruairi Deane; Damien Gore, Brian Hurley, Luke Connolly.
Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney.
Kildare v Armagh, St Conleth's Park, 2pm
Kieran McGeeney returns to St Conleth's Park and a lively fixture beckons.
A raft of Kildare players took their first steps in the inter-county game when McGeeney was in charge of Kildare, who know that a serious promotion bid needs to be launched.
Armagh won the Division Three title in splendid fashion and are further bolstered by Jamie Clarke's availability.
At the opposite end of the field Jimmy Hyland has the potential and scoring power to contribute handsomely to the Lilywhite cause.
KILDARE: Mark Donnellan; Mark Dempsey, David Hyland, Mark Hyland; James Murray, Eoin Doyle, Keith Cribbin; Kevin Feely, Fergal Conway; Conor Hartley, Adam Tyrell, Eoghan O'Flaherty; David Slattery, Ben McCormack, Jimmy Hyland.
ARMAGH: Blaine Hughes; Connaire Mackin, Aaron McKay, James Morgan; Mark Shields, Brendan Donaghy, Greg McCabe; Stephen Sheridan, Niall Grimley; Jemar Hall, Rory Grugan, Ryan McShane; Stefan Campbell, Rian O'Neill, Jamie Clarke.
Meath v Tipperary, Pairc Tailteann, 2pm
In 2018 Meath and Tipperary had identical figures in Division Two of the Allianz Football League: Played seven, three wins, one draw, and three losses.
Liam Kearns is a shrewd operator and Tipperary were very much in the hunt before losing out to Cavan following a Kingspan Breffni thriller.
Meath manager Andy McEntee has acknowledged the importance of reaching Division One for the Royals, who will want to realise that ambition soon.
TIPPERARY: Evan Comerford; Alan Campbell, John Meagher, Emmett Moloney; Kevin Fahey, Colm O'Shaughnessy, Jimmy Feehan; Steven O'Brien, Liam Casey; Liam Boland, Liam McGrath, Brian Fox; Philip Austin, Conor Sweeney, Jack Kennedy.
