Football league previews

Compiled by SEAN MORAN

DIVISION ONE

Laois v Cork, Portlaoise – Cork have been labouring to date and were curiously unable to meet Donegal’s challenge when the Ulster champions kicked for home in the second half last week.

Although Laois managed to win in Donegal, it’s not a straight comparison as Jim McGuinness’s team were much stronger for the visit of Cork. The home side – that status unchanged by the DRA’s prohibition on counties being punished by the forfeiture of home fixtures, which must have peeved Cork, who don’t lose much by a reluctance to appeal – will have to improve on last weekend’s display against Dublin.

Were it not for the All-Ireland champions’ disappearance at certain stages, the winning margin would have been bigger.

At times Laois looked impressive, building effectively from the back and taking chances well but only Ross Munnelly showed the ability to pose a constant scoring threat. Injury and suspension appear to have made Conor Counihan disinclined to trial a whole lot of newcomers but the forwards who were so comprehensively shut out in Ballybofey should find the going a more productive this evening.

DIVISION TWO

Tyrone v Westmeath, Healy Park – Tyrone have been cruising nicely and giving match time to some younger players while racking up a 100 per cent record. Justin McMahon returns for his first start of the season this evening and they should be packing too much for Westmeath despite the visitors’ exciting first win of the campaign against Galway, inspired by the return from AFL service of the talented John Heslin.

DIVISION FOUR

Limerick v Kilkenny, Newcastlewest, 2.30pm – Setback for Limerick last week in Clare but they will improve their stats here.

Leinster Colleges SF A final

St Mary’s Edenderry v Coláiste Eoin, Páirc Tailteann, 1pm – Champions three years ago, St Mary’s demolished the holders, Dundalk Colleges, in the semi-final with corner forward Cian McMonagle hitting a hat-trick.

Coláiste Eoin have to go back 14 years since their only success but the south Dublin school has an intelligent, resourceful team who came through a tough semi-final against Moate CS. St Mary’s however have more fire-power and deserve to be favourites.

Connacht Colleges SF A Final

St Jarlath’s v Summerhill College, Ballyhaunis GAA club, 3pm – A repeat of last year’s final when a bad start fatally handicapped Summerhill, this afternoon’s contest sees the Sligo college in pursuit of a first title in 27 years. They emerged from a challenging semi-final against 2010 champions St Gerald’s Castlebar but the roll of honour leaders should have learned enough from a fitful victory over Roscommon CBS to close the deal here.

TOMORROW

(Matches at 2.30pm unless stated)

DIVISION ONE

Dublin v Armagh, Croke Park, 4.15pm – The biggest positive for Dublin last week aside from the two points gleaned was the strong showing by incoming players and those who wouldn’t have been first-choice in last year’s championship. Eoghan O’Gara’s oil strike up front and the eye-catching assuredness of Darren Daly and Craig Dias in defence helped gloss over two less pleasing aspects of the match – centrefield didn’t thrive although Eamonn Fennell put in a hard-working shift and concentration levels weren’t great. Armagh arrive with their early-season belief, accrued in serious matches against Cork and Kerry, deflated by last week’s home defeat against Mayo.

Injuries and suspension didn’t help and Charlie Vernon misses out tomorrow although Ciarán McKeever’s return will make them a harder proposition to break down. Dublin have the chance to pick up momentum with tough matches ahead and they should take it.

Kerry v Donegal, Fitzgerald Stadium – This brings together Donegal’s startling defensive systems and the team perhaps best equipped to deal with it. Kerry are still without Colm Cooper but Darran O’Sullivan returns from injury to supplement an attack where the younger panellists have already been making an impact.

Donegal got back to near full strength with the return of Michael Murphy and they will be well motivated for this. It will be fascinating to see how Kerry, renowned throughout history as (eventual) code breakers of every new conundrum, will deal with the tactical challenge. The belief here is: successfully.

Mayo v Down, McHale Park – Mayo raised their game significantly for last week’s trip to Armagh and the work rate and energy levels were too much for the hosts. Back at home they’ll be firm favourites for this, as James McCartan’s Down have taken a bit of a bruising from Cork and Kerry in the past two weeks. The visitors have been able to strengthen the team this week with Ambrose Rogers starting at centrefield where Mayo’s Aidan O’Shea was dominant for Mayo last week but the key loss of Martin Clarke has weakened the attack whereas the hard work on shoring up the defence has yet to pay any dividend. Mayo should be able to see off the visitors here.

DIVISION TWO

Monaghan v Louth, Clones – The oscillating fixture settles back into Clones and that should boost Monaghan’s chances of bouncing back from the defeat in Derry. Louth’s centrefield has impressed in the campaign to date and the loss of Paddy Keenan to a second yellow card for most of the final quarter didn’t help against Tyrone but with the 2010 All Star restored, Louth can be competitive here but the odds still favour the home side.

Galway v Meath, Pearse Stadium – After an opening-day win in Derry Galway looked on course for a crack at promotion but having realised just one point from the teams promoted from Division Three last season, Alan Mulholland’s side will be anxiously eyeing the other end of the table.

Galway are likely not to start the under-21s who face action next week. Meath lost a good quality shoot-out to Kildare and if the reservations about their defence remain, their forwards can do enough to win this.

Kildare v Derry, Newbridge – Restorative wins last week got both counties off the mark but Kildare’s was the more impressive and with home advantage they’re favoured to secure a second win against the visitors whose injury curse extended during the week to claim Gerard O’Kane, who may miss three months.

DIVISION THREE

Offaly v Wexford, O’Connor Park – Wexford had ignition last week and should take the points here against an Offaly team rooted to the bottom of the table with Shane Sullivan suspended but with the consolation that Niall McNamee is likely to make a first appearance of the season.

Sligo v Longford, Markievicz Park – Longford top the table and can stay there against Sligo, whose manager Kevin Walsh makes six changes to the team beaten by Cavan.

Roscommon v Antrim, Dr Hyde Park – Antrim have been going well to date and although the wins have been against the bottom counties they possess a varied scoring threat. Roscommon have Senan Kilbride on the bench but aren’t at full strength and this has the look of an away win.

Tipperary v Cavan, Semple Stadium – Bad start for Tipp, including a drubbing last week in Wexford, means that there is real urgency here for John Evans’s team. A young Cavan side will be buoyant after beating Sligo but the home team can take much-needed points.

DIVISION ONE

Fermanagh v Wicklow, Brewster Park – Fermanagh’s turbo charge out of this division should remain on track against a Wicklow team recovering from a poor result against Waterford.

Carlow v Clare, Dr Cullen Park – Clare look equipped to take the points here.

Leitrim v London, Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, 1pm – Leitrim should secure their second win against so far pointless London.