Profiles of every team in this year's NFL Division Two:

Meath

Manager: Colm Coyle.

Last NFL title: 1994.

2007 NFL: 2nd Division Two B and divisional winners.

2007 SFC: Leinster quarter-finalists and All-Ireland semi-finalists.

2008 Assessment: A significant resurgence in last year's championship might have culminated in a harsh All-Ireland semi-final diagnostic against Cork but the team was under-strength and inexperienced at that level. Coyle timed last year's drive well with a patchy regulation campaign giving way to a successful tilt at the Division Two title and memorable duels with Dublin, followed by an improving run through the qualifiers. The versatility of Anthony Moyles, a triumphant return for Darren Fay and Stephen Bray's arrival as a top-class attacker were all factors but there'll be no element of surprise this season and, more importantly, a high standard of opposition even if Cork don't materialise. A top-two place could come down to the last match with Dublin and a possible second meeting should both of them make it - all before summer starts.

Monaghan

Manager: Séamus McEnaney.

Last NFL title: 1985.

2007 NFL: 1st Division Two A and divisional semi-finalists.

2007 SFC: Ulster finalists and All-Ireland quarter-finalists.

2008 Assessment: One of the problems with the sort of season Monaghan had last year is how hard it is to raise the bar. McEnaney's management succeeded in getting a huge percentage out of the resources. Well organised, the side had stamina and pace, covering relentlessly in a defence anchored by Gary McQuaid, featuring an imposing season from Eoin Lennon at centrefield and some excellent forward play led by All Star Tommy Freeman and Vincent Corey. The trouble for Monaghan is that having performed so well they have a lot of room for falling back. Team coach Martin McElkennon's work laid the basis required for a high-tempo pressing game and also for a consistently fit panel. There was apprehension with the recent injury to Lennon but it has turned out less serious than feared. The return of forward Raymond Ronaghan is also good news. This campaign will give an excellent indication of whether they can compete at the top.

Roscommon

Manager: John Maughan.

Last NFL title: 1979.

2007 NFL: 2nd Division Two A and divisional finalists.

2007 SFC: Connacht semi-finalists and All-Ireland qualifiers round one.

2008 Assessment: One of the sides for whom survival in the division is a target rather than a given. A good late run secured promotion last year but the championship performance was uninspired. John Maughan is setting about the work of anchoring a side in transition sufficiently soundly to allow some of the 2006 minor All-Ireland-winning talent emerge. In a county like Roscommon getting the balance right without rushing the youngsters is tricky. Four of that minor team are included in Maughan's first team of the campaign. Frankie Dolan is back, which if it represents a concession on the manager's part does strengthen the attack.

Westmeath

Manager: Tomás Ó Flatharta.

Last NFL title: None.

2007 NFL: 5th Division One B.

2007 SFC: Leinster first round and All-Ireland qualifiers round two.

2008 Assessment: As outgoing chair Séamus Whelan noted in his address to convention, Westmeath labour under far greater expectation these days than formerly. Managing a team in the aftermath of a historic highpoint is very difficult, as the experience since 2004 indicates. A creditable league campaign last season gave way to a nondescript championship, balancing the books with Longford in the qualifiers being as good as it got. It's all of 13 years since the big minor breakthrough and only one of that team was in evidence in last week's challenge against Mayo. Ó Flatharta has a number of first-choice players on the comeback trail and will need them for what will be a demanding campaign.

Cork

Manager: Teddy Holland.

Last NFL title: 1999.

2007 NFL: 6th Division One A.

2007 SFC: Munster finalists and All-Ireland finalists.

2008 Assessment: An emerging power. Under-21 successes have thrown up a nucleus of young players who, despite a heavy defeat in last year's All-Ireland final, probably over-achieved by getting there. A good league run would appear to be precisely what they need. Wait. What are we saying? The remainder of this preview shall be devoted to 30 seconds of respectful silence and to serene contemplation of the sorrowful mysteries of Cork GAA. Some respect please and, officials, in the words of Elvis Presley:

A little less conversation, a little more action please

All this aggravation ain't satisfactioning me

A little more bite and a little less bark

A little less fight and a little more spark

Close your mouth and open up your heart.

Armagh

Manager: Peter McDonnell.

Last NFL title: 2005.

2007 NFL: 6th Division One B.

2007 SFC: Ulster first round and All-Ireland qualifiers round one.

2008 Assessment: No more Big Joe. Kieran McGeeney has taken the train south to do missionary work among the downtrodden. Kevin Dyas has travelled even farther south to an Aussie Rules career. And Crossmaglen will be holding on to their boys for a wee while yet. All of which makes for a very subdued mood in the Orchard County as the league cranks up. Ronan Clarke has recovered at last from injury but his return only serves to highlight the paucity of good-quality forwards produced in the county over the past five years. At midfield James Lavery, last year's under-21 captain, will push hard to accompany captain Paul McGrane but just as interesting could be the form of Lavery's Maghery clubmate Stefan Forker, who should get a run at corner forward. Forker is a scorer but not the finished article. Armagh may fast-track him.

Cavan

Manager: Donal Keoghan.

Last NFL title:1948.

2007 NFL: 1st Division Two B.

2007 SFC: Ulster preliminary round and All-Ireland qualifiers round one.

2008 Assessment: Last summer's championship was a disappointment after the promise of a strong league campaign. Cavan lost to Down in a replay in May and Seanie Johnston and Paul Brady had skirted to the US before Cavan lost their first-round qualifier to Mayo in July. Still in Cavan hope is a resilient thing. Cavan's younger blades performed well in the McKenna Cup, winning two of three games. Cavan have showed in the last season or so that they are getting over their shyness in front of goal. The ides (and wides) of March are something they should be wary about. Cavan's programme for the month includes Dublin, Meath and possibly Cork. For a side which lost to Waterford in the league before last that is daunting but also a measure of progress.

Dublin

Manager: Paul Caffrey.

Last NFL title: 1993.

2007 NFL: 5th Division One A.

2007 SFC: Leinster champions and All-Ireland semi-finalists.

2008 Assessment: Back to the drawing board once more. Dublin take to serious combat again and, as usual, are looking for two or three players to provide the tipping point. The ongoing success of St Vincent's in the club championship will delay the arrival of Ger Brennan, whose combative and cerebral play will strengthen the half-back line. Eamon Fennell is a little heavy but looks as if he could provide a back-up this season at midfield and, in the absence of Darren Magee for the next couple of months, he should see action. Paul Brogan will sniff around the panel and a natural full back would be welcome. Dublin will use the league as an exercise in feng shui, getting all the pieces into the right places. If they could find a corner back or two with the physicality to take on the superior corner forwards encountered outside Leinster they would be happy with an experimental spring.