Dublin and Cork look good for final match-up

GAELIC GAMES:THE ALLIANZ Football League goes into its final two weeks next month with the vast majority of counties across the four divisions maintaining an interest in the issues to be decided. There are five unbeaten teams left: Dublin, Donegal, Wicklow, Roscommon and Longford.

DIVISION ONE

Dublin and Cork are fancied to contest the final with the latter favourites to defend their title successfully. That’s a fair reflection of what we’ve seen to date in the competition. For all the alarming tendency to fade out of matches, Dublin are the only 100 per cent team in the four divisions.

Their goal scoring has been impressive with no other side outside of the target-rich environment of Division Four getting close to the Dubs’ total of 12. With matches to come against Galway and Down, Dublin need two points to qualify for a first league final in 12 years, disregarding their Division Two decider against Westmeath three seasons ago.

More pertinently, in the longer term Dublin have had a thorough look at the options available to Pat Gilroy, who has used 29 players in a campaign during which injuries and club commitments have restricted team selection.

Early signs of improved discipline have ebbed a little but they are on course for the final, as are Cork who have the advantage of having beaten the two sides immediately below them in the table and having two of the relegation-haunted teams, Galway and Mayo in the final matches.

Down and Kerry have outside chances of upsetting the top two but it looks like a Dublin-Cork final, the same as in 1999.

Galway look doomed after a disheartening campaign, which has seen new manager Tomás Ó Flatharta missing a number of first-choice players and unable to pick up a single point. Armagh are still in some danger but are likely to survive after a first season back in the top division.

The second relegation slot is likely to go right down to the last day of the season when Mayo must travel to Inniskeen. Both counties have had positives but Mayo’s concession rate has been too high.

Monaghan have been competitive in all of their matches with the partial exception of last weekend’s defeat by Down, who have built satisfactorily on last season’s promotion and championship run to the All-Ireland final.

Prediction: Top two – Dublin and Cork, Relegated – Galway and Monaghan.

DIVISION TWO

A division that has burst into competitive life after early indications that Laois and Derry were going to maintain the pace. Now the top five counties all have a chance of promotion. Donegal and Kildare lead the division but by only a couple of points. Jim McGuinness’s first year of management has been so far very successful for Donegal and from outsiders at the start of the campaign they are now favourites to win the title.

Kieran McGeeney’s Kildare are making a stiffer challenge for promotion than last year whereas John Brennan in Derry has seen his team slide in recent matches.

After a poor start Tyrone have moved back into contention thanks to the fallibility of the teams above them and, picking up form, they will be a threat. They have Kildare at home in the next round. It’s no less hectic at the bottom with long-time back markers Sligo vaulting out of the bottom two last weekend leaving Antrim and more surprisingly Meath in the relegation places.

The latter’s run-in is also severe with a trip to Derry and a home tie against Tyrone.

Prediction: Top two – Donegal and Tyrone, Relegated – Antrim and Meath.

DIVISION THREE

Traditionally the most competitive division of all. Early pace-setters Louth have taken two defeats on the bounce and now trail Wexford, who have performed solidly after a disastrous pre-season.

Waterford, who have never been outside of the bottom division until this year, have been competitive with wins over their Munster rivals Tipperary and Limerick. The latter have recovered from a bad start to the season and recorded two good wins, including in Louth at the weekend.

Prediction: Top two – Wexford and Louth, Relegated – Cavan and Waterford.

DIVISION FOUR

An intensely competitive section, topped by Wicklow whose manager Mick O’Dwyer appears to be revising the reservations of a lifetime in relation to league success.

Connacht champions Roscommon are in hot pursuit followed by unbeaten Longford who have the advantage of the top two having to play each other next weekend. Leitrim have an outside chance but the top three look at this stage to have promotion sewn up between them.

Prediction: Top two – Wicklow and Roscommon.