National Football League Previews

(3.0 Sunday, unless stated)

Division 1A

Kerry v Louth, Killarney (4.0, Saturday)

Losing the league semi-final last April helped inject Kerry with the spirit that served them so well during the course of their All-Ireland winning summer. Even without the original selections of Maurice Fitzgerald and Mike Hassett, manager Paidi O Se has named nine members of the All-Ireland winning team and appears set on avoiding any chance of the recent celebrations wrecking his early league outings.

Few counties have been as eager as Louth to get this league going. They ended their promotion run last year by winning the Division Two title. But few counties combine league and championship ambitions as well as Kerry, the first step of which they should easily cope with.

Donegal v Offaly, Ballybofey (2.30)

Offaly provided the main topic of conversation from this week's All Star nominations when the entire team was passed over for selection. They meet a Donegal side in a less developed phase of transition, not least of all because of the appointment of manager Mickey Moran.

Despite missing the injured Sean Grennan and Vinny Claffey and the resting Finbar Cullen, Offaly still have every opportunity for a winning start to life in the higher division.

Roscommon v Galway, Hyde Park

Galway football breathed a sigh of relief this week when John O'Mahony committed himself to another year in charge. And as he said himself, it's no rest for the wicked as the weekend's most attractive tie pitches his side against Connacht rivals Roscommon.

His injury problems haven't changed a whole lot either with Michael Donnellan and Kevin Walsh missing. Roscommon, under new manager and former Galway man John Tobin, can make maximum use of the losing-All-Ireland-blues and finally cast away the county's dreadful memory of the fall to Leitrim last July.

Dublin v Tyrone, Parnell Park

Tom Carr has been forced to drastically alter his attack for this repeat of last year's opener (where Tyrone comfortably prevailed). With so many absentees due to club commitments and injury, Vinny Murphy is the only survivor from the six that started in the Leinster final replay defeat to Kildare.

Tyrone have selection problems of their own, as the Errigal Ciaran quartet of Peter and Pascal Canavan, Eoin Gormley and Enda McGinley have all been excused. Out through injury are Brian Dooher and Ciaran McBride. That should be enough to allow Dublin to turn the tables this year.

DIVISION 1B

Sligo v Fermanagh, Markievicz Park

Fermanagh won many admirers in the championship this summer before gracefully falling to Armagh by a single point in the Ulster semi-final. Now under the direction of former Mayo and Clare manager John Maughan, those same admirers believe they can make a strong impression in this league campaign.

They held their ground for a mid-table finish last year and with Maughan's input, they could certainly emerge as the top Ulster side next spring. Sligo heads are still low after what happened against Galway this summer, but new manager Peter Forde - a former selector with Maughan - knows those heads can easily be lifted. Maybe not here but certainly soon.

Clare v Meath, Cusack Park (2.0)

Sean Boylan's memories of last year's league lie somewhere between a laugh and a tear. Their path to the final may not have been planned, but there's no denying now the negative impact it had on their championship defence.

Anyway, a few months on and Meath enter this league with a whole new set of ambitions. John McDermott is now back full time in Meath after packing in his job in Donegal and that alone should be enough to dismiss whatever challenge Clare, under new manager Pat Begley, can present.

Laois v Cavan, Portlaoise

The two sides promoted from Division 2A last season meet in what should be the tightest game of the weekend. Along with Offaly, Laois were the only unbeaten side in the regular league fixtures last year.

Now under the guidance of Colm Browne, Laois still have the young talent to threaten the best in this league. Cavan give three senior debuts for this game, including Aaron Donoghue in goal, but the greater drive is likely to lie with Laois.

DIVISION 2A

Cork v Armagh, Pairc Ui Rinn

The depression associated with losing an All-Ireland effectively ruined Cork's league run last season and here they host relegation partners Armagh, who also suffered last year from post-championship stress disorder.

The most interesting selection by Larry Tompkins is Alan Cronin, who has been in sparkling form for Nemo Rangers. Armagh go even further and introduce five newcomers, including Aidan O'Rourke, a brother of Cathal.

Leitrim v Antrim, Carrick-on-Shannon

They said it couldn't be done but Antrim finally became a real force in championship football this summer. Manager Brian White was immediately reappointed and with that sort of unprecedented stability, there are likely to have a major influence on this division. However, Connacht finalists Leitrim may have a little too much on this occasion.

Westmeath v Limerick, Mullingar

God knows where Limerick found the players to travel to Westmeath. The entire management team and at least a dozen of the regular line-up are on holiday in the Canaries celebrating the under-21 success this year. As a result, Westmeath - who are now led by former under-21 manager Luke Dempsey - should have plenty in store to comfortably defeat their under-21 rivals.

Wicklow v London, Aughrim

Wicklow came within a stride of coming out of the Leinster preliminary stages last summer and that momentum should be adequately maintained to dismiss a London now ravaged by the Celtic Tiger.

DIVISION 2B

Monaghan v Down, Scotstown

Both sides suffered disappointing first-round elimination in the championship and a win here is vital for morale. Down manager Pete McGrath - who has been convinced to stay on for one more year - will be eager for a more productive term in Division Two. Monaghan are at a more obvious stage of redevelopment and may lack the backbone to resist the visitors.

Tipperary v Kildare, Clonmel

Still without a replacement for former manager Colm O'Flaherty, Tipperary will find it near impossible to cut through Kildare, who were relegated last year by the tightest of margins. The Leinster champions roll on under manager Mick O'Dwyer and have a near full strength team travelling south.

Longford v Carlow, Pearse Park

Carlow were hugely disappointing in the Leinster preliminary championship and, as the bottom-placed team in last year's league, things can only get better. Pat Roe is the new man holding the ropes but with a number of players dropping out of the panel, the points here should go to Longford.

Waterford v Wexford, Leamybrien (1.30)

Ger Halligan has brought new ambitions to Wexford and hopes for this league are high. Came within one place of promotion last year and should be in contention again next spring. Waterford finally made a breakthrough at under-age level this year, but success with the seniors still seems some way off.

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

SATURDAY MUNSTER CLUB SF

Eire Og v Fr Caseys, Abbeyfeale (Ennis, 3.0)

Eire Og had a goal to spare over defending champions Doonbeg in the Clare county final thanks to highly effective displays from Brian McMahon and Brian Fitzpatrick. The Limerick side were four-times beaten finalists in the last five years before finally coming good over Drom-Broadford to win their first county football title since 1945. But the victory here should fall to the Clare men.

LEINSTER CLUB SF Replay Rathnew v Dunshaughlin (Aughrim, 3.0)

The ugly scenes that blackened the conclusion of last weekend's draw will only add more fuel to this tie. The Wicklow side needed five unanswered points to draw level last time out, but Dunshaughlin are unlikely to let such an advantage slip again.

LEINSTER CLUB SH

Graigue Ballycallan v Trim (Kilkenny, 3.0)

The Kilkenny champions seem intent on going all the way to Croke Park this year and their victory in the county final over O'Loughlin Gaels suggested plenty of reasons why they can. Trim will be happy to have got this far and will have to break all the rules to progress.

SUNDAY

LEINSTER CLUB SH

Birr v Castletown (Birr, 2.0)

The future of Offaly hurling may be looking a little suspect but they can always rely on Birr. Castletown won't lie down easily after winning their fourth Laois hurling title since 1995, but a step further in this championship appears beyond them.

UCD v St Mullins (O'Toole Park, 2.30)

The pool of players available in UCD has never been stronger and their hammering of St Vincent's earlier this month for their first senior title since 1968 is just one indication of their unprecedented capabilities. The Carlow champions shouldn't stand in the way of further advancement.

Lough Lene Gaels v St Anne's (Mullingar, 2.30)

Not exactly a high profile clash but after completing a rare football/hurling double in Wexford, St Anne's have achieved remarkable success since moving up from the intermediate ranks last year. That sort of buzz should see them past the Westmeath champions.

COUNTY FINALS

Galway SH: Sarsfields v Athenry (Sunday, Ballinasloe, 3.0).

Athenry know as well as anyone that they can't rest on the laurels of last year when it comes to playing Sarsfields but they are still likely to have the greater firepower to defend their title.