National Football League Previews

Weekend Previews

SATURDAY ( 7.0)

Division One

Laois v Mayo, Portlaoise:One of these teams will have to break their duck this evening and although Mayo's performances have been more impressive than Laois's, John O'Mahony is coping with a lot of injuries to his defenders.

Liam Kearns has had a lot of shuffling to do after his pre-season panel losses and for this he brings John O'Loughlin back to his strongest position in defence and restores Darren Rooney to full back.

Mayo have been unlucky to date conceding goals, their comeback against Derry held off by Mark Lynch's score and an at times excellent display against Donegal hitting the rocks because of an injury-time steal.

A third defeat for either side would leave them too close to the trapdoor for comfort. Mayo have the edge.

Division Two

Cavan v Dublin, Breffni Park: The campaign's got off to a worrying start for Cavan. Any kudos attaching to the opening performance against Armagh was undermined by the latter's result against Westmeath and Cavan's drubbing in Clones. Mark McKeever's return will strengthen centrefield but a major improvement all around will be needed.

Dublin have not been swaggering of late and recent wins against Westmeath, Longford and Carlow have been either laboured or lucky.

Brendan McManamon gets the opportunity to build on his showing in the O'Byrne Cup final and Stephen O'Shaughnessy has had to drop out with a hamstring injury and will be replaced by Derek Murray. Dublin should win.

Division Four

Antrim v Offaly, Casement Park: Antrim's most threatening league campaign in a while means that home advantage against divisional favourites Offaly is actually worth something. The visitors have enough quality to win this but it could be tight.

SUNDAY

(2.30 unless stated)

Division One

Kildare v Donegal, Newbridge: Brian McIver's escapologists take their show to Newbridge to face a Kildare side that has come through two close matches albeit with only a point to show for their efforts. Kieran McGeeney shakes up the selection and brings in Alan Smith, who made a big impact when Glenn Ryan's under-21s whacked Meath, and Pádraig O'Neill after a lengthy injury absence. Donegal have pocketed full points to date with two injury-time goals in matches they would otherwise have lost. Karl Lacey was in stunning form for Jordanstown in their Sigerson Cup win over Queen's and Donegal look to have the more settled prospects.

Galway v Tyrone, Pearse Stadium:Galway have made a better start with two wins whereas Tyrone, under-strength (when were they last at full strength?), have one point out of four. Mickey Harte has been trying to sift through newcomers to the team and waiting for some experienced names, Owen Mulligan and Kevin Hughes, to pick up form.

Liam Sammon's Galway team has picked up full points but faces into this with injuries of its own. Diarmuid Blake, Nicky Joyce and Michael Comer are all definitely out.

The return of Pádraic Joyce brought extra cohesion to the attack in Newbridge and Micheál Meehan is scoring well, 1-13 from two matches. That's a potentially defining difference between the home side and their opponents, who are struggling to make things happen up front.

Kerry v Derry, Killarney: The big match in the division between the side that has looked strongest so far and All-Ireland champions, who have moved very well for a team with so little done.

The most persistent question about Derry has been their ability to spread the burden up front but there have been signs that Mark Lynch, Colin Devlin and Ciarán Mullen are beginning to do just that. All Star full back Kevin McCloy stays on the bench despite having come into the Laois match as a replacement.

Pat O'Shea's injury list remains formidable with two thirds of the All-Ireland attack unavailable. Declan O'Sullivan's ankle injury is the latest setback, particularly disappointing after his form in the win over Tyrone. Eoin Brosnan is, however, back in the panel after injury, as is Darragh Ó Sé. Throw in the optional rest for Diarmuid Murphy and Killian Young and Kerry are fielding half of last season's first-choice line-up. They have the strength in depth to keep this competitive but Derry may be sharp enough to make it three out of three.

Division Two

Roscommon v Cork, Kiltoom: Who'd have thought when the National League schedules were drawn up that this modest looking fixture would come to have such significance? Aside from it being the first post-struggle appearance of a Cork senior team, the points on offer are very important.

Roscommon manager John Maughan was very upbeat after taking the point off Meath a fortnight ago and believes his team can take a good shot at surviving the season.

Conor Counihan puts out an experienced team given Nemo's club commitments prevent a couple of first-teamers from appearing. Cork will need to go for this but lack of preparation gives the home team a great chance.

Monaghan v Armagh, Clones: Contrasting starts to the season for this Ulster pair with Armagh trying players in the absence of Crossmaglen contingent.

Monaghan on the other hand have come out of the traps well. Eoin Lennon is a loss at centrefield but Monaghan have better cover this season.

Armagh will miss Andy Mallon even more when it comes to keeping an eye on Tommy Freeman although they have most of the Crossmaglen players back and three Kernans start.

In what may be a bruising encounter, Monaghan's momentum is sufficient.

Westmeath v Meath, Cusack Park: Westmeath got a good result off Armagh two weeks ago but, while Meath dropped a point in Roscommon and have a couple of injuries, the home side's loss of Dessie Dolan to injury and the recently returned Denis Glennon to a pre-arranged holiday means that Colm Coyle's side, for whom Graham Geraghty starts his 17th league campaign, can make this journey profitable.

Division Three

Sligo v Limerick, Markievicz Park: Having lost their first two matches, Sligo face a Limerick side that has been impressive. Mickey O'Sullivan's young team will fancy their chances but Sligo's luck is due a turn.

Longford v Fermanagh, Pearse Park: Fermanagh have yet to play in this season's league but are apparently in good form. Longford delivered on the promise of their O'Byrne Cup final display when thrashing Leitrim and they can win.

Wexford v Down, Wexford Park: The most impressive teams in the division. Matty Forde is in excellent form but Ross Carr's side are operating off a 100 per cent record in all competitive matches this season and can maintain that.

Louth v Leitrim, Dundalk:Louth will feel a bit pocket-picked after losing to Down in injury-time. Leitrim lost heavily in Longford and have it all to do tomorrow.

Division Four

Tipperary v London, Ardfinnan, 1.0: Tipperary did well to run Offaly close. They should take the points to win.

Waterford v Clare, Dungarvan: At the start of the season it was assumed Clare would avenge last year's championship defeat but they were very poor against Antrim. Still, benefit of the doubt.

Wicklow v Kilkenny, Aughrim: Kilkenny had a good display against Waterford. This doesn't look as promising.

Bye: Carlow.