National Football League Previews

This weekend's previews

SATURDAY (7pm)

Division One

Tyrone v Laois, Omagh: The back markers in the division meet knowing that whoever loses is likely relegation fodder. Laois have improved recently, picking up a point against Mayo and welcoming back into the panel Gary Kavanagh and Barry Brennan.

Tyrone give Justin McMahon another run at full back where he put in an encouraging performance on Kieran Donaghy in Tralee. Nonetheless it's the attack that must be giving Mickey Harte his most fretful moments. The home side can claim their first win of the season.

Donegal v Galway, Ballybofey: Donegal's luck ran out in their last match against Kildare.

Galway have started well under Liam Sammon and the mood in the camp is reportedly very upbeat with Micheál Meehan in excellent form and Joe Bergin playing as well as he has for a while before getting injured.

This, however, will be their most testing fixture. The holders have Rory Kavanagh and Michael Hegarty back in the starting team and with home advantage can resume winning ways.

Derry v Kildare, Celtic Park: Derry should have done better in Kerry a fortnight ago, as they led late in the match. They were handicapped by Francis McEldowney's red card but, as the form team in the division, they could have closed the game out.

Kildare halted Donegal's 100 per cent progress, showing how quickly Kieran McGeeney has stamped some of his personality on the team. They're missing Killian Brennan at centrefield at a venue they've always found difficult and that suggests a home win.

Division Two

Cork v Westmeath, Páirc Uí Rinn: Cork's win in their opening fixture owed a fair bit to Roscommon's failure to capitalise on late domination. But the players looked sharp for periods and Daniel Goulding was in the form that should make him a fixture.

Westmeath had a great win themselves against Meath. They'll be hard to beat but, with another fortnight's work under their belt, Cork should add to their points.

Dublin v Monaghan, Parnell Park: For those who thought the Monaghan bubble would burst there's been little corroboration and the victory over Armagh keeps them on 100 per cent.

Dublin are level on points but including the benefit of a forfeit. Certainly their performances haven't been as good as this evening's visitors with the respective displays against Cavan providing hard comparative evidence.

The Leinster champions should be improved with the return of Barry Cahill providing a presence at centre back and with Ciarán Whelan to come off the bench.

Still Monaghan look capable of repeating the win of two years ago.

Meath v Cavan, Navan: Bad result for Meath two weeks ago but this could be the match to get them back on track. Cavan have performed creditably at times in the campaign to date but lack the forcefulness to take a decisive grip on matches.

Unless Meath register a sizeable improvement there's a chance here for the visitors but the belief here is that Meath won't be as bad this time out and that will be enough.

Division Three

Down v Longford, Newry- Down's good run this year was brought to a halt by Wexford but the return of captain Dan Gordon will improve the home challenge and they are capable of returning to the winners' enclosure.

Division Four

Antrim v Carlow, Casement Park: Antrim have been impressive to date and have established themselves as favourites to accompany Offaly out of the division. That shouldn't change this evening.

Waterford v London, Dungarvan, 1pm: Good win for Waterford in repeating the championship defeat of Clare. More to come this afternoon.

SUNDAY (2.30pm)

Division One

Mayo v Kerry, Castlebar: For all the unhappy memories this must stir for Mayo people, there is at least the encouragement that Kerry are particularly vulnerable this weekend given the impact of injury and absence that has wrecked their first-choice attack. But everything's relative.

Mayo have also bulked up with the recall of Ronan McGarrity, David Heaney and Trevor Mortimer. Mayo feel they haven't got what they deserved from the matches to date and maybe tomorrow will redress the balance a little.

Division Two

Armagh v Roscommon, Crossmaglen: Disappointment for both teams two weeks ago and the home side will be without captain Paul McGrane, prompting manager Peter McDonnell to go with an experimental centrefield.

The question is whether Roscommon can exploit all of these investigations with some young players of their own and an attack that has struggled. Home win.

Division Three

Fermanagh v Louth, Lisnaskea: Fermanagh have played well since opening their delayed season. Louth have shown some improvement and this should be close but the home side have the advantage.

Leitrim v Sligo, Carrick-on-Shannon, 3pm:Neither side can be happy about the progress to date. Another defeat will push Leitrim towards relegation whereas the Connacht champions must have had ambitions of travelling in the other direction. Sligo should just come through this.

Limerick v Wexford, Gaelic Grounds:Limerick look vulnerable to a Wexford side that have raised eyebrows with the quality of their results. This should be four out of four.

Division Four

Wicklow v Offaly, Aughrim: Offaly won't find this easy against a buoyant Wicklow side but the visitors should still maintain their promotion push.

Kilkenny v Clare, Callan, 12pm: Some respite for Clare after a very disappointing late defeat in Waterford.

Bye: Tipperary.

-