National Football League teams

A look at the teams competing in the National Football League

Division One B

Armagh

Manager: Joe Kernan

Last NFL title: 2005

2006 NFL: Sixth Division 1B.

2006 SFC: Ulster champions, lost to Kerry in All-Ireland quarter-final.

2007 NFL: Mention age and too much mileage to Joe Kernan and he's likely to go all defensive, and it's true Armagh are far from a team of just veterans, with the likes of former minor captain Kevin Dyas and exciting defender Kieran Toner on board.

The indomitable Kieran McGeeney is back for another year, but for the first time since 2002, Kernan isn't paired with Paul Grimley, and instead has former St Gall's manager John Rafferty to seek advice from.

Ronan Clarke and Brian Mallon are injured and Oisín McConville is on club duty with Crossmaglen which means victories won't be easy to secure at this stage.

They'll do well to make the play-offs.

Derry

Manager: Paddy Crozier

Last NFL title: 2000

2006 NFL: Third Division 1B.

2006 SFC: Beaten Ulster semi-finalists, lost third round qualifier to Longford.

2007 NFL: A year ago Derry enjoyed their best league start in several years and while they just missed the play-offs, it left them well set for the first round championship win over Tyrone. Paddy Crozier is working off a tight, 30-man panel of established names, with Paddy Bradley still among the best forwards in the country.

There is plenty of potential, too, in the likes of Liam Hinphey and Eoin Bradley, while Conleth Gilligan is also back on board after a year out. They have a demanding schedule, but the one-time giants of Ulster could wake from their sleep at any stage.

Down

Manager: Ross Carr

Last NFL title: 1983

2006 NFL: Fourth Division 1B

2006 SFC: Beaten Ulster quarter-finalists, lost first round qualifier to Sligo.

2007 NFL: Like Derry, they showed some good form early last year, but couldn't make it last, and right now it's hard to see them pressing for a play-off place again this year.

The likes of Damien Rafferty and Liam Doyle are missing for now and they can't be too confident about their opening game against Louth.

Galway

Manager: Peter Ford

Last NFL title: 1981

2006 NFL: Second Division 1B, lost final to Kerry.

2006 SFC: Beaten Connacht finalists, lost round four qualifier to Westmeath.

2007 NFL: Rumours of Pádraic Joyce and Michael Donnellan's retirements have been greatly exaggerated, and while they will be missing for the coming weeks at least, Peter Ford can't but be excited by the form and fitness of one-time selector Ja Fallon, now back playing as well as ever.

The county is still blessed with young talent, the latest of which is midfielder Paul Geraghty. The Meehan brothers, Declan, Micheál and Tomás, are all missing due to the untimely death of sister Mairéad. With a decent schedule of matches (four home games) Galway can press for the play-offs.

Louth

Manager: Eamonn McEneaney

Last NFL title: Division 2, 2006.

2006 NFL: First Division 2B, division champions, promoted.

2006 SFC: Beaten Leinster first round, lost round one qualifier replay to Tyrone.

2007 NFL: Widely dubbed one of the most promising sides in the country, Louth get to mix it with the big boys. McEneaney is as diligent a manager as any around and if Louth are to be genuine contenders for provincial success he knows a solid league campaign is crucial.

Laois

Manager: Liam Kearns.

Last NFL title: 1986

2006 NFL: First Division 1B, lost semi-final to Kerry.

2006 SFC: Beaten Leinster semi-finalists, lost All-Ireland quarter-final replay to Mayo.

2007 NFL: Although narrowly beaten by Dublin in the O'Byrne Cup final, Laois showed ample commitment and drive and if they maintain that a play-off place is certainly attainable - especially given their extensive pre-season training regime.

Liam Kearns has also taken to the task of filling Mick O'Dywer's shoes with relish, and he's clearly well liked by the players.New young defenders Cathal Ryan and Peter O'Leary already look the part, and there's returns to form for Colm Parkinson and Greg Ramsbottom. Pádraig Clancy is also primed for a big year and right now Laois are a team no one will relish playing.

Kildare

Manager: John Crofton

Last NFL title: 0

2006 NFL: Fifth Division 1B

2006 SFC: Beaten Leinster quarter-finalists, lost round two qualifier to Derry.

2007 NFL: A few weeks back John Crofton was cursing the O'Byrne Cup for getting in the way of his league preparations, so it's fair to assume Kildare will come out in the coming weeks with all guns blazing.

There's still plenty of experience in the team - none more than defender Anthony Rainbow, starting into his 17th league campaign, and newly-appointed captain Dermot Earley. Newcomers include last year's county under-21 captain Mark Scanlon and exciting forward Murt Donnelly.

Westmeath

Manager: Tomás Ó Flaharta

Last NFL title: Division 2 champions, 2003.

2006 NFL: Second Division 2B, promoted.

2006 SFC: Beaten Leinster first round, lost All-Ireland quarter-final to Dublin.

2007 NFL: Back in Division One and it certainly won't be an easy ride. They were well off the pace against Dublin in the O'Byrne Cup a few weeks back, but then several players, including Fergal Wilson and Martin Flanagan, had only recently returned to full-time football.

Fresh talent hasn't been flying off the shelf and they'll need to tighten up defensively to record the series of wins that will ensure a higher division again next year.

Antrim

Division Two B

Manager: Jody Gormley.

Last NFL title: 0

2006 NFL: Sixth Division 2B

2006 SFC: Beaten Ulster quarter-finalists, lost round one qualifier to Clare.

2007 NFL: After a few years in a rut it's over to Jody Gormley to try to lift county fortunes. One of his first moves was to recall veteran goalkeeper Seán McGreevey, while Paul Doherty, Paddy Cunningham and Kevin Niblock are also back on board after college duty in recent weeks. Every chance they'll end up in Division Four unless they get some early victories under their belts.

Cavan

Manager: Donal Keoghan

Last NFL title: 1948

2006 NFL: Third Division 2B

2006 SFC: Beaten Ulster first round, lost round one qualifier to Kildare.

2007 NFL: Must hold real ambitions of making the higher divisions next year. Former Fermanagh standout Rory Gallagher is on board too, with some of the newer prospects including Michael Cunningham and Jonathon Crowe.

Meath

Manager: Colm Coyle.

Last NFL title: 1994

2006 NFL: Seventh Division 1B, relegated.

2006 SFC: Beaten Leinster quarter-finalists, lost round three qualifier to Laois.

2007 NFL: There is a feeling now that things can only get better for Meath football. Colm Coyle has shown his intent, enticing Darren Fay out of retirement. Meath can definitely cause a bit of noise in this division

Tipperary.

Manager: John Owens.

Last NFL title: 0

2006 NFL: Fourth Division 2B.

2006 SFC: Beaten Munster semi-finalists, lost round two qualifier to Longford.

2007 NFL: A mid-table finish last year reflected their mixed fortunes, and while it's difficult to be believe they're still counting mostly on Declan Browne to lead their scoring charge, Owens is determined to get a higher placing this year and ensure at least Division Three status in 2008.

Sligo

Manager: Tommy Brehony.

Last NFL title: 0

2006 NFL: Fifth Division 2B.

2006 SFC: Beaten Connacht first round, lost round three qualifier to Westmeath.

2007 NFL: One of these days Sligo will crack some consistency and develop into one of the better teams around.

Tommy Brehony is well settled into his role by now and there's certainly no lack of talent up front, while Eamon O'Hara is also back to his best after a frustrating spell with injury.

Waterford

Manager: John Kiely.

Last NFL title: 0

2006 NFL: Seventh Division 2B.

2006 SFC: Beaten Munster first round, lost round one qualifier to Longford.

2007 NFL: The success of The Nire in the Munster club championship, making the final and so nearly overturning red-hot favourites Dr Crokes, can only have improved the mood of the senior football panel, but it won't be easy to stave off the Division Four status next year

Wexford

Manager: Paul Bealin

Last NFL title: 0

2006 NFL: Eighth Division 1B, relegated.

2006 SFC: Beaten Leinster semi-finalists, lost round three qualifier to Fermanagh.

2007 NFL: League finalists two years ago, Wexford's fall from grace was rapid, but there are signs that things have turned around.

Manager Paul Bealin invited former All Black Mike Brewer (above) to speak to his squad at a pre-season camp last month and that underlines how serious they are

Wicklow

Manager: Mick O'Dwyer

Last NFL title: 0

2006 NFL: Eighth Division Two B.

2006 SFC: Beaten Leinster first round, lost round one qualifier to Monaghan.

2007 NFL: Clearly, O'Dwyer has made a big impression already and if progress remains steady there's no reason why they can't move well up from the lowest league position - where they ended up last year.

Guide to the counties

Ian O'Riordan

2007 NFL Format

Under proposals accepted at last October's special congress, the coming NFL campaign will determine both counties' league standing in 2008 and their championship standing later this year. The 2008 divisions will be comprised as follows:

NFL 2007 Divisions One A and One B: Top two counties qualify for 2007 divisional semi-finals and 2008 Division One. Third and fourth counties qualify for 2008 Division One. Fifth and sixth qualify for 2008 Division Two. Seventh and eighth qualify for 2008 Division Three.

Divisions Two A and Two B: Top two counties qualify for 2007 divisional semi-finals and 2008 Division Two. Third and fourth counties qualify for 2008 Division Three. Fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth qualify for 2008 Division Four.

2007 SFC: The eight counties graded for next season's NFL Division Four will be eligible for their provincial championships, but once defeated will not be eligible for the All-Ireland qualifier series unless they reach a provincial final. Instead, they will contest the Tommy Murphy Cup.