National League previews

This weekend's matches previewed

Saturday

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Division Two final

Dublin v Westmeath, Páirc Tailteann, 7.0 (TG4): It might seem far-fetched at the end of the week they've been through but this suits Dublin quite well.

We won't know until this morning whether the players who sought hearings have been successful in avoiding suspension but even had everyone been available tonight's selection wouldn't have looked too outlandish, particularly for a largely meaningless match.

Paul Caffrey's policy of giving a good few panellists a run during the campaign means that he's been able to meet the unusual demands of the occasion even if there isn't much left on the bench should the need arise to rearrange things.

If promotion was ultimately a matter of relief to Dublin, it was a source of jubilation to a Westmeath team that figured on likely relegation lists at the start of the season, a projection not really challenged when the counties met on the first day of the campaign.

The line-ups aren't that different to February either. In fact Dublin, even with suspensions, are arguably stronger with the late-season availability of Barry Cahill and Ger Brennan and Bryan Cullen's reversion to centre back - and given that the Brogans didn't play 12 weeks ago either. Westmeath on the other hand are hampered by the injury to Dessie Dolan.

One area where the absences bite is centrefield, as Dublin could have done with Ciarán Whelan getting the game time particularly with Eamonn Fennell also off the park. Furthermore Martin Flanagan, who came strongly into the earlier league fixture, was excellent in the defeat of Monaghan last week.

Westmeath will fancy their chances of exploiting the turmoil in the Dublin camp but the Leinster champions go into the match in the curious mood of being both jolted but under little pressure. They can make the most of it.

DUBLIN: S Cluxton; D Henry, B Cahill, P Casey; C Moran, B Cullen, G Brennan; D Magee, S Ryan; J Sherlock, M Vaughan, B McManamon; K Bonner, C Keaney, J O'Brien.

WESTMEATH: G Connaughton; F Boyle, K Gavin, J Keane; M Ennis, D Heavin, D Healy; D O'Donoghue, M Flanagan; F Wilson, J Smith, D Harte; A Mangan, D Glennon, D Bannon.

Sunday

Division Three final

Fermanagh v Wexford, Parnell Park, 12.30 (TG4): At the start of the season Wexford's new manager Jason Ryan made the valid point that Division Three would be particularly difficult, as virtually every county would believe in their ability to get promoted.

Arguably it's been the most bitterly contested of the divisions with the prospect of losing out on the All-Ireland qualifiers fuelling desire at the other end of the table.

That Connacht champions Sligo were one of the counties to take the drop demonstrates how competitive it has been.

Tomorrow's finalists have been comfortably the best teams in the division and drew their regulation encounter although Fermanagh were a man down for half of the match. Nonetheless Wexford's recovery was impressive as Matty Forde led the way in dismantling a two-goal deficit with points.

John Hudson's continuing absence weakens the attack but the team is otherwise full strength.

Fermanagh have been the smoother operators in the division and have much of the quality that got them to an All-Ireland semi-final four years ago. It will be a surprise if they can't get over the last hurdle.

WEXFORD: A Masterson; C Morris (capt), P Wallace, B Malone; A Morrissey, D Murphy, N Murphy; B Doyle, E Bradley; S Roche, R Barry, A Flynn; C Lyng, PJ Banville, M Forde.

FERMANAGH: F Murphy; P Sherry, H Brady, D O'Reilly; D Kelly, R McCluskey, T McElroy; M McGrath, S McDermott; R Keenan, J Sherry, C McElroy; J McGurn, L McBarron, E Maguire.

Division Four final

Offaly v Tipperary, Portlaoise, 2.0:A major upset in this pairing, thanks to a Waterford side whose turning over of Antrim left the door open for Tipperary and John Evans's men now take on table-toppers Offaly.

Tipperary gave tomorrow's opponents plenty of difficulty when they played in February. But there's enough experience and talent in Pat Roe's line-up to suggest that they can take the title.

OFFALY: P Kelly; G.Rafferty, S Sullivan, S Brady; B Darby, P McConway, N Grennan; C McManus, A McNamee; D Egan, N Smith, P Keelaghan; T Deehan, J Reynolds, N McNamee.

TIPPERARY: P Fitzgerald; A Foley, M Peters, C McDonald; P Codd, R Costigan, C Maher; K Mulryan, G Hannigan; P Austin, N Fitzgerald, L Coskeran; D O'Brien, S Grogan, B Coen.