League weekend: All the football action previewed

By James McMahon

We've reached round four in the Allianz Football League – a point in the spring campaign where many counties often dangle that fine line of expectancy and nervousness.

Across all four divisions, matters, you would have to say, are delicately poised. It's a positive assessment to take from a campaign that hasn't set the world alight so far.

This weekend, the men and women in the Met Office are promising spring-like temperatures, even if the clouds may linger overhead.

Still it will be an improvement from the chill winds of last weekend that saw the Galway v Laois and Roscommon v Meath fall victim to the elements. And while the white stuff fell from up on high, there was also a fair smattering of red and black issued last week in contests where many fitted the description of being "dour" and "dogged".

What has Ciarán Whelan made of the spring campaign so far?

"A lot of teams in the league are playing near to their strongest XV, not much experimentation going on, maybe with the exception of Dublin," he revealed.

"Many games in the top division have been tight and there's been a fair bit of niggle as we saw last Sunday between Kerry and Dublin."

A quick glance at the respective league tables sees four teams – Mayo, Cork, Kerry and Donegal level on four points in Division 1. Derry prop up the section on one, following their draw against Tyrone.

With half the teams not seeing action in the last round, Division 2 is somewhat skewed. Nevertheless, Westmeath top the table on scoring difference from Galway and Down. Kildare have still to register a point after their three games. Worrying times for Jason Ryan and Co!

The northern duo of Armagh and Fermanagh lead the way on six points in Division 3. The chasing pack is led by Clare and Louth, while Sligo and Wexford are pointless.

Division 4 sees Offaly, after three straight wins, a point clear of Longford and Carlow.

DIVISION 1

SATURDAY 7 MARCH
1900 Dublin v Tyrone, Croke Park (Live on Setanta Sports)

SUNDAY 8 MARCH
1400 Cork v Kerry, Páirc Ui Rinn (Live on TG4)
1400 Donegal v Monaghan, Letterkenny
1430 Derry v Mayo, Celtic Park

After their loss to Kerry, Dublin will be keen to re-ignite their push for a top-four berth when they play host to Tyrone.

"Dublin are in experimentation mode at the moment, though they will be disappointed with their overall display against Kerry," says Whelan.

"In the first half they did play with purpose and their tackling was disciplined. They should have had more scores on the board in that period. When Kerry upped in the second half, the Dubs were found wanting.

"It's two defeats now for Dublin. I don't think Jim Gavin will be that concerned as he is still giving lads a chance to prove themselves.

"From now on I do expect the more established players to start coming back. I think Bernard Brogan and Stephen Cluxton may be in from the start against Tyrone.

What of Mickey Harte's troops?

"Harte has Tyrone set up a bit more defensively in response to some heavy defeats they've suffered in recent seasons," adds the former Dublin midfielder.

"Against Mayo, that strategy worked well and they will look to keep it tight again on Saturday."

Dublin and Tyrone had some mighty battles during the last decade and the Ulster county prevailed when the sides last met in a regulation game at Croke Park in 2013.

That said, the Dubs' record at Croker is quite good under Gavin and Whelan expects them "to have more than enough to grind out a win.

Munster foes

After an opening day defeat to Mayo, Kerry have responded well with successive victories against Derry and Dublin. No early season slumber for the Kingdom in 2015!

Pointing to their two-point victory over the Dubs, Whelan highlighted "the strength of Anthony Maher, David Moran and Kieran Donaghy".

He added that Kerry "played with great assuredness that bodes well for the year ahead. With Tommy Walsh, Colm Cooper and now Paul Gavin to come back, they have strength in numbers."

Eamonn Fitzmaurice's side travel to Leeside on Sunday to take on Cork.

"Kerry have that psychological edge over Cork in the games that matter," was Whelan's assessment of the Kingdom's recent dominance in the fixture.

"Last year's Munster final was a case in point," added Whelan. "It was complete domination by Kerry."

The Rebels' unbeaten start to the spring was ended by Donegal last Sunday in a game where a one-point defeat probably flattered them.

Whelan expects Brian Cuthbert's side to up their game for the sight of the green and gold jersey.

"Cork enjoy playing at Páirc Uí Rinn. It brings out the best of them. Some of the bigger names did not start against Donegal. I think they'll be in from the off on Sunday in what should be a good game of football.

"From what I saw of Kerry against Dublin in the second half, I think they'll have enough to get the points and so leave them on track to reach the semi-finals."

Derry seek first win

Derry will be disappointed that they did not garner maximum points against Tyrone at a windswept Healy Park.They currently prop up the Division 1 table, but a win against Mayo, a side they beat in last year's top tier semi-final, would be a real morale-booster.

"It's hard to know what to make of Derry and their style of play," was Whelan's somewhat puzzled description of Brian McIver's side.

While they can take positives from last Saturday's draw in Omagh, the analyst points to "a lack of cohesion" in their play.

The Oak Leafers will no doubt be out to prove the former Dublin star wrong when Mayo come calling to Celtic Park.

And what of the Green and Red?

Ciaran Whelan's fellow RTÉ analyst Kevin McStay said in the wake of Mayo's All-Ireland defeat in 2013 that the county are a resilient people and, despite all the knocks, "they keep coming back for more."

Mayo are back for more. Two wins out of three has been their lot so far in the league. Last weekend in Castlebar saw them dismiss Monaghan with comparative ease after a strong second-half display.

For Whelan, the new management ticket in Mayo and what difference it might make is worth much consideration.

"So far, I haven't seen much difference in how they are playing under Pat Holmes and Noel Connelly," he says.

"That's not a negative. They are continuing the good work done under James Horan.

"Mayo are still strong in many departments and will be a force again this year. They'll have enough to take care of Derry."

Ulster finals revisited

"Donegal and Monaghan have built up a nice little rivalry," of late was how Whelan teed up his thoughts ahead of Sunday's league encounter in Letterkenny.

"That rivalry will ensure that Sunday's game will be close. I know Monaghan got a bit of pasting against Mayo, but they are better than that. The earlier loss to Cork by a point obviously still rankles.

"Rory Gallagher wants to keep the Donegal ship sailing on the right course and he'll have been pleased with the way they hung on to beat Cork after Michael Murphy was sent off.

"He probably won't add too many players to his squad between now and the championship. Anthony Thompson is back in the fold and in Martin O'Reilly they have an added threat up front.

"I go with Donegal to take the points."

DIVISION 2

SATURDAY 7 MARCH
1900 Cavan v Kildare, Breffni Park
1900 Meath v Westmeath, Páirc Tailteann

SUNDAY 8 MARCH
1400 Down v Galway, Páirc Esler
1400 Laois v Roscommon, O'Moore Park

Lilywhites not blooming

Last year Armagh fell through the relegation trap door in Division 2. It was a surprise to most observers at the time. The same fate could also befall Kildare in 2015.

And while the Orchard County subsequently had a good championship campaign, Ciarán Whelan has his doubts whether the Lilywhites can turn a poor spring into a productive summer.

"Armagh showed great resolve last summer and went on a good championship run. You don't know whether Jason Ryan has lost the dressing room or not. Will they be able to pick it up if things get even worse in the league?

"Ryan is a good manager and some key players are still to come back, so all is not lost. In saying that, they'll be disappointed with after losing to Leinster rivals Meath and Westmeath."

Next up is a trip to Cavan for Kildare.

"It's a tough game for Kildare at this juncture," says Whelan.

"Cavan are trying to be bit more adventurous in their play, but they will also revert to bringing players back behind the ball.

"It's a hard one to call. Kildare's desperation for something might just see them edge it."

Lakesiders back on track

Westmeath's revival continued with a first league win over the Lillywhites at Newbridge last Sunday.

Their league meeting with Meath in Navan evokes memories of clashes between the counties in the last decade for Whelan.

"They were some great battles at Croke Park. Luke Dempsey's Westmeath could not get the better of Sean Boylan's Meath. Some of those games they should have won.

"As for Saturday evening, Westmeath won't be lacking in confidence going to Navan, but I think home advantage will just swing it for Meath to continue their push for promotion."

Tight going in the Marshes?

The meeting of Down and Galway in Newry should be "a close affair", according to Whelan.

"Down dug out a good win over Cavan the last day, while Galway are shaping up well under Kevin Walsh. This one could end up as a draw."

Rossies can add to Laois' woes

Laois are the other side with no points so far in Division 2 and Whelan expects that stat to remain after the visit of Roscommon to O'Moore Park.

Roscommon are a team going places," he adds.

"John Evans has brought Liam Kearns in this year to help bring on the underage talent that has brought silverware to the county.

The side, I suspect, are looking at a good run in the Connacht championship and before that they can keep on track for a place in Division 1 by beating Laois."

Watch highlights of the weekend's action on League Sunday on RTÉ2 at 7.30pm.

Viewers outside of Ireland the world can watch this weekend's live games via GAAGO.

DIVISION 3

SATURDAY 7 MARCH
1500 Tipperary v Clare, Semple Stadium
1900 Armagh v Fermanagh, Athletic Grounds

SUNDAY 8 MARCH
1400 Sligo v Louth, Markievicz Park
1430 Wexford v Limerick, Wexford Park

Can Fermanagh raid the Orchard?

The meeting of the top two in Division 3 is sure to bring a decent crowd to the Athletic Grounds. Armagh may have had to dig deep to get past Tipperary on the opening day, but their victories since then over Wexford and Limerick bode very well.

Fermanagh, with Sean Quigley in fine scoring form, got the better of fellow promotion hopefuls Tipperary last weekend. In the heat of championship battle, the Ernesiders have never feared Armagh. Many will remember their enthralling victory over Joe Kernan's side in the 2004 All-Ireland quarter-final.

Now managed by Kieran McGeeney, the Orchard County are expected to safely negotiate a return to the second tier but Ciaran Whelan feels "they may not have it all their own way against Armagh on the tight Athletic Grounds pitch." That said, he expects them to claim the points on offer.

DIVISION 4

SUNDAY 8 MARCH
1230 Antrim v London, Cargin
1400 Carlow v Wicklow, Netwatch Cullen Park
1400 Longford v Wicklow, Pearse Park
1400 Offaly v Leitrim, O'Connor Park

Reaching up from the abyss

In Division 4, Offaly, as predicted by most pundits, lead the way. "Pat Flanagan is doing a good job in getting Offaly up off the floor," says Whelan.

"Football in the county has been at a low ebb of late. Winning consecutive games is important. They'll have too much for Leitrim on Sunday."

Whelan also had words of praise for Carlow, who so far are unbeaten, and are just a point behind Offaly.

"Carlow seem to hit rock bottom last year. There seems to be a greater belief in the side now and they had a good win away to Waterford last week. Another victory over Wicklow this weekend would leave them well placed for promotion. They may just have enough to keep their unbeaten run going."

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