Welcome to your guide to the 2008 National League Campaign brought to you by The Irish News.

This year's site includes player features, County profiles, hard-hitting opinions, handy statistics and a round up of all this year's fixtures and results. Match reports on all games plus up to date league tables will be published on the Monday after the weekend results.


Derby D-days could decide top flight fate
By Kenny Archer



DERBIES may decide the fate of Ulster’s top flight teams in the new-look National Football League this season.
The three northern teams in the 2008 Division One will meet over the final three rounds – and all three matches could have bearings on reaching the knockout stages or avoiding relegation.
First up in the trio of all-Ulster clashes is the meeting of Ulster champions Tyrone and Division One title-holders Donegal, which will take place under lights at Healy Park on Saturday March 29.
The following weekend, the Red Hands will travel to Celtic Park to take on Derry, although whether that game take place under floodlights on Saturday April 6 or on the afternoon of Sunday April 6 remains to be seen, dependent on the completion of the floodlighting at the Derry city venue.
The final round of matches in Division One will include the north-west showdown between Donegal and Derry, which will be in the Tir Chonaill county on Sunday April 13.
In complete contrast, the Ulster derbies in Division Two will be over and done with in the first three rounds. Armagh, now under the management of Peter McDonnell, will open up with a home game against Cavan on Sunday February 3.
In round two, the Breffni Blues will host old rivals Monaghan under lights on Saturday February 16. Seamus McEnaney’s side will also have to travel for their other derby game, away to Armagh on Sunday March 2.
There’s only one Ulster derby in Division Three, but at least it’s saved until last, on Sunday April 13 when Down will host Fermanagh.
Antrim have no Ulster opposition in Division Four. Indeed, their nearest opponents are probably Wicklow, their conquerors in this year’s Tommy Murphy Cup final, who will host the Saffrons in the opening round on Sunday February 3. Jody Gormley’s men also face long trips to Clare, London, and Tipperary.
The Saffrons, in the new nine-team Division Four which includes the return of Kilkenny to the National Football League, are guaranteed four home games, and four away.
Five of the other Ulster teams have been fortunate to be handed four home games out of seven, namely Donegal, Tyrone, Armagh, Monaghan, and Down. Derry, Cavan, and Fermanagh will all have to make four away trips during their 2008 NFL campaigns.
The changed format for the NFL has produced some other fresh derbies in the League, including Mayo against Galway in Division One, which will be a round 6 fixture on Sunday April 6.
Dublin and Meath will also renew rivalries in Division Two, which conveniently is a final round fixture in the capital on Sunday April 13.