Allianz National Football League Division2

ARMAGH
The teams in this second tier are much of a muchness – except for Armagh, who have the extra class to rise to the top. Concerns about the longevity of certain experienced players make the headlines, but the real story is that younger talent is forcing its way through following excellent underage development work.
As ever (or at least in the last 13 seasons), Armagh will be without their Crossmaglen contingent, unless a couple are freed for county duty as Stephen and Tony Kernan were briefly last year. The absence of the Rangers men could cost the Orchard county in the top flight, but they should still have enough quality to come out of Division Two.
Having four games away from home does not help either, but only two are long distance. In their opener, Armagh will be out to wreak revenge on Wexford after last year’s All-Ireland quarter-final reversal – and they might have done enough when they head to Cork for the final round.
Fixtures: Sun Feb 1: v Wexford (a); Sat Feb 14: v Laois (h); Sun Mar 8: v Monaghan (h); Sat Mar 14: v Fermanagh (a); Sun Mar 22: v Kildare (a); Sat Mar 28: v Meath (h); Sun Apr 12 v Cork (a).
To win Division Two: 4/1

CORK
Cork were impressive winners of the McGrath Cup but it’s their form in the Championship in recent years that marks them as favourites for promotion. However, having a normal, and successful, build-up to the League will surely help Conor Counihan’s charges this time around.
The Rebels comfortably retained their Division Two status last year despite only playing five matches, and won the Munster SFC before their Championship campaign was ended in an
All-Ireland semi-final replay by Kerry.
This year, Cork can achieve something in the League, starting with a win against a Meath team rebuilding under new management. That’s one of four home games and the schedule also allows Cork to build towards a crescendo, with their last two games against their likely rivals for promotion, namely Monaghan (away) and Armagh (home).
Fixtures: Sun Feb 1: v Meath (h); Sun Feb 15: v Kildare (a); Sat Mar 7: v Fermanagh (h); Sat Mar 14: v Laois (a); Sat Mar 21: v Wexford (h); Sun Mar 29: v Monaghan (a); Sun Apr 12: v Armagh (h)..
To win Division Two: 11/4

FERMANAGH
Travel broadens the mind, supposedly, but it could stretch Fermanagh beyond breaking point. The Ernemen, having been a solid side in Division 1B for four years at the start of this decade, have yo-yo-ed between what were effectively the first and third tiers of the League over most of the past five years. No points in Division 1A in 2007 then 13 points in Division Three show that stark contrast but they’ll be under pressure to retain Division Two status this season.
Malachy O’Rourke’s men are always a good bet at Brewster Park, with a partisan crowd backing them, but the problem is that two of their three home games are against Ulster opposition, Monaghan and Armagh, so those visitors should have strong followings too.
Fermanagh also have to journey to Meath, Cork, Laois, and Wexford, with Kildare their only other visitors. That penultimate match may be a must-win if they are to survive.
Fixtures: Sun Feb 1: v Monaghan (h); Sat Feb 14: v Meath (a); Sun Mar 8: v Cork (a); Sat Mar 14: v Armagh (h); Sat Mar 21: v Laois (a); Sun Mar 29: v Kildare (h); Sun Apr 12: v Wexford (a)..
To win Division Two: 16/1

KILDARE
The early stages of the League could be crucial for the Lilywhites. Two of their three home matches are in their first three matches, although they begin away to neighbours Laois. Take something from that trip to O’Moore Park, and the visits of Cork and Wexford, and Kieran McGeeney (pictured) and his men should be well set to retain their Division Two status. However, if they make a sluggish start, they could be in trouble and facing a second consecutive relegation. Three of their last four games are away, to Monaghan, Fermanagh, and Meath, with the Ernemen seeking revenge for last year’s Championship exit and Meath always formidable in Pairc Tailteann. What’s more, the only home game after March 8 won’t be easy either; Geezer’s native Armagh providing the opposition in round five. Unless scoring support is found for John Doyle, Kildare will struggle.
Fixtures: Sun Feb 1: v Laois (a); Sun Feb 15: v Cork (h); Sun Mar 8: v Wexford (h); Sun Mar 15: v Monaghan (a); Sun Mar 22: v Armagh (h); Sun Mar 29: v Fermanagh (a); Sun Apr 12:­ v Meath (away).
To win Division Two: 12/1

LAOIS
Laois have dropped down from the top level when they challenged the big boys in League and Championship, and the O’Moore county is in danger of a second consecutive relegation.
Now under the new, and native, management of Sean Dempsey, they’ll need to get off to a winning beginning against neighbours Kildare. That’s one of four home games and the O’Moore Park factor should help them, while they won’t worry greatly about trips to Leinster rivals Meath and Wexford.
Even an away game in Armagh won’t concern Laois too much, as they have an array of attacking talent.
However, defensively they do not look as strong as during their mid-decade peak, although they have quality around midfield.
Dempsey is keeping a fairly large squad and must hope that injuries clear up quickly or that new faces show they can give the O’Moore men a much-needed boost, although they should escape demotion.
Fixtures: Sun Feb 1: v Kildare (h); Sat Feb 14: v Armagh (a); Sat Mar 7: v Meath (a); Sat Mar 14: v Cork (h); Sat Mar 21: v Fermanagh (h); Sun Mar 29: v Wexford (a); Sun Apr 12: v Monaghan (h).
To win Division Two: 12/1

MEATH
The bookies may be putting more store by a famous name than recent form in assessing Meath’s chances in this division. The Royal county has been in turmoil in recent seasons, culminating in a humiliating Championship exit against Limerick, which ended the reign of Colm Coyle.
New boss Eamonn O’Brien has much work to do to restore confidence, although having four matches in Navan should keep the Royals away from relegation risk. The trip to Cork is a hard start, but then they’ve winnable home games against Fermanagh and Laois before going to Wexford, who stunned them with an amazing comeback in last year’s Leinster SFC.
The squad includes some talented forwards but defensively requires serious improvement before that old chant of ‘you’ll never beat the Royals’ is delivered again without irony. Meath will have to show that famed fighting spirit of old to overcome the Ulster teams in this division, but finishing up with a visit from Kildare should ensure they stay safe.
Fixtures: Sun Feb 1: v Cork (a); Sat Feb 14: v Fermanagh (h); Sat Mar 7: v Laois (h); Sun Mar 15: v Wexford (a); Sat Mar 21: v Monaghan (h); Sun Mar 29: v Armagh (a); Sun Apr 12: v Kildare (h).
To win Division Two: 4/1

MONAGHAN
Monaghan won’t have to go too far as they try to take that big step up into Division One. Seamus McEnaney’s side should be the chief challengers to Armagh and Cork for promotion and their chances will be helped by a kind fixture schedule, even though they have four away games.
Their longest journey is to Laois – and that’s in round seven. Before that, Monaghan barely have to leave home, never mind Ulster. They have three fixtures at home and two of their away games are Ulster derbies, at neighbours Fermanagh and Armagh. Their other trip is only to another set of neighbours, Meath.
The key game could be first up, at Brewster Park, where they somewhat surprisingly exited last year’s Ulster SFC. Win that and they’d be on a roll. Monaghan must create more sources of scores beyond Tommy Freeman, but they have the organisation and strength to build a platform for further progress.
Fixtures: Sun Feb 1: v Fermanagh (a); Sun Feb 15: v Wexford (h); Sat Mar 7: v Armagh (away); Sun Mar 15: v Kildare (h); Sat Mar 21: v Meath (a); Sun Mar 29: v Cork (h); Sun Apr 12: v Laois (away).
To win Division Two: 9/2

WEXFORD
All-Ireland semi-finalists, Leinster finalists, and Division Three title-holders shouldn’t be scared in Division Two but the fear for the Yellowbellies is that last season’s achievements were a flash in the pan.
The surprise factor is gone for Jason Ryan’s side and the young manager will need to work more magic to maintain the standards set last year. Repeating wins over Armagh, Meath, Laois, and Fermanagh won’t be easy, although all four of those games will be at home.
Star forward Matty Forde has been passed fit for the opener against Armagh, but a lengthy list of missing men includes Redmond Barry, David and Niall Murphy, Shane Roche, and David Walsh, while others must prove their fitness following injuries. Wexford should do enough – but if Armagh gain revenge for last year’s All-Ireland quarter-final loss then they may be up against it.
Fixtures: Sun Feb 1: v Armagh (h); Sun Feb 15: v Monaghan (a); Sun Mar 8: v Kildare (a); Sun Mar 15: v Meath (h); Sun Mar 22: v Cork (a); Sun Mar 29: v Laois (h); Sun Apr 12: v Fermanagh (h).
n All odds supplied by Ladbrokes).
To win Division Two: 13/2