Allianz National Football League Division 3

CAVAN
CAVAN have a new man at the helm in Tommy Carr, but will it result in an upturn in fortunes?
The side had a mixed bag in the Dr McKenna Cup – dreadful against Queen’s, average against Antrim and impressive against Armagh.
But, overall, it was a productive month. Ger Pierson looks like he may be fulfilling his potential after an impressive 1-8 in Group C. Ciaran Galligan has resurrected his career and looks like he has the making of a stylish midfielder.
Although they have four away games out of seven, the fixture list has been fairly kind to them with short trips to Newry and Drogheda included. Their final two games are Roscommon at home and Tipperary away – four points expected there.
The bookies have Cavan as second favourites behind Down, but their stay in Division Three will be extended for another year at least.
Fixtures: Sun, Feb 1: v Longford (a); Sun Feb 15: v Tipperary (h); Sat, March 7: Down (a); Sat, March 14: Limerick (h); Sun, March 22: Offaly (a); Sun, March 29: Roscommon (h); Sun, April 12: Louth (a).
To win Division Three: 5/1

DOWN
THE Mournemen are favourites for Division Three for the second year in succession and Ross Carr and the entire county know that their noses have to be in front on April 18.
Dr McKenna Cup success and a Championship victory over Tyrone cannot hide the fact that 2008 was a failure. Not only did Wexford expose their defensive frailties to the maximum effect in the Championship, but failure to gain promotion would have riled Carr.
The hunt for new talent was moderately successful in the first month of the year. Joe Ireland and John Boyle impressed, while Hugh Davey, Michael Magee and Louis Sloan also caught the eye.
Under Carr, Down have lost six away games out of seven in League football. With four away ties this year, it is fair to say an improvement is needed in this department.
Away games to Tipperary, Longford, Limerick and Roscommon should return four points, minimum.
It will be tight at the top but they should just scrape into a promotion spot.
Fixtures: Sun, Feb 1: Tipperary (a); Sat, Feb 14:
Louth (h); Sat, March 7: Cavan (h); Sun, March 15: Longford (a); Sun, March 22: Limerick (a);
Sat, March 28: Offaly (h); Sun, April 12: Roscommon (a).
To win Division Three: 9/4

LIMERICK
A TOUGH away schedule may just be enough to deny an improving Limerick side from securing promotion.
Visits to Louth, Cavan, Longford and Offaly will test their mettle. Sunday’s clash against the Wee county will be particularly difficult, given the Leinster side’s start to the year.
Limerick were beaten by University Limerick in the McGrath Cup, but they looked sharp.
Captain Kieran O’Callaghan has already earmarked a Munster final berth, but to ensure the further development of football in the county, promotion should remain the top priority for now.
Young Footballer of the Year nominee Ian Ryan will be keen to prove he was not a one-hit wonder, and much of the burden of Limerick’s success will rest on his shoulders.
Dual players Stephen Lucey, Mark Riordan and Stephen Walsh have all committed to playing both codes this season, which is a welcome boost for O’Sullivan’s charges.
The bookies give them a good chance of securing a top-two spot, but, sadly for Limerick, the tough schedule should put an end to those hopes.
Fixtures: Sun, Feb 1: Louth (a); Sat, Feb 14: Roscommon (h); Sun, March 8: Tipperary (h);
Sat, March 14: Cavan (a); Sun, March 22: Down (h); Sat, March 28: Longford (a); Sun, April 12: Offaly (a).
To win Division Three: 5/1

LONGFORD
ALL is not well in Longford and optimism is nearly non-existent. A combination of injuries and withdrawals has left new manager Glenn Ryan with a lot on his plate.
Captain Liam Keenan will certainly miss the League through injury. Declan Reilly is thought to have opted out of the panel, while Brian Kavanagh will be unavailable for the early rounds of the National League due to Kilmacud Crokes’ participation in the All-Ireland club series. The Barden brothers, Paul and David, are also out of the reckoning. There is good news, however, as Bernard McElvaney is set to return after spending last year in Australia.
The season started out well enough with an eight-point win over Athlone IT in the first round of the O’Byrne Cup, but this was followed by a 19-point defeat to Louth in the second round. But Ryan must look for the positives ahead of their opening game against Cavan. A few newcomers did impress in the O’Byrne Cup, including David Morgan and Cian Mimnagh.
Fixtures: Sun, Feb 1: Cavan (h); Sun, Feb 15: Offaly (a); Sun, March 8: Roscommon (a); Sun, March 15: Down (h); Sun, March 22: Louth (a); Sat, March 28: Limerick (h); Sun, April 12: Tipperary (a).
To win Division Three: 9/1

LOUTH
SOMETHING is stirring in the Wee county and 2009 looks like it could be an interesting year for Eamonn McEneaney and his side.
Nobody within the county will be getting ahead of themselves after winning the O’Byrne Cup, but the manner in which they won it will raise expectations. There seemed to be a shift in the style of play, the Louth defence looked noticeably more packed than previous years.
The up-side is, unlike some counties, they possess the forwards that can take advantage of this tactic and their January form would confirm this. In their four games to the title, the side averaged over 22 points a game, and conceded an average of nine points.
Although these provincial competitions can never be taken as gospel, to dismiss them would be short-sighted. Two of their away games are close to home – Down and Cavan – and they have four home games. The side should be considered as the dark horses of the division and could secure promotion.
Fixtures: Sun, Feb 1: Limerick (h); Sat, Feb 14: Down (a); Sun, March 8: Offaly (a); Sun, March 15: Roscommon (h); Sun, March 22: Longford (h); Sun, March 29: Tipperary (a); Sun, April 12: Cavan (h).
To win Division Three: 6/1

OFFALY
EASILY scaped the doldrums of Division Four last season, but an instant return may be on the cards for the Faithful county.
The side’s 18-point thrashing at the hands of Down on their own pitch in the first round of last year’s Qualifiers has deflated many within the county.
The season has started poorly for new manager Richie Connor. A five-point defeat to a third-string Dublin side in the O’Byrne Cup was not an ideal start. The O’Byrne Shield wasn’t much better as the side lost to Carlow by four points.
Their problems can be contributed in part to the instability in the county. Dual player Sean Ryan has committed to the footballers, while Joe Quinn and Matthew Mitchell have returned to the panel. However, Scott Brady, PJ Ward, Pascal Kellaghan, Gearoid O’Grady, John O’Neill and Connor Carroll have all opted out for the 2009 season.
Four home games may be their saving grace. They can harbour hopes of turning over at least two from Longford, Louth, Cavan and Limerick in Tullamore. The side may pick up a point or two on the road and should avoid the drop.
Fixtures: Sun, Feb 1: Roscommon (a); Sun, Feb 15; Longford (h); Sun, March 8: Louth (h); Sun, March 15: Tipperary (a); Sun, March 22: Cavan (h); Sat, March 28: Down (a); Sun, April 12: Limerick (h).
To win Division Three: 5/1

ROSCOMMON
AS D:REAM sang, things can only get better. 2008 was a miserable year for the Rossies.
Four different managers, relegation from Division Two and two comprehensive Championship defeats to Galway and Donegal drained the county of confidence.
But Fergal O’Donnell, who guided the county to All-Ireland minor success in 2006, was appointed in September and suddenly the county’s prospects looked a lot brighter.
When O’Donnell was appointed, he asked for patience and said the side must ensure they do not drop down another division this season. Patience is the key word as he tries to find the key blend in combining the minor players with the current set-up.
2009 has started on a positive note. The side topped their FDB Connacht League group and lost out to Galway by four points in the final.
A number of members of the 2006 minor side are touted to make the breakthrough this year, with David Flynn, Donie Shine, Niall Carty, Colm Garvey and Fintan Cregg all being talked up.
Four home games means a mid-table placing is very possible.
Fixtures: Sun, Feb 1: Offaly (h); Sat, Feb 14: Limerick (a); Sun, March 8: Longford (h); Sun, March 15: Louth (a); Sunday, March 22: Tipperary (h); Sunday, March 29: Cavan (a); Sun, April 12: Down (h).
To win Division Three: 7/1

TIPPERARY
SURPRISINGLY promoted from Division Four last season at the expense of Antrim, the bookies can only see an automatic return to the bottom tier for John Evans’ charges.
Their cause has not been helped by the decision of last year’s captain, Aidan Foley, to emigrate to America. Mark Peters was due to skipper the team this year after Galtee Rovers captured the county title last November, but he has told Evans that he cannot commit to the county panel at the moment.
The side lost out by a point to UCC in the McGrath Cup. Cork IT also secured a two-point victory over the Premier county in a challenge match on Sunday last, and the run of losses looks set to continue into the League.
The side will play at home four times, but will not collect enough points to survive. The three away games against Cavan, Limerick and Roscommon will likely yield no points.
Fixtures: Sun, Feb 1: Down (h); Sun, Feb 15: Cavan (a); Sun, March 8: Limerick (a); Sun, March 15: Offaly (h); Sun, March 22: Roscommon (a); Sun, March 29: Louth (h); Sun, April 12: Longford (h).
To win Division Three: 33/1