NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE 2016
DIVISION ONE
Mayo v Dublin
(tonight, McHale Park, 7pm, live on Setanta Ireland)
EVEN with a raft of players missing, Mayo were awful in last week’s nine-point loss to Cork. Dublin were six-point winners against Kerry in a free-flowing game, but the margin of victory should have been much greater.
Odds: H: 7/2 D: 10/1 A: 2/7
Verdict: Dublin
Donegal v Cork
(tomorrow, Ballyshannon, 2pm, deferred coverage on TG4)
DONEGAL couldn’t have asked for a better start after last weekend’s 17-point win over Down. Now they are attempting to do something they couldn’t manage in Division One last year, back-to-back victories. Cork were equally as impressive in their 1-18 to 0-12 win over Mayo.
Odds: H: 4/6 D: 13/2 A: 7/4
Verdict: Cork
Kerry v Roscommon
(tomorrow, 2pm, Fitzgerald Stadium, live on TG4)
ROSCOMMON couldn’t hold out against Monaghan last weekend, conceding 1-1 in injury time, and a defeat in Kerry would leave them in the heart of a relegation battle. Marc O Se, Kieran Donaghy, Colm Cooper and James O’Donoghue are missing for Kerry.
Odds: H: 3/10 D: 9/1 A: 7/2
Verdict: Kerry
Monaghan v Down
(tomorrow, St Tiernach’s Park, 2pm)
IT’S situation critical time for Down as their odds to be relegated were slashed after last week’s thumping at the hands of Donegal. Donal O’Hare will also miss this game due to suspension. Monaghan will again be without Paul Finlay, but should have too much.
Odds: H: 1/4 D: 17/2 A: 4/1
Verdict: Monaghan
DIVISION TWO
Armagh v Laois
(tonight, Athletic Grounds, 7pm, live on Setanta Sports 1)
AFTER opening day losses, both these sides are in need of points. Brendan Donaghy is out for Armagh through injury while Ciaran McKeever and Kevin Dyas remain out. Laois were awful in their eight-point loss to Galway. The absence of Ross Munnelly, John O’Loughlin and Colm Begley doesn’t help.
Odds: H 1/2: D: 15/2 A: 9/4
Verdict: Armagh
Cavan v Derry
(tonight, Kingspan Breffni Park, 7pm)
CAVAN’S spirited tug-of-war with Tyrone last week may have ended in a two-point defeat, but it would have renewed optimism for the season ahead. Derry overcame a sluggish start to see off Fermanagh at Celtic Park last Sunday, and another win here would leave their promotion push firmly on track.
Odds: H: 5/4 D: 7/1 A: 10/11
Verdict: Cavan
Fermanagh v Meath
(tomorrow, Brewster Park, 2pm)
BREWSTER Park was a fortress last year as Fermanagh didn’t lose a game there, but they are facing a Meath side full of confidence after seeing off Armagh last week. Fermanagh’s main threat lies in the full-forward line with Sean Quigley and the Tomas and Ruairi Corrigan a dangerous inside line.
Odds: H: 13/8 D: 15/2 A: 4/6
Verdict: Fermanagh
Galway v Tyrone
(tomorrow, Pearse Stadium, 2pm)
GALWAY sauntered to an easy win over Laois with some free-flowing football while Tyrone were ponderous and defensive in their win over Cavan. It points to a home victory, but the Red Hands, without Sean Cavanagh once more, should be much improved.
Odds: H: 11/8 D: 15/2 A: 4/5
Verdict: Galway
DIVISION THREE
Kildare v Offaly
(tomorrow, Newbridge, 2pm)
FORMER professional soccer player Kevin Feely will make his Kildare debut against neighbours Offaly tomorrow as they try and build on their win against Westmeath. Offaly were also victorious in round one, against Longford, but lost center half-back Johnny Moloney to injury.
Odds: H: 1/4 D: 9/1 A: 4/1
Verdict: Kildare
Longford v Limerick
(tomorrow, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 2pm)
LONGFORD failed to bring their O’Byrne Cup into the League as they fell to a two-point loss to Offaly last week, failing to score in the second half. Limerick and Tipperary played out an entertaining draw, with Ian Ryan finishing with a 0-9 total.
Odds: H: 8/13 D: 7/1 A: 7/4
Verdict: Longford
Sligo v Westmeath
(tomorrow, Markievicz park, 2pm)
SLIGO were very disappointing in their seven-point loss to Clare in round one, and Niall Carew seems to be really feeling the loss of Adrian Marren and Mark Breheny through injury. Westmeath failed to contain a powerful Kildare side last weekend and the concession of two early goals would have realty disappointed Tom Cribbin. They can respond here.
Odds: H: 5/2 D: 15/2 A: 2/5
Verdict: Westmeath
Tipperary v Clare
(tomorrow, Sean Treacy Park, 2pm)
A LATE Josh Keane goal appeared to give Tipperary an opening-day win against Limeirck, but their opponents hit a late equalising score. Clare, with Gary Brennan grabbing their goal, were excellent in their 1-11 to 0-7 win over Sligo.
Odds: H: 5/6 D: 7/1 A: 5/4
Verdict: Tipperary
DIVISION FOUR
London v Carlow
(today, Ruislip, 1pm)
LONDON, captained this year by Down man Dave McGreevy, really put Louth under pressure last week before losing by six points in Darvar. Cavan man Lorcan Mulvey was, as usual, dangerous up front and he will aim to continue that form against a Carlow side that lost out to Antrim in round. Visiting manager Turlough O’Brien will likely be without key forward Paul Broderick after he was injured against the Saffrons.
Odds: H: 15/8 D: 15/2 A: 8/15
Verdict: Carlow
Antrim v Wexford
(tomorrow, Corrigan Park, 2pm)
AFTER a winter of positive propaganda, Antrim backed it up on the pitch last week with an impressive win in Carlow. A win against a big hitter like Wexford and promotion is very much on the agenda. Donal Shanley impressed for Wexford in their one-point win over Leitrim, while Ben Brosnan is always dangerous.
Odds: H: 8/13 D: 7/1 A: 7/4
Verdict: Antrim
Leitrim v Wicklow
(tomorrow, Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada, 2pm)
HAVING lost out to Wexford by a point in round one, Leitrim manager Shane Ward knows that another defeat here would leave any promotion hopes hanging by a thread. Wicklow weren’t brilliant against Waterford last week, but showed good character to overturn a three-point half-time deficit. John McGrath starred with the wind at his back in the second half.
Odds: H: 8/15 D: 7/1 A: 2/1
Verdict: Leitrim
Waterford v Louth
(tomorrow, Carriganore, 2pm)
Declan Byrne was an injury concern heading into this game but has been named in Colin Kelly’s Louth side. Waterford, with a breeze, led at half-time against Wicklow last weekend, but were pegged back and eventually lost by two points.
Odds: H: 13/8 D: 15/2 A: 8/13
Verdict: Draw
