Football

National Football League Division Four preview

The return of players like Kevin Niblock to the Antrim set-up has given their promotion bid real impetus Picture by Declan Roughan
The return of players like Kevin Niblock to the Antrim set-up has given their promotion bid real impetus Picture by Declan Roughan The return of players like Kevin Niblock to the Antrim set-up has given their promotion bid real impetus Picture by Declan Roughan

WITH the Allianz National Football League around the next bend, Cahair O’Kane runs the rule over the runners and riders in Division Four and makes the call on where it can all be won or lost...

WEXFORD


Manager: David Power (second season)


Last year: Eighth in Division Three

From the outside looking in, it’s hard to fathom quite how Wexford have ended up in Division Four.

They ran Dublin to within four points in two Championship games in 2011 and '12. They were in Division Two four years ago. Hardly heavyweights, but they looked as capable as any of challenging the Leinster kingpins. Since then, it’s all gone wrong. David Power was unable to arrest the slide in his first year in charge, but they do still carry an air that they really shouldn’t be in this division.

The loss of captain Graeme Molloy to retirement earlier this week is a blow, while Ciarán Lyng is set to miss most of the league. They should still have enough, though.

Fixtures: Sun Jan 31 (2pm): Leitrim (A); Sun Feb 7 (2pm): Antrim (A); Sun Feb 28 (2pm): London (H); Sat Mar 5 (7pm): Waterford (A); Sun Mar 13 (2pm): Wicklow (H); Sun Mar 27 (2pm): Louth (A); Sun Apr 3 (1.30pm): Carlow (H)


Verdict: First

ANTRIM


Managers: Frank Fitzsimons (second season) and Gearóid Adams (first season)


Last year: Third in Division Four

If Antrim could have hand-picked their fixture list then, chances are, they would have chosen it exactly as it is.

They will never have a better chance to get off the bottom rung of the ladder. Hosting Wexford, Leitrim, Waterford and Louth at Corrigan Park gives Frank Fitzsimons a strong hand.

Add the number of returnees they’ve had to the panel over the closed season, the addition of Gearóid Adams to the management team and the fact they took their hopes to the final day last season despite a poor start, and it seems set up for Antrim.

Fixtures: Sun Jan 31 (2pm): Carlow (A); Sun Feb 7 (2pm): Wexford (H); Sun Feb 28 (2pm): Leitrim (H); Sun Mar 6 (2pm): London (A); Sun Mar 13 (2pm): Waterford (H); Sun Mar 27 (2pm): Wicklow (A); Sun Apr 3 (1.30pm): Louth (H)


Verdict: Second

LOUTH


Manager: Colin Kelly (second season)


Last year: Seventh in Division Three

It was a hugely disappointing first term in charge of Louth for Colin Kelly as they suffered a second straight relegation.

They have begun 2016 in a more positive vein, with a good win over Armagh and almost turning over Meath in the O’Byrne Cup semi-final, only for their shooting to let them down late on.

Jim McEneaney’s return after a year out is a huge fillip for their forward line and Kelly has been bleeding plenty of youth in their early season games.

Fixtures: Sun Jan 31 (2pm): London (H); Sun Feb 7 (2pm): Waterford (A); Sun Feb 28 (2pm): Wicklow (H); Sun Mar 6 (2pm): Leitrim (A); Sun Mar 13 (2pm): Carlow (A); Sun Mar 27 (2pm): Wexford (H); Sun Apr 3 (1.30pm): Antrim (A)


Verdict: Third

LEITRIM


Manager: Shane Ward (second season)


Last year: Fourth in Division Four

PROMISING recent FBD League campaigns have borne very little fruit for Leitrim, so they perhaps won’t be unduly worried by missing out on this year’s decider.

Like Louth, they have been boosted by the return of a key forward, namely the outstanding Emlyn Mulligan. Having a newly-opened permanent training base at Annaduff could also boost their chances of promotion.

They were left to rue draws with promoted pair Offaly and Longford that wrecked their own hopes last season. Don’t be surprised if they are right in the mix come the end.

Fixtures: Sun Jan 31 (2pm): Wexford (A); Sun Feb 7 (2pm): Wicklow (H); Sun Feb 28 (2pm): Antrim (A); Sun Mar 6 (2pm): Louth (H); Sun Mar 13 (2pm): London (A); Sun Mar 27 (2pm): Carlow (H); Sun Apr 3 (1.30pm): Waterford (A)


Verdict: Fourth

CARLOW


Manager: Turlough O’Brien (second season)


Last year: Fifth in Division Four

Boss Turlough O’Brien has been one of the most vociferous campaigners against the introduction of a B championship, possibly because their chances of escaping Division Four this term are slim.

They are giving it a lash, though. Brendan Murphy’s return from America and Murtough Ware’s recovery from injury are strong signs for a 37-man squad who have been training four nights a week in order to boost their promotion hopes.

They derailed Antrim’s bid on the opening weekend last year and doing the same again is not beyond them.

Fixtures: Sun Jan 31 (2pm): Antrim (H); Sat Feb 6 (1pm): London (A); Sun Feb 28 (2pm): Waterford (H); Sun Mar 6 (2pm): Wicklow (A); Sun Mar 13 (2pm): Louth (H); Sun Mar 27 (2pm): Leitrim (A); Sun Apr 3 (1.30pm): Wexford (A)


Verdict: Fifth

WATERFORD


Manager: Tom McGlinchey (second season)


Last year: Sixth in Division Four

Twelve months ago, Waterford attacked their league campaign from the highly unusual position of McGrath Cup winners.

But by the end of their Championship campaign, they had lost 14 players for various reasons. Déise boss Tom McGlinchey hasn’t been able to welcome too many of them back into the fold either.

The fact the bookies have them as 2/1 to win in Wicklow at the weekend tells the tale of their current standing.

Fixtures: Sun Jan 31 (2pm): Wicklow (A); Sun Feb 7 (2pm): Louth (H); Sun Feb 28 (2pm): Carlow (A); Sat Mar 5 (7pm): Wexford (H); Sun Mar 13 (2pm): Antrim (A); Sun Mar 27 (2pm): London (H); Sun Apr 3 (1.30pm): Leitrim (H)


Verdict: Sixth

WICKLOW


Manager: Johnny Magee (second season)


Last year: Seventh in Division Four

The reappointment of Johnny Magee for a second season was not straightforward, but he left a meeting with clubs back in August having stated his aim to take them out of Division Four.

Having finished second bottom of the pile last term, and finding themselves looking at an equally strong division this time, paints that dream as perhaps a bit beyond them.

The retirement of James Stafford, Alan Byrne, Paddy Dalton and Paudge McWalter leave them facing an uphill task.

Fixtures: Sun Jan 31 (2pm): Waterford (H); Sun Feb 7 (2pm): Leitrim (A); Sun Feb 28 (2pm): Louth (A); Sun Mar 6 (2pm): Carlow (H); Sun Mar 13 (2pm): Wexford (A); Sun Mar 27 (2pm): Antrim (H); Sun Apr 3 (1.30pm): London (A)


Verdict: Seventh

LONDON


Manager: Ciarán Deely (first season)


Last year: Eighth in Division Four

The great unknown, always, it’s only been three years since London reached the last 12 of the Championship. But so much changes on an annual basis for the Exiles that they permanently struggle to get off the foot of the league ladder.

Former Wexford captain Ciarán Deely has taken over as boss from Paul Coggins, who had a very successful five-year spell that included a Connacht final appearance in 2013.

They face tough trips to promotion favourites Louth and Wexford early on and they’ll do well to get off the bottom.

Fixtures: Sun Jan 31 (2pm): Louth (A); Sat Feb 6 (1pm): Carlow (H); Sun Feb 28 (2pm): Wexford (A); Sun Mar 6 (2pm): Antrim (H); Sun Mar 13 (2pm): Leitrim (H); Sun Mar 27 (2pm): Waterford (A); Sun Apr 3 (1.30pm): Wicklow (H)


Verdict: Eighth