Lidl National Ladies' Football League
THE penultimate round of league fixtures takes place this weekend with some crucial crunch ties as teams tussle for semi-final berths at the top end and against relegation at the bottom.
In Division One, Tyrone’s fate can be sealed should they lose at home to as yet unbeaten table toppers Mayo (Killyclogher, 2pm). The Red Hands have struggled in the top flight this season and, as they go through an intense period of transition with a young squad, have lost all five of their games so far.
Although they still have Kerry to play in the final round of fixtures, even should they defeat the Kingdom it would not be enough having lost their head-to-head against Monaghan - that is if Monaghan fail to win their final two games.
Paula Cunningham’s side are also at home on Sunday (Blackhill, 12pm), to Kerry, and they may well fancy their chances against the Munster side, who are not renowned for being great away from home.
Monaghan may have won only one game, which looks to be enough to secure their Division One status, but they have showed major improvement with each game and they will feel that, against Kerry, they have every chance of taking something from the game.
After two defeats in-a-row to Mayo and Galway, Armagh host Dublin at the Athletic Grounds (12pm). A knockout place is still very much in reach for Ronan Clarke’s side, who face Cork in their final round game.
In Division Two, league leaders Donegal are already sure of their place in the semi-finals, but will look to continue their winning ways when they travel to Kildare. Michael Naughton’s side are unbeaten in their five games and they look good to extend that run against the Lilywhites, who have recorded just the one victory.
Second-placed Cavan welcome Sligo to Kingspan Breffni Park (12pm). Conor Barry’s side have also secured their place in the semi-finals as have Clare, with the other spot looking likely to go Westmeath.
The bottom half of the table sees four teams - Kildare, Sligo, Laois and Meath - on three points and, with these teams all playing teams in the top half of the table, it looks likely they will stay on three points, leaving it all to play for on the final weekend.
Ulster’s focus in Division Three is, unfortunately, on the bottom of the table, where Down and Fermanagh reside with no points from their five games. Down, who like Tyrone are going through a critical transition phase this season, face league leaders Waterford (Dungarvan, 2pm), while Fermanagh travel to Offaly, who lie just a place above them in the league with just one victory.
Should both teams lose again this weekend, it leaves their final game, between each other, a battle for survival with the winner retaining their Division Three status and the loser playing in Division Four next year.
Division Four sees the final round of games take place on Sunday. Antrim, who currently occupy third spot, look to have already done enough to secure one of the semi-final spots. They travel to second-placed Longford and, even should they lose and Louth, who are sitting just outside the knockout places win against bottom placed Carlow to also finish with nine points on the table, it would be the Ulster side who would go through to the knockout stages based on their earlier win over Louth - if Derry don’t beat Limerick at Celtic Park.
Should the Oak Leaf girls pull off a shock victory, that would leave three teams on nine points and force a play-off between Antrim, Limerick and Louth.
NFL FIXTURES
Sunday (all games 2pm, except where stated)
Division One
Armagh v Dublin (Athletic Grounds, 12pm), Monaghan v Kerry (Blackhill, 12pm), Galway v Cork, Tyrone v Mayo (Killyclogher)
Division Two
Cavan v Sligo (Kingspan Breffni Park, 12pm), Meath v Clare, Kildare v Donegal, Westmeath v Laois
Division Three
Waterford v Down (Dungarvan), Offaly v Fermanagh, Wexford v Leitrim, Tipperary v Roscommon
Division Four
Derry v Limerick (Celtic Park), Longford v Antrim, Louth v Carlow
