Football

Matchbox

GOOD START: Kerry have made their best start to a League season in a decade Photo by Diarmuid Greene/Sportsfile
GOOD START: Kerry have made their best start to a League season in a decade Photo by Diarmuid Greene/Sportsfile GOOD START: Kerry have made their best start to a League season in a decade Photo by Diarmuid Greene/Sportsfile

Division One

Galway v Kerry

(tomorrow, Tuam Stadium, 2pm, deferred on TG4)

KERRY travel to Tuam tomorrow attempting to move onto eight points after four games for the first time since 2009.They picked up 13 points from a possible 14 that season before beating Derry in the final and they look on course to rack up their highest points tally since that season. Other positive news arrived this week as manager Peter Keane confirmed that David Clifford and James O’Donoghue would return before the end of the League although neither will be involved tomorrow. Galway had an excellent win away to Monaghan in round three with the side showing real grit to win the second half despite playing against a strong wind. It was revealed this week that Damien Comer requires ankle surgery so he will definitely miss the rest of the League and possibly the start of the Connacht Championship too.

Odds: H: 6/4 D: 15/2 A: 8/11

Verdict: Kerry

Tyrone v Monaghan

(tonight, Healy Parrk, 7pm, live on eir Sport 2)

MONAGHAN are set to be without Fintan Kelly and could also be missing Conor Boyle and Kieran Duffy for their visit to Omagh. Tyrone boss Mickey Harte has made three changes as they chase their first win with Liam Rafferty, Richard Donnelly and Frank Burns coming into the starting 15.

Odds: H: 4/5 D: 7/1 A: 7/5

Verdict: Tyrone

Dublin v Mayo

(tonight, Croke Park, 7pm, live on eir Sport 1)

DUBLIN have won five of the last six Division One titles but another loss tonight would rule them out of this year’s race and would even leave them looking over their shoulders at the relegation zone. Mayo currently top the table with three wins from three and manager James Horan has made six changes from the side that defeated Cavan.

Odds: H: 3/10 D: 9/1 A: 7/2

Verdict: Dublin

Cavan v Roscommon

(tomorrow, Kingspan Breffni, 2.30pm)

THESE two sides were tipped for relegation but Roscommon have started the year well and very easily could have been sitting on more than three points following a one-point loss to Mayo and a draw with Tyrone. The Rossies have been somewhat of a bogey team for Cavan in recent years but manager Mickey Graham, who has now left his role with Mullinalaghta after last week’s loss to Dr Croke’s, will try and reverse their fortunes against the Connacht outfit.

Odds: H: 11/10 D: 15/2 A: 1/1

Verdict: Draw

Division Two

Cork v Meath

(tonight, Páirc Uí Rinn, 7pm)

IT’S top v bottom tonight and even given how close the two teams are in Division Two, these are worrying times for Cork. The Rebels are only three points off Meath but Clare really made light work of them last time while Kildare have also beaten them in front of their own fans. Meath really dug in when it looked like Armagh would make the most of the wind to get past them. Their one loss did come on the road though as Donegal beat them by two points, but it was a game they really should have won.

Odds: H: 6/4 D: 15/2 A: 8/11

Verdict: Meath

Armagh v Tipperary

(tomorrow, Athletic Grounds, 2pm)

ARMAGH have been playing well but haven’t been able to pick up the necessary points and another loss here would leave them in real relegation bother. Tipperary won on their last visit to the Athletic Ground in 2017, but Liam Kearns will be without Michael Quinlivan, their hat-trick hero that day.

Odds: H: 1/2 D: 15/2 A: 9/4

Verdict: Armagh

Donegal v Fermanagh

(tomorrow, Letterkenny, 2pm)

FERMANAGH have been taking stick for their defensive style this year but four points from six is a very healthy return. Rory Gallagher will have a plan in place to shut down his old team too. Donegal have been fielding a youthful team this year and, understandably, it hasn’t been the smoothest of rides. They were lucky to beat Meath but the concession of three goals cost them against Tipperary.

Odds: H: 1/4 D: 9/1 A: 4/1

Verdict: Donegal

Kildare v Clare

(tomorrow, Newbridge, 2pm)

BOTH teams have drawn with Armagh and defeated Cork and it’s hard to see anything but a tight contest in Newbridge. Kildare boss Cian O’Neill said that he was “disgusted” with their two-point loss to Fermanagh in round three and he will be demanding a reaction.

Odds: H: 4/9 D: 15/2 A: 5/2

Verdict: Kildare

Division Three

Longford v Down

(tomorrow, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 2pm)

DOWN are aiming for a third straight win but Longford will present a tough challenge having taken five points from a possible six. They have been consistent in defence anyway with the side conceding 0-9 in all three games. Pat Havern is suspended for Down.

Odds: H: 11/0 D: 13/2 A: 1/1

Verdict: Down

Louth v Sligo

(tomorrow, Gaelic Grounds, 2.30pm)

LOUTH responded to an opening-day loss to Longford with impressive wins over Laois and Offaly. Sligo, by contrast, are the only side in the division without a point and another loss here would leave them on the cusp of Division Four football.

Odds: H: 8/13 D: 15/2 A: 13/8

Verdict: Louth

Westmeath v Laois

(tomorrow, TEG Cusack Park, 2.30pm)

WESTMEATH showed little ambition when playing with an extra man against Down and deservedly lost. This isn’t the easiest game to respond in either with both teams targeting promotion.

Odds: H: 1/1 D: 15/2 A: 1/1

Verdict: Laois

Offaly v Carlow

(tomorrow, Bord na Mona O’Connor Park, 3pm)

CARLOW were surprisingly lethargic against Longford in their last game but they can get back to winning ways here. Offaly have one point so far having they lost narrowly to Westmeath and Louth.

Odds: H: 5/6 D: 15/2 A: 6/5

Verdict: Carlow

Division Four

Limerick v Leitrim

(today, Kilmallock, 3pm)

TERRY Hyland’s Leitrim are the form team in Division Four alongside Derry and if they can win here it would be a real strike against fellow promotion chasers Limerick. The Treaty men lost by five to Wicklow two weeks ago.

Odds: H: 15/8 D: 15/2 A: 8/15

Verdict: Limerick

Antrim v London

(tomorrow, Corrigan Park, 1pm)

THIS should be a win for Antrim but it’s unlikely to be routine. St Enda’s duo James McAuley and Odhran Eastwood come into the matchday panel after their recent club commitments. London had a very impressive eight-point win over Wexford in their last match.

Odds: H: 1/6 D: 12/1 A: 9/2

Verdict: Antrim

Wexford v Waterford

(tomorrow, Innovate Wexford Park, 2pm)

BOTH these sides are languishing at the wrong end of the table although Waterford will be frustrated to be without a point after a couple of half decent showings. Home advantage may swing it Wexford’s way.

Odds: H: 1/3 D: 15/2 A: 3/1

Verdict: Wexford

Derry v Wicklow

(tomorrow, Watty Graham Park, 2pm)

DERRY should make it four wins from four even if Wicklow sit just two points back. Darren Hayden returns for the Garden county.

Odds: H: 1/8 D: 14/1 A: 11/2

Verdict: Derry