Lidl Ladies’ NFL round six
Division One
Mayo v Armagh (tomorrow, Ballina, 1pm)
ARMAGH can book their place in the Division One final as long as they avoid defeat. The Orchard county are top with five wins from five and even they could not have imagined this on their return to the top flight.
For many teams making the step up, the primary aim would have been to stay up, but they now find themselves re-assessing their goals.
A draw would be enough to guarantee a final spot with a final game to come against Dublin.
This is a huge game for Mayo, whose Division One status for next season is not a surety yet. Their survival hopes were boosted with a win over Cork last day out to move them four clear of the relegation zone, but this is a pivotal weekend for them.
A win would ensure their safety, while Armagh would have to go to their final game against Dublin to find out if they are making the Division One final in Croke Park on Sunday, April 7.
It certainly will not be the making of their season if they do not reach that final. There are bigger things around the corner in terms of championship, but being within touching distance, they will give it everything to try and get there.
The manner of Armagh’s win over Kerry last day out, when two late goals from Aimee Mackin swung the game their way, will have given them another injection of confidence.
It will also be a historic weekend for Lauren McConville, who is due to make her 100th Armagh appearance.
Other fixtures
Saturday Dublin v Cork (DCU ST Clare’s, 4.30pm) Sunday Galway v Waterford (Pearse Stadium, 3pm); Meath v Kerry (Ashbourne, 3pm)
DIVISION TWO
TIPPERARY and Monaghan meet on Saturdayday in what is a huge game for both sides.
Monaghan really could do with the points to keep their hopes of staying up alive and in doing so would put pressure on Tipperary, who know that a win would probably be enough to guarantee their second-tier status.
Monaghan picked up their first win against Cavan last day out to add to the point they collected against Donegal. Tipp, meanwhile, have suffered one-point defeats in their last two outings.
Momentum is with Monaghan but they know they need a big performance.
Donegal and Cavan meet in an Ulster derby, with the Breffni county in greater need. They are just out of the relegation zone, currently occupied by Monaghan and Laois, with two wins from five, although they are only a point behind Donegal, who have two wins a draw from their five outings.
Tipperary and Westmeath are also on six points with Cavan, but the Breffni side’s scoring differences puts them behind those two.
Donegal cannot make the top two, with those positions already guaranteed to Kildare and Tyrone, but they will want to continue to push for a third place finish.
Sunday’s meeting of Tyrone and Kildare is a dress rehearsal for the league final next month, that match-up determined with still two rounds left to play.
Fixtures
Saturday Tipperary v Monaghan (Fethard, 2pm) Sunday Laois v Westmeath (Heywood CS, Ballinakill, 1pm); Tyrone v Kildare (Beragh, 2pm); Cavan v Donegal (Redhills, 2pm)
DIVISION THREE
ANTRIM know they must win against Clare if they are to have any chance of staying up. They must also win their last game against Roscommon, and even that might not be enough for survival.
Down have hit good form with three wins on the bounce after losing their first two games. They will hope to make it four when Louth visit Burren tomorrow.
That winning run has left them third behind joint-leaders Roscommon and Clare but even if they do defeat Louth and then Clare in their final game it still might not be enough to finish top two.
Fixtures
Sunday Wexford v Sligo (Enniscorthy, 12pm); Clare v Antrim (Barefield, 12.30pm); Down v Louth (Burren, 2pm); Roscommon v Offaly (St Croan’s, 2pm)
