SATURDAY
National Football League Division Four final: Antrim v Louth
(Croke Park, 4pm, live on TG4)
ANTRIM footballers return to Croke Park for the first time in eight years and they head down the M1 with very realistic ambitions of bringing back some silverware.
Their last-day draw in Corrigan Park suited both sides alright, the point enough to secure Louth’s promotion while allowing Antrim’s unbeaten record to stay intact. The Saffrons’ tight defence kept five clean sheets in-a-row at the start of the campaign, whereas Colin Kelly’s side have been that little bit more porous.
Antrim have enough to take advantage.
Odds: H: 4/7 D: 15/2 A: 15/8
Verdict: Antrim
National Football League Division Three final: Clare v Kildare (Croke Park, 6pm, live on TG4)
THE season to date has already exceeded all expectations for Clare, though a piece of silverware would go nicely on the mantle as they look with renewed life towards the summer.
These two met three weeks ago on the final day and, with the possibility of needing a result, the Banner men caused the league leaders plenty of problems up until the last 15 minutes. Kildare eased down the home stretch with seven unanswered points, displaying exactly how they’d come to top the division so comfortably.
Cian O’Neill has interestingly dropped three of his more experienced players - Hugh McGrillen, Padraig O’Neill and Fionn Dowling - with U21s Ryan Houlihan and Neil Flynn introduced.
Odds: H: 5/1 D: 12/1 A: 1/6
Verdict: Kildare
SUNDAY
National Football League Division Two final: Cavan v Tyrone (Croke Park, 1.30pm, live on TG4)
WHEN Cavan slipped to a second defeat from their opening two games at home to Derry, it looked unlikely that they would form the other half of the divisional final.
But they recovered with five straight wins and will take their place at the top table next season. They’ve finally found their attacking groove. Tyrone’s place was never in any kind of doubt, right from the off. They have been a cut above and remain unbeaten in 2016, though they have had two draws in their last two outings.
They’re rarely found wanting when there is silverware at stake.
Odds: H: 8/13 D: 15/2 A: 7/4
Verdict: Tyrone
National Football League Division One final: Dublin v Kerry (Croke Park, 3.30pm, live on TG4)
KERRY have been dishing out revenge to their lessers all spring, but this is a different challenge.
The Kingdom are in the rare position of needing a victory psychologically, having endured a tough time at the Dubs’ hands over the past few seasons, not least in last year’s All-Ireland final.
Dublin are on a 21-game unbeaten run in League and Championship, but Kerry’s six-game winning streak is uncharacteristic for this time of year and indicative of how much they want to lay down a marker.
Odds: H: 8/13 D: 8/1 A: 7/4
Verdict: Dublin - only just
