SATURDAY
DIVISION ONE
Galway v Dublin (Pearse Stadium, 3.15pm, live on RTÉ1)
BOTH teams still entertain ambitions of making a League final, while Galway probably need just one more point to feel completely safe. It’s getting to the point of the season where managers will have at least one eye on their Championship teams, so unnecessary risks will be avoided at all costs.
Dublin showed their strength in reserve with their win over Derry last time out, with Con O’Callaghan again showing why he is a pain for the top defences in the country.
Another storming display from him and the Dubs’ supporting cast can put them a step closer to that League final.
Odds H: 5/2 D: 15/2 A: 2/5
Verdict Dublin
Tyrone v Monaghan (O’Neills Healy Park, 7.30pm, live on TG4)
THIS Ulster derby will go a long way to deciding the fate of either county. While defeat isn’t fatal for Tyrone, it is for Monaghan. Both teams have had to cope without notable absentees in their League campaign, but the Farneymen will feel it keener as the Red Hands have enough of a spark in attack, particularly from the in-form Darragh Canavan, to see them through.
Odds H: 4/11 D: 8/1 A: 11/4
Verdict Tyrone
DIVISION TWO
Louth v Fermanagh (DEFY Pairc Mhuire, 2pm)
TWO teams whose performances perhaps haven’t yielded the results they’ve probably deserved and as both find themselves in a relegation scrap, nerves could be the real winner in Ardee.
Odds H: 4/6 D: 7/1 A: 13/8
Verdict Draw
Meath v Cork (Pairc Tailteann, 2pm)
CORK’S win over Kildare probably clinched safety for them, but finishing as high as possible is the aim in order to seal Sam Maguire football. Meath have already that in the bag following their Tailteann Cup win, so Colm O’Rourke can start to hone his team for the Championship with promotion a long shot at this stage.
Odds H: 5/6 D: 7/1 A: 5/4
Verdict Cork
Armagh v Cavan (the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 5pm)
BAR long-term injuries, Armagh have a fully-fit squad to pick from as they look to clinch promotion back to Division One.
Cavan’s hopes of promotion in manager Raymond Galligan’s first season took a hit when they drew with Meath a fortnight ago. The Orchardmen should all but end them here.
Odds H: 3/10 D: 8/1 A: 10/3
Verdict Armagh
Kildare v Donegal (Netwatch Cullen Park, 5pm)
A WIN for Donegal will see them clinch promotion and condemn Kildare to relegation. Nothing so far this season has suggested any alternative outcome. Donegal didn’t fully convince in a scrappy win over Louth two weeks ago, but showed there is plenty of room for improvement.
Odds H: 11/2 D: 10/1 A: 1/7
Verdict Donegal
DIVISION THREE
Sligo v Offaly (Markiewicz Park, 2.30pm)
DEFEAT to Down as good as ended Sligo’s push for back-to-back promotions. Offaly are in greater need of points as they seek to secure safety. Both shipped goals to the Mournemen, but the Faithful looked to have a threat on the break and their greater need might just win out.
Odds H: 7/10 D: 13/2 A: 13/8
Verdict Offaly
Wicklow v Limerick (Aughrim, 3pm)
Odds H: 13/8 D: 7/1 A: 4/6
ONE of these teams can give themselves a fighting chance of safety going into the last round of games. Wicklow’s slightly more generous defence and the fighting spirit the Treatymen showed against Clare last time out could tip the balance in the Munstermen’s favour.
Verdict Limerick
Clare v Antrim (Cusack Park. 3.30pm)
THE Bannermen are still firmly in the promotion hunt, but had to hold off a comeback from pointless Limerick last time out to secure victory. That result also gave Antrim a cushion of safety, but they’ll want to make sure especially as they face Wicklow in their final game.
Odds H: 4/9 D: 15/2 A: 9/4
Verdict Clare
DIVISION FOUR
London v Waterford (Ruislip, 1pm)
A BATTLE for the wooden spoon in Ruislip, the Decies’ more pourous defence might see the Exiles clinch it.
Odds H: 4/6 D: 7/1 A: 13/8
Verdict London
Longford v Carlow (Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 3pm)
ANOTHER two teams locked on six points, Carlow’s need is probably greater due to their poorer points difference. Their heavy defeat to Wexford last time out played a big part in that and suggests a faltering challenge and Longford can capitalise on that.
Odds H: 2/5 D: 15/2 A: 5/2
Verdict Longford
Laois v Leitrim (Laois Hire O’Moore Park, 4.15pm)
MATHEMATICALLY, Laois aren’t guaranteed promotion yet, but avoiding defeat would see them clinch it. Even losing to promotion-chasing Leitrim would still see them go up if other results go their way.
Odds H: 1/6 D: 12/1 A: 9/2
Verdict Laois
Tipperary v Wexford (St Patrick’s Park, 6pm)
AS one of four teams on six points and still within a shout of joining Laois in Division Three next season, Wexford will hope to take a step closer against a Tipperary team who can only get into the promotion picture if the all of the teams above them slip up.
Odds H: 6/4 D: 7/1 A: 8/11
Verdict Wexford
SUNDAY
DIVISION ONE
Roscommon v Kerry (Dr Hyde Park,1.45pm, live on TG4)
KERRY are safe, Roscommon are not and that will feed into the respective approaches to this game. David and Paudie Clifford tore through Tyrone in Killarney last time out and look to be hitting their stride. That’s the last thing the Rossies wanted to see. They’ve struggled to score consistently, outside of the 1-16 they managed in their only win over Monaghan and that could prove their downfall against one of the most feared attacks in Ireland.
Odds H: 19/5 D: 9/1 A: 1/4
Verdict Kerry
Mayo v Derry (Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, 3.45pm, live on TG4)
A MUCH-CHANGED Derry saw their perfect start ended by Dublin last time out, but Mickey Harte’s men still sit top of the division and on course for back-to-back League finals. Kevin McStay may copy his counterpart’s approach to that game in Celtic Park by shuffling the pack now that safety is assured.
Odds H: 15/8 D: 15/2 A: 4/7
Verdict Derry
DIVISION THREE
Westmeath v Down (TEG Cusack Park, 3pm, live on Sport TG4)
FIVE wins out of five, a plus-46 scoring difference, Down are exactly where they would want to be with two games to go. However, Conor Laverty knows more than most about counting their chickens too early. Westmeath also have a perfect record so far and present the biggest threat to the Mournemen’s promotion ambitions. The table-toppers have leaked goals in three of their five games and will need to tighten up at the back if they are to get the win their need to clinch promotion.
Odds H: 13/8 D: 7/1 A: 4/6
Verdict Down