Lidl Ladies’ NFL (Sunday, 2pm unless stated)
Division Two, round three Donegal v Monaghan (Lifford)
DONEGAL and Monaghan renew rivalry in a pivotal Division Two clash tomorrow afternoon.
Both sides have plenty to play for, with Monaghan enjoying a dream start to the campaign and Donegal still seeking their first win after two frustrating draws.
Monaghan, under new manager Darren Swift, have hit the ground running with victories over Roscommon and Tipperary - two results that contrast starkly with their struggles in recent seasons. It leaves them joint top of the table with Galway.
Swift, who was appointed just a week before the league began, has been pleased with how his team has responded to the challenge.
“No doubt it was a challenge to step in days before the first league game, but it was also exciting. We just put our heads down as a collective unit and went at each game. We have a very talented, dedicated bunch of girls who are proud to play for Monaghan.”
Swift acknowledges the team’s struggles in recent years but credits their hard work for the turnaround.
“Yes, they have struggled in recent league campaigns. We have organised the girls, training is high in intensity which replicates match day. Both the games against Roscommon away and Tipperary at home were crucial for Monaghan.
‘‘There has been no single thing that has won both games. We were mindful of the last two games versus Tipp in the league, results have not gone Monaghan’s way. It’s been a mixture of grit, determination, and a will to work hard from the girls which gave Monaghan a platform to go for the win.”
For Donegal, this game presents a chance to turn early promise into points. Under the guidance of James Daly, who took charge late last year after a season away from inter-county management, Donegal have yet to taste defeat but will be disappointed with how their opening games unfolded.
A draw against Clare in their opener was followed by another share of the spoils against Westmeath, despite leading by four points with six minutes remaining.
Daly acknowledges the frustration but is also keen to highlight the progress being made within his squad.
“Two draws to start, yeah, look, we’re disappointed, but there’s been a huge transition in this team from last year to this year,” he said.
“From last year’s starting team, there are probably six girls missing. When we went out against Clare two weeks ago, we had four of last year’s minors playing, and three of those girls are still in school.”
That transition has meant integrating fresh faces into the senior set-up, and while results haven’t yet fully reflected the team’s potential, Daly remains optimistic.
“The positives are defensively, we’ve been very strong. The other part of it now is working on the transition so we can get our defence into attack and get the scores.
“Monaghan have averaged eight points a game, and so have we. They have two wins, and we have two draws—that’s the fine margins in this league.”
Swift, meanwhile, is fully aware of the challenge his side will face.
“Donegal are a quality side, new management in place, and they will be extremely hard to beat on Sunday. Mentally and physically, Donegal have it all. It’s an away game which will help the home side, but it’s a game that we are looking forward to.”
For Donegal, staying in Division Two is essential as they continue their squad rebuild, with an Ulster final against Armagh looming later in the year. Daly is relishing the challenge.
“We want to be playing in Division Two because you’re playing the better quality of team week in and week out. We’ve played 26 different girls so far, and that’s what we need to be doing—seeing what we’ve got and where we’re going.”
Monaghan, meanwhile, remain focused on the task ahead.
“It’s early days in terms of the league, and a lot can happen. We are very pleased to have maximum points from the last two games, but we will not be looking beyond each game,” Swift said.
“Yes, we have come on board late in terms of the team’s preparation for the league, but the girls and backroom team have been brilliant and, most importantly, very positive.
“Resilience and adaptability are two words that one would associate with Monaghan teams over the years. We have a bunch of girls that are hungry to play for themselves and Monaghan, but most importantly play together for one common goal—and that is to see how far Monaghan LGFA can go.”
Division One, round three
Dublin v Armagh (Saturday, Parnell Park, 3.30pm, live on TG4)
LEAGUE champions Armagh will be wary of a wounded animal in Dublin, who suffered a shock defeat to last year’s Division Two champions Kildare last weekend. On home soil, they will be keen to get back to winning ways.
Meath and Armagh are joint top after two games with two wins each, Armagh following up their opening win over All-Ireland champions Kerry with victory over neighbours Tyrone last weekend.
They put in an impressive second-half performance after being locked at five points each at half-time, outscoring their opponents 0-10 to no score.
The top six teams are all in action against one another this weekend with these results beginning to open up some gaps between teams as the halfway stage of the league approaches.
Mayo v Tyrone (Swinford Amenity Park)
THIS is a vital clash with both teams looking for their first points.
Tyrone have lost to Meath and Armagh, while Mayo have tasted defeat to Dublin and Meath. Home advantage could be crucial and that goes to Mayo.
Last week against Armagh, Tyrone were level with the holders at half-time, but they failed to score in the second half for the second consecutive week. No doubt that is something manager Darren McCann will hope does not repeat itself for yet another week.
Meath v Waterford (Páirc Tailteann)
Kerry v Kildare (Fitzgerald Stadium, 1pm)
Division Two, round three
Galway v Roscommon (Tuam Satdium)
Tipperary v Cork (Fethard)
Westmeath v Clare (Athlone)
Division Three, round three
Cavan v Carlow (Kingspan Breffni)
EARLY leaders Cavan should prove too strong for Carlow but they know they cannot take them for granted.
The Breffni county are alongside Wexford with two wins from two and come in on the back of a good win against Down. Carlow have played just one, winning last weekend’s game against Offaly.
Down v Laois (Páirc Esler)
DOWN lost to Cavan last week but will look to return to winning ways tomorrow. The Mourne girls will have been disappointed with that result but they know they have little time to dwell on it as they look to keep up their pursuit of Cavan and Wexford.
Laois have played just one game, a defeat to Louth last weekend.
Offaly v Limerick (Edenderry GAA)
Louth v Wexford (Páirc na nGael)
Division Four
Round two
Wicklow v Leitrim (Bray Emmetts GAA)
Round five
Longford v Fermanagh (Glennon Brothers Pearse Park)
FERMANAGH hope to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat to Antrim with a win against Longford.
The Ulster side had almost secured a late victory after clawing their way back into the game only for Antrim to snatch it right at the end.
The Saffrons, who are top of the table, are not in action this weekend and this is a chance for either of these sides to move into that joint top spot with them. Longford, like Fermanagh, are two wins from three, as are Sligo, and these four are the early semi-final contenders. Longford lost to Sligo last weekend and so this is a crucial game for both sides.
