Preview of this weekends Allianz Football League Division 3 Action:
Allianz Football League Division Three
Sunday 28th January
Limerick v Antrim, Rathkeale, 12.30pm
Referee: Seán Lonergan (Tipperary)
Clare v Sligo, Cusack Park, 2pm
Referee: Conor Lane (Cork)
Offaly v Westmeath, Glenisk O’Connor Park, 2pm
Referee: Séamus Mulhare (Laois)
Wicklow v Down, Aughrim, 2pm
Referee: Alan Coyne (Westmeath)
Traditionally Division Three brings thrills and spills, with a real element of uncertainty.
It can be a competitive environment and several counties will believe that promotion can be attained.
However, they will also be aware that a couple of defeats can leave a team in dangerous territory.
Sunday’s matches should offer a good indicator, though, for the protagonists with Limerick hosting Antrim.
Limerick were relegated last year and are now managed by the highly regarded Jimmy Lee, who enjoyed good success with Newcastle West.
Antrim’s 2023 league form was mixed, but they responded in the Tailteann Cup, reaching Croke Park.
Andy McEntee’s passion helped Antrim, prompted by Dominic McEnhill and Ruairi McCann’s scores, into the last four of the Tailteann.
Clare, now operating without the totemic Colm Collins, welcome Sligo to Ennis in what should be a revealing match.
Mark Fitzgerald has extensive coaching experience at club and inter-county level and will be intent on contributing to the Clare cause.
Sligo, with Seán Carraibine and Niall Murphy effective, won the Division Four title and advanced to the Connacht SFC decider.
Tony McEntee has forged a decent connection with Sligo, who have real potential following recent underage triumphs in the west.
Declan Kelly, the new Offaly manager, knows all about the value of producing talented underage teams too.
Now Kelly’s challenge is to spearhead Offaly in the senior ranks, but Westmeath will relish this derby clash in Tullamore.
In Aughrim, Wicklow meet Down, who are anxious to make further progress under the shrewd Conor Laverty.
Oisín McConville steered Wicklow back into Division Three and the Garden County will want to remain in that company for a sustained spell.