Preview: Weekend’s Allianz Football League action:
Allianz Football League Division 1
Saturday 16th Marc
Tyrone v Monaghan in O’Neills Healy Park at 7.30pm (TG4)
Monaghan, with two points from five matches, must win this game if they’re to avoid relegation to Division 2 of the Allianz Football League for 2025.
It’s also a vital match for a Tyrone team on three points after five games. If they lose not even a victory in their final game of the campaign would guarantee they’d avoid the drop if other results go against them in Rounds six and seven.
Tyrone’s form has been better than Monaghan’s so far in this campaign. The games they’ve lost have generally been by narrow margins, whereas the Farney County have lost four games in a row by an average of 10 points each.
Galway v Dublin in Pearse Stadium at 3.15pm (RTE)
Dublin are the form team in the Division with three wins on the spin, including a very impressive victory away to table-toppers Derry last time out. Forwards like Con O’Callaghan and Ciarán Kilkenny are in a rich vein of form, and a dominant Brian Fenton is giving his team a great platform in the middle of the field.
Galway’s form has been up and down during this campaign and if they lose here they could be sucked into a relegation fight. Based on the respective momentum of both teams, it’s hard to see them pulling off an upset here.
Sunday 17th March
Mayo v Derry in Hastings MacHale Park at 3.45pm (TG4)
This game will have a big bearing on the race for a top-two finish that secures a place in the League Final.
Table-toppers Derry have a very strong scoring difference so if they win here then it’s likely they’ll contest the League Final even if they were to lose their Round 6 match with Roscommon.
Mayo, on six points after five games are still in the running themselves, but need to win here to keep their hopes alive. This match could mark the 100th senior inter-county appearance for Mayo stalwart Aidan O’Shea.
Roscommon v Kerry in Dr Hyde Park at 1.45pm (TG4)
With three points from five matches and sitting second from bottom in Division 1, this is a vital game for Roscommon if they’re to avoid relegation. The Connacht side have scored less than anyone else in Division 1 this year, averaging just 13 points per match, and will need to do better here if they’re to take down Kerry.
The Kingdom looked sharp last time out when defeating Tyrone, and a similar level of performance here should see them come out on the right side of the result.
Armagh play Cavan in a vital Allianz Football League Division 2 fixture this weekend.
Armagh play Cavan in a vital Allianz Football League Division 2 fixture this weekend.
Allianz FL Division 2 round 6
Saturday 16th March
Armagh v Cavan in Box-It Athletic Grounds at 5pm
This is the match of the weekend in Division 2. Armagh can assure themselves of a place in the League Final if they win it, but if Cavan win they’ll join the Orchard County on seven points and will go above them in the table on the head to head rule so there’s a lot to play for.
Kildare v Donegal, Netwatch Cullen Park, 5pm
Table-toppers Donegal can secure a place in the Division 2 League Final with a victory here and the form-line would suggest they’ll get it because Kildare have lost all five of their matches by an average of 12 points. Lose this one, and the Lilywhites will be relegated.
Louth v Fermanagh in Ardee at 2pm
With Fermanagh third from bottom on three points and Louth second from bottom on two points, this is crucial fixture in terms of the relegation picture. It’s likely to be a game of very fine margins, but Louth’s greater punch in attack (they average two more points per game than Fermanagh) could give them an edge.
Meath v Cork in Pairc Tailteann at 2pm
Meath, on six points after five matches still have a mathematical chance of promotion but would need to win here and for one or both of Armagh and Donegal to drop points. Cork can ensure they retain their Division 2 status with a win here, but a defeat would leave them very much in the relegation picture. Cork have the worst defensive record in the Division but Meath have the joint-worst scoring average, so a match of fine margins looks likely.
Allianz FL Division 3 round 6
Saturday 16th March
Clare v Antrim in Cusack Park, Ennis at 3.30pm
Clare under new management and without some established stars who aren’t available for selection this year have arguably exceeded expectations by winning four of their five games. They’re currently third in the table and are fancied to maintain their push for promotion against an Antrim team that have lost their last three matches on the spin.
Wicklow v Limerick in Aughrim at 3pm
Both Limerick and Wicklow have lost all five matches they’ve played so a win here is a must to have any chance of avoid relegation. Limerick have been more competitive in the matches they’ve played recently, and are together defensively than the Garden County.
Sligo v Offaly in Markievicz Park at 2.30pm
Offaly finally have some momentum after winning their first match of the campaign last time out. Another one here would ensure they retain their Division 3 status, but a Sligo team that hasn’t lost at home in the League this year will be a tough nut to crack.
Sunday 17th March
Westmeath v Down in TEG Cusack Park at 3pm (TG4 Player/Deferred)
This is the game of the weekend in Division 3 with the two teams with perfect records going head to head. Westmeath have home advantage, but Down’s average winning margin of nine points so far makes a convincing argument in their favour.
Allianz FL Division 4 round 6
Saturday 16th March
Tipperary v Wexford in Templetouhy at 6pm
Wexford have mounted a late charge for promotion and have momentum after a fine win last time out over Carlow whereas Tipp will be deflated by their draw with Waterford that scuppered their own hopes of promotion.
Laois v Leitrim in Laois Hire O’Moore Park at 4.15pm
Table-toppers Laois can secure their place in the Division Four Final if they make it six wins from six here. Leitrim are currently second in the table but have lost momentum after consecutive defeats to Carlow and Longford so the form-line favours the home team.
Longford v Carlow in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park at 3pm
After a slow start to the campaign, Longford have found some real momentum with three wins on the bounce. Carlow are also on six points after three games, so this game will make or break one team’s hopes of promotion.
London v Waterford in Ruislip at 1pm
Neither team will want to finish bottom of the table and this match will decide who is left holding the wooden spoon in Division 4.