This weeks Suzuki NFL Match Previews

This weeks Suzuki NFL Preview

The continuing conflict between some senior Mayo players and the County Board has resulted in several key players declaring themselves unavailable for selection for the county team.

The crux of the issue lies with the County Board’s decision not to re-appoint Frank Browne as Senior County team manager.  Browne managed Mayo to the National League title last year and brought the team to the All Ireland final.  Several current and former All Stars have declined to line out for the county in protest at the decision not to re-appoint Browne.

As a result, defending champions Mayo have struggled so far this season in the Suzuki National League and will be hard pressed to claim one of the two qualifying spots from Division 1a.

Mayo lost heavily to Kerry but managed to claim three points from their recent game against Division 1 newcomers Wexford.  However they have yet to play either Armagh or Tyrone, both of whom harbour ambitions of challenging for the league title.

Mayo take on Armagh this weekend and a loss for the Westerners would sound a death knell for their league title defence.  On the other side of the draw Cork have three wins from three and look certain to take top spot in Division 1B but the battle for the second qualifying spot is approaching the critical stage.

Monaghan lie in second spot on seven points with Galway in third place with four points from three games.  The two sides meet this weekend in a crunch game for this young Monaghan side you will face Cork in their final league game.  If Galway win they will be in poll position to claim the final spot as their remaining game is against Kildare, who have struggled for form so far.

In Division 2A Clare are in a commanding position atop of the table while current Intermediate All Ireland champions Leitrim have yet to register a win.  In Division 2B however it is much more open with Down, Tipperary and Fermanagh all in the running for a semi-final berth.