PREVIEWS: Promotion and relegation matters heating up across Lidl National Leagues

THE promotion and relegation races are hotting up across the Lidl National Leagues.

A pivotal weekend of action should see the overall picture become clearer – with a full round of 16 games in store.

In Division 1, the live TG4 offering is the meeting of Munster rivals Cork and Waterford on Saturday (7.35pm) at Páirc Uí Rinn in a top of the table clash.

Another provincial derby, Kildare against Meath in Leinster, is Saturday’s other top flight tie, available via a live stream, before attention switches to 14 games on Sunday across the board.

On Sunday, five ties will be live-streamed.

A relegation six-pointer between Armagh and Dublin, along with Galway’s trip to Kerry, are the Division 1 games on offer, while promotion chasers Cavan, Mayo and Donegal feature in Division 2 picks, as Mayo host Donegal and Monaghan make the relatively short trip to Cavan.

Saturday February 28

Lidl NFL Division 1

Kildare v Meath; Manguard Plus Kildare GAA Centre of Excellence, 5pm – Live Stream

With three rounds of fixtures remaining, Kildare are deep in relegation trouble.

The Lilywhites are bottom of the table with just a single point, two adrift of Dublin and Armagh, who play each other on Sunday.

This is a vital game for the hosts, who welcome a Meath side still chasing a final place at the top end of the table.

The Royals arrive for this Leinster derby three points off Waterford and Galway, who are joint second behind pacesetters Cork in the race for a top two finish.

Kildare are unchanged for this one, following defeat to Dublin last weekend, while Meath have made one change to the side that inflicted a first defeat of the season on Waterford, as Sarah Wall comes in for Amy Gaffney.

Kildare: C Nallen; E Wheeler, L Reilly, M Doherty; H McLoughlin, R Sargent, L Lenehan (capt.); N Murphy, G Wheeler; L Shaw, C Wheeler, M Aspell; A Rattigan, M Doyle, A Prizeman.

Meath: R Murray; Á Sheridan, M.K. Lynch, K Kealy; S Murphy, S Wall, K Bermingham; O Sheehy, N Gallogly (capt.); M Farrelly, C Smyth, M Thynne; E Duggan, R Casserly, O Finnegan.

Cork v Waterford; Páirc Uí Rinn, 7.35pm – Live on TG4

Cork are flying high at the top of the table and this Munster derby promises to be a cracker.

The Rebels start the day on ten points, just a point clear of visitors Waterford.

As Waterford fell to Meath last weekend, Cork took the chance to move top of the table with an impressive win over Kerry.

Any fears that Cork would struggle on their return the top flight have been allayed in style as Joe Carroll’s charges continue to impress.

For this TG4 clash, Cork are unchanged, as Waterford bring in Chloe Fennell for Maeve Daly.

Cork: S Murphy; M Duggan, D Kiniry, S Kelly; A Corcoran, S McGoldrick, R Corkery; A Healy, A O’Mahony; R Leahy, G Ní Mhurchú, E Cleary; R O’Regan, K Quirke, L Hallahan.

Waterford: K Gardiner; C Murray, R Casey, A McGrath; K McGrath, E Murray (capt.), L Mulcahy; Á O’Neill, E Power; K Murray, K Hogan, B McMaugh; C Fennell, C Walsh, L McGregor.

Sunday March 1

Lidl NFL Division 1

Armagh v Dublin; BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 2pm – Live Stream

Before the season began, it would have been difficult to picture this game as a relegation six-pointer.

Sunday’s tie pits Armagh, last year’s Division 1 finalists and winners in 2024, against Dublin, the reigning TG4 All-Ireland senior champions.

Such is the competitive nature of the top flight, we now have two of the big guns scrapping to stay afloat.

Dublin got off the mark with their first win of the season against Kildare last weekend and they’ve made two changes for the trip to Armagh, with Ellen Gribbin and Jodi Egan coming in for Annabelle Timothy and Orla Keighran.

Armagh also make two changes in personnel, with Aoife McCoy and Aimee Mackin handed starts in place of Roisin Mulligan and Maeve Lennon.

Armagh’s inside line looks particularly stacked, with evergreen Caroline O’Hanlon flanked by sharpshooters Mackin and Kelly Mallon. This is a first start of the campaign for Mackin.

Armagh: B Mathers; M Ferguson, C McCambridge, C Towe; A Donnelly, L McConville (capt.), E Druse; C Marley, C O’Reilly; L Marsden, A McCoy, B Mackin; A Mackin, C O’Hanlon, K Mallon.

Dublin: A Shiels; N Crowley, H Leahy, C Almeida; S McIntyre, H McGinnis, N Donlon; R Hartnett, O Nolan (capt.); E Gribbin, L Grendon, K Donaghy; M Davoren, N Hetherton, J Egan.

Kerry v Galway; Austin Stack Park, Tralee, 2pm – Live Stream

Kerry were left disappointed by their display against Cork last weekend, with the Kingdom held scoreless in the first half.

That was a second defeat of the season for the holders but they’re not out of the race for another final slot.

Kerry welcome Galway to Tralee knowing that a win will have them right back in the hunt.

Galway themselves would welcome what would be a fourth win of the campaign if they can achieve it.

Last year’s Division 2 champions are joint second on nine points alongside Waterford and very much in the hunt.

Following victory over Armagh last time out, Galway are unchanged, while Kerry have opted for eight switches.

In goal, Mary Ellen Bolger comes in for Ciara Butler, while there are seven changes outfield.

Kiera Furey, Deirdre Kearney, Róisín Rahilly, Anna Galvin, Niamh Carmody, Julia Curtin and Danielle O’Leary replace Eabha Ní Laighin, Ava Doherty, Katie Brosnan, Kelli McGrath, Megan O’Connor, Rachel Dwyer and Niamh Quinn.

Kerry: M.E. Bolger; K Furey, E Lynch, D Kearney; R Rahilly, A Galvin, A Dillane; M O’Connell, C Evans; N Carmody, K Enright, N Ní Chonchúir; S O’Shea (capt.), J Curtin, D O’Leary.

Galway: L O’Halloran; R Quinn, S Ní Loingsigh, B Quinn; H Noone, C Trill, A Molloy; N Divilly, A Madden; A O’Rourke, K Slevin, K Thompson; A Trill, L Coen, R Leonard.

Lidl NFL Division 2

Cavan v Monaghan; Jim Smith Park, Killinkere, 2pm – Live Stream

Division 3 champions last year, Cavan have promotion in their sights again.

Last weekend’s win against Donegal was a massive fillip for the Breffni County, in what was a huge top of the table clash.

That was Donegal’s first defeat of the season, while Cavan have yet to taste defeat in 2026.

Cavan now face another Ulster derby, this time against a Monaghan side who drew with Tipperary last weekend.

Cavan: E Baugh; Z Fay, S Kelly, L Crowe; E McIntyre, C Charters, D Lynch; M Fitzpatrick, K McCormack; N Keenaghan, E Sheridan, C Dolan; C Lynch, A Sheridan (capt.), K.M. Reilly.

Monaghan: O Kelly; A Loughman, A McQuaid, M Monaghan; E Traynor, R Courtney (capt.), A Gilliland; J Duffy, N Flanagan; A.J. Kierans, A Garland, C Treanor; C McBride, E Sherry, L Maguire;

Mayo v Donegal; Swinford Amenity Park, 2pm – Live Stream

Third-placed Mayo host Donegal, in second, in a huge promotion tussle.

Mayo start the day just a point behind the visitors and the winner of this one could well be playing top flight football next season.

Donegal will be anxious to get back to winning ways after suffering defeat to Cavan in their last outing, while Mayo earned a point against Tyrone.

Mayo: L Brennan; É Ronayne, D Caldwell, L Wallace; E Brennan (capt.), C Needham, L Hanley; A Geraghty, E Murray; A Kennedy, A Staunton, T Needham; M Reilly, S Walsh, S Delaney.

Donegal: C Friel; N Carr, E McGinley, S McFeely; T Hegarty, F McManamon, A Caulfield; C Brennan, R Rodgers (capt.); B McLaughlin, K Dowds, N Boyle; S White, E Gallagher, C McGarvey.  

Wexford v Tyrone; Samaritans St Patrick’s Park, Enniscorthy, 1pm

This has been a disappointing campaign for Wexford, who are on course for relegation to Division 3, after coming up last year.

Wexford have lost all four matches to date and it doesn’t get any easier against promotion-chasing Tyrone.

The Red Hands start the weekend in fourth place, just a couple of points off the promotion slots.

Wexford: S Cloake; J Dempsey, A Tormey, K Dempsey; R Hughes, A Halligan (capt.), K English; B McDonald, A Furlong; O Byrne, A Gilroy, C Banville; S Hamilton, C Bridges, O Kehoe.

Tyrone: A Coyle; J Lyons, M Mallon, E Quinn; C Canavan, M Corrigan, K.R. Muldoon; E McCanny, A McHugh (capt.); E Conroy, A Horisk, E.J. Gervin; N O’Neill, M Maxwell, C McNamee.  

Westmeath v Tipperary; St Loman’s GAA, Mullingar, 2pm

Westmeath’s win against Wexford last weekend was major lift for the Lake County.

A first victory of the campaign has raised hopes that they could yet avoid relegation.

There’s still work to be done but Westmeath have given themselves a chance and they can jump out of the relegation zone if they beat Tipperary, who are nervously looking over their shoulders.

Westmeath: A Temple; H Keenan, T Dillon, L McCartan; C Kelly Gonoud, F Coyle (capt.), S McWade; A Jones, A Ruane; V Carr, C Kilmurray, N Mullarkey; K Kilmurray, S Dillon, L McCartan.  

Tipperary: L Fitzpatrick; T Hoare, M Curley, E Cronin; Niamh Martin, Nora Martin, S English; L Morrissey, Á O’Dwyer; A McGuigan, A.R. Kennedy (capt.), H Spillane; L Cunningham, L Maher, E Morrissey.

Lidl NFL Division 3

Fermanagh v Down; Kinawley Brian Borus, 2pm

A crucial Ulster derby with potential consequences at both ends of the table.

Down are a live promotion chaser and one of three teams sitting together on ten points at the summit, five points clear of the chasers.

Fermanagh, meanwhile, have relegation worries to contend with.

The Erne County were promoted last year but have just two points on the board in 2026 – both of them draws – and are second from bottom.

Fermanagh: A Haren; A Keenan, S McCarville, S McQuade (capt.); A O’Brien, C Bogue, B Bannon; A McCarney, H Murphy; S Barrett, N McManus, C Breen; C McGarrigle, E Smyth, E McMahon.

Down: C Bradley; N Loudon, O Blaney, E Sands; N Edgar, C McCreanor, N McClory; M Doherty, K Howlett; N King, E Fitzpatrick, L Duffy (capt.); E Quinn, N Rice, E Hicks.

Laois v Roscommon; Laois Hire O’Moore Park, Portlaoise, 2pm

Relegation worries still hang over both Laois and Roscommon as they prepare for this Portlaoise clash.

Laois are on four points, with Roscommon a point ahead.

That’s two and three points clear respectively of the drop zone, but with three games left to play.

Laois and Roscommon both lost on their travels last weekend, Laois against Clare and Roscommon on their visit to Down.

Laois: E Barry; C Byrne, A Saunders, S Farrelly; M Cotter, A Moran (capt.), A Healy; F Dooley, F McEvoy; M Crowley, S Havill, K Donoghue; E Lacey, E Galvin, L.M. Maher.

Roscommon: C O’Reilly; A McGrath, A Connaughton, M Macken; S Wynne, E Irwin, M McKeon; A Curran (capt.), R Cox; N Watson, L Shanagher, N Feeney; A Hanly, R Lennon, C Lennon.

Louth v Antrim; Integral GAA Grounds, 2pm

Louth and Antrim clash in a mouthwatering promotion tie.

They’re two of three counties – Down the other – on ten points and five points clear of their nearest challengers.

A win for either here would leave them with one foot in Division 2 ahead of next season.

Antrim, Division 3 winners last year, earned a valuable win against Fermanagh last time out, as Louth got the better of Limerick.

Louth: R Lambe Fagan; S Matthews, E Hand, H Lambe Sally; A Murray, S McLaughlin, L Byrne; A Halligan, Á Breen (capt.); L White, C Nolan, Z Sweeney; E Byrne, L Lynch, C Woods.

Antrim: A Devlin; H Donaghy, M Blaney, M Mulholland; L Agnew, C Brown, E.L. McAreavey; A Mulholland, Á Tubridy; T Mellon, O Dahunsi, C McKenna; B Devlin (capt.), M O’Neill, D Coleman.

Limerick v Clare; Gerald Griffins GAA, 2pm

With Clare winning last weekend, Limerick are now in all sorts of trouble at the bottom of the table.

They’re now the only team in the division without a point and victory is a must here if they harbour any hopes of avoiding the drop.

A Limerick win be a massive fillip for the Shannonsiders and it’s a must if they want to preserve Division 3 status.

Limerick: S Hennessy; S Hickey, A Ryan, R Fitzgibbon; E Crowe, L Ryan (capt.), M MacNamara; O Ryan, E Hickey; C McNamara, L O’Brien, K Heelan; L Brown, T Geoghegan, C McGrath.

Clare: R Sexton; H Doyle, R Doohan, S Melican; R Considine, J Doohan (capt.), E Burke; C Cahill, A Slattery; S Considine, C Harvey, A Sexton; E O’Driscoll, C Moloney, E Hanrahan.

Lidl NFL Division 4

Derry v Leitrim; Owenbeg Derry GAA Centre (4G), 2pm

Leitrim have been in blistering form this year, registering five wins from five and putting themselves within touching distance of a semi-final place.

After losing at the semi-final stage last year, a defeat that cost them promotion, Leitrim are desperate to atone for that.

Derry, in contrast, have lost four of their five games to date and this could be a tough outing for the home side.

Derry: T Cassidy; I Duggan, L Brewester, A Mulligan; S Duggan, B Donnelly (capt.), A McDaid; K Hargan, S Heron; C Moore, C Donnelly, A Donnelly; N Hannon, J Shivers, S Hargan.

Leitrim: M Gallagher; J Maye, R McGloin, N Morahan; D Beirne, S O’Rourke, R McIntyre; C Dolan, A Devaney; A Gilmartin, L Fox, V Egan; M Devaney, K Gormley, D Rooney.  

Kilkenny v Wicklow; Crettyard GAA, Laois, 2.30pm

Leinster teams Kilkenny and Wicklow meet in Crettyard.

Kilkenny have found the going tough again this year, with five defeats from five outings, but Wicklow have struggled too.

The Garden County have one win from five but will fancy their chances of picking up another three points here.

Kilkenny: E Moran; K Hennessy, R Doherty, E Dunphy; M Farrell, E.R. Brennan, E Stuart; A Ryan, S Smith; D Tervit-Kruger, R Harnett, C Moore; K Ryan, B Lomax (capt.), A Finucane.

Wicklow: C Mullins; S O’Toole, O O’Keeffe, E Doyle; M Healy, S Evans, E Doyle; M Renaghan, C Renaghan; L Butler, L Dunne (capt.), A Lalor; H Sheehy, E Parke, E Doyle.

Longford v Carlow; Mostrim GAA, 2pm 

Carlow are locked alongside Leitrim at the head of affairs.

Champions in Division 4 two years ago, Carlow were relegated last year but are anxious to bounce straight back up.

And they’re going about their business in clinical fashion, with a 100 per cent record to date.

Longford will be aiming for a semi-final spot and on six points alongside Offaly, they’re in the mix.

Longford: S Egan; G Kenny, L Keegan, R McGrath; K MacEntire, E Doris, E Farrell; S Gallagher (capt.), S Hagan; K McKeon, K Crawford, A Brady; E Sheehy, K Burke, A Darcy.

Carlow: N Hanley; A Carroll, A Roche, B Nolan; A Webb, N Forde, R Bermingham; R Bailey (capt.), C O’Neill; E Hayden, C Ní Shé, A Hanley; M Townsend, S Doyle, B Nolan.

Sligo v Offaly; Cloonacool Community Park, 2pm

Offaly’s tie with Longford was postponed last weekend but the Faithful County are back in action on Sunday.

They face a trip to Sligo in what’s an important promotion tie.

Four teams will contest the semi-finals and with Leitrim and Carlow both on 15 points, it looks like two from Sligo, Offaly and Longford to make the last four.

Sligo: E Maguire; H Gilligan, C Dunne, A Durcan; T Breheny (capt.), C Walsh, R McGoldrick; N McDonagh, S Cunney; C King, D McGrath, S Feeney; L Duffy, C Gilligan, A McDaniel.

Offaly: L Dunne; S McGuinness, F Dempsey, N Buckley; F McDermott, E Maher, A Grehan; R Mealiff, M Rouse; R Ennis, C Lynam, M Byrne; E Kelly, M Mann (capt.), E Hand.