TESCO National Football Leagues Round 3 Previews

Cork v Monaghan - Tesco Ladies National Football League Round 3

After 2 rounds of the TESCO NFL the league tables are beginning to take shape although it is all very tight in each of the 4 divisions. In Division 1 Cork are setting the pace as they hold the division’s only 100% record having defeated both Mayo and Kerry. Cavan are the leaders in Division 2 but only on scoring difference from Donegal who enjoyed a good win over Armagh last weekend. Division 3 is as open as was predicted with Waterford, Leitrim and Sligo all maintaining 100% records although Roscommon certainly can’t be counted out. There has only been one round played to date in Division 4 but with Offaly, Limerick and Louth all winning these 3 are already in the driving seat for play off places.

 

All Matches to be played on Sunday, February 22nd

 

TESCO NFL Division 1

 

Dublin v Mayo

DCU St Clares

2:00pm (G. Corrigan)

 

Dublin remain unbeaten in the league after having an epic encouter with Galway in the previous round, they showed plenty of resolve as Sarah McCaffrey scored with the last attack of the game to secure the draw. Dublin have been impressive in the league and have unearthed some new talent in Olwyn Carey and Éabha Rutledge whilst McCaffrey has been in brilliant form in the centre of the field. Mayo had a good win away to Laois last time out which helped banish memories of their defeat to Cork in the first round. Cora Staunton is still the key player for the Westerners and has assumed even more of a leadership role following her appointment as captain. Sarah Rowe has also been in good form along with Fiona McHale who is their driving force around the middle of the field. Dublin are starting to recover their form and the new recruits including Hannah Noonan are beoming more comfortable in their roles, expect Dublin to be tested by a determined Mayo side but they should have enough to get the victory.

 

Galway v Tyrone

Tuam Stadium

2:00pm (G. Carmody)

 

Galway have had no trouble adapting to life in the top division as they sit second in the table. They had a big test in Round 2 when Dublin visited Tuam Stadium and will feel unlucky not to claim all 3 points as Annette Clarke’s long range effort to win the game sailed agonisingly wide with the last kick of the match. Edel Concannon made a goal scoring return to action as she netted twice following a long injury lay off. This team are full of talented players and are a real handful for anyone. Tyrone have endured a difficult start to the season as they have failed to collect any points from their opening 2 fixtures. However, they are a team that are more than capable of improving and will be a test for Galway. The long trip West to a Galway side that is brimming with confidence should prove to be too much for Tyrone but another strong showing will defintiely help the confidence levels going into crunch fixtures in the coming weeks.

 

Kerry v Laois

Castleisland Desmonds

2:00pm (J. Flood)

 

Kerry came agonisingly close to a real morale boosting victory over Cork in Round 2 but saw their brilliant second half rally fall just short as Geraldine O’Flynn popped up with the winning score for the Rebellettes. Kerry have shown that they are a resurgent force under Alan O’Neill and they will be determined to put up a strong showing against Laois in their first home game. Laois have struggled this season to date as they were easily defeated by Galway and Mayo although they did show some improvement in the latter contest. Kerry will be determined to put down a marker in this match and push themselves firmly into the reckoning for the knock out stages with a dominant performance this weekend.

 

Monaghan v Cork

Blackhill

2:30pm (M.Farrelly)

 

This is the headline fixture in Division 1 as Monaghan host the defending champions, Cork. Monaghan are a bogey team for Cork as they regularly spring surprise results on the dominant Rebellettes. Monaghan were sluggish in their opening round defeat to Dublin but did get back to winning ways when easily defeating Tyrone. This is a team that have quality throughout the ranks from goalkeeper Linda Martin right through to corner forward Ciara McAnespie. If all of their big game players produce good performances they are more that capable of claiming the points. Cork are the only team in the division with a 100% record after 2 games. They did show vulnerability against Kerry but were still able to get the result thanks to Geraldine O’Flynn’s free taking. In previous years Cork have been vulnerable at this time of the year as they give new players a chance but to date there have not been any signs of that weakness. Valerie Mulcahy remains their big scoring threat but with the likes of Briege Corkery returning they are only getting stronger. This is a great chance for Peter Clarke to make a statement of intent with his new team but Cork are still the gold standard in Ladies Football and will go into this game as deserving favourites.

 

TESCO NFL Division 2

 

Clare v Donegal

Kilmihil

1:00pm (S. Mulvihill)

 

Clare at home and Clare on the road seem to be two different teams. Easily defeated away to Cavan in Round 1 they then rallied and will count themselves unlucky not to take the points against Meath. They will again be keen to take full advantage of being home in Kilmihil but Donegal will present a big challenge. Donegal are the pace setters in Division 2 having put themselves in pole position to reach the playoffs after defeating Armagh in last week’s match. This Donegal team is a side that seems to be brimming with confidence and look like they are more than capable of making a quick return to Division 1, although it is a long trip to Clare it should hold a victory at the end of the journey for the league leaders.

 

Armagh v Kildare

Silverbridge

2:00pm (C. McManus)

 

Armagh will not be happy after being edged out by their Ulster rivals, Donegal, in the last round and will certainly be looking to make amends quickly when they host Kildare on Sunday. The Orchard county are amongst the favourites to reach the playoffs but with the division being so close they will not want to drop any further points. Kildare had a brilliant win against Meath in Round 1 but they then had a rude awakening against Cavan as they were easily defeated in Round 2. For the second week in a row they travel to Ulster and they will be very hard pressed to improve on their result against Cavan, this should be a home win for Armagh but Kildare will be hoping to make it a hard earned three points.

 

Westmeath v Cavan

St. Loman’s Mullingar

2:00pm (N. McCormack)

 

This is the tie of the round in Division 2 as the leaders travel to Mullingar for a crunch game. Westmeath are undoubtedy a very good side but they were on the receiving end of a real hammering against Armagh conceding 6 goals on the way to defeat. However, this team should not perform at that level again and will certainly prove to be a big challenge for the early season leaders. Cavan have been in blistering form to date in the league having handed out heavy defeats to both Clare and Kildare. However, this is their first match on the road and it will be their first meeting with a team that are also amongst the favourites to reach the knock out stages. This is a match that is extremely hard to call with a draw possibly being the most likely result but with home advantage and determination to make up for their performance against Armagh it might motivate the home side to win.

 

Meath v Down

Ashbourne

2:00pm (K. Phelan)

Meath will feel that they should have amassed more points than they have to date following a very narrow loss to Kildare and a hard fought draw with Clare. Diane O’Hora will be looking for a change in luck and form and her team has certainly shown that they have the potential to do so. It has been a real change in fortune for a Down team that reached the divisional semi final last year and claimed the TG4 All Ireland Intermediate Championship. They now sit rooted to the bottom of the table after receiving two huge defeats to date. This Down side have plenty of talent but unless they rediscover the form of 2014 they will have a very long season and Meath are set to be the latest beneficiaries of that this weekend.

TESCO NFL Division 3

 

Waterford v Sligo

Fraher Field

11:45am (J. Murphy)

 

This is the most anticipated match of the round as two sides that have 100% records meet in Fraher Field. Waterford have been functional if not impressive with wins over Wexford and a facile victory against Fermanagh. Sligo will take to the road for the first time this season having had a very rude awakening against Wexford last time out as they held out for a 1 point win. This is going to be a close match but Waterford are very difficult to defeat at home and that should be enough for the hosts to claim victory.

 

Leitrim v Fermanagh

Ballinamore

2:00pm (F. Keane)

 

Leitrim are a team that have been in superb form to date in the division as they have recorded good wins against both Tipperary and Roscommon to justify their position as favourites to clinch the division. Fermangh on the other hand had a terrible performance in defeat to Waterford when they scored just three points and conceded 5 goals. Fermanagh are a team full of quality but Leitrim seem to be the the team to beat and will be expected to keep their 100% record for another week at least.

 

Longford v Wexford

Glennon Brothers Pearse Park

2:00pm (D. McEnery)

 

This is the basement battle between the two sides that are currently propping up the division. This youthful Longford side has been on the receiving ends of a couple of heavy defeats which was to be expected as manager, Noelle Comyn, has a very young and inexperienced squad that are finding their feet at this level. Wexford are also pointless in the division but their performances have certainly been better than their position suggests as they were defeated by only a point in both of their matches to date. This is their third away game in a row but Wexford will hope that this time the result will go their way.

 

Roscommon v Tipperary

Kiltoom

2:00pm (K. Corcoran)

 

Roscommon have adapted well to life in Division 3 as they followed a narrow defeat to Leitrim with a resounding win over Longford. There is momentum behind the Connacht side who claimed Division 4 last year and will certainly want to be in the shake up for the knock out stages later in the year. Tipperary are still something of an unknown quantity as they have only played one match to date and that was a defeat to Leitrim in early February. The break may suit this young Tipperary side but it will be difficult to see them getting a win away from home to this very promising Roscommon team.

 

TESCO NFL Division 4

 

Antrim v Limerick

All Saints GAC, Slemish Park

12:00pm (B. Rice)

 

Antrim had a tough opener away to Louth in Round 1 where they lost by a single point but they will look at the visit of Limerick as a chance to get some points on the board. Limerick had a good win when they travelled to Wicklow last time out and they will again be the travelling team this weekend. Antrim are the team with the greater need for points and with home advantage they may just edge this one.

 

Derry v Wicklow

St. Treas PS, Ballymaguigan

2:00pm (K. McKeever)

 

Derry have struggled to make an impact in the league in the last few years and were on the receiving end of a big defeat at the hands of Offaly in their last match. Wicklow will be disappointed that they lost their opening home match to Limerick in the first round so they will see this fixture as the perfect way to get their year back on track. This young Derry side will compete well at home but Wicklow should be able to find enough for the win.

 

Offaly v Louth

Ballyfore,

2:00pm (C. Forde)

 

Offaly were disappointing in 2014 as they finished bottom of Division 3 to make a quick return to Division 4. This is a team that is full of quality when all of their players are available and they will want to make a mark against Louth. Antrim visited Louth in Round 1 but it was the home side that got the victory and the morale boost that came with it. Louth again face a team with whom they have a great rivalry but it really is difficult to see Offaly allowing them to leave with any points.

 

TESCO NFL League Tables

 

 

TESCO NFL Division 1
Team Played Won Lost Drawn Scores For Scores Against Score Difference Points
Cork 2 2 0 0 35 26 9 6
Galway 2 1 0 1 48 22 26 4
Dublin 2 1 0 1 27 18 9 4
Monaghan 2 1 1 0 30 23 7 3
Kerry 2 1 1 0 29 25 4 3
Mayo 2 1 1 0 28 24 4 3
Tyrone 2 0 2 0 20 41 -21 0
Laois 2 0 2 0 12 50 -38 0
TESCO NFL Division 2
Team Played Won Lost Drawn Scores For Points Against Score Difference Points
Cavan 2 2 0 0 62 16 46 6
Donegal 2 2 0 0 48 20 28 6
Armagh 2 1 1 0 43 27 16 3
Westmeath 2 1 1 0 53 34 19 3
Kildare 2 1 1 0 26 39 -13 3
Meath 2 0 1 1 32 33 -1 1
Clare 2 0 1 1 23 55 -32 1
Down 2 0 2 0 11 74 -63 0
TESCO NFL Division 3
Team Played Won Lost Drawn Scores For Scores Against Score Difference Points
Waterford 2 2 0 0 36 11 25 6
Leitrim 2 2 0 0 45 29 16 6
Sligo 2 2 0 0 33 20 13 6
Roscommon 2 1 1 0 40 29 11 3
Wexford 2 0 2 0 21 23 -2 0
Tipperary 1 0 1 0 12 22 -10 0
Fermanagh 1 0 1 0 3 27 -24 0
 Longford 2  0  2  0  13  42  -29  0
TESCO NFL Division 4
Team Played Won Lost Drawn Scores for Scores Against Score Difference Points
Offaly 1 1 0 0 43 7 36 3
Limerick 1 1 0 0 15 11 4 3
Louth 1 1 0 0 14 13 1 3
Antrim 1 0 1 0 13 14 -1 0
Wicklow 1 0 1 0 11 15 -4 0
Derry 1 0 1 0 7 43 -36 0

 

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