WEEKEND PREVIEWS: Waterford aim to stay on course for first Lidl NFL Division 1 final appearance since 2002

WATERFORD have their sights set on a first Lidl National League Division 1 final appearance since 2002 as they get ready for Sunday’s home tie with Meath.

That’s one of 16 games across another bumper weekend of Lidl NFL action – with a full schedule of fixtures covering all four divisions in store.

There’s one game on Saturday and it’s a live TG4 offering as Galway entertain Armagh (4.15pm).

On Sunday, six of the 15 ties will be available to viewers via live-streams.

Dublin v Kildare, Kerry v Cork and Waterford v Meath are the three Division 1 ties on offer via https://page.inplayer.com/streamsportireland/.

Waterford are the only team in the top flight boasting a 100 per cent record as they sit proudly on top of the pile.

In Division 2, Donegal v Cavan, Tyrone v Mayo and Tipperary v Monaghan are the live picks.

Saturday February 21 

Lidl NFL Division 1

Galway v Armagh; Duggan Park, Ballinasloe, 4.15pm – Live on TG4

Galway, on six points, take on Armagh, who have three, in a crucial TG4 fixture.

A win for Galway will keep them in contention for a top two finish and a final spot, while Armagh need the points to keep alive their hopes of a third successive Division 1 appearance.

Armagh will be anxious to bounce back quickly from last weekend’s home reverse to Cork, as Galway aim to build on their win against Kildare.

There’s one change on the Galway team for this Ballinasloe tussle, as Aoife Molloy comes in for Sophie Healy.

Armagh make three changes in personnel, with Christina O’Reilly, Caoimhe McNally and Caroline O’Hanlon replacing Roisin Mulligan, Laura Kavanagh and Aoife McCoy.

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 (capt.).

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

Sunday February 22

Lidl NFL Division 1

Dublin v Kildare; O’Dwyers GAA, Balbriggan, 2pm – Live stream

Dublin, the reigning TG4 All-Ireland Senior champions, are in trouble in this Lidl National League campaign.

The Sky Blues are bottom of the table and yet to register a point after three outings.

And in this relegation dogfight, they meet second from bottom Kildare, who have a point from their three games to date.

Dublin’s last outing was a five-point loss to table-toppers Waterford, and the hosts have made one change for the visit of the Lilywhites.

Keeva Kenehan comes into the full-back line to replace Aishling Nyhan, who drops to the bench.

Kildare’s last game was a defeat to Galway and there are two changes to their starting team, with Gillian Wheeler and Alannah Prizeman replacing Molly Aspell and Meabh McDonagh.

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

Kildare: R Fennin; E Wheeler, A Mernagh, M Doherty; H McLoughlin, R Sargent, L Lenehan (capt.); N Murphy, G Wheeler; L Shaw, C Wheeler, A Rattigan; A Murnane, R Forde, A Prizeman.

Kerry v Cork; Austin Stack Park, Tralee, 2pm – Live stream

Cork, on their return to the top flight, are motoring well.

The Leesiders remain unbeaten and are just two points behind pace-setters Waterford.

Kerry have two wins from three outings and this Munster derby has a pivotal feel about it in the hunt for top tier silverware.

After an important win away to Armagh last Sunday, Cork have opted for an unchanged starting line-up.

Kerry, in contrast, have made six changes to the team that accounted for Meath last time out.

Eabha Ni Laighin, Kelli McGrath, Niamh Carmody, Kelly Enright, Rachel Dwyer and Niamh Quinn are all handed starts, as they replace Kathryn Ryan, the injured Cáit Lynch, Katie Brosnan, Anna Galvin, Danielle O’Leary and Leah McMahon.

Kerry: C Butler; E Ní Laighin, A Doherty, A Dillane; M O’Connor, E Lynch, K McGrath; M O’Connell, C Evans; N Carmody, N Ní Chonchúir, K Enright; S O’Shea (capt.), R Dwyer, N Quinn.

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 (capt.); A Ring, K Quirke, Á O’Sullivan.

Waterford v Meath; Dungarvan GAA, 2pm – Live stream

This has been a dream League season to date for Waterford.

The Déise are out on their own at the top – and with three wins from three games.

Waterford have not contested a Division 1 final since 2002 but a fourth successive win in 2026 would put them within touching distance of Parnell Park in April.

There’s still work to be done, however, and they face a Meath team smarting from defeat to Kerry.

The visitors would rekindle their own final hopes with a victory and the Royals do need the win here.

After defeating Dublin, there’s one change to the Waterford starting team, with Clare Walsh replacing Ruby Browne.

Meath have made two changes, as Megan Thynne and Rachel Casserly slot in for Ciara Lawlor and Meadhbh Byrne.

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

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.

Lidl NFL Division 2

Donegal v Cavan; Fr. Tierney Park, Ballyshannon, 2pm – Live stream

A big Ulster derby in the quest for promotion.

Donegal, on top of the pile and with maximum points to date, will aim to preserve their 100 per cent record against Cavan, last year’s Division 3 winners who remain unbeaten this year.

Cavan are lurking just two points off the pace, alongside Mayo, and high on confidence after winning their last two games.

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.

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

Tyrone v Mayo; O’Neills Healy Park, Omagh, 2pm – Live stream

Both counties suffered relegation last year and are aiming to bounce back at the first attempt.

Tyrone suffered their first loss against Donegal in their last outing, as Mayo earned a gritty two-point victory over Tipperary.

Mayo are two points off Donegal, who are top, with Tyrone on six points. A victory for either side here would provide a massive promotion boost.

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

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.

Tipperary v Monaghan; Clonmel Sportsfield, 2pm – Live stream

A big game towards the bottom end of the table as Tipperary entertain Monaghan.

Both sides are on three points but currently clear of the relegation places, which are occupied by pointless Westmeath and Wexford.

Monaghan earned their first win of the season in Round 3, as they got the better of Westmeath, while Tipp are looking for their first victory since accounting for Wexford in the opening round.

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, H Spillane; L Cunningham, L Maher, E Morrissey.

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.

Wexford v Westmeath; Samaritans St Patricks Park, Enniscorthy, 2pm 

A basement battle as Wexford entertain Westmeath in a Leinster derby.

Without a single point between them to date, this is a massive tie as both teams aim to kickstart their campaigns.

With Tipperary and Monaghan playing against each other, this is a big chance for Wexford and Westmeath to boost their chances of avoiding relegation.

Wexford: S Cloake; J Dempsey, K English, K Dempsey; O Kehoe, A Halligan, S Harding Kenny; B McDonald, A Furlong; R Hughes, G Donovan, C Banville; C Roban, O Byrne, C Bridges.

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

Lidl NFL Division 3

Antrim v Fermanagh; Coláiste Feirste 4G, Fall’s Road, 2pm

Antrim remain unbeaten and are one of three teams locked together at the top on seven points.

They face Fermanagh on Sunday in what is a repeat of last year’s Division 4 final between the counties.

Fermanagh have found the step-up more difficult but they have earned two draws from three outings and are currently clear of the relegation places.

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

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.

Clare v Laois; Clarecastle GAA 4G, 1pm 

Clare have yet to get off the mark and are one of two teams, Limerick being the other, without a point in Division 3.

With Laois on four points, another defeat for Clare would leave them playing catch up in the battle to avoid the drop.

Laois showed some good form last time out, as they racked up 5-15 in victory over Limerick.

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; A O’Driscoll, C Moloney, E Hanrahan.

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

Down v Roscommon; Cherryvale 4G Pitch, Ravenhill Rd, Belfast, 2pm

Down are unbeaten after three games and very much in the promotion race, with seven points on the board.

Roscommon, on five, are very much in the mix too as they aim to chase down the three teams ahead of them in the standings.

Down scored 7-13 in their last game against Clare but Roscommon were solid too as they earned a share of the spoils against Antrim.

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.

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

Louth v Limerick; Integral GAA Grounds, 2pm 

Louth have the scent of promotion in their nostrils and they’ll fancy their chances of registering another three points here.

After defeating Fermanagh in their last game, Louth now have a home tie against relegation-threatened Limerick.

The visiting Shannonsiders have all three games to date and are in big trouble at the bottom.

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

Limerick: C Bateman; M Stanley, C Ryan, A Dalton; M MacNamara, L O’Brien, E Crowe; O Ryan, E Hickey; C McNamara, L Ryan (capt.), K Heelan; C McGrath, T Geoghegan, L Browne.

Lidl NFL Division 4

Carlow v Derry; SETU Carlow, 2pm 

Carlow were relegated last year but very much in the mood to go straight back up to Division 3.

The Barrowsiders have four wins from four as they prepare to welcome Derry to SETU Carlow.

Derry have lost three of their four games ahead of this one but they were competitive in a one-point loss to Wicklow last weekend.

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.

Derry: T Cassidy; E Dillon, L Brewester, J Corr; C Dillon, K Gribbon, B Donnelly (capt.); K Hargan, S Duggan; N McGarry, A Ni Lochlainn, M Boylan; A McAlister, J Slevin, R Doherty.

Leitrim v Wicklow; Páirc Sheáin Uí Eislin, Ballinamore, 2pm 

Leitrim were stung by semi-final defeat last year – a setback that cost them promotion.

They’ve stormed through four games with maximum points to date and are preparing for the visit of Wicklow.

The Garden County earned their first win of the campaign last weekend, edging past Derry by a point.

Leitrim: M Gallagher; J Maye, C Tyrrell, N Morahan; D Beirne, L Devaney, R McIntyre; N Tighe, A Devaney; A Gilmartin, L Fox, M Guckian (capt.); M Devaney, K Gormley, L O’Dowd.

Wicklow: E Griffin; 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; R Tindall, E Parke, E Doyle.  

Offaly v Longford; POSTPONED 

Sligo v Kilkenny; ATU Sligo, 2pm 

Sligo are very much in the promotion mix and they should be too strong for basement side Kilkenny on home soil.

As Leitrim and Carlow set a blistering pace at the top, all that Offaly, Sligo and Longford, six points adrift of the pace-setters, can do is rack up as many points as they can.

As things stand, it’ll be two from Offaly, Sligo and Longford for semi-final places, with the top four advancing to the knockout phase.

Sligo: C Gallagher; E Horan, H Gilligan, É Cawley; S Feeney, C Walsh, J Gabbidon; S Regan, S Cunney; A McDaniel, A Haran, E Giblin; L Normanly, C Gorman (capt.), D McGrath.

Kilkenny: E Moran; K Hennessy, R Roche, E Dunphy; A Ryan, E Royce Brennan, E Stuart; R Doherty, S Smith; M Farrell, R Harnett, C Moore; K Ryan, B Lomax (capt.), M O’Reilly.