Division Two laden with ambushes for Burke's boys
Roscommon LGFA Chairperson, Declan Walsh, makes a presentation to 2023 U-14 girls' football manager, Martin Mulvihill, at the Roscommon LGFA underage presentations in Hannon's Hotel. Picture: Michelle Hughes Walsh
This year’s Allianz NFL Division Two looks finely balanced.
All the teams look capable of beating each other. With only three home games, Roscommon will have to pick up points on the road if they are to make a quick return back to Division One.
I believe that the promotion equation will involve Roscommon, Monaghan, Cork and Louth, while Cavan, Down, Westmeath and Meath will become embroiled in a relegation battle.
Roscommon: Since 2015, Roscommon have won the Division Two League title on four occasions. The last three have come after being relegated the previous season. Based on that evidence, Roscommon are front runners to make an immediate return to the top tier of league football.
Davy Burke’s team selection for Sunday’s game against Down will be eagerly anticipated, especially his six starting forwards and the three that will remain in the scoring zone.
Roscommon have the best score-getters of any team in Division Two, and that alone should see the Primrose and Blue contesting the promotion places.
Monaghan: After a magnificent ten-year spell in Division One, Monaghan finally fell through the trapdoor last season.
While they are not as intimidating as the last decade, the Farney men will feel that their stay in Division Two might be short-lived. But defenders can rest easy as the brilliant Conor McManus has retired.
Cork: Since 2016, Cork have been unable to book a return flight back to Division One. The journey has included a vacation in Division Three. In general, over the past few seasons, they haven’t been able to mount a promotion challenge.
With four home games, including two against Roscommon and Louth, the Rebels will hope to turn SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh into a fortress. If they can manage that, John Cleary’s men might just squeeze themselves into the promotion frame.
Louth: Over the past four years, Louth’s trajectory has been on an upward curve, gaining automatic promotions from Division Four to Two, and maintaining their Division Two status for the past two years.
They’ve reached the last two Leinster SFC finals, and beat Cork to reach last season’s All-Ireland’s quarter-final. In other words, Ger Brennan’s side will fancy being in the promotion picture entering the closing furlong.
Cavan: After a crazy nine-year period of promotions and relegations, which saw the Breffni Blues play in all four divisions of the league, Cavan have settled for mid-table security in Division Two.
Former goalkeeper Raymond Galligan is a safe pair of hands as manager. At home, they are capable of beating anyone.
Down: Tailteann Cup winners alongside being promoted from Division Three in 2024, Down will fancy dining out with the top four rather than eating cheap takeaways in the bottom half of the table trying to avoid the drop.
Conor Laverty’s side will feel there are at least two worst teams in Division Two.
Westmeath: Over the past two seasons, Westmeath have given some of the best teams in the country the fright of their lives in the championship. If they can bring that mentality into the league, they are capable of winning games.
After the surprise decision of manager Dessie Dolan to step aside, the Lake County has appointed former Cavan powerhouse at midfield, Dermot McCabe, with former Donegal star and previous Roscommon coach, Mark McHugh, as his right hand man.
Meath: Despite winning the 2023 Tailteann Cup in Colm O’Rourke first year in charge, the Royals haven’t built on that success, flirting with relegation from Division Two last season. Their championship form was poor and, consequently, they look set to feature in another relegation scrap.
Former Kilmacud Crokes All-Ireland winning club manager, Robbie Brennan, has taken on the challenge of guiding Meath out of the gloom. But with only three home games, they are going to have to be brave and bold on the road to stay afloat.
As the new government was concluding their business, my weekly Teaser crew was burning the midnight oil, trying to secure their places on the front bench.
Can you name the only current senior intercounty team football manager who captained his college to win the Hogan Cup? It was Padraic Joyce of Galway who captained St. Jarlath’s, Tuam, to the Hogan Cup in 1994.
QPR, Frenchpark, was first to receive a ministerial post. Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis; Fr John McManus, PP Castlerea; Murt Hunt, Ballyhaunis; Michael Scally, Ballaghaderreen; John Croghan, Bundoran; Pat Deane, Williamstown; PJ Martin, Kiltoom; Paddy Conlon, Taughmaconnell; Paddy Duignan, Castlerea; Larry Cunningham, Glinsk; Brian Stenson, Castlerea; James Healy, Mount Talbot; John Wynne, Kilteevan; Bernard Duffy Longford/Loughglynn; Hugh Lynn, Loughglynn; James Martin, St. Brigid’s; Mick Fetherston, Dublin; Paul Kelly, Strokestown; Luigi, Ballyhaunis; Mary Gilfillan, Kilmore; Paddy Boland, Youghal; Bernie Shannon, Boyle; David Callaghan, Castlerea; Pat, Sligo; Kevin Flanagan, Dartford, and Michael Kearns, Clapham, also received their seal of office.
This week’s Teaser. Can you name the county in last year’s All-Ireland senior football championship who played, and lost to, all four teams that reached the All-Ireland semi-finals?
Answers by e-mail to willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086 8356227. This week’s teaser came from Dublin.
Star Pupil: Con O’Callaghan who now joins an elusive group of 13 players who have won both the All-Ireland senior club football and hurling championships.
Crucial win for: Connacht getting the better of Cardiff, which means the Westerners can reach the Challenge Cup final without leaving the Dexcom Stadium through the knockout stages.
Much do better: For me, RTÉ’s Late Late Show GAA Special last Friday night was flat, stale, and lacked fresh ideas and new faces.
Spot of bother: The chasing pack is losing ground in their pursuit of high-flying Liverpool in the Premier League title race.
Weekend highlight: Watching Shaun Murphy compile a maximum 147 break at the UK Masters Snooker semi-final live on BBC1 made for wonderful viewing.
What a cracker: Galway and Armagh is the perfect game to get the new GAA season up and running.
“The new week stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written.”
For the third successive season, Mickey Harte will start the new Allianz League with a different county — Louth, Derry and now Offaly.
One of the GAA’s great footballers, Conor McManus of Monaghan, retired last weekend following a brilliant intercounty career.
A gifted footballer doesn’t have to win an All-Ireland to be remembered as one of the greats.
