ANTRIM

The story so far

Lenny Harbinson will be very happy with his side’s position at present, chiefly because promotion is in their own hands. Five of their seven points have come at home and given that those games were against Wexford, Carlow and a Limerick side that had won all four games previously, that’s a very solid return. They were unlucky away to Sligo too as they lost out by a point while they battled the elements to win in London. Last weekend’s win over Limerick felt like a big moment in the division with Odhran Eastwood’s two goals helping the Saffrons to a 2-21 to 1-12 victory in Glenavy.

Remaining fixtures

Sunday, March 15: Wicklow v Antrim

Sunday, March 22: Antrim v Waterford

What they need

Two wins, it’s as simple as that. Victory in Wicklow next week would leave the side in a glorious position, particularly as they finish with a home outing against a struggling Waterford. The Déise have come into some good form as of late, but it’s still a match that Antrim would expect to win. The Wicklow match seems the make-or-break fixture.

Prediction: Second

ARMAGH

The story so far

It seems incredible, but Armagh could be dragged into a relegation battle very quickly if they are not careful. Fermanagh away and Roscommon at home are two tough games, and lose those and they will head to Clare knowing that they’d probably need a result. It shouldn’t come to that, the Orchard county have played some great football against Cavan, Kildare and in the first half against Westmeath. They gave up and eight-point lead in the latter of those, going four behind in fact, but Jamie Clarke’s late goal rescued them. A point gained or a point lost? That will become very clear in the next few weeks in what is a massive period for Kieran McGeeney.

Remaining fixtures

Saturday, March 7: Fermanagh v Armagh

Saturday, March 14: Armagh v Roscommon

Sunday, March 22: Clare v Armagh

What they need

A win over Fermanagh would put the ball firmly in Armagh’s court. That would leave a home fixture with Roscommon and a trip to Clare with the possibility of one win from those final two games being enough to go up. Brewster Park is not a fortress that is often breached, so Saturday’s Ulster derby is huge.

Prediction: First

CAVAN

The story so far

How do you sum up Cavan’s campaign to date? Started with a thumping at the hands of Armagh and then were outplayed for the first period against Westmeath. At half-time something changed and they managed to turn that game around before backing it up with wins on the road in Laois and Fermanagh, no mean feat. Mickey Graham’s side were catapulted from the relegation spots to the top of the Division Two table and a home game against struggling Clare looked like the perfect opportunity to drive home their promotion ambitions. However, the Banner left Kingspan Breffni with a 1-14 to 0-15 win. The Munster side could have had a few more goals in the first half too, so it was a real wake-up call.

Remaining fixtures

Sunday, March 15: Kildare v Cavan

Sunday, March 22: Cavan v Roscommon

What they need

Nothing is off the table here, promotion and relegation remain very much in play as they sit on six points. Losing to Kildare would really ramp up the pressure because two teams are currently on four points, the Lilywhites and Clare, and Cavan are behind on the head-to-head against both (it only applies when two sides are level though). Their current total may be enough, but they’ll want at least one more win to fend off Division Three fears and to also keep alive their chances of moving up a level.

Prediction: Fourth

DERRY

The story so far

Consolidation would have been the main aim for Derry after their promotion from Division Four and that’s what they are on course for. Things could have been rosier though, especially given their defeat to Down when they probably edged proceedings. Some errant shooting cost them in Newry while it was the home side that played the better in the final 10 minutes despite being a man down. A fortunate home draw with Leitrim in round one is a bad result on paper too so that’s three points that went a-begging. Rounds three and four brought wins over Tipperary and Louth while a spirited second-half comeback in their loss to Cork last weekend should bring plenty of positives for the final two rounds.

Remaining fixtures

March 15: Derry v Longford

March 22: Offaly v Derry

What they need

A big shock, really. If they are to have any hope of going up, they’ll need Down to drop a point somewhere in their games with Leitrim and Louth. All Rory Gallagher’s men can do is keep winning and see what happens.

Prediction: Third

DONEGAL

The story so far

How important was that win over Monaghan on Sunday? ‘Very’, is the answer. Lose that and Declan Bonner’s side would have had been sweating over their final few games with Tyrone and Kerry. It would have been a harsh position given that the side were left disappointed with one point from their clashes with Mayo, Dublin and Galway when six points was a real possibility. Did the job in Navan in round two as three goals saw off Meath, so they are sitting on five points after as many games. A strong finish to the league season may just open the door to a Division One final date, but they would also need other results to go a certain way. Overall a solid campaign to date, but one that should have been even more rewarding.

Remaining fixtures

Saturday, March 14: Donegal v Tyrone

Sunday, March 22: Kerry v Donegal

What they need

One more win should be enough to allay any relegation fears, even a point will likely be enough. Monaghan are level on points but behind on the head-to-head rule while Mayo are two points behind. The Connacht side stole a draw with Donegal in round one, but Declan Bonner’s side have a much better scoring difference so while they are not comfortable, they are in a fairly secure position.

Prediction: Fourth

DOWN

The story so far

Down’s 2019 league campaign was ruined by a sloppy final-day home loss to Louth, and Paddy Tally looks determined to stop that happening again. In truth, their home wins over Derry and Longford have left them in a great spot and expected wins over Leitrim and the Wee county would secure promotion and tier-one championship football. It hasn’t all been perfect, they started well against Tipperary before falling away in their draw while Cork were comfortable enough when the sides met earlier in the season. Overall though, Down are where they want to be – promotion firmly in their own hands with just two games remaining.

Remaining fixtures

Sunday, March 15: Down v Leitrim

Sunday, March 22: Louth v Down

What they need

Just to keep their heads. Leitrim are not a bad side but the Mourne county should be winning that with a bit to spare. Then comes a trip to Drogheda to face a Louth side that ruined their promotion bid last year. The Leinster side are out of their depth this year though and it would take a brave person to back them to get the better of Down again.

Prediction: Second

The story so far

FERMANAGH

The table never lies but it doesn’t help when you have a game less played. Fermanagh’s match with Armagh was called off last Sunday but if they win the re-fixture then their story changes dramatically. As it is, Ryan McMenamin’s side look to be in big trouble. They gave Kildare a good run before losing their opener but responded with an excellent home win against Roscommon. Frustration followed in Westmeath as they failed to make the most of their opportunities before a few sloppy goals cost them against Cavan. The Erne county are rooted to the bottom of the table but as teams have already shown in this division, the situation can change very dramatically in a short space of time.

Remaining fixtures

Saturday, March 7: Fermanagh v Armagh

Sunday, March 15: Clare v Fermanagh

Sunday, March 22: Fermanagh v Laois

What they need

One win, possibly two, in their final three games. Anything less and it’s tier-two football later in the year. All the games appear winnable with a trip to Clare sandwiched between home fixtures with Armagh and Laois.

Prediction: Seventh

MONAGHAN

The story so far

It’s been a head-scratching few weeks for Monaghan as they somehow find themselves right bang in the middle of a relegation battle. With Meath already down, it looks like it’s between Mayo, Donegal and themselves for that final spot but a few other counties could be dragged in yet. Monaghan generally have been very good but a draw with Dublin despite being 10 points ahead at one stage and a one-point loss in Galway have been pretty damaging. They have had mixed fortunes against Ulster opposition as they tore Tyrone apart in Castleblayney with some excellent play while last weekend they were second best all over in Donegal. There was also a fine second-half performance that secured a comfortable win over Mayo in round four.

Remaining fixtures

Sunday, March 15: Monaghan v Kerry

Sunday, March 22: Monaghan v Meath

What they need

Meath giving up the ghost after Sunday’s relegation would be a help, but the derby element means there will be no guarantees there. That’s the second of two home games with Kerry arriving north first. One win should be enough across those two games.

Prediction: Sixth

TYRONE

The story so far

Out-played by Monaghan, destroyed by Galway and riddled with injuries, yet Tyrone are just one point off a final spot. ‘We’re brilliant, we’re doomed, wait we’re brilliant again,” Red Hand fans have had to reassess their position a number of times this season. For all their supposed problems, they have beaten arguably the best two teams in the country in Kerry and Dublin. The weather played a big part in both with the Kingdom match moved to Edendork while Strom Jorge made Saturday’s match with Dublin a bit of a farce at times. Mickey Harte will not care one jot as they battled hard with Rory Brennan’s goal proving decisive. There could be punishment coming down the line for them – and Dublin – following the unfortunate scenes at half-time at Healy Park.

Remaining fixtures

Saturday, March 14: Donegal v Tyrone

Sunday, March 22: Mayo v Tyrone

What they need

A result on the road would be nice. All six points have arrived in home fixtures and they finish with trips to Donegal and Mayo. Given that both sides are below them, two defeats could still spoil relegation bother. Two wins and they’re heading to Croke Park.

Prediction: Fifth