By Niall McCoy

National Football League Division 1A

Donegal v Mayo

Saturday, Ballybofey, 6pm

IT was a minimum of fuss start to the season for Donegal in terms of the scoreline as they defeated Westmeath 2-13 to 1-7 last weekend – but the loss of Geraldine McLaughlin to injury is a major concern.

They return to Ballybofey on Saturday for what should be a more difficult task against Connacht heavyweights Mayo.

For manager Maxi Curran, the ease of the victory would have been most pleasing, particularly as Westmeath had turned them over last season.

The first half was even enough but Donegal pulled away in the second period. They got the perfect start – albeit in fortuitous circumstances – as Niamh McLaughlin’s long ball into the attack finished in the net just 16 seconds into the contest.

McLaughlin also scored their second goal but it was the sight of McLaughlin being helped off with 10 minutes remaining that will cause Curran a bit of concern. Her absence is a real blow as the visitors Mayo will be on a high after their comeback win over Galway. The Westerners hit the final 1-4 of the match to edge it, and there was more good news as Fiona McHale returned for the first time in three years as the Carnacon saga appears to be coming to an end.

This will be a huge test for Donegal, and the outcome may depend on McLaughlin’s availability. The Tir Chonaill county should edge it.

Verdict: Donegal

 

National Football League Division 2B

Tyrone v Cavan

Sunday, O’Neills Healy Park, 2pm

NEW Cavan manager Gerry Moane is back on familiar territory as he meets his former team Tyrone at Healy Park.

His side will travel in confidence too having earned an excellent 3-11 to 2-10 win over Monaghan at Clones last week.

All five goals came in the final quarter and the majority went to the Breffni county, with Geraldine Sheridan grabbing a brace either side of a Sinead Greene strike. The first two goals really were excellent team moves that started with goalkeeper Elaine Walsh and were worked up the field. Cavan really do look a powerful outfit right now.

Tyrone came so close to getting a win against Armagh, but the concession of a late penalty proved costly in their one-point defeat. For long periods they were the better side, especially in the opening 20 minutes as they moved seven points clear.

In midfielder Aoibheann McHugh they had a player who caused Armagh real problems when she ran directly at them. She grabbed one of their goals while Chloe McCaffrey helped herself to 2-2 in the 3-11 to 3-10 loss. The result may not have arrived, but Tyrone are already looking sharper than they did last season. This will be a real physical test though, and they will have to be at their best if Kevin McCrystal is to get one over his friend Moane.

Verdict: Cavan

 

Armagh v Monaghan

(Sunday, Athletic Grounds, 2pm)

IT’S a repeat of last year’s Ulster final and while there is no silverware on offer, this will be a crucial game in the Division 2B promotion race.

Armagh are trying to make it two wins from two after edging Tyrone last week while Monaghan went down to Cavan on home turf, so the Oriel county really need a good response.

The Orchard county were far from their best against Tyrone and they were overpowered around midfield while they didn’t get an awful lot of service up to the forwards.

In the 22nd minute they trailed 2-3 to 0-2 but their next two attacks would plunder a crucial 1-1.

Firstly Aimee Mackin swung over an excellent left-footed effort and then Aoife McCoy showed great anticipation to nip in and steal the ball before laying off to Alex Clarke.

The Crossmaglen player passed to Mackin and she got it back to McCoy who hit the net at the second attempt after Katie Byrne had denied her first effort.

That set up a nip-and-tuck second half and goals from Clarke and a late Mackin penalty gave Armagh a 3-11 to 3-10 win.

3-11 was the tally Monaghan conceded against Cavan with Ciaran Murphy’s side only managing 1-10 in return.

They had moved into a 0-3 lead thanks to an Ellen McCarron free and a Laura McEnaney point, and things looked even better when Cavan had Aoibhinn Kiernan sin-binned, but it was the Breffni side that took control from there to lead 0-5 to 0-4 at the break.

By the water-break it was Cavan 0-10 Monaghan 0-8, but the concession of three goals proved fatal even though McCarron also raised a green flag.

Verdict: Armagh

 

National Football League Division 3A

Roscommon v Down

Sunday, Kiltoom, 2pm

DOWN disappointingly fell to Sligo in round one, and an immediate response is required from Caoibhe Sloan and Peter Lynch’s side.

Goals were their undoing as they lost out 3-4 to 0-11 in Teconnaught. They were two points up with 10 minutes remaining but the Yeats county hit two majors in three minutes to take the points.

The Mourne county looked rusty. Jessica Foy was involved in everything while Clare Fitzpatrick brought a commanding presence, but too many moves broke down due to a dropped ball, over-carrying or leaving a shot short.

They didn’t score in the first quarter too, albeit against the breeze, and they were too reliant on Foy and Natasha Ferris for points. Indeed, it took to 38th minute for someone other than those two to score when Aoife Keown swung over a nice effort.

Sligo would definitely have been a game targeted for two points, because nothing is going to come easily in Kiltoom. Roscommon had a good start to the season as they defeated Fermanagh, so Ulster really needs to respond to a fine opening week for the Connacht sides.

Verdict: Roscommon

 

Fermanagh v Sligo

(Sunday, Kinawley, 2pm)

FERMANAGH’S league season started in disappointing fashion as they lost 3-10 to 1-12 away to Roscommon.

The game was finely balanced for the majority with target woman Eimear Smyth proving accurate from play and frees, but it was those goals that killed their hopes. Star player Smyth did miss great goal chances in the ninth and 45th minutes, the latter going over the bar, but her performance really was excellent.

She is undoubtedly the key to victory this weekend, but players like Sarah Britton also showed a nice skillset while Joanne Doonan really took the game to the Rossies in the second half.

It was Doonan who scored the Erne goal after brilliant play from Smyth saw her effort rebound off the post.

Sligo were second best in terms of possession against Down last week, but they hit the net three times to edge home.

Verdict: Fermanagh

 

National Football League Division 4A

Leitrim v Derry

(Sunday, Ballinamore, 2pm)

DERRY had reported a really good build-up to their league season, but the concession of five goals was a major blow as Antrim defeated them by 12 points at Celtic Park.

A slow start put them on the back foot as they gave up 1-3 in the first six minutes.

They worked their way back into the contest, mainly through the scoring exploits of Orla McGeough, but the concession of a third goal just before the break was a hammer-blow. Ciara McGurk and Ciara Moore were their other goal-scorers in the 5-10 to 3-4 loss.

Leitrim posted a big tally against Louth to get off the mark, and they should make it two from two.

Verdict: Leitrim

 

Louth v Antrim

(Sunday, Clan na Gael, 2pm)

SAOIRSE Tennyson is an injury doubt for Antrim as they attempt to build on their round one win over Derry.

The St Paul’s player had to be replaced in the first half of their win over Derry, and her absence would be a real blow for this Dundalk encounter.

The Saffrons performed well in her absence as they defeated the Oakleafers 5-10 to 3-4. Cathy Carey, Aoife Taggart, Caitlin Taggart, Meabh McCurdy and Emma Ferran got their goals.

Louth conceded 3-14 against Leitrim last week and may struggle to contain the Antrim attack – especially when it comes to goals.

Verdict: Antrim