Your guide to the weekend’s GAA action

ALLIANZ FL DIVISION 1

Today

Armagh v Galway, Athletic Grounds, 5.0, D Gough (Meath) – RTÉ2

Whoever wins here can take a giant leap closer to a league final, a debatable prize given that Armagh play Antrim in Ulster a week later. But here’s the rub: neither is safe yet from relegation. Throw in the fractious back story of Croker last June, and this could be a feisty affair.

Verdict: Armagh

Kerry v Roscommon, Austin Stack Pk, 7.30, D O’Mahoney (Tipp) – TG4

The Rossies opened with three wins on the spin and now risk losing three on the bounce. Kerry need the points and, just as pointedly, must start showing signs of Sam Maguire holders who mean business.

Verdict: Kerry

NFL DIVISION 2

Meath v Dublin, Páirc Tailteann, 3.0, C Lane – RTÉ2

It would have been a long shot – Meath pipping their nemesis to promotion – but this beguiling prospect would have been in their own hands if only they hadn’t blown it by drawing in Limerick. Dublin have yet to convince this spring, but facing the old enemy in a packed Navan might spark the improvement that most believe is still within them.

Verdict: Dublin

NFL DIVISION 3

Antrim v Cavan, Corrigan Park, 2.0, K Eannetta (Tyrone)

Their horror-show collapse in Mullingar has stoked relegation fears in Antrim. Away banker for the Division 2-bound Blues.

Verdict: Cavan

Tipperary v Offaly, Semple Stadium, 2.0, J Molloy (Galway)

What should have been a homecoming for Liam Kearns is now a poignant opportunity for both counties to pay heartfelt tribute. It seems trite to say Tipp desperately need the points; some things are more important.

Verdict: Offaly

Fermanagh v Westmeath, Ederney, 3.0, D Coldrick (Meath)

Off-Broadway but still massive in the promotion race. Fermanagh are in the box seat but ...

Verdict: Westmeath

Down v Longford, Páirc Esler, 7.0, S Laverty (Antrim)

The table looks ominous but the last-day fixtures offer a potential escape route for Longford – even if they lose here. Which seems likely.

Verdict: Down

NFL DIVISION 4

Carlow v Sligo, Cullen Park, 5.0, B Tiernan (Dublin)

The visitors are showing promotion form; they could even seal it here, depending on other weekend results.

Verdict: Sligo

Waterford v London, Lemybrien, 5.0, S Mulhare (Laois)

Battle of the basement boys, ranked 32 and 31 in the country. A tentative vote for the Exiles.

Verdict: London

Wexford v Wicklow, Wexford Park, 7.0, B Cawley (Kildare)

This has the look of being close, but Oisín McConville has inspired green shoots in the Garden as they strive to stay in the promotion race.

Verdict: Wicklow

NHL DIVISION 3A ROUND 5

Armagh v Fermanagh, Middletown, 2.0, J Connors (Donegal)

Verdict: Fermanagh

Monaghan v Roscommon, Clontibret, 2.0, T Conway (Down)

Verdict: Monaghan

Louth v Mayo, Darver, 2.0, C Daly (Kildare)

Verdict: Mayo

NHL DIVISION 3B ROUND 5

Lancashire v Warwickshire, Páirc na hÉireann, 2.0, C Doyle (Tipperary)

Verdict: Lancashire

Leitrim v Longford, Drumshanbo, 1.0, J Judge (Mayo)

Verdict: Leitrim

LEINSTER MHC TIER 2 ROUND 1

Cusack Park: Westmeath v Meath, 2.0

Wicklow v Carlow, Aughrim, 2.0

VERY CAMOGIE DIVISION 1A

Galway v Dublin, Duggan Park, 2.0

Verdict: Galway

Tipperary v Clare, The Ragg, 2.0

Verdict: Clare

CAMOGIE DIVISION 2A

Cavan v Meath, 2.0

Verdict: Cavan

Westmeath v Laois, 2.0

Verdict: Westmeath

CAMOGIE DIVISION 2B

Cork v Galway, Cork Camogie Grounds, 2.0

Verdict: Cork

Wexford v Kilkenny, Buffers Alley, 2.0

Verdict: Wexford

CAMOGIE DIVISION 3A

Tyrone v Armagh, Healy Park, 2.0

Verdict: Tyrone

Mayo v Kildare, Freeman Park, 2.0

Verdict: Mayo

Wicklow v Carlow, Bray Emmets, 2.0

Verdict: Wicklow

Roscommon v Louth, Ballyforan, 2.0

Verdict: Roscommon

​

Tomorrow

NFL DIVISION 1

Monaghan v Tyrone, Clones, 1.45, J McQuillan (Cavan) – TG4

Has one fist-pumping victory over Kerry ended talk of crisis in Tyrone? The signs from Omagh were positive, but we’ll have a better read after this fascinating relegation four-pointer.

Verdict: Tyrone

Donegal v Mayo, Ballybofey, 3.45, S Hurson (Tyrone) – TG4

Any two of seven counties can still fall through the trapdoor – but Paddy Carr’s men could well be the first to succumb. Ultimately, their fate may depend on Mayo’s selection/focus. Weirdly, the visitors have never won on Donegal soil, but there’s a first time for everything.

Verdict: Mayo

NFL DIVISION 2

Derry v Clare, Owenbeg, 1.0, P Faloon (Down)

No prizes for guessing who needs it more. The hosts are safely up but even the Banner’s desperation for points may not be enough.

Verdict: Derry

Louth v Cork, Ardee, 1.0, F Kelly (Longford)

Two teams who have kept improving with each round, and who might just cancel each other out.

Verdict: Draw

Limerick v Kildare, Gaelic Grounds, 3.45, J Ryan (Cork)

Crisis, what crisis? You won’t know by the attendance, but this ranks among the biggest games of the weekend. You can’t trust either but ...

Verdict: Kildare

NFL DIVISION 4

Leitrim v Laois, Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, 2.0, N Mooney (Cavan)

Andy Moran’s men can still sneak promotion, but only if they beat the division’s top two (Laois and Sligo) at home. A tall but not impossible ask.

Verdict: Laois

NHL DIVISION 1 GROUP A ROUND 5

Clare v Cork, Cusack Park Ennis, 1.45, T Walsh (Waterford)

Nothing tangible to play for here, with Cork already qualified.

Verdict: Clare

Westmeath v Galway, Cusack Park Mullingar, 1.45, K Jordan (Tipperary)

Westmeath have been far more competitive in Division 1 this year but, naturally, their focus will already be on next week’s relegation play-off.

Verdict: Galway

Limerick v Wexford, Gaelic Grounds, 1.45, M Kennedy (Tipperary)

Conor McDonald, Damien Reck and Matt O’Hanlon won’t be risked after hobbling off in last week’s loss in Cork.

Verdict: Limerick

NHL DIVISION 1 GROUP B ROUND 5

Antrim v Tipperary, Corrigan Park, 1.45, P O’Dwyer (Carlow)

The blow of losing Séamus Callanan for four-to-six weeks leaves a hole in Tipperary’s inside line now.

Verdict: Tipperary

Dublin v Laois, Parnell Park, 1.45, S Hynes (Galway)

Seán Currie went off last weekend with a shoulder/collar bone injury but Mícheál Donoghue’s squad seems to be close to full fitness now.

Verdict: Dublin

Kilkenny v Waterford, Nowlan Park, 1.45, L Gordon (Galway)

A draw would do for Kilkenny to qualify for this year’s semi-finals. Waterford have new worries over Austin Gleeson and Conor Prunty, with Conor Gleeson, Mikey Kiely and Darragh Lyons already out.

Verdict: Kilkenny

NHL DIVISION 2A ROUND 5

Carlow v Derry, Cullen Park, 1.0, T Gleeson (Dublin)

Verdict: Carlow

Kerry v Down, Austin Stack Park, 1.0, P Murphy (Carlow)

Verdict: Kerry

Offaly v Kildare, O’Connor Park, 1.0, C Mooney (Dublin

Verdict: Offaly

NHL DIVISION 2B ROUND 5

Donegal v Tyrone, Letterkenny, 1.0, B Keon (Galway)

Verdict: Donegal

London v Meath, Ruislip, 1.0, C Flynn (Westmeath)

Verdict: London

Sligo v Wicklow, Markievicz Park, 1.0, A McAleer (Donegal)

Verdict: Sligo

LIDL LADIES NFL DIVISION 1

Meath v Waterford, Ballinlough, 2.0

A tough spring for the back-to-back All-Ireland champions, sixth in the table and with this key fixture moved from Navan. They need the points.

Verdict: Meath

Mayo v Galway, MacHale Park, 2.0

Form favours the Tribeswomen who have put in some impressive displays in their campaign to date.

Verdict: Galway

LADIES NFL DIVISION 2

Tipperary v Tyrone, Fethard, 1.0

Verdict: Tipperary

Laois v Cavan, Crettyard, 2.0

Verdict: Laois

Monaghan v Roscommon, Éire Óg, 2.0

Verdict: Monaghan

Armagh v Westmeath, Athletic Grounds, 2.0

Verdict: Armagh

LADIES NFL DIVISION 3

Wexford v Longford, Wexford Park, 2.0

Verdict: Wexford

Sligo v Kildare, Enniscrone, 2.0

Verdict: Kildare

Down v Offaly, Burren, 2.0

Verdict: Down

Clare v Louth, Doonbeg, 2.0

Verdict: Louth