Round 2 of the Allianz Football League takes place this weekend with 16 games scheduled across the country. Here are our previews:  

 

Saturday, February 1st

FL Division 1 round 2

Mayo v Dublin, MacHale Park, 7pm - eir Sport

It’s a battle of champions in Castlebar on Saturday night as holders Mayo welcome Dublin for Round 2 of the Allianz Football League.

James Horan’s men snatched a draw against Donegal in their opener and have made four charges in personnel for the All-Ireland champions’ visit.

Goal-hero from Ballybofey James Durcan is in at left corner-forward while there are also starting berths for Robbie Hennelly in goal, Michael Plunkett in defence and Kevin McLoughlin in attack.

Dublin saw an opening round victory against Kerry taken away by David Clifford’s superb late free at Croker and, while they’re fancied again here, they’re set to have another battle on their hands when they head west.

Verdict: Dublin

Kerry v Galway, Austin Stack Park, 7pm

David Clifford’s late heroics against Dublin got Kerry on the board on opening weekend and they now get set to welcome Padraic Joyce’s Galway to Tralee on Saturday night.

Joyce’s reign with the Tribesmen has essentially gotten off to a perfect start, winning the Connacht SFL before edging Monaghan for two vital points in Round 1.

This weekend undoubtedly marks the biggest test of the two-time All-Ireland winner’s tenure thus far in travelling south to battle a multi-talented Kerry side.

The Kingdom are 1/3 favourites for this one and get the nod to keep it according to script in what should be an intriguing clash at Austin Stack Park.

Verdict: Kerry

FL Division 2 round 2

Laois v Armagh, MW Hire O'Moore Park, 6pm

Armagh were hugely impressive in their 13-point dismantling of Cavan last time out and Kieran McGeeney will want to keep those sorts of displays coming.

Laois never threw in the towel against Roscommon and got their rewards with two late goals at Dr Hyde Park to earn a share of the spoils.

O’Moore boss Micheál Quirke has made just one change to his side from that clash, bringing Graiguecullen's Brian Byrne into his defence, as they look to derail the Orchard men.

Verdict: Armagh

Cavan v Westmeath, Kingspan Breffni, 7pm

John Heslin once again proved the difference for Westmeath last weekend when his 75th minute free handed Clare defeat in Mullingar.

The Lake men are having to make do without the services of fellow attackers Ger Egan and Kieran Martin for now, but will fancy their chances in heading to Cavan this weekend.

Mickey Graham apologised afterwards to Blues supporters that travelled to Armagh last Saturday night and the Breffni boss will know that his side are in need of points quickly if they are to distance themselves from early relegation concerns.

Verdict: Draw

FL Division 3 round 2

Down v Derry, Pairc Esler, 7pm

This Ulster derby hits Newry on Saturday night with Division 4 champions Derry looking to hand Paddy Tally’s Down side a defeat.

Both teams drew their first round outings and it’s the Mourne men that get the nod to pick up their first pair of points for the campaign.

Verdict: Down

FL Division 4 round 2

Wexford v Carlow, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 2pm

Paul Galvin’s first league game in charge saw Wexford slumping to a six-point loss to Antrim and they face another battle when their neighbours come to visit them early on Saturday.

Verdict: Carlow

 

Sunday, February 2nd

FL Division 1 round 2

Monaghan v Tyrone, Castleblayney, 2pm

Another derby and another close one to call as Tyrone aim to inflict a second defeat in as many weeks on Seamus McEnaney’s Monaghan side.

Darren McCurry was again in red-hot form for Mickey Harte’s men in this early part of the season, hitting a decisive 1-6 to sink Meath in Omagh on opening weekend.

Monaghan, on the other hand, went down fighting to Galway in Salthill and will no doubt be keen to build on that performance.

Defeat for the Farney men here and early relegation worries will begin to mount with a trip to the capital next on the agenda in Round 3.

Verdict: Draw

Meath v Donegal, Pairc Tailteann, 2.30pm - TG4 (deferred coverage)

Donegal were somewhat unfortunate not to open their campaign with a win last weekend after James Durcan’s late, late goal snatched a draw for Mayo in Ballybofey.

As for Meath, their supporters will feel mistakes cost them in Round 1 against Tyrone and will be eager for improvement combined with a bit more consistency when the Ulster champions visit Navan on Sunday.

It’s thought that ace attacker Paddy McBrearty could see some game time for the Tir Chonaill men after recently returning home from the US and, if it proves the case, a potential match-up between the Kilcar man and 2019 All Star nominee Donal Keogan would be a fascinating one.

With a couple of aces in their own pack, the Royals are certainly capable of the upset here but it’s the visitors that get the nod to edge it at Pairc Tailteann.

Verdict: Donegal

FL Division 2 round 2

Clare v Kildare, Cusack Park, 2pm

Kildare were pushed all the way by Fermanagh in Round 1 and make the trip west to Ennis this weekend looking to stake an early claim in the promotion race.

David Hyland and Daniel Flynn weighed in with crucial goals for the Lilywhites last time out and they’ll be looking to the latter in particular in this campaign if they are to push back up to Division 1.

Clare boss Colm Collins admitted his side has plenty to work on after their first round loss to Westmeath and Sunday presents them with a huge test on home turf.

Verdict: Kildare

Fermanagh v Roscommon, Brewster Park, 2pm

Ryan McMenamin’s Fermanagh side went down fighting to Kildare in their opening league assignment and will be looking to upset the odds when Roscommon visit them on Sunday.

The Connacht champions are 8/13 favourites to pick up the points in Enniskillen and will be eager to rectify their catastrophic close-out last weekend at Dr Hyde Park which cost them a point against a Laois side trailing by six heading into injury-time.

Rossies boss Anthony Cunningham has said he wants a response from his players and he may well get it at Brewster Park.

Verdict: Roscommon

FL Division 3 round 2

Louth v Tipperary, Gaelic Grounds, 2pm

Tipperary secured a surprise draw against Down in their opener and it sees them heading to Drogheda as slight favourites for this one.

Louth went down by a goal to Longford on the same day and will be eager for points to lift themselves away from the bottom end of the table.

Verdict: Tipperary

Leitrim v Cork, Pairc Sean MacDiarmada, 2pm

Cork journey to Carrick-on-Shannon this weekend as 1/7 favourites to pick their second win of the campaign in a bid for an immediate return to Division 2.

Terry Hyland’s Leitrim side opened their league campaign in splendid fashion by securing a draw with Derry in Celtic Park but the Rebels’ visit looks a very tall order for the Connacht side.

Verdict: Cork

Offaly v Longford, O'Connor Park, 2pm

Darren Gallagher was superb for Longford in their first round win over Louth and will look to keep that sort of form up when he and his team mates head for Tullamore on Sunday.

Offaly boss John Maughan has brought in Clara's Colm Doyle to his defence from the defeat to Cork as his charges look to get on the board in Round 2.

Verdict: Longford

FL Division 4 round 2

Limerick v London, Kilmallock, 12pm

Fresh from their McGrath Cup success, Limerick scored a 1-10 to 0-10 win over Waterford last Sunday and are fancied to continue their winning ways when the Exiles come to Kilmallock.

Verdict: Limerick

Wicklow v Waterford, Aughrim, 2pm

Wicklow went down by a margin of two to Carlow in the opening round and welcome Waterford for what could be another tight affair in Aughrim.

Verdict: Wicklow

Sligo v Antrim, Markievicz Park, 2pm

Sligo found their goal scoring touch against London last time out but face a much tougher proposition this time round in welcoming Lenny Harbinson’s Antrim on Sunday.

Verdict: Antrim

Another bumper Allianz Football and Hurling League weekend coming up! Follow the hoganstand.com match tracker for live coverage on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.

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