Derry’s great run continues
IT’S LESS THAN two years ago that Derry avoided relegation to Division 3 of the Allianz National Football League thanks to a surprise home loss by Meath on the final day of the season, so their ascent to the semi-finals of Division 1 following the most comfortable of wins over Kildare this weekend should be applauded.
Brian McIver’s men sit level on points with Cork at the top of the table and are the division’s second-highest points scorers (124 to Mayo’s 130) and second best defence (99 to Kerry’s 88).
Indeed the Oak Leaf County’s only defeat came to the Leesiders and that was by the narrowest of margins. Once in the final four, it would take a brave punter to back against Derry, especially considering the inconsistent form of the teams around them.
Kildare will wonder what might have been
It all started so promisingly for Kildare this season. A one point victory over Mayo in Newbridge belied what was an incredible game of football from the Lillywhites but it also pointed to the defensive weaknesses — nobody has shipped more than their 134 points in the Division 1 — that has blighted their league campaign.
What followed has been six weeks or so of what ifs for Jason Ryan and his selectors. What if they hadn’t somehow contrived to concede two goals in injury time to Tyrone to fall to a one point defeat? What if they hadn’t walked away from Páirc Uí Rinn having suffered the same margin of defeat despite leading for long periods of the game? What if any of the half-dozen goal chances they had against Dublin under the Croke Park lights had gone in?
Of course, what ifs won’t win league games and they certainly won’t win Championship ones so Ryan will have to find some way to shore up the Lilly’s defence if another season of mediocrity isn’t to befall the county.
Division 2 is brilliantly poised
While Donegal and Monaghan retain their positions of strength at the top of Division 2, it’s still possible that both could be pipped by Meath or Down going into the final round of fixtures.
At the other end of the table, any one of three sides could join Louth in Division 3 next year. For Galway and Armagh, they have their fate in their own hands and the Tribesmen in particular will feel buoyed by yesterday’s win over the Orchard County.
Laois are in the most precarious of positions however, even if they beat Down in Portlaoise next weekend, they are still relying on results elsewhere going their way to avoid the drop.
Cavan are the last men standing
Cavan may previously have been referred to as the ‘Black Death’ of Gaelic football by Joe Brolly, but they are the only team in the Allianz National Football League to have a 100% record after beating Roscommon on Saturday night.
The 1-8 conceded by Terry Hyland’s men against the Rossies is the most they’ve shipped in the league this season — they also conceded 11 points to Fermanagh on the opening day — and that defence has comfortably won them promotion to Division 2.
At the other end of the table, Offaly’s miserable campaign continued with a sixth loss from six games and the fixture list has fallen in such a way as to ensure the loser of Wexford and Longford next week will join them.
Clare and Wicklow both still with a chance of promotion
Tipperary made light work of Leitrim in Carrick-on-Shannon Sunday and the nature of the loss means the home side are virtually out of the promotion conversation.
Clare have their destiny in their own hands knowing a win against Antrim will see them go up but Wicklow are not out of the running just yet. However, a trip to Tipp next week looks a daunting task.
