1. Points are paramount in Newbridge
THE MOST EYE-CATCHING performance of last weekend came in Killarney as Kerry got a win they badly needed and tore through Tyrone in the process.
James O’Donoghue’s hattrick proved that there can be life after the Gooch and the performance will give confidence to Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s young and developing side.
Now they need to win on the road.
Tomorrow they face another team who are battling relegation. Kildare were well beaten by Dublin last weekend and after three losses on the bounce, they need points and fast.
2. Colm O’Neill back in the starting line-up
Colm O’Neill made his mark off the bench in the last two weeks, scoring 0-2 against Dublin and 0-3 against Derry, as he continues recovery from cruciate injury. Now he’s in from the start for Cork tomorrow against Mayo.
It’s a big personal milestone as it’ll be a year to the day since he tore his cruciate ligament for the third time against Donegal, the last game he started for Cork.
3. Dublin hit the road
The frequency of Dublin’s games in Croke Park prompts plenty of debate as to whether they have an unfair advantage. Three of their league games to date have been at ‘home’ with their own away trip being a short journey down the M4 to Mullingar.
Tomorrow will be a different test then as they travel north to face Brian McIver’s vastly improving Derry side. It’s the first of two big away days for the Dubs who head to Omagh on 6 April.
4. Big Ulster showdown in Newry
We learned a lot about Donegal’s spring health when they took care of Monaghan a fortnight ago. Not only did they atone for last year’s Ulster final loss, they showed that they mean business again this time around.
Now they take on Down, a tricky away trip against a side that gave them a searching examination in Ulster last summer.
James McCartan’s side’s promotion push was dented last week by Galway and they will want to bounce back from that poor showing.
5. The search for victories at the bottom
Westmeath, Louth, Offaly and Waterford are the four counties who have yet to experience the winning feeling in the Allianz football league. They are bottom across the respective four divisions at present with Louth and Waterford having managed to pick up a point with one draw to date.
The search for victories this weekend sees Westmeath head to Tyrone, Louth entertain Galway, Offaly travel to Roscommon and Waterford host Leitrim.
