Week 2 Preview

Division 1: With no game on Saturday evening, the action in division one starts on Sunday afternoon at 1:30 where the current league and all Ireland champions, Kerry host Monaghan. As both teams lost last weekend, each county will be desperate to get off the mark and get two points on the board. Kerry were down a few bodies last weekend against Donegal and it will be interesting to see if any familiar faces return to the field this weekend. A tough game is expected for the Ulster men in Fitzgerald stadium as they are hoping to bounce back from their defeat to Ulster rivals Armagh last Saturday. You would have to think with home advantage, the Munster kingpins will get their campaign off to a winning start although a challenging game can be expected from Vinny Corey`s men. This game will be shown live on TG4. Verdict: Kerry to win by a few points.

Sunny Salthill is the venue for the pair of Connacht rivals, Galway and Roscommon. Both teams got off to a satisfactory beginning to the season last weekend with Roscommon having an excellent win against Tyrone in the Hyde. Galway were involved in a tough, close battle with their main rivals, Mayo in Castlebar in a match that ended evenly in a draw. Galway are strong favourites for this clash against the rossies in which they will be looking to get one over on their provincial rivals. Davy Burke`s Roscommon side looked impressive last weekend with the usual excellence shown by the Murtagh brothers in the forwards. Galway will be looking to kick on from their draw last weekend and a bold display is expected from the All Ireland finalists. As usual in Salthill, the wild wind is extremely common and could play a role in the game. This game will throw in at 2:00. Verdict: A comfortable Galway win.

O`Neills Healy park in Omagh will host the clash between Ulster giants Tyrone and Donegal. You could say both teams received surprising results last weekend with Tyrone losing out to Roscommon in a poor manner while Donegal turned over the reigning league and all Ireland champions, Kerry by the slightest of margins. This game is sure to be a close one with a lot of pressure on Fergal Lohan and Brian Dooher`s men. Home advantage is crucial here and I can't see Tyrone losing this as there is sure to be a kick in the Red hand countymen. This game will be thrown in at 2:00 with the experienced David Gough called in to officiate this Ulster encounter. Verdict: Tyrone to win in a close cagey game.

Sunday at 3:30 on TG4 will be the place to watch an expected ding-dong battle between Armagh and Mayo. Armagh started their league campaign with a small-margin win over Monaghan while Mayo were involved in a close battle with their rivals, Galway which ended in a stalemate. Kieran Mc Geeney`s side have developed hugely in a physical manner in recent seasons as they are seen to be the newcomers on the blocks. Mayo are still without numerous players due to injuries but are beginning to welcome back some well-established names such as Aidan O`Shea and Cillian O`Connor who will both be looking for some more game time this weekend. This game will be a physical game with a high score expected. The Athletic grounds in Armagh will be close to its 15 000 capacity on Sunday with a large Mayp following expected. Home advantage might just favour the Ulster men. Verdict: Armagh to sneak it in a very close game.

Division 2 Predictions: Kildare to beat Cork in Newbridge with massive importance on this fixture for both counties. Derry to beat Louth in a comfortable fashion. Meath to get their second win in a row under Colm O`Rourke in a close game against Clare. Dublin to show their class and get a comfortable win on the boards against a Limerick side who look to be up against it this season in Division 2.

Division 3 Predictions: Down look to be men on a mission and can overcome Antrim in easy circumstances. Cavan to beat Tipperary with the devasting blow of Conor Sweeney tearing his ACL, Tipperary look up against it. Westmeath to bounce back from their poor performance last weekend and get a win against fellow Leinster men, Longford. Offaly to beat Fermanagh with home advantage helping.

Division 4 Predictions: Carlow to get back to winning ways and get a comfortable win against a struggling Waterford side. Leitrim to beat London by a few points. Laois to overcome Wexford in O`Moore park. Finally, Sligo to bounce back and get their league campaign off to a win against Wicklow in which a close game is expected.