GAA: PREVIEWS.

FOOTBALL DIV 1A

OFFALY v DUBLIN

TOMMY Lyons returns to his old stomping ground and should receive a warm welcome in Tullamore.

But Offaly manager Padraig Nolan will be hoping to put one over his predecessor and after losing their opening match with Donegal, against a weakened Dublin have a real chance.

But the early signs for Dublin under Lyons are encouraging - an opening victory against Donegal was followed up by a battling performance in defeat against Tyrone.

However, home advantage could swing this one for Offaly.

Verdict: OFFALY

FOOTBALL DIV 2A

LONGFORD v CARLOW

THREE goals in the opening 13 minutes gave Longford the initiative which they never surrendered against Waterford last time out.

It was a welcome win for new boss Denis Connerton, who had seen his side lose out to a late Wexford goal in their first outing.

O'Byrne Cup champions Carlow are finding the going tough so far, and are languishing second from bottom after two defeats.

And they could be in even further trouble after today's game.

Verdict: LONGFORD

LIMERICK v LEITRIM

THE Limerick footballers appear to have lost their battle over dual star Stephen Lucey who lines out with the hurlers tomorrow afternoon.

But confidence remains high in the panel and Michael Reidy banged in 2-6 of their 3-22 total against a hapless London.

Leitrim are reeling from two defeats, while Limerick have won their opening pair of matches.

They should make it three out of three.

Verdict: LIMERICK

MONAGHAN v MEATH

DEFEAT last Sunday turns this re-arranged game against Meath into a make or break affair for Monaghan.

Another defeat would effectively end their hopes of even figuring in the later stages form this section and manager Jack McCarville sees it as an acid test.

Tipperary's impressive run was brought to an end by a Meath side showing a bit more urgency in Ardfinnan but with improvement, the Royals should prevail.

Verdict: MEATH

WEXFORD v DERRY

THE Wexford team will feature debutants Eddie Doyle, David O'Brien, Barry Redmond and Ger Coleman.

Manager Tony Dempsey knows that a good campaign will set his side up nicely for a crack at Leinster.

Derry will travel minus dual star Geoffrey McGonigle and Kieran McKeever.

And with the retirement of Conor Murray, the position of full-back is handed to newcomer Gregory Brunton who has shown up well.

Verdict: WEXFORD

DIVISION 1A: WESTMEATH v CORK

WESTMEATH have made three changes for this clash after being overrun by Galway last weekend.

Defenders David Mitchell and Kenny McKinley and corner-forward Alan Mangan have made way for David Murphy, Kieran Ryan and Joe Fallon.

Cork will have to plan without dual stars Diarmuid O'Sullivan and Kieran Murphy who are on hurling duty.

Both sides could badly do with a confidence booster after defeats.

Cork were shocked by Roscommon, while an injury-hit Westmeath will be praying for the return of their key stars.

After this match, their need will becomeeven more desperate.

Verdict: CORK

DIVISION 1A: DONEGAL v GALWAY

GALWAY showed flashes of true class in disposing of Westmeath last Sunday.

And boss John O'Mahony will be looking more of the same against Donegal.

After the disappointment of losing away to Dublin, Mickey Moran's side quickly got back on the winning trail against Offaly at Tullamore.

All that minus Brendan Devenney who misses out once again due to soccer commitments with Finn Harps.

It's Donegal's first home outing of the league campaign and they'll be looking for a good show for their fans

But Galway look in the mood again, and should head home with maximum points.

Verdict: GALWAY

DIVISION 1B: CAVAN v KILDARE

LAST Sunday was a happy day for the O'Dwyer family as Kildare beat Derry with bossMick O'Dwyer's son Karl contributing a superb 0-10 of the 1-15 total.

But the Lilywhites were quickly plunged into a state of shock with news of Dermot Earley's cancer scare.

The GAC's failure to resolve the saga surrounding the Sligo match will have irked Kildare who have to wait until Wednesday to find out whether or not they'll be docked a point.

Cavan are really showing some encouraging signs and a stunning second half comeback against Fermanagh saw them preserve their 100 per cent record in the division.

Verdict: CAVAN

DIVISION 1B: SLIGO v MAYO

LEAGUE champions Mayo turned on the style last Sunday at Ennis to hammer poor Clare for their second win.

But the loss of Kieran McDonald, due to work commitments, is a blow for manager Pat Holmes.

Holmes will now be looking for another forward to stake a claim for a regular spot.

That man could well be Conor Mortimer, who bagged 1-8 against the Banner County.

He's showing that he is more than capable of making the transition from underage to senior level.

Sligo themselves are unbeaten, picking up their first win against twelve-man Down last weekend but now face

Verdict: MAYO

DIVISION 1B: CLARE v DERRY

IT really is looking bleak for injury-ravaged Clare who have slumped to defeats against Fermanagh and Mayo.

Manager Pat Begley isn't a fan of the new National League structure which he feels places 'weaker counties' at a disadvantage.

He argues that in the old system the likes of Clare had a much better chance of pulling off a win against the bigger counties in the games prior to Christmas.

And so far his theory seems spot on.

Most Derry eyes will be on the club semi-final involving Ballinderry.

But the Oak Leafers are a strong outfit and should pile on themisery for Clare.

Verdict: DERRY

HURLING DIV 1B:

MEATH v CLARE

FORMER Clare footballer Joe Considine will make his NHL debut in Pairc Tailteann alongside Colin Lynch at midfield.

Regular midfielder Ollie Baker positioned at centre-forward while Davy Fitzgerald, Liam Doyle and Frank Lohan are notable absentees from a side reeling from Anthony Daly's retirement.

New Meath boss Michael Duignan wants to make his side like his native Offaly and push for a real breakthrough.

Declan Murray is unavailable so the full-back spot will be filled by Brian Perry.

The Royal County were on the wrong end of a 0-14 to 4-15 scoreline in the corresponding fixture in Ennis.

Verdict: CLARE

FOOTBALL DIV 1B

TYRONE v ROSCOMMON

TYRONE are off to an absolute flyer and are many people's tips for league glory, if not more this year.

The Red Hands put All-Ireland champions Galway to the sword in their first match and an exhibition of point-taking by Ger Cavlan enabled them to finally see off Dublin last Sunday.

This Tyrone side won't shirk a challenge and they showed their true qualities to forge out a memorable win.

Cork expected a home win against John Tobin's Roscommon, but they upset the odds and are not surprisingly unchanged.

Verdict: TYRONE

HURLING DIV 1B

OFFALY v TIPPERARY FR

Tom Fogarty faces a tough first match in charge of Offaly as they welcome All-Ireland champions Tipperary to Birr.

Fogarty knows plenty about the visitors having managed his native county during the 90's.

But sentiment goes out the window as he plots the course ahead for the Faithful County, without their Birr backbone and Kevin Martin and Johnny Dooley.

He hands debuts to ex minor stars Brian Carroll and Kevin Kelly in his strongest-possible line-up.

Verdict: TIPPERARY

LIMERICK v CORK

DUAL dilemmas for both teams - with both teams winning.

Limerick boss Eamonn Cregan has named Croom star Stephen Lucey at midfield alongside Ciaran Carey.

And Cork boss Bertie Og Murphy will have Diarmuid O'Sullivan and Kieran Murphy available for his first league outing at the helm.

This could be the match of the day with both sets of players eager to impress - there should only be a puck of the ball between them.

Verdict: LIMERICK

KILKENNY v WATERFORD

A BIG year for both sides - Waterford will look to build on Ballygunner's progress while Kilkenny will be looking to re-establish themselves.

Gunners pair Fergal Hartley and Paul Flynn are both been named in Justin McCarthy's first competitive line-up which also sees Pat McCarthy make his debut while Tony Browne is positioned at right-half back.

Kilkenny have named just five of the side which was defeated in last year's All-Ireland semi-final.

Verdict: WATERFORD

DUBLIN v GALWAY

GALWAY make do without the all-conquering Clarinbridge contingent, bar Liam Donoghue, for the trip to Dublin.

But midfielder Rory Gantley makes a welcome return for the beaten All-Ireland finalists.

Manager Noel Lane has still a formidable line-up and Donoghue makes his debut between the sticks in place of axed Michael Crimmins.

Dublin have left a vacancy at right corner back but whoever fills it will have a busy afternoon.

Verdict: GALWAY