This weekend’s LGFA games at a glance

By Jackie Cahill

ACTION in Divisions 1, 2 and 3 is the focus on another busy weekend of Lidl National League action – with 12 games down for decision across the board.

Viewers can also pick from a selection of seven live games – with the Division 1 clash between high-flying Waterford and Dublin live on TG4 on Saturday (2.45pm).

That’s followed on Sunday by six live picks, which are available via Streamsport

In the top flight on Sunday, Armagh are at home to Cork, with a pitch inspection planned on Saturday morning, while Galway host Kildare and Kerry travel to Meath.

Saturday February 7

Lidl NFL Division 1

Waterford v Dublin; Dungarvan GAA, 2.45pm – Live on TG4

Waterford continued their brilliant start to the campaign with victory over Kerry in Round 2.

That made it two wins from two for the Déise this season, following a win against Armagh on the opening day.

Waterford will now aim to preserve the only 100 per cent record in the top flight when they welcome TG4 All-Ireland senior champions Dublin to Dungarvan.

The visiting Sky Blues are in experimental mode during the early stages of the campaign but with two defeats so far, they’re rooted to the foot of the table and need to start collecting points fast to avoid a relegation scrap.

Dublin have made one change to the team that lined out against Meath last Monday, as Aoibh Doyle comes in to replace Gemma Connolly.

Waterford have, perhaps not surprisingly, opted for an unchanged team as they aim to make it three from three in this TG4 offering.

Waterford: K Gardiner; C Murray, L Mulcahy, R Casey; Á O’Neill, K McGrath, R Browne; E Power, E Murray (capt.); K Murray, C Fennell, M Daly; L McGregor, C Walsh, B McMaugh.

Dublin: K Moran Tighe; N Crowley, A Nyhan, K Kenehan; A Doyle, H Leahy, E Gribben; R Hartnett, H McGinnis; S McIntyre, O Nolan (capt.), K Donaghy; A Timothy, J Egan, E Kearney.

Sunday February 8

Lidl NFL Division 1

Armagh v Cork; St Patrick’s, Dromintee, 1pm – Live Stream

After losing to Waterford on the opening day, last year’s finalists Armagh got off the mark last weekend with victory over Kildare.

Now, the Orchard County face a home tie with Cork, fresh from their gritty one-point victory over Galway.

That was a big win for the Leesiders, who drew with Kildare in their opening fixture and remain unbeaten.

Armagh make one change ahead of Cork’s visit, with Roisin Mulligan coming in for Laura Kavanagh.

As Cork prepare for the long trip north, they’ve made two changes in personnel from the Galway game.

Sarah Murphy takes over from Caoimhe Richmond in goal, as Ciara McCarthy replaces Aoife Healy in defence.

Armagh: B Mathers; M Ferguson, C McCambridge, A Donnelly; E Druse, L McConville, R Mulligan; C Towe, G Ferguson; L Marsden, C Marley, C McNally; M Lennon, A McCoy, K Mallon.

Cork: S Murphy; M Duggan, D Kiniry, K Horgan; A Corcoran, S McGoldrick, R Corkery; C McCarthy, A O’Mahony; R Leahy, G Ní Mhurchú, E Cleary (capt.); A Ring, K Quirke, Á O’Sullivan.

Galway v Kildare; Tuam Stadium, 2pm – Live Stream

Having won their opening game by eight points against Meath, Galway suffered a one-point loss against Cork in Round 2.

Kildare earned a merited point against Cork in their opening game but defeat to Armagh last weekend was a setback.

Galway will still feel they can challenge for top flight honours, while Kildare’s primary aim will be to steer clear of relegation worries.

It’s a big game for both counties and one which could well shape the remainder of their League campaign.

For this home outing, Galway have made two changes in personnel. Ríona Quinn and Sophie Healy are both handed starts this one, with Shíofra Ní Scanláin and Ellen Power listed among the substitutes.

Kildare have opted for an unchanged starting line-up.

Galway: L O’Halloran; R Quinn, S Ní Loingsigh, B Quinn; S Healy, C Trill, A Molloy; N Divilly, A Madden; M Glynn, K Slevin (capt.), K Thompson; A Trill, L Coen, R Leonard.

Kildare: R Fennin; E Wheeler, R Sargent, M Doherty; H McLoughlin, L Shaw, L Lenehan (capt.); N Murphy, G Wheeler; M Doyle, C Wheeler, A Rattigan; A Murnane, A Mernagh, A Prizeman.

Meath v Kerry; Dunshaughlin & Royal Gaels, 2pm – Live Stream

After suffering defeat to Galway on the opening day, Meath rallied impressively to see off Dublin in Round 2.

This was an impressive and encouraging performance from the Royals, as they gained some measure of revenge for last year’s TG4 All-Ireland final defeat against an admittedly under-strength Dublin.

Now, the aim for Meath is to kick on and perhaps aim for a top two finish and a place in the divisional final.

The talent is certainly there and now the aim is to find the desired consistency.

Their opponents are Kerry in Round 3, with the Kingdom smarting from a Round 2 loss to Waterford.

And Kerry have reacted with five changes in personnel. Ciara Butler comes in between the sticks for Mary Ellen Bolger while further out the field, there are starts for Kathryn Ryan, Anna Galvin, Megan O’Connor and Leah McMahon, with Jane Lynch, Leah Boyle, Jaydn Lucey and Danielle O’Leary dropping out of the starting line-up.

There are two changes for Meath, as Olivia Gore and Rachel Casserly are handed starts. Amy Gaffney and Orla Finnegan drop to the bench.

Meath: R Murray; Á Sheridan, M.K. Lynch, O Gore; Ó Smith, S Wall, K Bermingham; O Sheehy, N Gallogly (capt.); M Thynne, C Smyth, M Farrelly; E Duggan, R Casserly, M Byrne.

Kerry: C Butler; E Lynch, A Doherty, A Dillane; K Ryan, C Lynch, K Brosnan; M O’Connell, A Galvin; M O’Connor, N Ní Chonchúir, C Evans; S O’Shea, R Dwyer, L McMahon.

Lidl NFL Division 2

Cavan v Wexford; St Bridget’s Park, Knockbride, 2pm

A repeat of last year’s Division 3 final pits Cavan against Wexford.

There have been contrasting fortunes for the promoted pair so far in Division 2.

Wexford are one of three teams yet to register a point while Cavan, in contrast, are unbeaten and with four points on the board to date.

Cavan: E Baugh; Z Fay, S Kelly, E McIntyre; S Greene, C Charters, D Lynch; K McCormack, C Boylan; C Lynch, E Sheridan, C Dolan; N Keenaghan, A Sheridan (capt.) C McCaffrey.

Wexford: S Cloake; J Dempsey, K English, K Dempsey; O Kehoe, A Halligan (capt.), C Banville; B McDonald, A Furlong; R Hughes, G Donovan, A Cullen; C Roban, O Byrne, E Tomkins.

Mayo v Tipperary; Swinford Amenity Park, 2pm – Live Stream

Mayo ran up a big score against Wexford last weekend and the green and red remain unbeaten.

Getting back to Division 1 is the main goal for Diane O’Hora’s charges and they face a Tipperary team that lost to Cavan in Round 2.

Tipp will need a positive result on their travels to remain in touch with the promotion chasers.

Mayo: L Brennan; É Ronayne, D Caldwell, L Wallace; E Brennan (capt.), C Needham, L Hanley; A Geraghty, E Murray; A Kennedy, A Staunton, T Needham; M Reilly, S Walsh, S Delaney.

Tipperary: L Fitzpatrick; T Hoare, M Curley, E Cronin; L Morrissey, Nora Martin, S English; Niamh Martin, A.R. Kennedy (capt.); A Ryan, L Cunningham, H Spillane; A McGuigan, A Carey, E Morrissey.

Monaghan v Westmeath; St Tiernach’s Park, Clones, 2pm – Live Stream

Monaghan and Westmeath are both deep in early relegation trouble.

They’re two of three teams, along with Wexford, who are pointless to date after two rounds.

This fixture offers the opportunity for one, or both, to register at least a point and it’s a critical game in the fight to stay afloat.

Monaghan: O Kelly; A Loughman, A McQuaid, M Monaghan; E Traynor, R Courtney (capt.), A Gilliland; J Duffy, N Flanagan; A.J. Kierans, A Garland, C Treanor; C McBride, E Sherry, L Maguire.

Westmeath: A Temple; L McCartan, T Dillon, F Coyle (capt.); C Kelly Gonoud, A Ruane, S McWade; V Carr, C Kilmurray; N Mullarkey, A Jones, A Keegan; S Dillon, L McCartan, K Kilmurray.

Tyrone v Donegal; Aghyaran St Davog’s, 2pm – Live Stream

Tyrone are flying at the top end of the table – and with two wins from two.

The Red Hands coughed up six goals to Westmeath last weekend, as Anna Jones scored four for the Leinster outfit, and tightening up defensively will be on Tyrone’s minds.

But the 2025 TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate champions are scoring freely and this is an intriguing tussle with Donegal, who are the other team in the second tier boasting a 100 per cent record to date.

Donegal have registered wins against Westmeath and Monaghan but this is their stiffest test to date in what promises to be a cracking Ulster derby.

Tyrone: A Coyle; J Lyons, C McCallion, E Quinn; C Canavan, M Corrigan, A Strain; E McCanny, A McHugh (capt.); E Conroy, A Horisk, E.J. Gervin; N O’Neill, M Maxwell, C McNamee.

Donegal: C Friel; N Carr, E McGinley, S McFeely; T Hegarty, F McManamon, A Caulfield; C Brennan, R Rodgers (capt.); B McLaughlin, K Dowds, N Boyle; S White, E Gallagher, C McGarvey.

Lidl NFL Division 3

Clare v Down; Clarecastle GAA 4G, 1pm

Clare are one of two teams who have yet to get off the mark in Division 3.

The Banner County face Down in Clarecastle, with the visitors fresh from a three-point win over Laois.

Down have collected four points from two games and remain unbeaten so far this year.

Clare: A Griffin; H Doyle, R Doohan, S Melican; R Considine, J Doohan (capt.), E Burke; S Considine, A Slattery; A Kelly, C Harvey, A Sexton; E O’Driscoll, C Moloney, E Hanrahan.

Down: C Bradley; N Loudon, O Blaney, E Sands; N Edgar, C McCreanor, N McClory; M Doherty, K Howlett; S Fettes, E Fitzpatrick, L Duffy (capt.); E Quinn, N Rice, E Hicks.

Limerick v Laois; Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale, 2pm

Laois collected a point against Fermanagh in their opening game but lost to Down in Round 2.

The O’Moore County make the trip to Limerick to face the Shannonsiders, who have lost their two games to date.

Both sides need the points as they aim to stay alive in what is a hugely-competitive third tier – and with two teams facing relegation.

Limerick: C Bateman; M Stanley, C Ryan, A Dalton; M MacNamara, L O’Brien, E Crowe; O Ryan, E Hickey; C McNamara L Ryan (capt.), K Heelan; C McGrath, T Geoghegan, L Browne.

Laois: E Barry; S Farrelly, M Cotter, F McEvoy; A Gorman, A Saunders, A Moran (capt.); F Dooley, A Healy; S Havill, E Galvin, L Kearney; E Lacey, E Lawlor, K Donoghue.

Louth v Fermanagh; Integral GAA Grounds, Drogheda, 2pm

Louth’s victory over Clare in Round 2 sees the Wee County remain unbeaten so far this year.

Fermanagh are unbeaten too – with two draws from two games.

Against Laois and Roscommon, Fermanagh have shown they can compete in Division 3 following promotion last year and a visit to Louth is another big test for the Erne County.

Louth: R Lambe Fagan; S Matthews, E Hand, H Lambe Sally; A Murray, S McLaughlin, L Byrne; A Halligan, Á Breen;

Fermanagh: A Quinn; A Keenan, S McQuade (capt.), E Douglas; A O’Brien, S McCarville, B Bannon; C Breen, S Feeley; S Barrett, N McManus, A McCarney; C McGarrigle, E Smyth, E McMahon.

Roscommon v Antrim; St Croan’s, 2pm

Antrim came up as Division 4 champions last year and the Saffrons have their sights set on promotion again.

With two wins from two, they’re the only team with a perfect record to date in Division 3.

But it’s a record that will be put to the test away to Roscommon, who beat Limerick in Round 1 claiming a share of the spoils against Fermanagh last weekend.

Roscommon: H Cummins (capt.); A McGrath, R Brady, M Macken; G Lohan, E Irwin, M McKeon; R Cox, A Curran; N Feeney, N Watson, L Shanagher; A Hanly, R Fitzmaurice, C Lennon.

Antrim: A Devlin; H Donaghy, M Blaney, M Mulholland; C McKenna, D Coleman, L Agnew; A Mulholland, Á Tubridy; T Mellon, O Dahunsi, M O’Neill; B Devlin (capt.), C Brown, E.L. McAreavey.

Ends