Armagh and Down aim to build on recent wins

Armagh v Meath

Sunday, Athletic Grounds, 2pm

A MUST-WIN for Armagh who dominated proceedings last time out against bottom of the table Wexford.

Meath are in third spot in the league as they drew with Clare, somewhat of a surprise result in round four, with Armagh just a point behind the Royals.

Division Two is such a complicated league. As it stands the Orchard side remain very much in the box-seat to finish in the top two however a point here or there will make a massive difference.

Armagh have been rocked by the news that Meabh Moriarty has apparently ended her inter-county career.

While there has been no official confirmation from the player herself, the chances of seeing the versatile stalwart back in the orange jersey appear slim.

An announcement like that could rock a team but this is Armagh, they will be well aware of their run-in and a win against Meath this weekend would be the perfect platform to build their final assault on.

The Athletic Grounds plays host to the game this weekend and with Meath rocking from that draw and Armagh at full strength, they will fancy their chances of a massive three points.

Kelly Mallon and Blaithin MackIn have led the scoring threat for Armagh but they must be on their guard against the impressive Emma Duggan and co.

Down v Wicklow

(Sunday, Teconnaught, 2pm)

DOWN remain top of the pile in Division Three level on points with Kildare who have also won their first four fixtures.

Caoibhe Sloan and Peter Lynch’s side are preparing for the visit of Wicklow, and the Leinster side must win their remaining games if they have any hope of reaching the knock-out stages.

The Mourne side have set out their stall this season, they will play senior football in Ulster and under Lynch and Sloan they are well placed to reach a league final.

Natasha Ferris has been among the Mourne scores this term, she leads the way with 4-23 while Jessica Foy and Mairead Kavanagh have also found their range.

They are talented up front then but equally so impressive at the back and they certainly proved that last time out against Roscommon. Goalkeeper Shannon O’Reilly made several fine stops in that win including one double stop that got plenty of hits online.

A Down win this weekend will tee them up for what promises to be a cracking run in against Laois and what they hope will be a pre-cursor to the final against Kildare.

The Ulster side have reported no major injury issues ahead of this weekend’s clash.

Laois v Fermanagh

(Sunday, TBC, 2pm)

ROSCOMMON bounced back from a heavy loss against Down to ease to a rearranged win over Fermanagh at the weekend, and it was certainly not the outcome Erne boss Jonny Garrity expected as his side had still harboured hopes of a spot in the league final.

In reality Fermanagh now find themselves third from bottom ahead of this weekend’s trip to Portlaoise with the home side enjoying a single-point advantage over the Ernesiders.

Perhaps securing promotion was too much to ask for this new look Fermanagh side as they have had to rebuild the bulk of the squad with upwards of 13 players moving on.

Credit to Garrity though, they will fancy their chances this weekend as they make the trip south. Mo Nerney has been a revelation for Laois this term and her contribution of 3-17 has been inspirational for the Midlanders.

Fermanagh’s Eimear Smyth remains a massive influence for the visitors and while there has been some upheaval, a single win could well be enough to assure them of Division Three football again in 2021. Remaining in that level of competition could well be the best medicine for Garrity ahead of the Junior Championship.