Donegal determined to get up and running

By Shaun Casey

FOLLOWING a winless start to the league campaign, Donegal go in search of their first points of the season this Sunday as they host Waterford.

It was always going to be a difficult start for Maxi Curran’s ladies, up against Galway, back-to-back All-Ireland champions Meath and last year’s beaten All-Ireland finalists Kerry.

The last day out against the Kingdom could possibly be chalked down as one that got away as the concession of two goals dented Donegal’s chances of collecting their first victory, despite Susanne White finishing with 1-8.

There’s two local derbies in Division Two with table toppers Armagh taking on Tyrone, who are coming off the back of two difficult defeats. The Red Hands began their campaign with a narrow three point win over Roscommon, but suffered losses to Monaghan and Laois.

Armagh on the other hand are flying high at the top of the table, with three wins from three over Cavan, Roscommon and most recently Monaghan. Armagh’s firepower will worry the hosts, especially given their goal concession of late.

In their three outings so far in the league, Tyrone have conceded five goals, although on the other hand they’ve hit the net six times. Only one goal has been scored past Armagh so far, so something will have to give on Sunday.

Monaghan and Cavan are lingering around the bottom of the table, with one win apiece, so their clash on Sunday will be crucial. After back-to-back defeats to Armagh and Tipperary, the Breffni Blues finally opened their account against Roscommon in round three.

Monaghan’s one and only win came in round two, when they edged past Tyrone 1-12 to 2-4, with loses to Laois and Armagh sandwiching their victory. There’s a big three points on offer this weekend and they would go a long way in keeping either county in the division.

Down will have been happy with their performances before the break, bouncing back from a 16-point loss to Kildare in round one two beat both Sligo and Wexford. This weekend presents another chance to keep that run going, as they host Longford.

Antrim face a tough test in Group A of Division Four, travelling to London in search of another three points. Elsewhere Fermanagh will hope to pick up their first win of the campaign as they take on Carlow.

Off the back of a ten-point win over Kilkenny, Derry have no game in Group B this weekend, and head into the break second from bottom.