The second week of Division 3 action kicks-off with an Ulster Derby at Páirc Esler while a triple header of fixtures on Sunday sees Tipperary, Longford, Antrim and Westmeath all go in search of their first league wins of 2023.
Down v Antrim, 6pm @ Páirc Esler, Saturday 4th February
Down got off to a good start in Division 3 last weekend with a 2-11 to 1-11 win over Tipperary in Thurles. The side performed admirably after Niall McParland was sent off early in the second half and looked dangerous on the counter.
Antrim will have to be wary of their Down’s pace in attack if they are to come back from an opening round defeat to Offaly. The Saffrons engaged their home support with a comeback in the second period but lacked the cutting edge of their opponents in front of goal to make up the two goal deficit.
This Ulster derby could prove fiery as Down both sides look to get one over their provincial rival.
Cavan v Tipperary, 2pm @ Kingspan Breffni, Sunday 5th February
Cavan can take a lot from last weekend’s vengeful win over Westmeath after they lost to the Leinster side in the Tailteann Cup final last season. Mickey Graham’s side have a point to prove this year and will be tough opponents for anyone in the third tier.
After last weekend’s loss, Tipperary travel to Breffni Park in the hope of getting their first positive result. The Premier County piled on the pressure against a 14-man Down but failed to pull enough scores together to comeback. The Premier took another blow this week when news emerged that captain Conor Sweeney sustained a season ending injury.
These sides contested the Division 4 final in 2022 and will know all about each other. Tipp beat Cavan by four points at Breffni in the league’s Round 5 but it was the Ulster men that emerged victorious in the finale at Croke Park. The sides’ recent history could make for an entertaining clash on Sunday.
Longford v Westmeath, 2pm @ Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, Sunday 5th February
Longford failed to capitalise on their O’Byrne Cup win in their league opener away to Fermanagh last week and will be in search of something better when they take on Westmeath.
Westmeath will see themselves as one of the main promotion contenders so a win over their fellow-Leinster opponents will be a must on Sunday having lost to Cavan first time out.
Two meetings between the teams last season saw two different results. Longford won out in Round 3 of the league by 0-14 to 0-10 at Cusack Park. Westmeath came out the better in the Leinster quarter final as John Heslin scored 1-5 to lead his county to a 3-13 to 0-14 win.
Offaly v Fermanagh, 2pm @ Glenisk O’Connor Park, Sunday 5th February
Offaly will be happy to have gotten off the mark with a 2-12 to 0-12 win over Antrim last week and will be keen to back up that result in front of their home support in Tullamore.
The Faithful face stiff opposition in Fermanagh, however. The travelling Ulster side are also looking to put together two consecutive wins after they recorded a convincing win over Longford in round 1.
The Erne made life extremely difficult for Longford at Ederney and will be sure to do the same on the road versus Offaly. The Faithful’s goal threat is what won them their opening round fixture against another Ulster opponent and they may well look to cut through Fermanagh in the same way.
