Tipperary and Antrim will do battle Saturday in the hopes of earning their first league win while an all-Ulster Derby will play out in Fermanagh on Sunday. Westmeath and Offaly could be a high-quality affair and top meet bottom at Breffni Park.
Tipperary v Antrim, 18:00 @ FBD Semple Stadium, Saturday 18th February
Tipperary have yet to earn a point in the league but may fancy their chances when Antrim, who are also without a point, come to play on Saturday.
The Premier County lost narrowly to Down in the opening round but were heavily defeated by Cavan last time out. Promotion looks unlikely but they will want to kick-off their season by earning a result over the Saffrons.
Antrim lost by the narrowest of margins to Ulster rivals Down a couple of weeks ago and weren’t too far off the pace versus Offaly either. They will feel they really should rank higher in the third tier and will be out to prove themselves at Semple.
Fermanagh v Down, 13:00 @ St. Joseph’s Park, Sunday 19th February
Fermanagh fell short in the second round as Offaly beat them by a point but they will still feel they are one of the more competitive sides of Division 3. The Erne County began their campaign with a convincing win over Longford and will hope for another on their return to home soil this weekend.
Provincial rivals Down will be no walkovers, however, having won their opening two games. Narrow wins over Tipperary and Antrim will have done their confidence no harm and they’ll travel to St. Joseph’s in hope of a third win on the bounce.
The visitors will have to deal with the raw physicality of their hosts if they are to secure a result though they are not short of resilience as evident in their comeback win in the second round.
Westmeath v Offaly, 14:00 @ Cusack Park, Sunday 19th February
After an opening-round loss to Cavan, Westmeath showcased their promotion credentials by inflicting a heavy defeat on Longford in the second round. The side will face a more challenging opponent in the form of Offaly this weekend and can’t afford to slip up if they are to stay in contention for promotion.
Offaly have been the surprise of this year’s league so far. The Faithful are undefeated after recording wins over Antrim and Fermanagh. Though they won’t have far to travel on Sunday, they’re likely to be up against it in Cusack Park and will have to make the best of their chances.
Given the cutting edge that Liam Kearns’ side have shown, that shouldn’t be a problem and a closely fought battle could well play out between the two Leinster sides.
Cavan v Longford, 14:00 @ Kingspan Breffni, Sunday 19th February
Table-toppers Cavan have been in vengeful form this league season after they fell at the last hurdle of the Tailteann Cup last year. Nothing less than a big win over divisional whipping boys Longford will be acceptable of the Breffni on Sunday.
Oisin Brady has notched 0-9 in Cavan’s opening two games and he’ll be looking to add a significant amount to his tally against the Slashers.
Longford dwell at the bottom of the division and look certain to go down. The side were trounced by Westmeath at Pearse Park last time out and they know they’ll have to tighten up to avoid the same result this weekend.
Star-man Dessie Reynolds will have to be on top form if the Slashers are to compete on the scoreboard, but Paddy Christie’s side will have to have evolved fast if they are to make a contest out of proceedings.
