A lot of experts have been saying
that this year’s Division 2 is more competitive than other division, and it is
hard not to agree with them.
All these teams are very closely
matched, which makes it difficult from a punting point of view, but we have
done our research and have two recommendations.
1. Galway to be promoted 2pts @
5/4
2. Meath to be promoted 1pt @
2/1
Relegated From Division 1
We start our preview by firstly
looking at the two teams relegated from Division 1. At the top of the ‘To Be
Promoted’ market are Cork at 4/6. It’s hard to believe that they won only the
one All Ireland back in 2010 when they had such a talented bunch of
footballers. What they would give now to have the likes of Noel O’Leary, Graham
Canty or Nicholas Murphy to guide them through this rough patch. It is these
experienced players, that this Cork team are so badly missing. Having reached
the All Ireland U21 final last year they will be looking to blood some of their
talented youngsters. They could not have asked for a trickier opening two
matches, playing away to Galway and Kildare. They will be going into battle for
these games without the services of Eoin Cadogan, Jamie O’Sullivan, Alan
O’Connor and the Hurley brothers, Brian & Michael, not to forget the
retirements of Patrick Kelly, Daniel Goulding & Fintan Gould over the
summer. We feel 4/6 is just too short about a team that still has so many
questions to answer.
Down suffered an absolute battering
in Division 1 last year, losing all their league matches and suffering an extra
time championship defeat against Longford. They should be familiar with many of
these teams however, as they did top this division back in 2015 with 10pts,
gaining wins against Kildare & Galway. There has not been much
optimism coming from the Down camp and their recent McKenna Cup campaign didn’t
set the world alight. They are 7/4 to be relegated & 4/1 to bounce back to
Division 1. You would have to fear for them.
Promoted from Division 3
2016 was an exceptional year for
the Clare footballers. Beating Kildare in the Division 3 decider was a huge
achievement and they proved it to be no fluke by successfully navigating their
way through the qualifiers and reaching the All Ireland Quarter Final. Podge
Collins has committed fully to the hurlers this season, while captain and
inspirational leader Gary Brennan will be playing for Ballyhea this Saturday in
the Club Hurling Semi Final. He is expected to make to 400km
trip to Derry after the game on Saturday but it’s hard to know what condition
he will be in to play. With only
three home games and away trips to Derry, Galway, Fermanagh & Kildare it’s
hard not to see any other eventuality that the Banner Men making a quick return
to Division 3. At 8/15 to be relegated we feel this is a wee bit on the short
side and are happy to look for a bit of value elsewhere.
Cian O’Neill’s Kildare team are
the other team who gained promotion from Division 3 in 2016. A lot was expected
from his appointment after he was so successful as a selector for both Mayo
& Kerry. He has openly said that he will need three years to make Kildare
competitive again and he will hope that the squad are more in tune this season
to his style of play. We can expect Kildare to play more defensively this
season, as they will look to keep games tight in an effort to stay competitive.
They have been dealt a poor hand, with four away fixtures visiting Meath,
Derry, Down & Galway and you would wonder can this young team rise to the
challenge. The O’Byrne Cup loss to Dublin was a bitter blow considering they
were 3pts up with only a few minutes left and a defeat like this leads to more
questions than answers. They are 5/2 to be promoted & 11/4 to go straight
back down, they might just stay up but it would be no surprise if they were to
be relegated.
Division 2 Perennials
Galway have been stuck in a
moment since being relegated from Division 1 back in 2011. Since then they have
won two U21 All Irelands so at this stage should have developed a strong panel.
Last year’s Connaught champions surprised everyone in the way they collapsed
against Tipp in the Quarter Final. Kevin Walsh will hope that this was just an
off day and that they can put things right by gaining promotion. There is no
longer murmurings of players being unavailable for selection, and once the
Corofin contingent return Galway will be in a much better place. We like their chances this year and
are happy to side with them to gain promotion at 5/4.
Meath have embraced Division 2
football since 2014 and have collected 9pts on two occasions while only
escaping relegation on points difference last year with 6pts. They have a
new manager this season in Andy McEntee, who takes over from Mick O’Dowd. McEntee
will be looking to add a hardiness and steal to this Meath squad, something
which they were revered for in the 90’s. The fixture computer has been kind to
the Royals with their opening two games at home against Kildare & Derry,
while they also have Galway & Fermanagh at Pairc Tailteann. Absent for the
opening rounds of the league will be Graham Reilly who will be lining out for
St Colmcille’s in the Intermediate Club All Ireland Final. This is a great opportunity for
Meath to gain promotion and we feel they are worth a small stake at 2/1 to go
up.
The Chasing Pack
Ulster duo Fermanagh & Derry
make up the chasing pack. Pete McGrath has transformed this Fermanagh team and
having watching them first hand last year, there is a lot to like about them. Fellow
Bear in the Square Sean Quigley is a real handful while Thomas Corrigan
complements him perfectly. They have one of the best midfielders in the country
in Eoin Donnelly who should prosper with the introduction of the ‘mark’ this
season. While we don’t think they can win or gain promotion, they will be
competitive and do not be surprised if they take a few scalps over the course
of the league. They are 5/1 to go up and 6/4 to be relegated.
Damian Barton’s Derry side
collected 6pts in this division last year and it was only a score difference of
8pts which kept them up. An opening day visit of Clare to the Celtic Park
should give them the perfect opportunity to open their account with 2pts. Other
key home games include the visits of Down & Fermanagh and you feel they
have to pick up points in these games if they are to avoid the drop. With
Slaughtneil preparing for an All-Ireland Club Semi-final, Derry are deprived of
some key players at least for the opening rounds of the league. With prices of
3/1 to be promoted & 5/2 to be relegated, its hard be sure of what to
expect from Derry and for that reason they are best avoided.
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