I'll go with Offaly for promotion this year. Good young talent with experience of D2 from last year. Lacked physicality which was especially evident in TC v Westmeath but think they should be improving in that department with the extra year. Really shrewd managerial appointment too.
After that plenty of teams can make claims, except maybe Antrim. I think they would be my relegation favourite by a margin. Not clear who else is in line for second drop spot. Again plenty of potential candidates and surprises. I think it will be touch and go for up and down with most teams here heading into game 6. Good start and clear injury runs will be essential.
Offaly playing Longford tomorrow in the O Byrne Cup final, TG4 Youtube at 2. A chance to look at both teams before the league.
Paddy Christie seems to have got most of Longfords best players on the panel. 6 or 7 opted out last year,. Liam Kearns a decent appointment for Offaly.
Down looked decent in the McKenna Cup. I don't think the Johnstons were involved yet, whether Lavety will get them on the panel.
Yeah it's really difficult to call at this stage. No standout team really. I've called Offaly as one I fancy, good squad, good manager who will be laying down a marker, but at the same time wouldn't be overly shocked if they fall flat.
There's just so many teams in there who with a little improvement have D2 credentials but could just as likely have a/another bad year.
My own Cavan, I feel there's experience there with physicality, quality and doggedness plus there's some nice looking footballers coming through. So all in all I should be more confident for a D3 campaign than I am. I just see us struggling scoreboard wise and the spine of the defence, even though well established, look shaky at times. Midfield another puzzle. With Thomas Galligan gone we're back to blooding which takes time. Question marks over James Smith too fitness/injury wise. A consistent free taker inside the 45 would also be nice. I wish I was as confident as the bookmakers.
