Predictions below
1. Tyrone
2. Meath
3. Derry
4. Cork
5. Kildare
6. Louth
7. Cavan
8. Offaly
1. Tyrone
2. Derry
3. Meath
4. Louth
5. Cork
6. Kildare
7. Offaly
8. Cavan
Opening round fixtures
Saturday 24th January
Meath v Derry, Croke Park, 3pm
Tyrone v Kildare,Healy Park, 6pm
Sunday 25th January
Cork v Cavan,Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 1.30pm
Offaly v Louth, O'Connor Park, 2pm
Odds to be promoted
Tyrone 4/9
Derry 4/7
Meath 21/10
Cork 3/1
Kildare 7/2
Louth 15/2
Cavan 13/1
Offaly 19/1
To be relegated
Offaly 1/7
Cavan 5/6
Louth 7/5
Kildare 10/3
Meath 13/2
Cork 7/1
Derry 19/1
Tyrone 33/1
Will be a big surprise if Tyrone don't win the Div 2 title they are probably still left wondering how they got relegated on 7 points last year.
Will be interesting to see how Meath do this year after All Ireland Semi final appearance last summer. They failed to get promoted from a promising position last spring and all their home games will be in Croke Park with Navan out of operation.
Can Cork finally rise from the ashes? They haven't played Division 1 football since 2016, truly remarkable for a county of their size and tradition. Steven Sherlock back is a big boost for them.
Tyrone the obvious heavy favourite for a quick return to Division 1. Should have too much about them for the rest of the Division - although away to Derry won't be straight forward.
I would expect Derry to beat Meath to the other promotion slot.
Kildare and Cavan to be relegated for me.
Will be interesting with Tyrone having to face 3 other managers from Tyrone.
Derry, Louth and Offaly.
Cork ten years away from Division 1? That's mad!
Quote from: Captain Obvious on January 14, 2026, 06:17:15 PMCork ten years away from Division 1? That's mad!
And probably another 10 until they will be back
1. Tyrone
2. Derry
3. Louth
4. Cork
5. Meath
6. Offaly
7. Kildare
8. Cavan
Quote from: Goals_Will_Come on January 15, 2026, 09:40:51 AMQuote from: Captain Obvious on January 14, 2026, 06:17:15 PMCork ten years away from Division 1? That's mad!
And probably another 10 until they will be back
Case study needed for Cork footballers?
2010–2012 they won three consecutive Division 1 titles and in 2015 they topped the Division 1 table losing to Dublin in the final.
Since their relegation only Offaly,Louth in Division 2 haven't played in Division 1. In the last ten years Monaghan have spent just one year outside Division 1 and Roscommon have played in Division 1 more often than Armagh the last decade.
Quote from: Captain Obvious on January 15, 2026, 01:45:20 PMQuote from: Goals_Will_Come on January 15, 2026, 09:40:51 AMQuote from: Captain Obvious on January 14, 2026, 06:17:15 PMCork ten years away from Division 1? That's mad!
And probably another 10 until they will be back
Case study needed for Cork footballers?
2010–2012 they won three consecutive Division 1 titles and in 2015 they topped the Division 1 table losing to Dublin in the final.
Since their relegation only Offaly,Louth in Division 2 haven't played in Division 1. In the last ten years Monaghan have spent just one year outside Division 1 and Roscommon have played in Division 1 more often than Armagh the last decade.
Not a case study but several volumes of PhDs could be written on that topic!
But to be brief, standards dropped massively. Management and coaching standards dropped (e.g having a "coach that attends 1 session a week), player standards dropped, preparation standards dropped (e.g doing a lot of pre season running on a 4G pitch leading to massive volume of injuries) etc etc.
Cork should be a football powerhouse but isn't. It wouldn't take a huge amount to get them back to the top table but part of the reason they might not is that there are forces within the county actively working against football development also.
Quote from: Ciarrai_thuaidh on January 16, 2026, 02:03:07 AMQuote from: Captain Obvious on January 15, 2026, 01:45:20 PMQuote from: Goals_Will_Come on January 15, 2026, 09:40:51 AMQuote from: Captain Obvious on January 14, 2026, 06:17:15 PMCork ten years away from Division 1? That's mad!
And probably another 10 until they will be back
Case study needed for Cork footballers?
2010–2012 they won three consecutive Division 1 titles and in 2015 they topped the Division 1 table losing to Dublin in the final.
Since their relegation only Offaly,Louth in Division 2 haven't played in Division 1. In the last ten years Monaghan have spent just one year outside Division 1 and Roscommon have played in Division 1 more often than Armagh the last decade.
Not a case study but several volumes of PhDs could be written on that topic!
But to be brief, standards dropped massively. Management and coaching standards dropped (e.g having a "coach that attends 1 session a week), player standards dropped, preparation standards dropped (e.g doing a lot of pre season running on a 4G pitch leading to massive volume of injuries) etc etc.
Cork should be a football powerhouse but isn't. It wouldn't take a huge amount to get them back to the top table but part of the reason they might not is that there are forces within the county actively working against football development also.
From what I saw of them against us down there in 2024 plus what they show against Kerry when they can be arsed theres obviously enough there that should have them competing at the top table. You feel they need their own Jimmy McGuinness/Joyce/McGeeney strong leader to come in and galvanise everything.
Hurley stuff no.1 in Cork.
Cork County Senior football team about no.8 or 10.
Quote from: Rossfan on January 16, 2026, 09:33:24 AMHurley stuff no.1 in Cork.
Cork County Senior football team about no.8 or 10.
Thought I read somewhere that they have more football clubs than hurling though.
They probably have the most players to select from outside of Dublin. They should be competing at the top table every yerar.
Quote from: Armagh18 on January 16, 2026, 07:18:10 AMQuote from: Ciarrai_thuaidh on January 16, 2026, 02:03:07 AMQuote from: Captain Obvious on January 15, 2026, 01:45:20 PMQuote from: Goals_Will_Come on January 15, 2026, 09:40:51 AMQuote from: Captain Obvious on January 14, 2026, 06:17:15 PMCork ten years away from Division 1? That's mad!
And probably another 10 until they will be back
Case study needed for Cork footballers?
2010–2012 they won three consecutive Division 1 titles and in 2015 they topped the Division 1 table losing to Dublin in the final.
Since their relegation only Offaly,Louth in Division 2 haven't played in Division 1. In the last ten years Monaghan have spent just one year outside Division 1 and Roscommon have played in Division 1 more often than Armagh the last decade.
Not a case study but several volumes of PhDs could be written on that topic!
But to be brief, standards dropped massively. Management and coaching standards dropped (e.g having a "coach that attends 1 session a week), player standards dropped, preparation standards dropped (e.g doing a lot of pre season running on a 4G pitch leading to massive volume of injuries) etc etc.
Cork should be a football powerhouse but isn't. It wouldn't take a huge amount to get them back to the top table but part of the reason they might not is that there are forces within the county actively working against football development also.
From what I saw of them against us down there in 2024 plus what they show against Kerry when they can be arsed theres obviously enough there that should have them competing at the top table. You feel they need their own Jimmy McGuinness/Joyce/McGeeney strong leader to come in and galvanise everything.
Have they any options of this mould?
Quote from: SouthOfThe Bann on January 16, 2026, 09:44:25 AMQuote from: Rossfan on January 16, 2026, 09:33:24 AMHurley stuff no.1 in Cork.
Cork County Senior football team about no.8 or 10.
Thought I read somewhere that they have more football clubs than hurling though.
What size and where are most of the football clubs?
Nearly being trampled on by 90% of the crowd leaving after HL match v Kilkenny as I made my way into De Páirc for Cork v Ros last March showed the lack of interest in football.
Half the Cork ones who stayed left by half time, probably waiting till the traffic cleared!
Quote from: Rossfan on January 16, 2026, 11:22:50 AMQuote from: SouthOfThe Bann on January 16, 2026, 09:44:25 AMQuote from: Rossfan on January 16, 2026, 09:33:24 AMHurley stuff no.1 in Cork.
Cork County Senior football team about no.8 or 10.
Thought I read somewhere that they have more football clubs than hurling though.
What size and where are most of the football clubs?
Nearly being trampled on by 90% of the crowd leaving after HL match v Kilkenny as I made my way into De Páirc for Cork v Ros last March showed the lack of interest in football.
Half the Cork ones who stayed left by half time, probably waiting till the traffic cleared!
I know what you mean the majority are in West Cork.
Still some strong clubs in the city though and in some of the bigger towns in the County.
Whilst not as respected as Hurling they should be doing an awful lot better.
Quote from: Rossfan on January 16, 2026, 09:33:24 AMHurley stuff no.1 in Cork.
Cork County Senior football team about no.8 or 10.
Looking at the odds for the All-Ireland and various ranking tables Cork senior football team would be no 11 to 13 at the moment. No.8 to 10 would be a bit of progress for them.
Quote from: Blowitupref on January 16, 2026, 05:09:06 PMQuote from: Rossfan on January 16, 2026, 09:33:24 AMHurley stuff no.1 in Cork.
Cork County Senior football team about no.8 or 10.
Looking at the odds for the All-Ireland and various ranking tables Cork senior football team would be no 11 to 13 at the moment. No.8 to 10 would be a bit of progress for them.
8 D1 teams, Meath, Tyrone, Derry ahead of them?
Would say Cork capable of pushing most of those teams above them to the wire on their day
I know, I know and I know it's O'Byrne but it was worrying tonight for Kildare.
We don't pressure the kicker - its hardly a surprise to see Luke Loughlin scoring from distance.
And then after early success the forward play and shooting was woeful. Silly snapshots and stupid stuff.
Tyrone by a lot next week...
Ahh sure it's great to be back.
Honestly from a Meath perspective the goal has to be promotion and probably winning it as a cherry on top.
That been said nothing is that easy in the league. Should have been promoted last year and missed out. Playing in croke park will help further down the line. The big names are all giving it another bash and the amount of lads wanting to play for Meath has been unbelievable. Biggest ever panel is what we heard heading into the O'Byrne players returning from abroad and more importantly injuries ie Conlon and Kinsella will be huge. I believe we will beat Derry first game out but that is with everyone fit and going well. What would normally be our season (league football) is now seen as preparation for a Leinster and all Ireland challenge. So after the huge strides made last year we need to keep head firmly screwed on and focus on the job in hand. Promotion is what is needed.
Quote from: Dunneroyal on January 18, 2026, 08:37:58 PMAhh sure it's great to be back.
Honestly from a Meath perspective the goal has to be promotion and probably winning it as a cherry on top.
That been said nothing is that easy in the league. Should have been promoted last year and missed out. Playing in croke park will help further down the line. The big names are all giving it another bash and the amount of lads wanting to play for Meath has been unbelievable. Biggest ever panel is what we heard heading into the O'Byrne players returning from abroad and more importantly injuries ie Conlon and Kinsella will be huge. I believe we will beat Derry first game out but that is with everyone fit and going well. What would normally be our season (league football) is now seen as preparation for a Leinster and all Ireland challenge. So after the huge strides made last year we need to keep head firmly screwed on and focus on the job in hand. Promotion is what is needed.
A great feeling 🏐
Can see Cavan struggling badly and reckon Cork might give us the run around first day out.
Is there a schedule of which games are being shown live on TV?
Quote from: tyrone08 on January 19, 2026, 10:21:12 AMIs there a schedule of which games are being shown live on TV?
You can normally work it out with fixture times, going by previous years.
Saturday 7:00pm - live on RTE
Sunday 1:45pm - live on TG4
Sunday 3:45pm - live on TG4
What bbc show seems to be the one that's completely random. They do a lot of Division 2 and Antrim Hurling typically. Hoping they have Meath v Derry or Tyrone v Kildare this week
Quote from: ClubScene13 on January 19, 2026, 10:50:40 AMQuote from: tyrone08 on January 19, 2026, 10:21:12 AMIs there a schedule of which games are being shown live on TV?
You can normally work it out with fixture times, going by previous years.
Saturday 7:00pm - live on RTE
Sunday 1:45pm - live on TG4
Sunday 3:45pm - live on TG4
What bbc show seems to be the one that's completely random. They do a lot of Division 2 and Antrim Hurling typically. Hoping they have Meath v Derry or Tyrone v Kildare this week
Thanks.
Monaghan v Armagh is on BBC iplayer on Sunday
I watched Cork v Kerry in the McGrath Cup and even though Cork got the win I was unimpressed with them and I'd be thinking the league will be about avoiding relegation as opposed to challenging for promotion. My impression is that Cork just don't have the quality of players to challenge for promotion (based on this game they looked like they would be ate alive in Division 1)
Kerry weren't much better - pretty much all their best performers were their established players Sean O'Shea, Joe O'Connor and Tony Brosnan did a lot of heavy lifting (and O'Shea and O'Connor going off really left Cork back into it) Clifford looked to be rusty enough and had very little affect on matters. None of the younger Kerry lads made any notable impression although they did have a big lad at full forward Kennedy who may come good down the line (although I think he has been linked with the Aussies) Kerry do seem to have a fair few injuries and were missing the lads in club action and I wouldn't be surprised to see them struggle a bit in the early rounds of the league, especially given how poor they looked in the second half.
My main takeaway was that the game was ruined in the second half by a constant stream of subs - seemed like every stoppage a sub was brought on which completely wrecked the flow of the game. I really don't know why in games like this where unlimited subs are allowed that the number of substitution windows isn't limited to 2 or 3 in the second half. I've seen this used in a couple of challenge games and it seems to work far better at keeping the game going instead of petering out into a disjointed stop-start affair.
Niblock said BBC iplayer have Tyrone v Kildare this Saturday as well.
Don't see Meath v Derry down for any coverage, even though TG4 are showing the Dublin-Donegal game which follows it in Croker
GAA+ also have Kidlare v Tyrone. I'd rather we were not shown to be honest...
How are Tyrone fixed for the first one up?
Quote from: inroundthesquare on January 19, 2026, 01:26:36 PMNiblock said BBC iplayer have Tyrone v Kildare this Saturday as well.
Don't see Meath v Derry down for any coverage, even though TG4 are showing the Dublin-Donegal game which follows it in Croker
Meath v Derry be a great game too.
Lots of cracking games to look forward to this weekend.
Doubt Derry vs Meath will be televised
Quote from: jb77 on January 19, 2026, 06:43:18 PMDoubt Derry vs Meath will be televised
What's the point of GAA Go if the only games it's showing are games available for free on television?
Quote from: p3427977 on January 19, 2026, 08:45:34 PMQuote from: jb77 on January 19, 2026, 06:43:18 PMDoubt Derry vs Meath will be televised
What's the point of GAA Go if the only games it's showing are games available for free on television?
Odd, it'll be recorded anyway for the Sunday game, I'd buy them even without commentary if need be
GAA go is no good until championship.
Quote from: jb77 on January 19, 2026, 06:43:18 PMDoubt Derry vs Meath will be televised
Derry v meath is being shown on the tg4 player. The big problem with that is people in Derry or the North wont be able to watch it as its only for viewers in the republic. A VPN might get you round that.
I watch tg4 player games a lot in the north.
I do have bother if I'm using mobile data mind you but I think if you've location on on your device you should be grand to watch it.
Quote from: imtommygunn on January 20, 2026, 11:51:32 AMI watch tg4 player games a lot in the north.
I do have bother if I'm using mobile data mind you but I think if you've location on on your device you should be grand to watch it.
I've watched games before on it I'm nearly certain
It's definitely available. The kid generally takes over the tv and I watch the game on the tg4 player on the ipad.
Genuinely looks more interesting than Div 1
TG4 relased their scheudle of live matches for this league campaign. Lot more Div 2 games than what were shown last year. Cavan for example have 3 of their matches being shown live which seems excessive. Know last year the schedule was heavily lopsided towards Division 1 games so maybe they changing tact this year.
January 24
Allianz Football League D1 R1: Dublin v Donegal, Croke Park, 5pm (Live on TG4)
January 25
AFL D1 R1: Galway v Mayo, Pearse Stadium, 1.45pm (Live on TG4)
Allianz Hurling League D1A R1: Cork v Waterford, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 3.45pm (Live on TG4)
AFL D1 R1: Kerry v Roscommon, Fitzgerald Stadium, 2pm (Live on TG4 Player / App & Deferred on TG4 5.30pm)
January 31
AHL D1A R1: Galway v Cork, Pearse Stadium, 7pm (Live on TG4)
February 1
AFL D1 R2: Donegal v Kerry, Páirc an Athar Uí Thiarnaigh, 1.30pm (Live on TG4)
AFL D2 R2: Cavan v Meath, Kingspan Breffni, 3.45pm (Live on TG4)
AHL D1A R2: Waterford v Limerick, Azzurri Walsh Park, 2pm (Live on TG4 Player / App & Deferred on TG4 5.30pm)
February 7
AHL D1B R3: Wexford v Carlow, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 5.15pm (Live on TG4)
Learn more
February 8
AHL D1A R3: Waterford v Offaly, Azzurri Walsh Park, 1.45pm (Live on TG4)
AHL D1A R3: Limerick v Kilkenny, TUS Gaelic Grounds, 3.45pm (Live on TG4)
AHL D1B R3: Kildare v Antrim, Cedral St Conleth's Park, 2pm (Live on TG4 Player / App & Deferred on TG4 5.30pm)
February 14
AFL D1 R3: Dublin v Monaghan, Croke Park, 7pm (Live on TG4)
February 15
AFL D1 R3: Donegal v Mayo, O'Donnell Park, 1.45pm (Live on TG4)
AFL D2 R3: Tyrone v Cavan, Healy Park, Omagh, 3.45pm (Live on TG4)
AFL D1 R3: Roscommon v Armagh, King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park, 2pm (Live on TG4 Player / App & Deferred on TG4 5.30pm)
February 21
AFL D1 R4: Dublin v Kerry, Croke Park, 7pm (Live on TG4)
February 22
Fixture TBC (Live on TG4)
AFL D1 R4: Armagh v Donegal, BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 3.45pm (Live on TG4)
Fixture TBC (Live on TG4 Player / App & Deferred on TG4)
February 28
AFL D2 R5: Cavan v Louth, Kingspan Breffni, 5.15pm (Live on TG4)
March 1
AFL D1 R5: TBC (Live on TG4)
AHL D1A R5: Kilkenny v Cork, UPMC Nowlan Park, 3.15pm (Live on TG4)
Fixture TBC (Live on TG4 Player / App & Deferred on TG4)
March 7
Fixture TBC (Live on TG4)
March 8
AHL D1A R6: Clare v Wexford, Zimmer Biomet Páirc Uí Chíosóg, 1.15pm (Live on TG4)
AHL D1B R6: Waterford v Tipperary, Azzurri Walsh Park, 3.15pm (Live on TG4)
AHL D1B R6: Kildare v Carlow, Cedral St Conleth's Park, 2pm (Live on TG4 Player / App & Deferred on TG4 5.30pm)
March 14
AFL D1 R6: Dublin v Armagh, Croke Park, 7pm (Live on TG4)
March 15
AFL D1 R6: Roscommon v Donegal, King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park, 1.30pm (Live on TG4)
AFL D1 R6: Monaghan v Galway, Páirc Grattan, Inniskeen, 3.45pm (Live on TG4)
Fixture TBC (Live on TG4 Player / App & Deferred on TG4)
March 21
Fixture TBC (Live on TG4)
March 22
Fixture TBC (Live on TG4)
Fixture TBC (Live on TG4)
Fixture TBC (Live on TG4 Player / App & Deferred on TG4)
March 28
AFL D4: League Final (Live on TG4)
AFL D3: League Final (Live on TG4)
March 29
AFL D2: League Final (Live on TG4)
AFL D1: League Final (Live on TG4)
April 5
AHL D1: League Final (Live on TG4)
Not at all upset to Cavan roundly written off - we need every advantage we can get - and while nobody in the county is predicting glory I do think we'll stay up. We've done all our best work in league in recent seasons and with a new manager you'd have to expect enough of a bounce to keep us afloat. A lot of departures from the panel by all accounts (the local media is receiving very little information) but a good few were reaching the end of the road anyway and the whole thing needed shaking up for sure.
1. Tyrone
2. Derry
3. Meath
4. Louth
5. Cork
6. Cavan
7. Kildare
8. Offaly
Rte Div 2 Predicted Table:
1. Tyrone
2. Meath
3. Cork
4. Derry
5. Louth
6. Kildare
7. Offaly
8. Cavan
Quote from: Estimator on January 20, 2026, 07:35:35 PMRte Div 2 Predicted Table:
1. Tyrone
2. Meath
3. Cork
4. Derry
5. Louth
6. Kildare
7. Offaly
8. Cavan
I think there'll be a kick in Derry. Very interesting league though, Cork and Meath both capable of beating Tyrone and Derry on their day.
Quote from: Armagh18 on January 20, 2026, 08:45:32 PMQuote from: Estimator on January 20, 2026, 07:35:35 PMRte Div 2 Predicted Table:
1. Tyrone
2. Meath
3. Cork
4. Derry
5. Louth
6. Kildare
7. Offaly
8. Cavan
I think there'll be a kick in Derry. Very interesting league though, Cork and Meath both capable of beating Tyrone and Derry on their day.
It will be very tight I'd be delighted if RTE are right but to finish top will not be easy with teams playing for Sam Maguire status there will be more edgy games I believe the last time Derry and Armagh were down they both got past Louth with the bare minimum and Louth lost a lot of games narrowly only staying up at the bitter end. The fixtures have been kind to us the furthest game away is Meath in Croke Park. Cork and Meath are two teams who on their day could beat anyone never mind us or Derry. The bare minimum to secure promotion would be to win 5 draw 1 and lose 1 I think it would be hard to win 7 out of 7.
1.Tyrone
2.Derry
3.Meath
4.Kildare
5.Cork
6.Louth
7.Offaly
8.Cavan
Quote from: Boghopper on January 20, 2026, 09:08:54 PMQuote from: Armagh18 on January 20, 2026, 08:45:32 PMQuote from: Estimator on January 20, 2026, 07:35:35 PMRte Div 2 Predicted Table:
1. Tyrone
2. Meath
3. Cork
4. Derry
5. Louth
6. Kildare
7. Offaly
8. Cavan
I think there'll be a kick in Derry. Very interesting league though, Cork and Meath both capable of beating Tyrone and Derry on their day.
It will be very tight I'd be delighted if RTE are right but to finish top will not be easy with teams playing for Sam Maguire status there will be more edgy games I believe the last time Derry and Armagh were down they both got past Louth with the bare minimum and Louth lost a lot of games narrowly only staying up at the bitter end. The fixtures have been kind to us the furthest game away is Meath in Croke Park. Cork and Meath are two teams who on their day could beat anyone never mind us or Derry. The bare minimum to secure promotion would be to win 5 draw 1 and lose 1 I think it would be hard to win 7 out of 7.
Yeah Louth a dogged physical team with some very good players, I think we only beat them by a point in 2024 and Mulroy missed a free or a 45 that would have drawn in late on.
Div 2 is competitive with plenty of banana skin games for the perceived favourites in the division. Louth, for example, could beat anyone but they don't seem to be predicted to be in the mix for promotion.
Quote from: tbrick18 on January 21, 2026, 10:16:35 AMDiv 2 is competitive with plenty of banana skin games for the perceived favourites in the division. Louth, for example, could beat anyone but they don't seem to be predicted to be in the mix for promotion.
Louth are a funny one, could beat anyone in that league but I also wouldn't be that surprised if they were relegated.
Quote from: Armagh18 on January 21, 2026, 10:21:11 AMQuote from: tbrick18 on January 21, 2026, 10:16:35 AMDiv 2 is competitive with plenty of banana skin games for the perceived favourites in the division. Louth, for example, could beat anyone but they don't seem to be predicted to be in the mix for promotion.
Louth are a funny one, could beat anyone in that league but I also wouldn't be that surprised if they were relegated.
Could say the same thing about any of the teams in Div 2 actually. Even Derry!
Quote from: tbrick18 on January 21, 2026, 11:35:16 AMQuote from: Armagh18 on January 21, 2026, 10:21:11 AMQuote from: tbrick18 on January 21, 2026, 10:16:35 AMDiv 2 is competitive with plenty of banana skin games for the perceived favourites in the division. Louth, for example, could beat anyone but they don't seem to be predicted to be in the mix for promotion.
Louth are a funny one, could beat anyone in that league but I also wouldn't be that surprised if they were relegated.
Could say the same thing about any of the teams in Div 2 actually. Even Derry!
Think Derry will kick on this year- pile of talent there and would say they'll be in that bunch chasing Kerry along with Dublin, Armagh, Tyrone, Donegal and the big 2 Connacht counties.
Kildare really left the Leinster SFC game v Louth behind them that day and I really think they could fall of badly this year. Winning Leinster and then losing Ger Brennan might just mean a natural end of the road.
The thing is in Division 2 if any team was that good they wouldn't be there, and most of the teams have the ability to play class one day and be utterly useless the next day.
You have no clue if Cork will fly or crash and burn for example. Kidlare are missing up to 8 lads from the Tailtenn Cup final team, so I can see a long hard evening on Saturday. We need to focus on Offaly, Louth and Cavan really.
Quote from: Armagh18 on January 21, 2026, 11:51:47 AMQuote from: tbrick18 on January 21, 2026, 11:35:16 AMQuote from: Armagh18 on January 21, 2026, 10:21:11 AMQuote from: tbrick18 on January 21, 2026, 10:16:35 AMDiv 2 is competitive with plenty of banana skin games for the perceived favourites in the division. Louth, for example, could beat anyone but they don't seem to be predicted to be in the mix for promotion.
Louth are a funny one, could beat anyone in that league but I also wouldn't be that surprised if they were relegated.
Could say the same thing about any of the teams in Div 2 actually. Even Derry!
Think Derry will kick on this year- pile of talent there and would say they'll be in that bunch chasing Kerry along with Dublin, Armagh, Tyrone, Donegal and the big 2 Connacht counties.
Derry are certainly in a better place this year in terms of injuries (so far). Last year we were missing half the team for most of the year through injury. Most are back - remains to be seen if we can get back to the level we were at 2 years ago. But I agree, we should do better than last year but there's not one match up there where I'd be going into it thinking we are guaranteed a win.
Quote from: Estimator on January 20, 2026, 07:35:35 PMRte Div 2 Predicted Table:
1. Tyrone
2. Meath
3. Cork
4. Derry
5. Louth
6. Kildare
7. Offaly
8. Cavan
Interesting they have Derry 4th when most will have them 2nd at least then again under new and returning manager Ciarán Meenagh they have to build up a bit of confidence after a 2025 campaign of played 11 Won 0 Drew 2 and lost 9.
Quote from: Captain Obvious on January 21, 2026, 02:49:41 PMQuote from: Estimator on January 20, 2026, 07:35:35 PMRte Div 2 Predicted Table:
1. Tyrone
2. Meath
3. Cork
4. Derry
5. Louth
6. Kildare
7. Offaly
8. Cavan
Interesting they have Derry 4th when most will have them 2nd at least then again under new and returning manager Ciarán Meenagh they have to build up a bit of confidence after a 2025 campaign of played 11 Won 0 Drew 2 and lost 9.
It's interesting we're as high as 4th with those stats
D
Quote from: JoG2 on January 21, 2026, 06:16:28 PMQuote from: Captain Obvious on January 21, 2026, 02:49:41 PMQuote from: Estimator on January 20, 2026, 07:35:35 PMRte Div 2 Predicted Table:
1. Tyrone
2. Meath
3. Cork
4. Derry
5. Louth
6. Kildare
7. Offaly
8. Cavan
Interesting they have Derry 4th when most will have them 2nd at least then again under new and returning manager Ciarán Meenagh they have to build up a bit of confidence after a 2025 campaign of played 11 Won 0 Drew 2 and lost 9.
It's interesting we're as high as 4th with those stats
Derry's opening two fixtures are tricky though I see our visit to Celtic Park as very difficult. Saturday's game will hopefully show the direction of travel for Derry or Meath, I would hope we can get over Kildare but they will not be push overs having won promotion from Division 3. I fancy Cork to get two points from a Cavan side who I think will struggle this year.
This weekends predictions
Meath v Derry - Meath by 2
Tyrone v Kildare - Tyrone by 7
Cork v Cavan - Cork by 9
Offaly v Louth - Louth by 5
This weekends predictions
Meath v Derry - Meath by 4
Tyrone v Kildare - Tyrone by 10
Cork v Cavan - Cork by 4
Offaly v Louth - Louth by 3
This weekends predictions
Meath v Derry - Draw
Tyrone v Kildare - Tyrone by 3
Cork v Cavan - Cork by 3
Offaly v Louth - Louth by 7
Meath v Derry - Derry by 3
Tyrone v Kildare - Tyrone by 6
Cork v Cavan - Cork by 2
Offaly v Louth - Louth by 4
Quote from: SouthOfThe Bann on January 23, 2026, 10:22:29 AMThis weekends predictions
Quote from: SouthOfThe Bann on January 23, 2026, 10:22:29 AMThis weekends predictions
Meath v Derry - Derry by 1
Tyrone v Kildare - Tyrone by 6
Cork v Cavan - Cork by 7
Offaly v Louth - Louth by 6
Meath v Derry - Derry by 2
Tyrone v Kildare - Tyrone by 11
Cork v Cavan - Cork by 6
Offaly v Louth Offaly by 2
Meath v Derry - Draw
Tyrone v Kildare - Tyrone by 7
Cork v Cavan - Cork by 8
Offaly v Louth Louth by 3
Forgot the Meath Derry game was in Croker, not sure how much of an impact that will have.
Meath v Derry - Meath by 2
Tyrone v Kildare - Tyrone by 2
Cork v Cavan - Cork by 4
Offaly v Louth Louth by 4
A massive one for us tomorrow - will show us where we are in the greater scheme of things.
I'm not convinced about all the noise around us; I don't think we'll get promoted but the minimum is that we guarantee participation in Sam this year. Ideal is top two but top four is acceotable.
Anyhow, see you all in Croke park tomorrow.
Meath v Derry - Goood guys by 4
Tyrone v Kildare - Tyrone by 5
Cork v Cavan - Cork by 6
Offaly v Louth - largely irrelevant, Mickey can sort that one out. Draw.
[font="Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", "Nimbus Sans L", Arial, "Liberation Sans", sans-serif]Meath v Derry - Derry by 1[/font]
[font="Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", "Nimbus Sans L", Arial, "Liberation Sans", sans-serif]Tyrone v Kildare - Tyrone by 4[/font]
[font="Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", "Nimbus Sans L", Arial, "Liberation Sans", sans-serif]Cork v Cavan - Cork by 2[/font]
[font="Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", "Nimbus Sans L", Arial, "Liberation Sans", sans-serif]Offaly v Louth Offaly by 1[/font]