The National Football League resumes this weekend, and there are some teams who are under pressure to deliver a victory.
Monaghan (vs Donegal)
The Farney County are the only side in the top tier without a point after the opening two rounds.
Vinny Corey’s charges were soundly beaten by a Kerry team who were missing some big names in Killarney, and the visitors looked out of ideas in attack.
They have been members of Division 1 since 2015, but that record looks under serious threat as Donegal come to Clones on Sunday afternoon.
A home defeat to their Ulster rivals would leave Monaghan with a mountain to climb.
The sixth-place team in Division 1 gathered six points over the last two editions of eight-team groups, and that tally may be needed once more to avoid the drop.
A loss to Donegal would make that a daunting challenge for Monaghan.
Galway (vs Armagh)
Last year’s All-Ireland finalists would have felt good about life entering 2023, as they aim to build on a hugely promising season.
The away draw with Mayo was a decent start to their campaign, but the round two loss to Roscommon in Salthill was costly on numerous fronts.
Damien Comer’s injury is a significant setback, as he now joins Rob Finnerty (injury) and Shane Walsh (travelling) on the list of absentees.
It gives Joyce and Co an opportunity to test their attacking depth, but a need to pick up results is also pressing.
Tyrone travel to Tuam on Sunday afternoon, in a game that could dictate the remainder of the campaign for the Tribesmen. Win, and they will keep pace with the leading pack. Defeat would mean they could be facing into a relegation battle in the coming weeks.
Meath (vs Derry)
Dublin and Derry were widely expected to come flying out of the traps in the second tier, with the two 2022 provincial champions looking for league promotion.
Colm O’Rourke’s Meath team have been the surprise package, however. Two wins from two, and seven goals scored, have seen the Royals match the favourites thus far.
Their biggest test of the league campaign to date comes on Saturday evening. They take on the Oak Leaf County in Owenbeg, in a match that will act as a barometer on Meath’s progress.
Such has been the form of the reigning Ulster and Leinster champions in Division 2 thus far, Meath know they will need to get a result against at least one of them if they are to start thinking about promotion.
