BoyleSports gaelic football ambassador and Dublin legend Diarmuid Connolly previews the National League finals in division 1 and 2.
Connolly has four National League titles to his name to go with 11 Leinster Championships and 6 All-Irelands so you would do well to find someone who knows better the importance of a strong league campaign and winning big games in Croke Park.
Dublin were of course relegated to Division 2 last season in what was a massive shock in the world of gaelic football. Many gaelic football fans thought that the Dubs would dominate Division 2 and cruise back to promotion to Division 1. However, it didn't exactly play out like that as Dessie Farrell's men needed a result in their last league game against Louth to ensure promotion to the top tier.
Connolly was very complimentary of Derry when discussing their league campaign so far and their chances ahead of this Division 2 decider. Connolly said, “We’ve seen Derry’s full hand throughout the league, they have a very strong squad and a great system of play."
When it came to Dublin however the Dubs legend was a little bit more critical and went as far as to say that Derry should be favourites for this upcoming Division 2 final.
“Dublin on the other hand can be brilliant in patches, but average at times as well. I was up at the Derry game against Dublin and there was very little in it. It could be a different story at Croke Park and we’ll see how Derry match up to them there, but Derry are unbeaten and at the moment I would have them as favourites.”
Galway needed a win against Kerry to ensure qualification for the Division 1 decider and it was no easy task with All-Ireland and defending league champions Kerry arriving to Salthill to do battle with the westerners. In the end, Galway did enough and held off Kerry by two points to book their spot in the final against neighbours and fierce rivals Mayo.
Connolly spoke highly of Galway after their victory against Kerry and what it means for the team going into the Connacht Championship.
“It was a huge win for Galway against Kerry. It’s only three weeks until a Connacht semi-final against Roscommon or Mayo and with only one competitive game in between, it will only be a plus for Padraic Joyce’s side."
“Salthill is a difficult place to go and they were full value for the win. Credit to Joyce because they had a couple of tough games along the road, but they’re into a league final."
Ahead of the Division 1 final of Mayo v Galway Connolly thinks that the Tribesmen's Damien Comer could play a major role in the game although he noted that Comer's knee injury could limit his game time.
"Damien Comer came on against Kerry and I know he had a knee strap on, but he made such a difference. They have the option of kicking long balls into him and that could be a thorn in Mayo’s side in the final.”
“Cork will be the big rivals to Kerry in Munster, but it’ll be a while before we see a full Kerry squad go into a Championship game, so we don’t really know what their best team is at the minute."
Connolly went on to say that their big players, David Clifford, Paudie Clifford and Sean O'Shea in particular need to stand up and lift this team up to higher levels of performance.
“They should have a handy enough run in Muntser compared to other provinces, but the big players like the Clifford brothers really need to stand up."
"Sean O’Shea was decent against Galway, but their pass execution and their handling at times was just a little bit off, so they have a bit of work to do. They have a few weeks to get some good training in, so I’m sure they’re going to sharpen the axe.”
“It's very hard to put your finger on what’s going on in Donegal. Paddy Carr came in and hasn’t even made the championship before stepping away. It was 0-12 to 0-07 at half-time, but Donegal just stayed in the dressing room at half-time because they only kicked two points in the second half."
“To me there was no fight in them – it’s usually rough and tumble with Donegal and they won’t let you in easy, but it just looked like shooting practice for Roscommon and there’s a lot of work to do for Donegal.”
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Connolly has four National League titles to his name to go with 11 Leinster Championships and 6 All-Irelands so you would do well to find someone who knows better the importance of a strong league campaign and winning big games in Croke Park.
Dublin were of course relegated to Division 2 last season in what was a massive shock in the world of gaelic football. Many gaelic football fans thought that the Dubs would dominate Division 2 and cruise back to promotion to Division 1. However, it didn't exactly play out like that as Dessie Farrell's men needed a result in their last league game against Louth to ensure promotion to the top tier.
Division 2 Final: Derry v Dublin Preview
Derry should be favourites for Dublin showdownConnolly was very complimentary of Derry when discussing their league campaign so far and their chances ahead of this Division 2 decider. Connolly said, “We’ve seen Derry’s full hand throughout the league, they have a very strong squad and a great system of play."
When it came to Dublin however the Dubs legend was a little bit more critical and went as far as to say that Derry should be favourites for this upcoming Division 2 final.
“Dublin on the other hand can be brilliant in patches, but average at times as well. I was up at the Derry game against Dublin and there was very little in it. It could be a different story at Croke Park and we’ll see how Derry match up to them there, but Derry are unbeaten and at the moment I would have them as favourites.”
Division 1 Final: Mayo v Galway Preview
Returning Comer could be thorn in Mayo’ sideGalway needed a win against Kerry to ensure qualification for the Division 1 decider and it was no easy task with All-Ireland and defending league champions Kerry arriving to Salthill to do battle with the westerners. In the end, Galway did enough and held off Kerry by two points to book their spot in the final against neighbours and fierce rivals Mayo.
Connolly spoke highly of Galway after their victory against Kerry and what it means for the team going into the Connacht Championship.
“It was a huge win for Galway against Kerry. It’s only three weeks until a Connacht semi-final against Roscommon or Mayo and with only one competitive game in between, it will only be a plus for Padraic Joyce’s side."
“Salthill is a difficult place to go and they were full value for the win. Credit to Joyce because they had a couple of tough games along the road, but they’re into a league final."
Ahead of the Division 1 final of Mayo v Galway Connolly thinks that the Tribesmen's Damien Comer could play a major role in the game although he noted that Comer's knee injury could limit his game time.
"Damien Comer came on against Kerry and I know he had a knee strap on, but he made such a difference. They have the option of kicking long balls into him and that could be a thorn in Mayo’s side in the final.”
Kerry has “work to do” Ahead of Championship
Kerry did not match the strong league campaign of 2022 in 2023. This team that looked almost unbeatable last season were not all that impressive from what we've seen from them this season, a 7-point loss to Mayo being the lowlight of their results. Here's what Diarmuid Connolly thinks their league campaign means for them going into the Championship.“Cork will be the big rivals to Kerry in Munster, but it’ll be a while before we see a full Kerry squad go into a Championship game, so we don’t really know what their best team is at the minute."
Connolly went on to say that their big players, David Clifford, Paudie Clifford and Sean O'Shea in particular need to stand up and lift this team up to higher levels of performance.
“They should have a handy enough run in Muntser compared to other provinces, but the big players like the Clifford brothers really need to stand up."
"Sean O’Shea was decent against Galway, but their pass execution and their handling at times was just a little bit off, so they have a bit of work to do. They have a few weeks to get some good training in, so I’m sure they’re going to sharpen the axe.”
“No fight” in Donegal after Carr exit
Diarmuid spoke to us about the fiasco that is unfolding in Donegal right now with first year coach Paddy Carr resigning from the manager role before the last round of the league campaign with the county already relegated to Division 2 next season.“It's very hard to put your finger on what’s going on in Donegal. Paddy Carr came in and hasn’t even made the championship before stepping away. It was 0-12 to 0-07 at half-time, but Donegal just stayed in the dressing room at half-time because they only kicked two points in the second half."
“To me there was no fight in them – it’s usually rough and tumble with Donegal and they won’t let you in easy, but it just looked like shooting practice for Roscommon and there’s a lot of work to do for Donegal.”
Click Below For All Our National League Final Betting Odds
*Prices subject to fluctuation
