Points needed, but it could be a tough fight between Donegal and Derry

The weekend’s games will leave their mark on the league table and, perhaps, the rule book too.

National Football League Division 1

Saturday, March 1
Mayo v Kerry – Páirc Mhic Éil, 3.00pmArmagh v Dublin – Armagh Athletic Park, 7.30 (Live on RTÉ 2)

Sunday, March 2

Galway v Tyrone – St. Iarfhlaith Park, 1.45pm
Donegal v Derry – Mac Cumhaill Park, 1.45pm (Live on TG4)

This is an important round in the National Football League. Firstly, the pressure is on for the teams trying to stay in Division 1. Five or six points are usually needed to avoid relegation and only Galway, Donegal and Dublin have already accumulated that amount.

Perhaps more importantly, any amendments to the new football rules that have been introduced since the beginning of the year will be made after this round. The impact of the changes that have been made may not be as great as some people predicted, but few would argue that the rules have not improved things.

As Dara Ó Cinnéide wrote on this site , however, there is a big question about the impact of goalkeepers and the fact that teams seem to be taking advantage of them to retain possession of the ball and take some of the pace out of the game.

Tyrone goalkeeper Niall Morgan says it would be a step backwards if goalkeepers were stopped from coming out of the back to take part in the play and you can understand why Morgan, a man who spends the entire game going up and down the pitch, would think so.

If he is so opposed to changing the rule as it is, it would be in his own best interest and the best interest of the other goalkeepers who wander around to stay in the back of the net for all of their games and not do anything that would draw the attention of the Football Review Committee this particular weekend.

Tyrone need some encouragement from somewhere as they travel to Galway tomorrow, however, to face Patrick Joyce’s team who are top of the league. Darragh Canavan found the net 1-4 for Tyrone on his return to the team last weekend but David Clifford’s exploits saw them lose their third game in a row.

The Galway team had a very impressive win over Donegal with Shane Walsh scoring a hat-trick of points in the windy conditions at Staid an Phairsaigh. It will be calmer in Tuam than it was by the harbour but the Galway team will still have some wind in their sails and have not lost a single game in the league.

The loss in Bóthar na Trá should not be too much of a blow for Donegal and the Conalls without Michael Murphy, Patrick McBrearty and Ryan McHugh in that game. There are no injuries reported for the trio but they may not be seen tomorrow either when Derry cross the Foyle to visit Ballybofey. These teams will play each other in the preliminary round of the Ulster Championship in five weeks’ time and neither will be keen to let any secrets slip, even with Derry, who are currently bottom of Division 1, desperately needing a win.

Today, Kerry will be in Castlebar to face Mayo. David Clifford gave another glimpse of his ability and importance to Kerry with the three goals he scored against Tyrone. Kerry need one more win to avoid relegation worries and they have a good chance today. Mayo’s comeback against Armagh will give the home team some encouragement, however, as they have come back from nine points behind to draw level.

Armagh have only won one game so far, their best being against Derry in Round Two. There was some good news for the All-Ireland champions during the week with reports that Rian O’Neill is set to return to the squad, although he is unlikely to feature against Dublin tonight. Dessie Farrell’s side had a comprehensive win over poor Derry last week with Seán Bugler at his best again, picking up six points.