AFL: Grading each of the Division 2 sides after reaching the mid-way point
Eoghan Frayne of Meath is tackled by Pearse Frost of Roscommon during the Allianz Football League Division 2 match. Picture: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile
Four rounds down and three to go in the highest scoring division of the Allianz Football Leagues – what do the report cards say for each of the eight teams in Division 2?
A positive start to the season, only one slip up thus far – a five-point defeat to Roscommon. Having come down from Division 1 last year, the aim was always to return to the top flight. They look poised to do just that.
They’ve scored well, and with three wins in four they are well in contention for the title. They dispatched of Cork, Westmeath and Cavan with relative ease.
I wouldn’t expect Louth or Down to catch out Monaghan in their current form, though Meath could spring a surprise. Gabriel Bannigan just needs to steer them over the line.
Defeat to Cork is the only blip on the Royals’ record so far, as they scored an impressive win over Roscommon on Sunday. A flying start to Robbie Brennan’s tenure as manager.
Even in the defeat to Cork they created so many chances. Meath have thrived in what has proven to be a high scoring division and are the biggest surprise so far. Wins over Louth and Westmeath would likely be enough to secure promotion.
They boast a solid scoring difference too. Can’t give them anything short of an A, even if there is still room for improvement.
Three wins and one loss is hardly a bad record – but you would have expected more from the Rossies. Remain at a B for their win over Monaghan, but losing out to Meath leaves no room to receive an A at this juncture.
Have been relatively strong defensively but could do with scoring a bit more. It’s imperative Roscommon don’t drop points again if they want to get back to Division 1.
Inconsistent, and over reliant on one particular forward. Same old story with Cork, on course for another mid-table finish. Defeat to Monaghan hinders their promotion prospects, as John Cleary’s side have now slipped to fourth.
Anything other than a victory over Roscommon, and their promotion dreams are dead. The Rebels’ slight improvement, coupled with the injury woes the team have dealt with so far, warrant a C+. Their circumstances have to be acknowledged.
Have done well to consolidate themselves as a Division 2 outfit in the last couple of years and will likely remain at this grade for 2025. Haven’t been great, haven’t been poor.
Louth have been a bang average Division 2 side so far this year, but in Ger Brennan’s second year in charge, they would have hoped to have pushed on a little more. Still, not bad by any means.
Westmeath’s failure to put up a single point means Louth should have an easier job at avoiding relegation.
After doing well to finish best of the rest in Division 2 last year, and beating Monaghan in the Ulster championship, Cavan would have hoped for better.
So far 2025 has been a bumpy journey. Two wins, two losses.
Year two for Raymond Galligan, but not transpiring as the Ulster outfit would have hoped. Have already gotten Monaghan and Meath out of the way and roared back to defeat Westmeath at the weekend.
Promotion likely too great an ask but should have no problem avoiding relegation at this stage. Could easily take points from Cork.
Came up from Division 3 and at the moment look likely to go back down with Westmeath, though a lot can change. A win over Cork is all Down have to show for it, as defeats to Louth, Meath and Roscommon leave them seventh.
Conor Laverty’s team are capable of more but haven’t been awful. Achieved what Westmeath would have been targeting at the start of the year.
Torn between D and F. Another defeat and they’ll certainly be receiving the latter. Dermot McCabe and his side have done a lot of things right, but they’ve got nothing to show for it.
Remaining in Division 2 was always going to be the target, achieving it is another thing. But you’d have hoped for Westmeath’s sake they would have at least one point on the board at this point.
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