Division 2 bearpit means managers have less chance to experiment

Yesterday, we looked at the dispersal of game-time among the Cork football squad during the opening three rounds of the national league.

While the figures around total numbers used, and those who have started matches, were less than the hurlers after three rounds of their league, such a comparison is of course apples and oranges.

Beyond being dragged into the relegation mire, Division 1A of the hurling is about trying new players and building towards a championship 15 and 26 – after all, the Munster SHC is a far more important ‘league’. If you happen to end up in the hurling final, well and good – it’s better than a challenge match as a championship tune-up – bit nobody will be too down in the dumps about not getting that far.

Division 2 of the football is a different kettle of fish, not least because of the considerations at the two ends of the table. There is the desire to get promoted, ensuring exposure to better opponents in the top flight; and there is also the need to guard against relegation as that would mean having to take part in the Tailteann Cup rather than the All-Ireland SFC.

It means that managers are less inclined to rotate their teams freely. Of the eight sides in Division 2 this year, Tyrone’s 21 different starters across three matches is a tally clear of the 19 of Cork, Derry, Louth and Offaly, while Cavan, Kildare and Meath have had just 17 each.

While the Red Hands drew their opener with Kildare and then lost to Derry, their performance in beating Cavan last week suggests that they cannot yet be ruled out of the promotion race – they have 17 different scorers, with Meath, Louth and Offaly next with 13 and Cork have 12.

Of perhaps more import is the fact that Tyrone have the highest average score per game from play, ahead of Kildare, who have scored the most overall.

The table doesn’t lie in terms of Offaly’s scoring power – they are the only county yet to score a goal – or their concession tallies.

However, what is perhaps interesting is that the Faithful County have the ‘best’ record in terms of scores allowed from frees or penalties, less than two points per game. We have it in inverted commas because it would suggest that there is no reward for being clean.

Players used: 27 – Tyrone; 26 – Cork; 25 – Kildare; 24 – Cavan, Louth, Offaly; 23 – Meath; 22 – Derry

Starters: 21- Tyrone; 19 – Cork, Derry, Louth Offaly; 17 – Cavan, Kildare, Meath

Scorers: 17 – Tyrone; 13 – Meath, Louth, Offaly; 12 – Cork; 11 – Cavan, Derry, Kildare

Average scored per game: 23 – Kildare; 22.67 – Cork; 22 – Tyrone, 21.67 – Meath; 20.33 – Cavan, Louth; 19.33 – Derry; 18.33 – Offaly

Average scored from play per game: 17.67 – Tyrone; 16.67 – Kildare; 14.67 – Cavan, Cork; 13.33 – Derry; 13 – Louth, Meath; 9.33 – Offaly

Number of goals scored: 5 – Derry, Kildare, Tyrone; 4 – Cavan, Cork; 3 – Meath; 2 – Louth; 0 – Offaly

Number of two-pointers scored: 8 – Louth (4 frees), 7 – Meath (3 frees), Offaly (1 free); 6 – Cork (2 frees), Tyrone (2 frees); 5 – Derry (1 free), Kildare (1 free); 4 Cavan (4 frees)

Average conceded per game: 18.33 – Derry, 19 – Cork, Tyrone; 19.67 – Meath; 20.67 – Louth; 21 – Kildare; 24.67 – Offaly, 25.33 – Cavan

Average conceded from frees/penalties per game: 1.67 – Offaly; 3.67 – Cavan, Louth; 4 – Cork, Derry, Kildare; 4.67 – Tyrone; 6.67 – Meath