NFL Division 2: Who's top of the class? Rating every team in the promotion and relegation race
Cork’s Dara Sheedy with Derry’s Shane McGuigan and Matthew Downey during their National Football League match last week.
Two rounds remain, there’s a three-way tie in the battle for promotion. And the relegation battle is still wide open. So what grades do the eight teams in Division 2 of the National Football League get from A to F?
A first round defeat to Meath suggested this one might not be so straightforward. But Derry have gradually improved and got themselves back on track after last year’s torrid campaign.
Shane McGuigan, Paul Cassidy and Lachlan Murray have kicked them to the top of the table, and their demolition of Cork was the most impressive result any team has put up in Division 2 yet. Still, work to be done before they’ll convince the rest of the country that they’re ready to contend for the All-Ireland again. But, for a change, they’ve got a very favourable Ulster championship draw.
With the way the last couple of years have gone for the Royal County, this has been a superb season. They already threw their weight around with the top teams in last year’s championship, and they look poised to do so again in next year’s league campaign.
Only one blip – defeat to Cork. Jordan Morris and Jack Flynn have been excellent, and Meath’s two-point kicking has set them apart in the second tier. Should they beat Tyrone this weekend, promotion will be almost certain.
Go back prior to that woeful Derry defeat, and this Cork team are getting a starred A. It may be unfair to give such weight to one bad result, but that one bad result may end up being detrimental to the Rebels’ promotion hopes.
It is already out of their hands considering Derry and Meath have already met. But even if Cork fail to get promoted, it doesn’t discount the quality of their performances and football. This has been their best Division 2 campaign in quite some time. John Cleary has addressed their attacking issues. Steven Sherlock, Mark Cronin and Chris Óg Jones have been working well together. Dara Sheedy has been a very positive addition too.
Overall, it’s been a solid campaign, but they may end up being forced into the hard shoulder.
Louth will be frustrated that the no-show against Cork and late defeat to Meath have likely cost them promotion, but the Wee County have put up some great performances in this campaign. Craig Lennon’s form has been especially encouraging, too.
It’s another year where they’ve again punched above their weight, perhaps suggesting that this is no overachievement, but rather, where Louth are at. And so, their grade reflects that.
Five points from five games. Far from ideal for the Red Hand, given the pre-season expectation was that they’d go straight back up. They’ve been very flat. Two wins, both arriving against Cavan and Offaly, who occupy the relegation places.
They suffered a narrow defeat to Derry, after letting it slip against a Kildare side with 14 men. Then, in round four, they lost by five to Louth. Another year of Division 2 football beckons, but they’ve at least got Cork and Meath tests to prepare for their Ulster championship preliminary round clash with Armagh.
Darragh Canavan will be missed for the final two league outings, though, and relegation is still a possibility if they’re not careful.
This is not how the Lilywhites would have foreseen their return to Division 2. Given Cavan are still to play Offaly, they could find themselves in real trouble if they don’t beat Cork or Louth. Brian McLoughlin has shown up well and they’ve had some narrow defeats, but that Meath loss was unacceptable.
Feels generous, but:
Hard not to feel for Cavan. They lost their opening two games by a combined margin of three. Should have beaten both Cork and Meath. Did manage to bring down Kildare, but were hammered by Tyrone and Louth.
Ultimately, it’s the games that they should have won that have left them in this position. Offaly next offers a chance to recover.
Division 2 was always going to be a tough ask, and that needs to be considered. But they’ve been completely unable to compete. Their best results in five games were five-point defeats to Cork and Louth, both teams that now look unlikely to be promoted.
The Mickey Harte and Declan Kelly partnership has not had its desired effect this season. Back down you go.
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