Allianz Football League Division 2 Preview

Despite a perfect start to this year’s league, Galway’s hopes for promotion are still in the balance as they play the other top teams in the division. First up for the Tribesmen is Derry this weekend before they face Roscommon in the Hyde a week later.

Off the back of another win over Clare last weekend, Padraic Joyce will be well aware that his team will have to up their game significantly if they are to leave Owenbeg with two points on Sunday.

Derry have proved themselves to be a very classy outfit having won four of their five matches so far. However, Rory Gallagher’s men dropped their first point of this year’s league last weekend away to Roscommon, where they came back from six points down early in the second half.

Despite the dropped point, Derry boast the best defence across all four divisions so it’s important that Galway’s forwards take their chances when they fall.

Galway’s defence will also have to improve as they have shipped some big scores against teams of lesser quality in comparison to the Oak Leaf county. Derry’s main scoring threat will be Slaughtneil club man Shane McGuigan. The sharpshooter scored eight of his side’s 12 points against the Rossies, so it’s important that Galway keep him under wraps this weekend.

This match will prove to be an indicator to see where exactly Galway stand going into this year’s Championship. In terms of the league, the stakes couldn’t be higher. An intimidating atmosphere awaits as Derry aim to reach the top tier after been playing Division Four football a couple of years ago.

Prediction: Galway win by 2 points.

The game stakes place on Sunday at 1pm in Derry Core Owenbeg. Tickets for the match can be purchased online or from selected Supervalu and Centra stores.

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