2007 Allianz Hurling and Football leagues

[Rynaghs Biffo]

The GAA have confirmed the proposed list of fixtures for the Allianz Leagues 2007 in football and hurling. The fixtures will be before the GAA’s Central Council for ratification at their meeting on December 9th 2006. The full list of fixtures is:

Allianz National Football League
Round 1
03.02.2007 (Sat) @ 7.30pm
Division 1A
Corcaigh v Dún na nGall
Áth Cliath v Tír Eoghain

Division 2B
An Mhí v An Cabhán


04.02.2007 (Sun) @ 2.30pm
Division 1A
Maigh Eo v Ciarraí
Fear Manach v Luimneach

Division 1B
Cill Dara v Ard Mhacha
Gaillimh v Doire
An Lú v An Dún
An Iarmhí v Laois

Division 2A
Ceatharlach v An Clár
Liatroim v Uíbh Fhailí
Ros Comáin v Muineachán
Longfort v Londain

Division 2B
Cill Mhantáin v Aontroim
Tiobraid Árann v Sligeach
Port Láirge v Loch Garman


Allianz National Football League
Round 2
10.02.2007 (Sat) @ 7.30pm
Division 1A
Ciarraí v Corcaigh
Tír Eoghain v Fear Manach

Division 1B
Laois v Gaillimh
Ard Mhacha v An Lú

Division 2B
Aontroim v An Mhí
An Cabhán v Cill Mhantáin


11.02.2007 (Sun) @ 1.30pm
Division 1A
Luimneach v Áth Cliath
Dún na nGall v Maigh Eo

Division 1B
An Dún v Cill Dara
Doire v An Iarmhí

Division 2A
Uíbh Fhailí v Ceatharlach
An Clár v Liatroim
Muineachán v Longfort
Londain v Ros Comáin

Division 2B
Loch Garman v Tiobraid Árann
Sligeach v Port Láirge


Allianz National Football League
Round 3
24.02.2007 (Sat) @ 7.30pm
Division 1A
Corcaigh v Tír Eoghain

Division 1B
Laois v An Lú


25.02.2007 (Sun) @ 2.30pm
Division 1A
Dún na nGall v Áth Cliath
Fear Manach v Ciarraí
Maigh Eo v Luimneach

Division 1B
Gaillimh v Ard Mhacha
Cill Dara v Doire
An Iarmhí v An Dún

Division 2A
Muineachán v Ceatharlach
Ros Comáin v An Clár
Longfort v Uíbh Fhailí
Londain v Liatroim

Division 2B
Port Láirge v Aontroim
Tiobraid Árann v An Cabhán
Sligeach v An Mhí
Cill Mhantáin v Loch Garman


Allianz National Football League
Round 4


10.03.2007 (Sat) @ 7.30pm

Division 1A
Áth Cliath v Corcaigh
Ciarraí v Luimneach
Tír Eoghain v Dún na nGall

Division 1B
Ard Mhacha v Doire

Division 2B
An Cabhán v Sligeach
An Mhí v Tiobraid Árann


11.03.2007 (Sun) @ 2.30pm
Division 1A
Fear Manach v Maigh Eo

Division 1B
Gaillimh v Cill Dara
An Dún v Laois
An Lú v An Iarmhí

Division 2A
Longfort v Liatroim
An Clár v Muineachán
Uíbh Fhailí v Londain
Ceatharlach v Ros Comáin

Division 2B
Aontroim v Loch Garman
Port Láirge v Cill Mhantáin


Allianz National Football League
Round 5
24.03.2007 (Sat) @ 3.30pm
Division 1A
Áth Cliath v Fear Manach
Corcaigh v Maigh Eo

Division 2B
Aontroim v An Cabhán


25.03.2007 (Sun) @ 3.30pm
Division 1A
Dún na nGall v Ciarraí
Luimneach v Tír Eoghain

Division 1B
Ard Mhacha v An Dún
An Iarmhí v Gaillimh
Doire v Laois
Cill Dara v An Lú

Division 2A
Liatroim v Ceatharlach
Uíbh Fhailí v An Clár
Londain v Muineachán
Ros Comáin v Longfort

Division 2B
Cill Mhantáin v An Mhí
Loch Garman v Sligeach
Tiobraid Árann v Port Láirge


Allianz National Football League
Round 6
31.03.2007 @ 7.30pm
Division 1A
Ciarraí v Tír Eoghain

Division 1B
Laois v Ard Mhacha

Division 2B
An Mhí v Port Láirge


01.04.2007 @ 3.30pm

Division 1A
Fear Manach v Corcaigh
Maigh Eo v Áth Cliath
Luimneach v Dún na nGall

Division 1B
An Dún v Doire
An Lú v Gaillimh
An Iarmhí v Cill Dara

Division 2A
Muineachán v Uíbh Fhailí
Ros Comáin v Liatroim
An Clár v Londain
Ceatharlach v Longfort

Division 2B
Sligeach v Aontroim
An Cabhán v Loch Garman
Tiobraid Árann v Cill Mhantáin



Allianz National Football League
Round 7
07.04.2007 @ 7.30pm
Division 1A
* Dún na nGal v Fear Manach
* Áth Cliath v Ciarraí
* Tír Eoghain v Maigh Eo
* Corcaigh v Luimneach

*(subject to satisfactory completion of floodlights- all games in the final round to be played at the same time)


08.04.2007 @ 3.30pm
Division 1B
Gaillimh v An Dún
Cill Dara v Laois
Doire v An Lú
Ard Mhacha v An Iarmhí

Division 2A
Londain v Ceatharlach
Longfort v An Clár
Liatroim v Muineachán
Uíbh Fhailí v Ros Comáin

Division 2B
Port Láirge v An Cabhán
Loch Garman v An Mhí
Cill Mhantáin v Sligeach
Aontroim v Tiobraid Árann



Allianz National Hurling League
18.02.2007 @ 2.30pm
Round 1
Division 1A
An Dún v An Clár
Corcaigh v Uíbh Fhailí
Loch Garman v Port Láirge

Division 1B
Gaillimh v Aontroim
Áth Cliath v Cill Chainnigh
Tiobraid Árann v Luimneach

Division 2A
Ard Mhacha v Ceatharlach
Laois v Doire
An Mhí v Cill Mhantáin

Division 2B
Ciarraí v Londain
Cill Dara v Maigh Eo
Iar Mhí Bye

Division 3A
An Lú v Liatroim
Muineachán v Sligeach
Dún na nGall Bye

Division 3B
Longfort v An Cabhán
Tír Eoghain v Fear Manach
Ros Comáin Bye



04.03.2007 @ 2.30pm
Allianz National Hurling League
Round 2
Division 1A
Port Láirge v Corcaigh
Uíbh Fhailí v An Dún
An Clár v Loch Garman

Division 1B
Luimneach v Gaillimh
Aontroim v Áth Cliath
Cill Chainnigh v Tiobraid Árann

Division 2A
Cill Mhantáin v Laois
Ceatharlach v An Mhí
Doire v Ard Mhacha

Division 2B
Maigh Eo v Ciarraí
Iar Mhí v Cill Dara
Londain Bye

Division 3A
Dún na nGall v An Lú
Muineachán v Liatroim
Sligeach Bye

Division 3B
Ros Comáin v Longfort
An Cabhán v Tír Eoghain
Fear Manach Bye


18.03.2007 @ 3.30pm
Allianz National Hurling League 2007
Round 3
Division 1A
An Dún v Corcaigh
Loch Garman v Uíbh Fhailí
An Clár v Port Láirge

Division 1B
Tiobraid Árann v Aontroim
Áth Cliath v Gaillimh
Cill Chainnigh v Luimneach

Division 2A
An Mhí v Doire
Ard Mhacha v Laois
Ceatharlach v Cill Mhantáin

Division 2B
Maigh Eo v Londain
Ciarraí v Iar Mhí
Cill Dara Bye

Division 3A
Muineachán v Dún na nGall
Liatroim v Sligeach
An Lú Bye

Division 3B
Tír Eoghain v Ros Comáin
An Cabhán v Fear Manach
Longfort Bye


25.03.2007 @ 3.30pm
Allianz National Hurling League
Round 4
Division 1A
Uíbh Fhailí v An Clár
Port Láirge v An Dún
Corcaigh v Loch Garman

Division 1B
Aontroim v Cill Chainnigh
Luimneach v Áth Cliath
Gaillimh v Tiobraid Árann

Division 2A
Doire v Ceatharlach
Laois v An Mhí
Cill Mhantáin v Ard Mhacha

Division 2B
Londain v Cill Dara
Iar Mhí v Maigh Eo
Ciarraí Bye

Division 3A
Dún na nGall v Liatroim
Sligeach v An Lú
Muineachán Bye

Division 3B
Ros Comáin v An Cabhán
Fear Manach v Longfort
Tír Eoghain Bye

01.04.2007 @ 3.30pm
Allianz National Hurling League
Round 5
Division 1A
Port Láirge v Uíbh Fhailí
An Clár v Corcaigh
Loch Garman v An Dún

Division 1B
Luimneach v Aontroim
Cill Chainnigh v Gaillimh
Tiobraid Árann v Áth Cliath

Division 2A
Cill Mhantáin v Doire
Ceatharlach v Laois
An Mhí v Ard Mhacha

Division 2B
Cill Dara v Ciarraí
Londain v Iar Mhí
Maigh Eo Bye

Division 3A
Sligeach v Dún na nGall
An Lú v Muineachán
Liatroim Bye

Division 3B
Fear Manach v Ros Comáin
Longfort v Tír Eoghain
An Cabhán Bye

[Bord na Mona man]

Pity it didn't revert to a Division 1,2,3 and 4 in football.
Though this time around in Div 2, we have a better standard of opposition than in other years.

Leitrim (A)
Carlow (H)
Longford (A)
London (H)
Clare (H)
Monaghan (A)
Roscommon (H)

Toughest games are away to promotion rivals Monaghan and Longford, with Leitrim always being tough to beat on cold damp Carrick-On-Shannon days.
The only easy fixture is against Landahn innit!
Carlow should be disposed of and set the tone for championship.
Paidi's Clare will be a tough home tie.
If Roscommon are still in contention on the last day, then it could be a nail biter.

In hurling, I think the relegation threat is huge.
Only 2 home games and one of them is against Down, who you'd expect to beat regardless of venue.
I can't see many points coming from away ties to Wexford, Cork and Waterford.
If we can beat Clare who won't have Lynch, Lohan and McMahon then it might save us.

[green&white]

Only one team is relegated from division 1 hurling, so relagtion will only happen if they lose the play-off as well, which is highly unlikely!! what difference does it make what matches they win (down an obvious exception),as long as they compete well in all. Last yr they reached the q-finals of the league which counted for nothing in the end!
Most players seemed to peak in february and march rather than in may/june, so maybe management might learn from that experience.
R Hannify and Carroll were named on all-star team of the league, yet neither were entertained come proper nominations. jsut shows tht our wo best players peaked at the wrong times!! management must take some responsibilty for this!

[Tom]

I'm know none of the games in the football league will be easy, London excluded, but looking at the teams we have to play, if it wer in the championship we'd be disappointed to lose to any of them. We are more than capable of winning all our football matches, and it will be a major disappointment if we didn't get promoted again.

The Hurling does look alot harder, but since in worst case scenario, we play Down in a relegation playoff, we shouldn't really have any relegation worries. I agree, that to see the hurlers compete in all matches is the key.

[Lone Shark]

I'd say that even for allowing for a new look team under Pat Roe, the first three home fixtures should be handy wins and even against Roscommon we should be four or five points better than them. I know it doesn't always work out like that, but there should be a serious inquiry into any dropped points at home. The away games on the other hand are very tricky. Speaking as a bookie I'll have to see the teams, but based on form in Carrick there's a strong chance Leitrim will be favourites for that game, while it'll be as near to 50/50 as makes no difference for the games in Longford and Monaghan. If you offered me three points out of those games now I'd take it.

Despite in theory giving us four home games, in essence it's 3/3 because the London one doesn't matter. On the contrary, the calendar has been extremely kind to Roscommon. Four home, three away, with two of their away games in Carlow and London. This after a poxed draw in Connacht for next year and Brigid's getting two home games in the Connacht club championship - the Gods are certainly smiling on the Rossies at the moment. On paper I would have said Roscommon would have been fourth in my pecking order for that division, not far behind Longford and not far ahead of Leitrim, but they'll probably be favourites for the division with that schedule.


As for the hurling, well after a very kind fixture list last year, this was always coming. First week out is still a good time to get Cork, but even so it's hard to see where the win will come from. Sad to say Wexford is still probably the only team we're within five points of right now.

[Bord na Mona man]

Yeah, I suppose we should stave off relegation, but after the farce of the 2004 league, I'd rather stay well away from the drop zone.
Finish second from bottom and it'll probably be Dublin or Antrim in the semi final.
At least if you lose the first day out, there'll still be a play off final to save yourself.

Unfortunately it seems like we're doomed to exist in a certain twilight zone in both league and championship for the next while. In the league, usually too good to go down, but rarely good enough to reach the knockouts. In the championship, expecting to get squeezed out when the quarter final places are decided.

[Plain of the Herbs]

In hurling, I think the relegation threat is huge.
Only 2 home games and one of them is against Down, who you'd expect to beat regardless of venue.
I can't see many points coming from away ties to Wexford, Cork and Waterford.
If we can beat Clare who won't have Lynch, Lohan and McMahon then it might save us.

Bord na Mona man is right. Following the recent special congress the proposal is to have a super-league of the top nine teams in the NHL in 2008. That must mean that three teams will be demoted. The line between a quarter final slot and relegation will be marginal.

At least the hurlers will have a full compliment to select from in the league, following Birr's defeat.

It's early yet, but looking at the fixtures (the reverse of last year, as expected) we've only one crowd puller in Birr. No short away trips either like Nenagh or Ballinasloe.
Still, they've started the league well since 2003, even in relegation year. They drew with Cork in Birr last year and were robbed in Cork two years previously, so that's do-able (though it will be Gerald's first match in charge of Cork who will be anxious to impress). Down has to be won, though they won't fear Offaly and will target this for their only win. Wexford away- has to be won, very doable, and would be targetted for a win. Clare home- tough one but time to beat them. Finally Waterford away. The toughest of the lot, what with Waterford percieving (wrongly) that they were blackguarded in Birr last year.

Certainly, three wins should be targetted. Everything will hinge on the Wexford game which, like last year, will make or break the whole league.

Incidentally, Laois should win division 2 unbeaten, and come to Tullamore in May on a high. We should be wary.

[borderfox]

we should be wary..........remember when we won division 2,we didnt set the world alight in our first championship game, the standard of hurlin is completly different between both divisions, we should bet down, we owe wexford a beating...its a match we would be looking for a win in. our first match last year was v cork (same this year) we drew n last year we bet waterford.
although it`l be very hard to do as good as last year in the league,id be hoping for a good showing.
footballers would probably be one of the favourites in their league,would i be right in saying that?

[Plain of the Herbs]

The observant among you will have noted that Offaly have been fixed to host Clare in BOTH hurling and football on Sunday 25th March. I presume the intention is to hold a double header, probably in Tullamore, weather permitting.

If this is to be the case, it will mean that the only NHL match Birr will host will be the second round tie against Down (weather permitting, of course). Interesting.

[Lone Shark]

I wish I was observant enough to notice that, but it appears I'm slipping.

[Plain of the Herbs]

Perhaps I'm turning into a trainspotter. Yikes !!

I wish I was observant enough to notice that, but it appears I'm slipping.

[Bord na Mona man]

I think it would make more sense to play the Clare games in Birr. It would facilitate any travelling Clare followers and give Birr a decent gate. With the footballers having 4 home games and the hurlers only playing Clare and Down at home, it would make a good balancing act.

Secondly, with players from Birr like Sean Ryan on the panel, as well as players from Rynagh's too, it would be no harm to give the locals easier access to watch their football players.

Thirdly, there's a good chance we'll be playing Clare in the hurling qualifiers in Tullamore next summer. It would be a slight advantage if they hadn't been given a previous run out on the pitch.

[Rynaghs Biffo]

Not too sure if it make any difference if Clare played their first game in Tullamore or not in the league, look what happened to us against Limerick last summer. Even our own boys havent had much experience in O'Connor Park.

Ironically, I must say that Tullamore is far more ideal for a hurling match due to its size and with the bumpiness of the Birr pitch, especially on the town end on the stand side.

[borderfox]

tullamore might look nicer but its more of a football pitch, hurlers would prefer to play in birr id say

[Rynaghs Biffo]

Maybe its just me so, I'd prefer a good wide large pitch with plenty of room.