PREVIEW: Dublin v Armagh Allianz Football League

The matches continue to come thick and fast, as Dublin host Armagh in Round 6 of the Allianz National Football League in Croke Park this Saturday evening (7.00). 

Both teams will be looking to ease their relegation concerns with the Dubs enhancing their survival prospects when easing past Roscommon by 1-21 to 2-7 last Sunday week. 

A strong start, similar to that which unfolded in Round 5, will certainly help in that regard as Dublin kicked five two-pointers during their dominant first-half showing. 

The absence of captain Con O’Callaghan from the attack at Dr Hyde Park failed to limit the threat that Dublin carried throughout with the likes of Niall Scully and Sean Bugler seizing the initiative from the opening whistle. 

That win moved the Dubs into joint fifth in the NFL1 table, two points clear of their opponents at the weekend, with Monaghan’s relegation confirmed following their Round 5 defeat to Kerry.

Since beating Monaghan in Round 1, Armagh have lost their subsequent four matches but have been desperately unfortunate not to pick up at least one victory during that period. 

A last gasp, one-point defeat to Galway in Round 2 was followed by a three-point loss to Roscommon while they were more than competitive in their Round 4 1-20 to 0-19 defeat to league leaders Donegal with Oisin Conaty missing a penalty at a crucial juncture. 

Another defeat by the narrowest of margins was their fate in Round 5 when they lost to Mayo by 2-17 to 0-22 with their inability to find the net leaving them exposed by the final whistle. 

Dublin haven’t been prolific in raising green flags either and Saturday’s clash could well be decided by which side is more clinical when goal chances come their way. 

A Dublin win would see them secure their place in the top flight for 2027 but an Orchard victory would see them draw level on four points with the Dubs, leaving both sides with their destiny in their own hands in the final round.  

The match is part of a double header as Meath and Tyrone face off at 5.00 in NFL2 while the Dublin v Armagh clash will be shown live on TG4 at 7.00.