Section A A very finely-balanced division, with the top five teams all within reach of a quarter-final place. Four of the counties will be knocking points off each other for the remaining three series of matches, but Galway are in poll position with three matches against the teams at the wrong end of the table - who haven't as much as a point between them. Mayo get a tentative vote to make it a western double on March 15th.

Laois v Louth, Portlaoise - The visitors are strengthened after their good O'Byrne Cup win over Dublin by the return of Stefan White and Cathal O'Hanlon to the fold, although both start on the bench. The full forward position will be filled by Paul Kelly pending a fitness test. Laois caused something of a surprise by recalling Tony Maher for his first competitive inter-county outing since last June's disastrous Leinster first round against Kildare. Injuries to some of the county's highly-rated under-21s have left tomorrow's team understrength. When combined with a sluggish track record before Christmas (although unbeaten), this deficiency adds to the suspicion that Louth could bring the points home.

Mayo v Leitrim, Ballina - Both counties have regrouped well after difficult summer campaigns and tomorrow re-enact one of the championship's steamier episodes. Leitrim have bounced back resiliently from the need to replace a manager and the departure of Declan Darcy, the county's best player. Their sequence of fixtures perhaps exaggerates their likely impact on the section, but they represent a sturdy task for Mayo whose trawl for fresh forwards hasn't so far laid bare any radical new options. Not, however, an insurmountable task for the Connacht champions who aren't showing as many signs of post-All-Ireland trauma as last year.

Carlow v Kilkenny, Dr Cullen Park - One of the few fixtures that Kilkenny view with anything approaching confidence. This year, Carlow have slipped back into factionalism with a number of the previously dominant Eire Og representation having withdrawn from the county panel. All in all, a tricky job for Paddy Morrissey who could have done with more time to sort out things in Carlow. They should register first points tomorrow, though. Fermanagh v Galway, Enniskillen - The hardest of Galway's remaining matches, this trip north brings the westerners into conflict with a side quite unlucky to have failed in all four matches. The final pre-Christmas match against Laois was a particularly galling defeat and last season's B champions may well give Galway a tough time tomorrow. With their Sigerson contingent back in one piece (except Michael Donnellan, although he appeared for Tralee on Wednesday) and Derek Savage, particularly, in scintillating midweek form, Galway should take another step towards Division One next year.

Section BDerry's unconvincing campaign to date has made this section more clear-cut. Even the pre-Christmas programme conspired to keep Meath and Donegal at the top - their draw preventing the door opening a little for Armagh or Derry. On current form Donegal have a comfortable run-in and are likely quarter-finalists. Meath have a far harder schedule but are sitting on a one-point advantage and look capable of joining Donegal.Donegal v West- meath, Ballybofey - Tony Boyle's (right) stature didn't really need a stunning Railway Cup campaign to enhance it, but the performances of Jimmy McGuinness were a genuine bonus for Donegal.Westmeath's dispiriting first half of the campaign included some good performances which yielded little. More of the same tomorrow.London v An- trim, Ruislip - Antrim will need the points here if they are to be in a position to escape life in Division Four next season, at Westmeath's expense. A modest target and one the visitors should achieve.Longford v Derry, Pearse Park - Time for Derry to get their skates on after an indifferent start to the League. Among the counties who have anxious wait for news of injuries every day there's a programme of Sigerson matches, Derry conversely have the advantage of a number of tuned-in players who together with the Railway Cup contingent, who looked in good shape last weekend, should bag the points against a Longford side whose stock is slightly overvalued by having their easier matches behind them.Section CDubbed the 'group of death', this description of Section C has turned out to be no more accurate than original. There have been surprises so far. Cavan's disintegration which sees them almost certainly bound for Division Four next year, Sligo's feisty defiance of Dublin and Kerry and Dublin's loss of manager were all unexpected. But the less-than-wholehearted displays by AllIreland champions and the driven performances of Offaly were less so. The Leinster champions should make the quarter-finals, but who else? Dublin and Kerry have much ground to make up and both must face each other in the last match, but in Kerry's favour is tomorrow's crack at understrength Tyrone which can give them an edge in the long run. Kerry v Tyrone, Killarney - nb 1.45 - Peter Canavan's (right) return is on a weakened Tyrone side but the player himself looked sharp in the Railway Cup final. The same would have to be said about the Kerry players who backboned Munster's effort in last month's semi-final. Maurice Fitzgerald is still injured and should make his seasonal re-appearance when spring is a little better defined. For tomorrow's purposes, Kerry can prosper in his absence.Dublin v Monaghan, Parnell Park - Tom Carr's first league selection is not - by force of circumstances - particularly inspiring. Ciaran O'Hare, in the midst of a forceful club championship with Erin's Isle, is given a chance to prove that there is a qualitative difference to his claims this time around. Division Two is the county's most reasonable ambition and even that won't be easy. Tomorrow should be a good start against a Monaghan team with a stiff schedule ahead of them.Cavan v Wexford, Breffni Park - Cavan's best chance of points co-incides with with Liam Austin's first match in charge. Dermot McCabe is another of those players who showed excellent form in the Railway Cup. Wexford are unlikely to to cope with any sort of improved Cavan showing.Sligo v Offaly, Markievicz Park - Sligo will find the going more difficult now that their potential has been so clearly identified and tomorrow will be a step up against the NFL's form team. Questions about Offaly are restricted to their ability to compete at the very top of championship football. There are few doubts surrounding their capacity for a fixture like this, however testing.Section DThis section's early return two weeks ago clarified matters. Cork are now in pole position with all the matches against their promotion rivals out of the way. Kildare still have a quarter-final spot in their own hands as Down's early defeat by Wicklow was compounded by losing to Clare - a result which largely wiped out the advantages of impressive showings against Cork and Kildare.Wicklow v Waterford, Aughrim - Niall Rennick's exasperation at the defeat in Limerick was well-founded. Although it mightn't have much long-term impact, as Division Three remains Wicklow's most likely destination, the defeat was a painful reminder that the team isn't beyond such embarrassments. Waterford are still propping up the section and should continue to do so, maybe after getting the lick of a backlash.Kildare v Clare, Newbridge - This fixture will in all likelihood decide the second quarter-final spot. There is a ruggedness about Clare that makes them hard going, particularly in these sort of matches, but Kildare were slightly unlucky against Cork. It's no news that Kildare have difficulty converting chances, but they continue to create them and this may put them beyond Clare's capacity to grind out results.Limerick v Tipper- ary, Limerick - Both counties got off the mark a fortnight ago but Tipperary's revival - assisted by the return of Peter Lambert (right) whose wedding plans interfered with last year's championship (or vice versa) - looks more likely to prevail.Cork v Roscommon, Pairc Ui Rinn - Life is quite critical for Roscommon who could end the season in Division Four - depending on Tipperary's progress. Cork's injury toll means a fairly understrength team for this fixture, but chances are they'll survive.