Páirc Uí Rinn, Saturday, 7.30pm.

Cork will be up against it for the visit of Tyrone on Saturday evening.

They have failed to settle into their stride in the early matches and only managed four scores in their game against Kerry, despite only losing out by three points. A boost for them will be the return of the experienced Eoin Sexton to the defensive contingent. He should be able to steady the heads in front of the goal as they hope to keep the Red Hand men at bay.

Billy Morgan’s side are in dire need of a win as they try and wrestle themselves out of the relegation zone.

Their task will not be made any easier by the fact that Tyrone manager Mickey Harte seems set to call on the services of Owen Mulligan, Stephen O’Neill and Philip Jordan. They will be on a high following their McKenna Cup win over Donegal last weekend.

If O’Neill has his kicking boots on it could prove to be a sad evening for the Rebel defence.

Verdict: Tyrone

Donegal v Dublin

Ballyshannon, Sunday, 2.00pm.

Dublin will travel to the north-west in search of a vital two points when they meet the challenge of Donegal on Shannon.

The Metropolitan side have enjoyed mixed success in the travels north. They have been enjoying mixed form of late – scraping by Limerick and losing out to Tyrone under the lights to Tyrone at Croke Park. Additionally their U-21 side, spearheaded by new star forward Diarmuid Connolly, lost out to Meath last Sunday.

Maybe they can take from the fine performance of their hurling side in holding Kilkenny to a draw. Whatever the case they must win in Donegal if they are to give themselves some hope of making the knockout stages.

Donegal will prove no pushover, however. They sit atop the table alongside Tyrone. The Tír Chonaill men have lived in the shadow of the Red Hand side (and Armagh) for the last number of years. If they were competing in any other province they would have secured a title or two.

This could be their year and they could welcome back the trio of Paul Durcan, Karol Lacey and Michael Doherty. The mere sight of the Dublin jersey can inspire most teams to up their performance and Donegal will be no different.

The Ulster side should win out by two or three points.

Verdict: Donegal

Fermanagh v Kerry

Kingspan Breffni Park, Sunday, 2.30pm.

Fermanagh are in need of two vital points when they meet Kerry in Cavan on Sunday.

They lost out to Limerick in a re-arranged tie last weekend, a clash which they would have targeted for a possible win. They are now propping up the table with ties against Tyrone and Mayo still to come.

Kerry manager Pat O’Shea continues his busy spring with double duties this weekend. On Saturday he sees his Dr Crokes side lineout in their replay with Moorefield in the semi-final replay of the AIB All-Ireland Club SFC.

In the NFL he (O’Shea) will have been pleased with the form of Declan Quill in front of the opposition goals. Indeed the full-forward line combination of Quill, Kieran Donaghy and Mike Frank Russell should pack far too much punch for the Ernesiders.

Verdict: Kerry

Mayo v Limerick

Castlebar, Sunday, 2.30pm.

Limerick will be hoping to build on their win last weekend when they travel to Castlebar to take on Mayo.

They seized the initiative against Fermanagh in what was a must-win game for both sides and have given themselves a good foothold to mount a challenge for a place in the knockout stages. This weekend will decide whether they will be looking to challenge for the title or avoid relegation for the remainder of the campaign.

Sadly for Limerick Ronan McGarrity is back in contention for place among John O’Mahony’s troops. The basketball playing midfielder can control any game from midfield.

O’Mahony has an experience squad to pick from while the Shannonsiders have many among their cohorts that boast very little in the way of game-time against top class opposition. This should be enough to guarantee the Mayomen victory.

Verdict: Mayo