Can Cuthbert’s changes bring about the desired reaction from Cork?

MAKING ONE OR two changes is expected after a defeat. Making three or four could also be forgiven.

Make eight, and you’re making a statement to your players that what you saw last time out just wasn’t good enough.

And that’s exactly what Cork boss Brian Cuthbert has done, despite his team maintaining their position atop Division 1 of the Allianz National Football League.

However, it was the nature of their defeat to Mayo — and a four point win didn’t do the All-Ireland finalists’ performance justice — that sparked Cuthbert into action ahead of the visit of Tyrone to Páirc Uí Rinn. Will it work though?

Why has Dublin’s scoring dried up?

Only pointless Westmeath have troubled the scoreboard operators less than Dublin in football’s top tier and while their 84-point tally represents nearly 17 points per game, it’s the more than a goal short of Mayo (21.4), Tyrone (20.4) and Derry (20.2).

The Blues have managed to win three games this season — thanks in large part to the division’s second best defence (77 conceded compared to Kerry’s 75)  – and are still very much in with a shout of a semi-final spot but Jim Gavin will be worried that they have failed to find the net in three of their five fixtures this season.

On Saturday evening they get a chance to make amends against a Mayo side who concede an average of 20 points per game and who shipped 2-12 the last time the sides met in the 2013 All-Ireland final.

Where has it all gone wrong for Galway football?

The league started badly for Galway footballers when they lost their opening three fixtures — conceding 5-54 along the way — but they looked to have steadied the ship when they bounced back with a win over Down in round four.

However, since then, a draw with bottom of the table Louth in the Gaelic Grounds and a loss to Leitrim in the Connacht U21 semi-final has many looking towards Tuam again nd wondering just what is going on.

With retirements and injury forcing the squad to lose some its experience, it’s no wonder things have been shaky for the Tribesmen. With no quick fix seemingly on the horizon, would a season in Division 3 be all that bad?

Whose 0 will go in Breffni Park?

The only two teams with perfect records in the Allianz National Football League meet in Kingspan Breffni Park on Saturday evening and with Division 2 promotion already secured, all that remains to be decided is who walks away with bragging rights.

The two sides couldn’t have gone about their season any more differently, however. Roscommon’s 22 points per game dwarfs Cavan’s 13.8 while the Breffni have the meanest defence in football, shipping just nine points per game — compared to the Rossies’ 13.4 — and that’s what has kept them unbeaten.

Who will gain the advantage in Division 4?

While not quite-a-winner takes all clash, a win for Tipperary would all but guarantee them promotion from Division 4 while Leitrim know two points would put them right back in the mix for the final round.

Seán Hagan’s men will hope to bounce back from a surprise defeat to Waterford last time out while Tipperary will look to stay unbeaten.

Lyne and O’Leary drafted in to Kerry football team to face Westmeath

Four changes for Kildare as they look to save Division 1 status

.