Allianz Football League Division 1
Saturday, January 24th
Dublin v Donegal, Pairc en Crocay, 5pm – TG4
Dublin manager Ger Brennan handed debuts to defenders Robert Shaw and Eoin Kennedy in his first Allianz Football League game in charge of the Metropolitans.
Castleknock’s Shaw and Cuala’s Kennedy will flank Clontarf’s Nathan Dolan in Dublin’s new half-back line.
Although the team only has seven starters from last year’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-final defeat to Tyrone, they still have a core of experienced players including Eoin Marchan, Davey Byrne, Tom Reiff, Niall Scully, Brian Howard and Con O’Callaghan.
Gar Brennan will want to check out as many players as possible over the course of the league, but doing so while remaining competitive may be a difficult balance to strike.
Donegal brought good momentum into this match on the back of their Dr McKenna Cup final victory over Monaghan.
Newcomer Shane Malone, who previously played in the League of Ireland with Sligo Rovers, scored two goals in that match and it will be interesting to see if he builds on his impressive performance.
A Donegal team with a more established playing style and personnel under Jim McGuinness should have an advantage here over a Dublin side in transition.
Sunday, January 25th
Galway vs. Mayo, Pearse Stadium, 1.45pm – TG4
When these two teams met in the FBD League final last weekend, Galway narrowly won, but there were only four players in the starting XI for that game: Kieran Molloy, Ciaran Mulhern, Fionn McDonagh and Oisin McDonagh.
Both McDonaghs will be part of Galway’s new full-forward line, flanking Robert Finnerty.
It will be interesting to see if Mayo’s style of play evolves under new manager Andy Moran. Last year, they made just three two-point shots in six championship games, but that’s one area where they clearly have room for improvement.
There is no big difference between these two, and a close race is expected here as well. Galway have a strong-looking bench with the likes of Shane Walsh and Sane Darcy, who could be a game-changer.
Kerry v Roscommon, Fitzgerald Stadium, 2pm – TG4 Player
All five of Jack O’Connor’s All-Irelands as Kerry manager came after his team won the league earlier this year, so there is no doubt the Saudis will be keen to go all out again.
David Clifford was rested for the opening league games last year but returned to the harness for the McGrath Cup final earlier this year. Kerry’s standout player in that competition was Tony Brosnan and it will be interesting to see if he carries that form into the league.
Another player to keep an eye on is Thomas Kennedy, who could be ready to step up and become a regular member of the Kerry attack.
It will be a tricky opening game for new Roscommon manager Mark Dowd. Dowd will miss a large St Brigid’s squad after reaching the All-Ireland club final.
His team has struggled for form in the FBD league and could be under pressure here.
Monaghan v Armagh, St Tiernax Park, 2pm – GAA+
Armagh have received a nice boost early in the season by selecting Aaron McKay in their starting XI for this game.
He was a star player who scored a crucial goal in the 2024 All-Ireland final, but injuries severely limited his appearances last season.
Fergal O’Brien makes his Orchard County debut in attack, with Blaine Hughes preferred over Ethan Lafferty in goal.
Monaghan lost a lot of experience from their dressing room with the retirements of players such as Darren Hughes, Carl O’Connell and Kieran Duffy, but they started the season bright enough to reach the McKenna Cup final.
There isn’t much to this, but home advantage could influence how Monaghan do things.
Allianz Football League Division 2
Saturday, January 24th
Meath v Derry, Pairc en Crocay, 3pm – TG4 Player
Meath has named a strong squad for this league opener, including 12 who started in last year’s All-Ireland SFC semi-final against Donegal, with the remaining two teams on the bench.
The return of Jack Flynn to midfield after missing last year’s All-Ireland semi-final due to injury is a big boost.
New Derry manager Ciaran Mina has revamped the Oakleaf County Board, adding players such as Ruairi O Mianan, Conor McAteer, Sean Carney, Sean Young and Shay Downie.
It will be particularly interesting to see what happens to O Mianan, perhaps Derry’s best young hurler, after the code switch.
There won’t be much to this, but the calmer Meath may have the advantage.
Tyrone v Kildare, O’Neill’s Healy Park, 6pm – GAA+
Sunday, January 25th
Cork v Cavan, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 1.30pm
Cork defeated Kerry in the McGrath Cup final, the first time they had beaten their great rivals at Killarney since the 1995 Munster final, and gave the league some good momentum.
Team captain Ian Maguire will be absent for this game, but otherwise this is a strong and composed Cork team.
Cavan have also named an experienced squad under new manager Dermot McCabe, backed by proven fighters Gearoid McQuillan, Dara McVeety, Ciaran Brady (Alva), Gerry Smith and Jason McLoughlin.
Their XV also includes two league debutants, Galway native Ciaran Brady (Corofin) and Kingscote’s Peter Corrigan.
A Cork side looks more likely to win here, as they are primed to push for serious promotion.
Offaly v Louth, Glenisk O’Connor Park, 2pm.
Offaly’s league hopes will not be helped by a long injury list that includes Paddy Dunican, Cathal Flynn, John Furlong, Dylan Hyland and Kyle Higgins. Killian Burke’s loss to the AFL is a further blow.
Offaly co-manager Micky Harte, who previously played for Louth, should be tasked with the inside track, but with injuries, this still looks like a difficult task for The Faithful.
Under new manager Gavin Devlin, Louth could be in a good place to start in earnest here, having stuck with a proven and reliable side in pre-season matches.
Allianz Football League Division 3
Saturday, January 24th
Down vs Clare, Pairc Esler, 6pm.
Unfortunately, Down were relegated from Division 2 last year and are looking to make a comeback.
Their subsequent performances in Ulster and All-Ireland SFC last year make them the clear favorites to win the division.
Down’s side are very settled under manager Conor Laverty, but Clare are making a fresh start under new manager Paul Madden and may take some time to find their stride.
Laois v Limerick, Laois Hire O’Moore Park, 6pm
Laois have been boosted this year by the return of attacking duo Rioghan Murphy and Evan O’Carroll to the panel. They form a dangerous full forward line in this game with Darragh Galvin.
Limerick have been experimenting with their selections in the McGrath Cup, so it’s hard to know what to expect from them here. Winning Division 4 last year and reaching the Tailteen Cup final suggests they are a team on very much an upward curve, but this looks to be a tough league opener for them.
Sunday, January 25th
Fermanagh v Wexford, Brewster Park, 1pm.
The Fermanagh manager will have taken some positives from a solid showing in the McKenna Cup, and manager Declan Bonner has not done anything right about the fact that they are aiming for promotion.
They beat Wexford in last year’s Tailteen Cup final and their improved sharpness in attack should give them the edge here.
Westmeath v Sligo, TEG Cusack Park, 2pm.
Westmeath brought good momentum into this match after their impressive win over Kildare in the O’Byrne Cup final.
Home advantage and the red-hot form of forwards like Luke Loughlin and Ronan Wallace make them favorites here in Lake County.
Allianz Football League Division 4
Saturday, January 24th
Waterford vs. Longford, Cappoquin Logistics Fuller Field, 2:30 p.m.
Waterford finished bottom of Division 4 last year, losing to Longford by just two points. Home advantage could help them pull off a surprise here.
Sunday, January 25th
London v Tipperary, McGovern Park, Ruislip, 1pm.
Tipperary have named a new squad including four graduates from last year’s U20 team.
London came out on top when the two teams played last year, so I hope they can repeat that technique here as well.