Preview: Weekend's Allianz Football League action

Allianz Football League Division One

Saturday January 31

Armagh v Galway, BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 5pm, RTE

The recent history involving these two counties is sprinkled with dramatic and tight matches.

Last year's All-Ireland SFC group phase encounter was the latest to add to the collection.

That evening the stakes were piled high for Galway, who need to summon an instant response following Sunday's loss to Mayo.

Ciarán Mulhern and Fionn McDonagh were prominent in attack which augurs well for Galway, but this will be another exacting test for emerging players.

Armagh dismissed the challenge of a youthful Monaghan outfit with the minimum of fuss as Jarly Óg Burns, Andrew Murnin, and the splendid Conor Turbitt all excelled.

Sunday February 1

Donegal v Kerry, Fr Tierney Park, Ballyshannon, 1.30pm, TG4

Following opening round wins, both Donegal and Kerry will be striving to add further points to the account.

Michael Langan mined vital scores for Donegal when Dublin were threatening a comeback at Croke Park.

Finbarr Roarty and Ciarán Moore's relevance to the Donegal cause was underlined and a repeat of the 2025 All-Ireland SFC Final is another test to embrace.

David Clifford was crafty in Kerry's narrow win over Roscommon, a match that will be remembered for Tomás Kennedy's contribution.

Jack O'Connor will be heartened by the drive and desire demonstrated throughout an action packed match, especially late on when Roscommon edged ahead. Kerry were defiant, finding a way to triumph.

Mayo v Dublin, Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, 1.30pm

Andy Moran's positivity is connecting with Mayo supporters, who cheered Sunday's victory in Salthill.

In a rollercoaster game Mayo eventually prevailed with Robbie Hennelly's heroics - saves and long range free-taking central.

Darragh Beirne motored smoothly in attack with Ryan O'Donoghue relishing a withdrawn role too for a new look Mayo outfit.

Dublin experimented against Donegal with Ger Brennan hopeful to unearth fresh talent capable of operating in the Championship.

This match out west will be revealing for Dublin, who will again look to the brilliant Con O'Callaghan and Luke Breathnach for attacking inspiration.

Roscommon v Monaghan, King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park, 2pm

It is early in the competition, but Roscommon and Monaghan will be fully aware of the implications of this game.

First round defeats were suffered so this encounter assumes added significance.

Despite the class demonstrated by Daire Cregg and Diarmuid Murtagh, Roscommon still suffered a loss to Kerry in Killarney.

Monaghan are undergoing a bit of a transition and couldn't adequately cope without some key players against Armagh on home turf.

Stephen O'Hanlon, Andrew Woods, and Mícheál Bannigan are capable footballers for Monaghan, who will relish this assignment at the Hyde.

Allianz Football League Division Two

Saturday January 31

Kildare v Offaly, Cedral St Conleth's Park, 6pm

Buoyed up by a decent display in Omagh, Kildare will be hoping to deliver on home turf.

Neighbours Offaly, though, will be under duress to respond following a disappointing loss in Tullamore to Louth.

Offaly had good moments in that game, but Louth did what was required in the second period of an important encounter.

Nonetheless, the Faithful will trust that Dan Molloy, Keith O'Neill and Ciaran Murphy can keep up the form shown last weekend.

Brian McLoughlin was sharp and stylish for Kildare, while Alex Beirne and the promising Eoin Cully are other talented players making an impact for the Lilywhites.

Derry v Tyrone, Celtic Park, 6pm, BBC iPlayer & GAA+

In Round One, Derry were defeated by Meath, while Tyrone divided the spoils with Kildare.

So, this match can certainly be classed in the very important category as Derry and Tyrone want to be in the promotion race.

Ethan Jordan's 1-9 haul against Kildare was a boost for Tyrone, while Darragh Canavan and Eoin McElholm showed glimpses of class.

Derry started brightly against Meath, but eventually lost out. Nonetheless, Shane McGuigan and Paul Cassidy scored nicely, while Gareth McKinless also thundered forward at every available opportunity.

Sunday February 1

Louth v Cork, Integral GAA Grounds, Drogheda, 1.30pm

These two counties secured dramatic victories last weekend.

Inspired by Craig Lennon's dynamism, Louth eventually overcame Offaly with Sam Mulroy plundering a typically opportunistic goal.

Steven Sherlock announced his return to Allianz Football League action with a couple of gorgeous two pointers for Cork.

John Cleary's team trailed by seven against Cavan late on, but then finished with a flourish. Mark Cronin and Brian Hurley were others who delivered key scores for Cork.

Cavan v Meath, Kingspan Breffni, 3.45pm

There won't be any shortage of subplots at Kingspan Breffni on Sunday.

Encouraged following the success over Derry, Robbie Brennan's Meath will want to show what they can do against neighbours Cavan.

Jack Flynn, Mathew Costello, and Jordan Morris all impressed as Meath overcame Derry.

Cavan burst seven clear of Cork in the second half at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, but the locals somehow came back to earn the full complement.

Dara McVeety clipped 1-4, while other experienced campaigners like Ciaran Brady and Gearoid McKiernan are still going strong for Cavan.

Allianz Football League Division Three

Saturday January 31

Limerick v Down, Mick Neville Park, 2pm

Odhran Murdock and Daniel Guinnes were instrumental as Down fended off Clare's spirited challenge in Newry.

Considering the progress made by Down in recent years, Conor Laverty will know that a stern examination awaits in Rathkeale.

Limerick are a decent outfit under Jimmy Lee with Barry Coleman, James Naughton, and Danny Neville effective players. The draw in Portlaoise against Laois was hard earned.

Wexford v Laois, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 6pm

This promises to be a lively clash as Wexford want to build on an excellent start.

An away win over Fermanagh was a real boost for John Hegarty's team, who were prompted by some fine scoring from Pairic Hughes and Seán Nolan.

Substitute Niall Corbet clipped the equaliser as Laois divided the spoils with Limerick. Evan O'Carroll continues to impress for Laois.

Sunday February 1

Clare v Westmeath, Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg, 2pm

A gutsy performance was summoned by Clare, who were beaten by Down at Páirc Esler.

In the midlands, Westmeath, with Jonathan Lynam bagging a brace of goals, overcame Sligo in an entertaining match.

Luke Loughlin and Sam McCartan also rifled over critical points for Mark McHugh's outfit, who know a tricky tussle awaits in Ennis.

University of Galway student Mark McInerney is an accomplished footballer for Clare, who also feature Brian McNamara and Aaron Griffin.

Sligo v Fermanagh, Markievicz Park, 2pm

Things can change dramatically and quickly in Division Three.

That is a valuable lesson learned by many teams in recent years so Sligo and Fermanagh will both want to showcase their potential following defeats last week.

Sligo lost a thriller to Westmeath and will be hoping that Luke Towey, Alan McLoughlin, and Pat Spillane can flourish once more.

Fermanagh endured a home loss against Wexford, but Conor Love, Garvan Jones, and Darragh McGurn also contributed scores.

Allianz Football League Division Four

Saturday January 31

Carlow v Wicklow, Netwatch Cullen Park, 6pm

Both counties posted opening round wins so this will be a vital match.

Mark Jackson's brilliant kicking inspired Wicklow against Leitrim, and Carlow's Christopher Blake scored 1-3 in the win over Antrim.

Joe Murphy is carrying out impressive work with Carlow, while Oisín McConville's stint in charge of Wicklow has featured plenty of encouraging days.

Sunday February 1

Leitrim v Waterford, Heartland Credit Union Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, 1pm

There were plenty of positives for Leitrim in Aughrim, but they still left empty handed.

Riordan and Ryan O'Rourke were prominent for Steven Poacher's outfit, who host Waterford in Carrick-on-Shannon.

The Deise's game against Longford was postponed due to an unplayable pitch.

Longford v London, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 1pm

Daniel Clarke, Joe McGill, and Shay Rafter starred in London's draw against Tipperary at McGovern Park.

That gritty display bodes well for Michael Maher's team, who were delight to get three matches in the Connacht FBD League.

Longford didn't have a game last weekend, but Mike Solan will be hopeful that his team can launch a serious promotion bid in 2026.

Tipperary v Antrim, Saint Flannan's Park, Moneygall, 2pm

This should be an interesting match in Thurles as Tipperary and Antrim want to be involved in the promotion race.

Seán O'Connor and Cian Smith's scoring power thwarted London in Ruislip.

Antrim suffered a home defeat to Carlow, but Pat Shivers, Niall Burns, and Oisín Doherty had some good moments.