Preview: Weekend's Allianz Football League action

Allianz Football League Division 1

Saturday, January 24

Dublin v Donegal, Páirc an Chrócaigh, 5pm - TG4

Dublin manager Ger Brennan hands debuts to defenders Robert Shaw and Eoin Kennedy for his first Allianz Football League match in charge of the metropolitans.

Castleknock’s Shaw and Cuala’s Kennedy flank Clontarf’s Nathan Doran in a new-look Dublin half-back line.

It’s a team that features just seven starters from last year’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-final defeat to Tyrone but there is a good core of experienced players nevertheless with the likes of Eoin Murchan, Davy Byrne, Tom Lahiff, Niall Scully, Brian Howard, and Con O’Callaghan lining out.

Ger Brennan will be keen to look at as many players as possible during the League and it might be a tricky balancing act to do that whilst remaining competitive.

Donegal bring some nice momentum into this game on the back of their convincing 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 game and it’ll be interesting to see if he kicks on from that impressive performance.

A Donegal team more settled in their style of play and personnel under Jim McGuinness should have the edge here over a Dublin team in transition.

Sunday, January 25

Galway v Mayo, Pearse Stadium, 1.45pm - TG4

Galway were narrow victors when these two teams met in the FBD League Final last weekend but name just four of that starting XV for this game – Kieran Molloy, Ciarán Mulhern, Fionn McDonagh, and Oisín McDonagh.

The two McDonaghs will feature in a new-look Galway full-forward line either side of Robert Finnerty.

It’ll be interesting to see whether Mayo’s style of play will evolve under new manager, Andy Moran. Last year they scored just three two-pointers in six championship matches and that’s one very obvious area for improvement.

There’s never much between these two and another tight match is expected here. Galway have a strong looking bench with players like Shane Walsh and Cein D’Arcy to spring, which could swing things their way.

Kerry v Roscommon, Fitzgerald Stadium, 2pm - TG4 player

All five of Jack O’Connor’s All-Ireland wins as Kerry manager have come after his team also won the League earlier in the year, so it’s safe to presume that the Kingdom will be keen to put their best foot forward again.

David Clifford was rested for the early rounds of the League last year but is back in harness earlier this year having played in the McGrath Cup Final. Kerry’s stand-out player in that competition was Tony Brosnan, and it’ll be interesting to see if he brings that form into the League.

Another player to keep an eye on is Tomás Kennedy who could be ready to step up and be a regular member of the Kerry attack.

This is a tricky opener for Roscommon’s new manager, Mark Dowd, who will be without his sizeable St. Brigid’s contingent after their run to the All-Ireland club final.

His team struggled for form in the FBD League and could be under pressure here.

Monaghan v Armagh, St Tiernach's Park, 2pm - GAA+

Armagh get a nice early-season boost with the selection of Aaron McKay in their starting XV for this match.

A star of their All-Ireland winning 2024 campaign when he scored that all-important goal in the final, injury severely limited his involvement last season.

Fergal O’Brien makes his debut for the Orchard County in attack while Blaine Hughes is preferred to Ethan Rafferty in goal.

Monaghan have lost a lot of experience from their dressing-room with the retirement of players like Darren Hughes, Karl O’Connell, and Kieran Duffy but started the season brightly enough with a run to the McKenna Cup Final.

There won’t be much in this but home advantage might swing it Monaghan’s way.

Allianz Football League Division 2

Saturday, January 24

Meath v Derry, Páirc an Chrócaigh, 3pm - TG4 player

Meath have named a strong team for this League opener that includes 12 of the side that started last year’s All-Ireland SFC semi-final against Donegal with another two named on the bench.

The return of Jack Flynn to the midfield is a big boost after an injury forced him to miss the run to last year’s All-ireland semi-final.

Derry’s new manager, Ciaran Meenagh, has freshened up the Oak Leaf county panel with the addition of players like Ruairí Ó Mianáin, Conor McAteer, Sean Kearney, Sean Young, and Shea Downey.

It’ll be especially interesting to see how Ó Mianáin, arguably the best young hurler in Derry, will fare after swapping codes.

There won’t be much in this, but a more settled Meath might have the edge.

Tyrone v Kildare, O'Neills Healy Park, 6pm - GAA+

Sunday, January 25

Cork v Cavan, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 1.30pm

Cork bring some good momentum into the League after beating Kerry in the McGrath Cup Final which was their first victory over their great rivals in a competitive match in Killarney since the 1995 Munster Final.

Team captain, Ian Maguire, is missing for this game but otherwise it’s a strong and settled looking Cork team.

Cavan, under new manager, Dermot McCabe, have also named an experienced looking team that’s backboned by proven warriors like Gearoid McKieran, Dara McVeety, Ciaran Brady (Arva), Gerry Smith, and Jason McLoughlin.

Their XV also includes two League debutants, Galway native Ciaran Brady (Corofin) and Kingscourt’s Peter Corrigan.

A Cork team that could be primed for a serious promotion push look the more likely victors here.

Offaly v Louth, Glenisk O'Connor Park, 2pm

Offaly’s League hopes won’t be helped by a long injury list that includes Paddy Dunican, Cathal Flynn, John Furlong, Dylan Hyland, and Kyle Higgins. The loss of Cillian Bourke to the AFL is another blow.

Offaly joint-manager, Mickey Harte, should have the inside track on his former Louth charges but with those injuries this still looks like a tall task for The Faithful.

Under new manager Gavin Devlin, Louth stuck with their tried and trusted faces in their pre-season matches so could be well positioned to hit the ground running here.

Allianz Football League Division 3

Saturday, January 24

Down v Clare, Páirc Esler, 6pm

Down were unfortunate to be relegated from Division Two last year and will be keen to bounce back up.

Their subsequent performances in the Ulster and All-Ireland SFC last year certainly makes them favourites in this division to do just that.

This is a very settled Down team under Conor Laverty whereas Clare are starting afresh under new manager Paul Madden so it might take them some time to find their stride.

Laois v Limerick, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, 6pm

Laois are boosted by the return to the panel this year of attacking duo Rioghan Murphy and Evan O’Carroll who form a dangerous looking full-forward line with Darragh Galvin for this game.

Limerick experimented 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 Tailteann Cup Final suggests they’re a team very much on an upward curve, but this looks like a tough League opener for them.

Sunday, January 25

Fermanagh v Wexford, Brewster Park, 1pm

Fermanagh will have taken some positives from a solid McKenna Cup campaign and manager Declan Bonner has made no bones about the fact that they’re targeting promotion.

They defeated Wexford in last year’s Tailteann Cup Final and a greater cutting edge in attack should give them an edge here.

Westmeath v Sligo, TEG Cusack Park, 2pm

Westmeath bring some good momentum into this match after their impressive O’Byrne Cup Final victory over Kildare.

Home advantage and the red-hot form of forwards like Luke Loughlin and Ronan Wallace makes the Lake County favourites here.

Allianz Football League Division 4

Saturday, January 24

Waterford v Longford, Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field, 2.30pm

Waterford finished bottom of the pile in Division 4 last year but were unfortunate to lose by just two points away to Longford. Home advantage here could help them spring a surprise here.

Sunday, January 25

London v Tipperary, McGovern Park, Ruislip, 1pm

Tipperary have named a new-look team that includes four graduates of last year’s U20 side.

London came out on top when the teams met last year and will fancy their chanes of repeating the trick here.

Antrim v Carlow, Erins Own, Cargin, 2pm

Antrim will be keen to bounce straight back up to Division 3 after relegation last year. If they get a good supply of ball into quality forwards like Paddy McBride and Ryan McQuillan, they’re the more likely victors here.

Wicklow v Leitrim, Echelon Park, Aughrim, 2pm

Oisin McConville’s decision to stay on for another two years as Wicklow manager was a vote of confidence in the potential of the group.

Their more settled panel and greater range of scoring options in attack should see them start the campaign on the front foot.