The 2019 Leinster Championships were launched last week at the Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel.
Dublin have set a seriously high standard for most of the past two decades in Leinster.
Jim Gavin's charges don't feature in the province until near the end of the month, but before then several interesting games are scheduled.
The action commences this weekend with Meath's development under Andy McEntee a source of optimism, while the underage work being carried out in several counties offers hope for the future.
Dublin are busy preparing for the 2019 Championship.
DUBLIN
Manager: Jim Gavin
Captain: Stephen Cluxton
Fixture: May 25 v Louth/Wexford
League form: Ultimately, three defeats in seven League games was viewed as a disappointment with the Croke Park defeat to Tyrone causing some hurt.
Team news: Rory O'Carroll returns to the panel to add another defensive option. Paul Flynn's retirement is a blow considering his vast experience and leadership qualities. Will Cormac Costello's impressive League scoring form help him earn a regular starting position in the Championship?
Player to watch: Brian Fenton
Prospects: Eager to secure an historic fifth All Ireland win on the spin Dublin remain the team to beat. In recent campaigns Jim Gavin has integrated highly capable performers such as Con O'Callaghan, Eoin Murchan, and Brian Howard into the team. It will be interesting to monitor who is afforded opportunities in the early rounds of the Leinster Championship.
Ger Egan was outstanding during the Allianz Football League for Westmeath.
WESTMEATH
Manager: Jack Cooney
Captain: Kieran Martin
Fixture: May 26 v Laois, TBC
League form: Westmeath won the Division Three title which brought plenty of encouragement. After losing to Down Westmeath stitched an unbeaten five game run together to secure silverware.
Team news: Westmeath dealt with some injury issues impressively in the Allianz Football League. John Heslin also returned to action in the spring, while the availability of the experienced Kevin Maguire is a plus.
Player to watch: Ger Egan
Prospects: There has been plenty to admire about how Westmeath have fared under Jack Cooney. The Bord Na Mona O'Byrne Cup wasn't top of the agenda, but Westmeath took confidence from winning silverware. That defiant form was carried into the League where Ger Egan's efficiency helped to secure another trophy. Now Westmeath want to show what they are capable of in the Leinster Championship. It is a canvas on which the majority of this panel have performed well on during the past number of years.
Laois manager John Sugrue.
LAOIS
Manager: John Sugrue
Captain: Stephen Attride
Fixture: May 26 v Westmeath, TBC
League form: Laois earned a top two finish in Division Three of the Allianz Football League before losing the decider to Westmeath at Croke Park. John Sugrue's outfit won four of their group games, but lost to Louth and Laois.
Team news: There is a nice mix of youth and experience in the Laois panel. For the Division Three final Ross Munnelly, Brendan Quigley, and Paul Kingston were all substitutes so Laois have some depth also.
Player to watch: Evan O'Carroll
Prospects: The Quarter-Final meeting against Westmeath dominates the agenda presently. Laois were beaten twice by Westmeath in the spring so they won't lack motivation. It should be a keenly contested encounter and whoever prevails will feel a place in the Leinster Final can be attained.
Meath forward Mickey Newman.
MEATH
Manager: Andy McEntee
Captain: Bryan Menton and Donal Keoghan
Fixture: May 12 v Offaly, Pairc Tailteann
League form: Promotion to Division One of the Allianz Football League was secured. Meath lost a competitive Division Two final against Donegal, who had been the only county to beat them in the group phase also.
Team news: It has been an encouraging spell for Meath, who were satisfied to reclaim Division One status for 2020. Andy McEntee has quietly integrated promising young footballers into the panel during his tenure and options are available. Mickey Newman's return was an important boost ahead of the League run.
Player to watch: Cillian O'Sullivan
Prospects: Reaching a Leinster final and the last 12 of the All Ireland series is what Meath will be anxious to achieve initially. Consistent performances were delivered in the League, but the task now is to carry that form into the Championship. Offaly will be striving to cause a surprise in Navan, but Meath need to stitch a winning sequence together in the summer.
Longford footballer Andrew Farrell pictured at the Leinster Senior Football Championship launch.
LONGFORD
Manager: Padraic Davis
Captain: Donal McElligott
Fixture: May 26 v Wicklow/Kildare
League form: Longford started Division Three smartly, but by the end fell out of the race for promotion. Three wins, one draw, and three losses from seven matches brought mixed news for Longford.
Team news: Darren Gallagher is travelling to America so Longford will be forced to play without one of their most effective performers in the League. Early on in the campaign Longford were without a healthy Mullinalaghta St Columba's contingent, who enjoyed such a great AIB All Ireland Club Championship journey.
Player to watch: Andrew Farrell
Prospects: Longford have been a durable team for most of the past decade. Padraic Davis' work with Longford underage teams and Mohill ensures the locals believe further good displays can follow. Davis was content with how Longford commenced in a seriously tight Division Three, but they did suffer some disappointing losses towards the end of the League.
Offaly football manager John Maughan.
OFFALY
Manager: John Maughan
Captain: Niall Darby
Fixture: May 11 v Meath, Pairc Tailteann
League form: A last gasp, Niall McNamee inspired win over already relegated Sligo preserved Offaly's Allianz Football League Division Three status. Offaly won two and drew one of their seven fixtures, but some of the four defeats were by very narrow margins.
Team news: Niall McNamee's return during the Allianz Fotball League was noteworthy. The gifted Rhode forward delivered when it truly mattered in Offaly's last match of the spring.
Player to watch: Anton Sullivan
Prospects: John Maughan is hoping that Offaly can feature in three or four Championship matches to aid their development. The League was a challenge, but there was little wrong with Offaly's determination even when positive results weren't registered. A demanding provincial opener against Meath in Navan looms, but Offaly will still be keen to claim some scalps this summer.
Carlow manager Turlough O'Brien.
CARLOW
Manager: Turlough O'Brien
Captain: TBC
Fixture: May 25 v Meath/Offaly
League form: Despite some plucky performances Carlow were still relegated back to Division Four of the Allianz Football League. Once more Division Three proved to be keenly contested with the five points accumulated by Carlow insufficient to avoid the drop.
Team news: Carlow won two, drew one, and lost four of their Allianz Football League Division Three games, but their scoring difference was only -4 proving just how competitive they were. Turlough O'Brien's outfit only lost by more than a goal once in the campaign, but still were relegated.
Player to watch: Paul Broderick
Prospects: While 2018 brought such hope and momentum Carlow now must deal with the setback of relegation. Experience has been acquired in high stakes games, though, so Carlow will be gunning to summon a good display in the upcoming provincial quarter-final against Meath or Offaly. Paul Broderick continues to supply the bulk of scores and assisting the accomplished former NUIG Sigerson Cup star will be one of the priorities.
Talented Kildare forward Niall Kelly is available for the 2019 Leinster Senior Football Championship.
KILDARE
Manager: Cian O'Neill
Captain: Eoin Doyle
Fixture: May 11 v Wicklow, Netwatch Cullen Park
League form: Considering Kildare reached the All Ireland Quarter-Final Group Phase in 2018 the Lilywhites were disappointed not to earn promotion to Division One. A defeat in the last round to Donegal enabled Declan Bonner's team to earn a top two finish.
Team news: Niall Kelly's return to the panel adds another option in attack. Daniel Flynn's unavailability is a pity following some excellent moments in 2018. Kevin Flynn is currently sidelined, but Ben McCormack is expected to be able to play.
Player to watch: Jimmy Hyland
Prospects: Having reached the last eight in 2018 Kildare will want to be operating at that level again. While the All Ireland qualifiers adventure restored pride with the triumph over Mayo a memorable occasion Cian O'Neill has spoken about becoming more consistent. Huge work continues to take place at underage level and the future appears bright for Kildare, but the Lilywhites will want to make an impact in Leinster and beyond in the senior ranks.
Wexford forward Ben Brosnan.
WEXFORD
Manager: Paul McLoughlin
Captain: Michael Furlong
Fixture: May 12 v Louth, Innovate Wexford Park
League form: It was an up and down campaign in Division Four for Wexford, who won three and lost four matches.
Team news: Jonathan Bealin struck 0-42 during the Allianz Football League which was a hugely impressive return. Following a demoralising 2018, Wexford did enjoy some victories in the League this spring.
Player to watch: Jonathan Bealin
Prospects: Louth performed adequately in Division Three so it is a tough enough clash for Wexford. Paul McLoughlin, though, will feel his team can produce a performance particularly with Bealin and Ben Brosnan potent threats inside. The prize for the winner at Innovate Wexford Park is a date with standard bearers Dublin.
Wayne Kierans is optimistic about Louth's future.
LOUTH
Manager: Wayne Kierans
Captain: Bevan Duffy
Fixture: May 12 v Wexford, Innovate Wexford Park
League form: While 2018 was a disaster in the League due to injuries and defeats Louth were far more competitive in Division Three. Wayne Kierans' charges came close to securing promotion after winning four and drawing one of their seven encounters.
Team news: Ciaran Byrne is unlikely to feature at any stage due to an ongoing ankle injury which is a real setback. Kierans has spoken about how influential a figure Byrne is and his absence is most unfortunate.
Player to watch: Andy McDonnell
Prospects: Louth would relish an opportunity to face Dublin so they won't be short on motivation when making the trip to the south east to face Wexford. Kierans' positive approach is respected by the players, who showed glimpses of their attacking ability in the League. The Croke Park win over Laois was notable and Louth acquired some much needed confidence from that triumph. This spring signs of recovery were evident and Louth just want to be involved in several further games to accelerate the development process.
John Evans believes significant potential exists in Wicklow.
WICKLOW
Manager: John Evans
Captain: Dean Healy
Fixture: May 11 v Kildare, Netwatch Cullen Park
League form: Wicklow improved considerably in the League winning three matches in Division Four this year.
Team news: With experienced players retiring in recent years, John Evans has shown a real willingness to bring through young players into the senior panel and that policy is continuing in 2019.
Player to watch: Dean Healy
Prospects: Facing Kildare is an awkward assignment, but Wicklow thundered into the Championship last year when defeating Offaly. John Evans is looking towards the future and important strides are being made in the underage ranks by Wicklow. Being competitive at Under 17, Under 20, and at Post Primary level is key for Wicklow in the long term and Evans has enjoyed success in these type of ventures with Tipperary and Roscommon previously.
