Stephen Cluxton in Allianz Football League action against Kerry at Croke Park last year.
Saturday February 9
Allianz Football League Division One
Kerry v Dublin, Austin Stack Park, 7pm
With two solid wins pocketed hope and expectation surrounds Kerry, who will relish this test against the standard bearers.
Dublin, with Cormac Costello in splendid form, did enough to easily beat Galway at GAA headquarters.
Considering how Kerry have been so diligent in the wins over Tyrone and Cavan this is likely to be far more competitive.
Sean O’Shea’s accuracy and the fact that a goal hasn’t been leaked are two hugely encouraging signs for Kerry.
Dublin showed glimpses of their undoubted class in Clones before Monaghan recovered. The victory over Galway was important ahead of this battle.
KERRY: Shane Ryan; Peter Crowley, Jack Sherwood, Brian O'Beaglaioch; Tadhg Morley, Paul Murphy, Tom O'Sullivan; Jack Barry, Adrian Spillane; Diarmuid O'Connor, Sean O'Shea, Dara Moynihan; Paul Geaney, David Moran, Stephen O'Brien.
Mayo v Cavan, Elverys MacHale Park, 7pm
Suddenly Mayo are beginning to believe again following a couple of satisfactory League wins.
Defeating Roscommon on a woeful night was important, while the convincing manner of the success against Tyrone at Healy Park augurs well.
That victory featured a sparkling cameo from Fionn McDonagh, who pilfered 1-3 and made a significant contribution.
James Horan is adamant that the emerging talent in Mayo can combine nicely with the experience of Keith Higgins, Lee Keegan, Donal Vaughan, Aidan O'Shea, and Andy Moran, who have impressed in the competition thus far.
Despite a plucky performance Cavan, with Conor Madden sharp, were beaten by Kerry at Kingspan Breffni so manager Mickey Graham knows points need to be put into the account soon if relegation is to be avoided.
MAYO: David Clarke; Stephen Coen, Ger Cafferkey, Keith Higgins; Lee Keegan, Michael Plunkett, Paddy Durcan; Diarmuid O'Connor, Matthew Ruane; Fionn McDonagh, Aidan O'Shea, Jason Doherty; Evan Regan, Andy Moran, Colm Moran.
Colin Walshe in action during Monaghan's 2018 All Ireland SFC Quarter-Final Group Phase win over Galway at Pearse Stadium.
Sunday February 10
Allianz Football League Division One
Roscommon v Tyrone, Dr Hyde Park, 2pm
The win against Monaghan has injected Roscommon with confidence and now Anthony Cunningham's charges want to build on that foundation.
Following a couple of disappointing losses to Kerry and Mayo Mickey Harte's Tyrone will be striving for an improved display in the west.
Despite losing to Mayo on the opening weekend Roscommon performed adequately and there was little wrong with their attitude and application when Monaghan visited the Hyde.
A similarly dynamic display will be necessary, though, because Tyrone need a positive badly and the stakes are piled high.
TYRONE: Niall Morgan; Michael McKernan, Ronan McNamee, Hugh Pat McGeary; Tiernan McCann, Rory Brennan, Peter Harte; Brian Kennedy, Declan McClure; Mattie Donnelly, Niall Sludden, Kieran McGeary; Darren McCurry, Cathal McShane, Lee Brennan.
Monaghan v Galway, Inniskeen, 2pm
Caught out by Roscommon’s late burst at Dr Hyde Park Monaghan will be eager to summon a response on home turf.
Galway’s tepid second half display against Dublin was a setback following the opening weekend win over Cavan.
The fact that both teams have two points on the board means this is a vital fixture as the winner will be fairly satisfied with their return and the loser disappointed.
Club commitments and injuries have disturbed Galway, but Kevin Walsh will still be demanding a defiant display. Peter Cooke’s continued development is a source of optimism as Galway are eager to unearth new options ahead of the summer.
GALWAY: Ruairi Lavelle; Eoghan Kerin, Johnny Duane, David Wynne; Gary O’Donnell, Gareth Bradshaw, Johnny Heaney; Tom Flynn, Ciarán Duggan; Shane Walsh, Peter Cooke, Sean Kelly; Padraic Cunningham, Cein D’Arcy, Antaine O’Laoi.
