Preview: Allianz Football League Division Three
New Down manager Paddy Tally.
Saturday January 26
Allianz Football League Division Three
Down v Laois, Pairc Esler, 7pm
Paddy Tally's arrival as Down manager has led to increased hope and expectation, but this is a dangerous Allianz League opener.
Laois showed some encouraging signs under John Sugrue's clever stewardship in 2018 and will be eager to make an impact once more.
Division Three is a highly competitive environment in which several teams will feel attaining promotion is a possibility. Two of those are involved in this particular game.
DOWN: Rory Burns; Ryan McAleenan, Niall Donnelly, Shay Murnin; Stephen Fegan, Colm Flanagan, Johnny Flynn; Conor Francis, Liam Devlin; Conor McGrady, Conor Poland, Stephen McConville; Paul Devlin, Pat Havern, Jerome Johnston.
LAOIS: Graham Brody; David Seale, Mark Timmons, Adam Campion; Stephen Attride, Robbie Piggott, Gareth Dillon; John O'Loughlin, Kieran Lillis; Damien O'Connor, Conor Boyle, Sean Byrne; Colm Murphy, Evan O'Carroll, Paul Kingston.
Sunday January 27
Allianz Football League Division Three
Carlow v Sligo, Netwatch Cullen Park, 2pm
How Turlough O'Brien has developed Carlow putting them firmly back on the road to respectability is one of the great Gaelic Football stories of the past decade.
Being organised, getting the best players in the county on the pitch owes much to O'Brien's approach, but Carlow know this will examine their skill and spirit.
Paul Taylor's Sligo panel has a blend of youth and experience and this fixture will be tough considering Carlow's passion.
Ger Egan, Westmeath, and Paul McConway, Offaly, in Bord Na Mona O'Byrne Cup action last month.
Offaly v Westmeath, Bord Na Mona O'Connor Park, 2pm
When these two neighbours collide there generally isn't much between the teams.
John Maughan and Jack Cooney will be targeting a positive start in the League because six highly charged matches are set to follow.
The Bord Na Mona O'Byrne Cup illustrated Westmeath's potential with Ger Egan in excellent form for the midlanders.
That success supplied Westmeath with confidence, but they will know the threat Offaly carry when in the mood.
Louth v Longford, Drogheda, 2.30pm
Relegated following a disappointing campaign Louth will want to deliver against Longford in Drogheda.
The midlanders' are now managed by Padraic Davis, who has forged a decent coaching CV in the underage and club game, particularly with Mohill in Leitrim.
While this away trip is tricky a win for either team would leave them encouraged in what is expected to be a seriously tight Division Three and the absence of the club tied Mullinalaghta St Columba's players is a blow.
