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Preview: Preview: Allianz Football League Division One

Peter Harte, Tyrone, and Ciaran Kilkenny, Dublin, in Allianz Football League action last year.

Peter Harte, Tyrone, and Ciaran Kilkenny, Dublin, in Allianz Football League action last year.

Allianz Football League Division One

Saturday February 29

Tyrone v Dublin, Healy Park, 7.15pm

Sunday March 1

**Mayo v Kerry, Elverys MacHale Park, 1pm
**

Donegal v Monaghan, Ballyshannon, 2pm

Meath v Galway, Páirc Tailteann, 2.30pm

By Cian O'Connell

It is getting particularly interesting now with the stakes piled high.

An expectant crowd will gather in Castlebar at Elverys MacHale Park for the Saturday evening meeting of Mayo and Kerry.

Disappointed by the manner of last weekend's defeat in Clones against Monaghan, James Horan's charges will be anxious to summon a response on home turf.

Kerry, with David Clifford still sharp in attack, did what was required when Meath visited Killarney. Two more points were added to the account by Peter Keane's charges, who are fairly content to have five on the board so far.

Mayo are one behind that total and the holders know that a couple of victories need to be registered quickly.

Tyrone endured a harrowing loss themselves in Tuam Stadium against a rampant Galway outfit.

Two red cards and a most unfortunate ankle injury suffered by Cathal McShane meant it was an especially hurtful loss for Tyrone.

The fact that the All Ireland champions are next on the agenda will ensure Mickey Harte's panel will be firmly focused.

Despite losing to Monaghan and Galway, Tyrone still did enough to overcome Meath and Kerry on home soil.

Galway's Michael Daly has been a key performer in the Allianz Football League.

Galway's Michael Daly has been a key performer in the Allianz Football League.

Darren McCurry's crisp finishing is a source of optimism, but Tyrone will be aware of Dublin's abundant class.

When difficult questions were being posed by Donegal at GAA headquarters Dessie Farrell's team still found a way.

Paul Mannion's late goal capped another spirited comeback as Dublin eked out the spoils to preserve their unbeaten start to 2020.

Donegal and Monaghan have both enjoyed some productive moments in the early rounds.

Monaghan have accumulated five points since the opening game reversal to Galway, while Donegal will feel that they should have more than three collected.

Decent leads were frittered away when drawing with Mayo before the subsequent defeats to Galway and Dublin. In those two fixtures also Donegal had moved into commanding positions.

In Navan, Meath will be hoping to summon a defiant display when Galway visit Pairc Tailteann.

Andy McEntee's team have been beaten in their four fixtures to date, but they will be striving to examine Galway's resolve.

Padraic Joyce's evolving Galway were excellent when overcoming Tyrone at Tuam Stadium with captain Shane Walsh maintaining his splendid recent form.

DUBLIN (v Tyrone): Evan Comerford; Michael Fitzsimons, Philly McMahon, David Byrne; Eoin Murchan, John Small, Cillian O’Shea; Brian Fenton, James McCarthy; Brian Howard, Sean Bugler, Niall Scully; Paul Mannion, Ciaran Kilkenny, Dean Rock.

KERRY (v Mayo): Shane Ryan; Graham O'Sullivan, Tadhg Morley, Tom O'Sullivan; Paul Murphy, Shane Enright, Gavin White; Diarmuid O'Connor, Jack Barry; Micheal Burns, Sean O'Shea, Stephen O'Brien; Dara Moynihan, David Clifford, Paul Geaney.

GALWAY (v Meath): Connor Gleeson; Seán Kelly, Seán Ó Maoilchiaráin, Johnny Heaney; Liam Silke, John Daly, Cillian McDaid; Ronan Steede, Tom Flynn; Eamonn Brannigan, Damien Comer, Michael Daly; Martin Farragher, Shane Walsh, Adrian Varley.