Paudie Clifford, Kerry, and Dublin duo Eoin Murchan and Ciarán Kilkenny in action during the 2023 All-Ireland SFC Final at Croke Park. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
Allianz Football League Division One
Saturday February 24
Tyrone v Mayo, O'Neill's Healy Park, 5.15pm, RTE
Dublin v Kerry, Croke Park, 7.30pm, TG4
Sunday February 25
Galway v Derry, Pearse Stadium, 1.45pm, TG4
Roscommon v Monaghan, Dr Hyde Park, 1.45pm
Highly competitive, with matches arriving thick and fast, Division One of the Allianz Football League is providing plenty of drama.
A crucial round of fixtures beckons this weekend with the aristocrats Dublin and Kerry colliding at Croke Park on Saturday evening.
Con O'Callaghan inspired Dublin to an important win over Roscommon last weekend, but a demanding match looms against the Kingdom.
The Cliffords, Paudie and David, starred in a narrow victory over Mayo, who have made a satisfactory start to the campaign.
At GAA headquarters it will be interesting to see how the game unfolds with both counties eager to secure points.
Saturday's other game is an important game too with Tyrone hosting Mayo in Omagh.
Goalkeeper Niall Morgan continues to impress for Tyrone, who did suffer a disappointing loss to an understrength Galway.
Darragh Canavan remains a significant threat for Tyrone, but Mayo will be anxious to respond following the Kerry reversal in Tralee.
Fergal Boland's relevance to the Mayo cause in the early weeks of the year shouldn't be underestimated, while Ryan O'Donoghue and Tommy Conroy are other prominent attackers for Kevin McStay's outfit.
In Salthill on Sunday Derry will be hoping to maintain their flawless start in the competition against Galway.
Mickey Harte's charges have been hugely impressive, the emphatuc success over Monaghan underlining the pace and potential in Derry's panel.
Conor McCluskey thundered forward impressively, Ethan Doherty continues to excel, while Shane McGuigan is in splendid scoring form.
Galway, with Daniel O'Flaherty prominent as a substitute and the experienced Johnny Heaney instrumental, demonstrated admirable battling qualities to overcome Tyrone.
Another vital fixture is scheduled for Dr Hyde Park between Roscommon and Monaghan.
Despite gritty displays, Davy Burke's team have only secured one point from their opening three games with Diarmuid Murtagh and Daire Cregg enjoying productive moments.
Monaghan edged out Dublin on the first weekend, but have suffered a couple of defeats since then.
This is a crucial encounter for Monaghan, who will be looking to the dynamic Stephen O'Hanlon and the skilful Jack McCarron for inspiration.
Donegal's Daire Ó Baoill has made a significant impact in the early rounds of the 2024 Allianz Football League. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Allianz Football League Division Two
Sunday February 25
Fermanagh v Cork, Ederney, 2pm
Louth v Cavan, Ardee, 2pm
Meath v Kildare, Páirc Tailteann, 2pm
Armagh v Donegal, BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 3pm, BBC iPlayer, GAAGO
Considering the Championship implications, Division Two remains keenly contested.
Armagh and Donegal are setting a high standard so Sunday's encounter between those teams will be revealing.
Oisín Conaty and Conor Turbitt were hugely effective in Armagh's success over Kildare at Netwatch Cullen Park. Stefan Campbell can also land scores from distance, but Donegal have generated momentum.
Jim McGuinness' return as manager has brought hope and belief, illustrated by Daire Ó Baoill's brilliant performance against Fermanagh.
Both counties want to attain top flight status again and a win would edge them very close to that destination.
Louth's meeting with Cavan is another vital match.
Despite hearty showings in all three fixtures so far, Louth have only accumulated one win.
Ryan Burns mined four points against Meath, but Cavan will be primed for this game.
Raymond Galligan will be encouraged by Cavan's development with Gerard Smith and Paddy Lynch influential in the narrow triumph over Cork.
It has been a worrying start for Cork, who face a demanding away fixture against Fermanagh in Ederney.
Fermanagh, who have three points accumulated, secured a valuable victory over Kildare in their last home match with Declan McCusker still a driving force.
Cork will be eager to involve Chris Óg Jones, who was impressive despite eventually losing to Cavan at Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Meath versus Kildare in Navan is another significant match.
Mathew Costello's gorgeous goal helped Meath secure the spoils against Louth, but Kildare, under duress, will head for Navan aware of how important the impending fixture is.
The Lilywhites have lost three games in a row and will be hoping that Kevin Feely and Darragh Kirwan can spearhead a revival.
Down senior football team manager Conor Laverty. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Allianz Football League Division Three
Saturday February 24
Down v Offaly, Páirc Esler, 6pm
Sunday February 25
Clare v Wicklow, Cusack Park, 1pm
Sligo v Antrim, Markievicz Park, 2pm
Westmeath v Limerick, TEG Cusack Park, 2pm
Three counties have yet to register a point in this hard fought Division.
Offaly, Wicklow, and Limerick are all preparing for critical games this weekend.
The Faithful County were caught out by a daring late Clare rally, but they will want to respond in Newry against an in form Down team.
Conor Laverty's charges, with Odhran Murdock and Pat Havern influential, have gleaned six points so far.
Westmeath, with Sam McCartan and Ronan O'Toole impressing, have collected full points too and they are at home to Limerick in Mullingar.
Jimmy Lee's battling Limerick side were spirited against Sligo, who eventually prevailed in Rathkeale.
Paul McNamara's goal and Seán Carrabine's craft were key for Sligo, who host Antrim in a high stakes match.
Andy McEntee's team were beaten by Down, but they will still believe that promotion is attainable.
So will Clare, who face Wicklow in Ennis. Stephen Ryan's all action goalkeepeing display helped Clare secure the spoils against Offaly.
Being able to register that type of gritty success augurs well for Mark Fitzgerald's tenure.
Laois senior football team manager Justin McNulty. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
Allianz Football League Division Four
Saturday February 24
Wexford v Waterford, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 5pm
Sunday February 25
Carlow v Leitrim, Netwatch Cullen Park, 2pm
Tipperary v Laois, FBD Semple Stadium, 2pm
Longford v London, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 1pm
Waterford are the only team in Division Four that haven't registered a point so they will relish facing Wexford away on Saturday evening.
Wexford came close to defeating Leitrim in Carrick-on-Shannon so John Hegarty's charges will be striving to respond.
With four rounds remaining Wexford know that a winning sequence must be stitched together to attain Division Three status.
That is the objective for Carlow and Leitrim, who clash at Netwatch Cullen Park.
Ryan O'Rourke and Darragh Rooney have been prominent for Leitrim, who have won three matches on the spin.
Niall Carew's Carlow have collected four points with Mikey Bambrick and Darragh Foley effective.
Longford face London, who earned a battling draw against Tipperary at McGovern Park last Sunday.
Cahir Healy's inspirational late point ensured the spoils were divided which was an encouraging sign for Michael Maher's team.
Paddy Christie's Longford side eked out a victory over Waterford in Ballygunner and the midlanders' will want to build on that foundation.
Laois have made smooth progress under Justin McNulty with goalkeeper Killian Roche a key contributor.
Damon Larkin is another Laois player delivering with substance and style, but Tipperary will feel that a top two finish is possible.
Seánie O'Connor is a prolific inside forward for a youthful Tipperary selection.
