Pádraic Joyce and Kieran McGeeney will be in charge of Galway and Armagh at Pearse Stadium on Saturday evening. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
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Allianz Football League Division One
Saturday January 25
Galway v Armagh, Pearse Stadium, 5.15pm
The new Pearse Stadium floodlights will be switched on for a repeat of the 2024 All-Ireland SFC Final.
Armagh prevailed in that game by the narrowest of margins and it could be similarly tight and tense once again.
That is the way it has been recently when Armagh and Galway have met in league and championship.
Paul Conroy's decision to remain a senior inter-county footballer is a significant plus for Galway, especially considering his sweet long range kicking ability.
In the opposite camp Armagh have players like Niall Grimley capable of drilling over two pointers from range.
Tyrone v Derry, O'Neill's Healy Park, 6pm
When these two foes meet there is never any shortage of subplots.
The fact that Malachy O'Rourke and Paddy Tally are in charge of the teams adds another layer of intrigue, considering both of them will be extremely well versed in the strength of the opposition.
Throughout his club and county coaching career, O'Rourke has proven to be a very shrewd operator, and his work with Tyrone will be worth monitoring.
Derry won the Allianz Football League in 2024 and there is no shortage of talent, established and emerging, for the highly regarded Tally to work with.
Dublin v Mayo, Croke Park, 7.30pm
Throughout the past decade and a half, Dublin and Mayo have served up some splendid league and championship matches.
Considering the retirements of so many key Dublin players, this should be another interesting clash because Mayo will be striving to make an impact at GAA headquarters.
Brian Fenton and James McCarthy brought so much style and substance to the Dublin panel, it is inevitable that they will be missed.
Openings exist for a new generation, though, who will be aware that games against teams like Mayo are an audition in which they must impress.
In the championship last year, Cormac Costello's opportunistic point earned Dublin a draw, and Mayo subsequently lost to Derry in a preliminary quarter-final.
Sunday January 26
Kerry v Donegal, Fitzgerald Stadium, 1.45pm
Both counties suffered All-Ireland SFC Semi-Final defeats in 2024 so enter this campaign intent on responding.
The early rounds of the Allianz Football League will be tricky for every team in the country, but these two teams would like to make a statement early on.
This fixture in Killarney, with the new rules a factor, will be worth monitoring, particularly with the decorated Michael Murphy back involved I Jim McGuinness' panel.
Kerry manager Jack O'Connor confirmed this week that David Clifford isn't available for the start of the league.
Cork senior football team manager John Cleary. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Allianz Football League Division Two
Saturday January 25
Cork v Meath, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 5pm
This will be a revealing game for two proud counties.
Robbie Brennan's arrival as Meath manager is significant, considering the success enjoyed at club level with Kilmacud Crokes. Several youthful Meath players were afforded chances under the previous regime and could be set to seriously deliver now.
There has been changes to the Cork panel, but John Cleary will believe that there is sufficient quality to mount a promotion bid. For the long term, Cork and Meath know the value of operating in the top tier.
Cavan v Monaghan, Kingspan Breffni, 6pm
There is always an edge when these two neighbours meet.
Two points is the prize for whoever prevails at Kingspan Breffni with Raymond Galligan fully aware of the importance of home fixtures in a tight Division Two.
New Monaghan manager Gabriel Bannigan has to deal with the retirement of the prolific Conor McManus, who will always be a cherished figure in the county.
The work carried out at juvenile level in Monaghan during the past decade, though, is proving to be crucial as emerging players continue to be integrated into the senior panel.
Sunday January 26
Roscommon v Down, King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park, 2pm
These two counties suffered narrow championship defeats to eventual winners Armagh in 2024.
In parts of those games Roscommon and Down demonstrated their ability, but the upcoming campaign is vital for them.
Conor Laverty's Down responded to the Ulster loss against Armagh by triumphing in the Tailteann Cup.
Becoming a real competitor in the All-Ireland championship is now the ambition. Roscommon have shown that they can mix it in that company and Davy Burke will want to regain Division One status.
Westmeath v Louth, TEG Cusack Park, 2pm
Dermot McCabe has replaced Dessie Dolan as manager of the Westmeath senior footballers.
During the past few years, Westmeath, who won the inaugural Tailteann Cup, have traded quite well in league and championship.
Louth have also made admirable progress with Ger Brennan forging a good connection with the panel last year.
Another Leinster final appearance illustrates that Louth are a respected team with crafty footballers sprinkled throughout the pitch.
New joint Offaly football team manager Mickey Harte. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Allianz Football League Division Three
Saturday January 25
Leitrim v Laois, Ballinamore, 2.30pm
Once again the Leitrim senior footballers have dealt with a high enough turnover of players, but Stephen Poacher will want to make an impact in 2025.
In the Division Four League Final between the teams last year Laois cruised to an emphatic 3-14 to 0-9 success with Paul Kingston and Evan O'Carroll prominent.
Justin McNulty's efforts with Laois throughout the campaign hinted at real potential.
Kildare v Fermanagh, Cedral St Conleth's Park, 5pm
Kildare have drifted into Division Three, so Brian Flanagan will want to bring a feel good factor back to the county.
Flanagan's diligent work at underage level augurs well, but this is a demanding opener against Fermanagh, who were also relegated from Division Two.
Fermanagh gleaned five points in that environment, including a 2-10 to 0-12 success over Kildare in Enniskillen.
Sunday January 26
Antrim v Clare, Corrigan Park, 1pm
Antrim and Clare will believe promotion can be attained, especially if a positive result is posted in Belfast.
Andy McEntee has enjoyed some good days with Antrim, who were disappointed to only win one of their final five league games in 2024. Mitigating circumstances existed, but McEntee will be hoping to ensure Antrim are highly competitive at this level.
Peter Keane is now in charge of Clare, who accumulated 10 points last year, but defeats to Down and Westmeath proved costly.
Offaly v Sligo, Glenisk O'Connor Park, 2pm
Throughout the years, Division Three has provided plenty of thrills and spills.
Offaly and Sligo know all about that in the past decade so making an encouraging start is the mission.
Mickey Harte's arrival in Offaly alongside Declan Kelly is noteworthy, while Sligo have developed nicely under Tony McEntee.
Wicklow senior football team manager Oisín McConville. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Allianz Football League Division Four
Saturday January 25
Carlow v Tipperary, Netwatch Cullen Park, 6pm
New managers will be on the sideline for this important opening weekend encounter.
Shane Curran is hopeful about delivering for Carlow, who won four of seven league fixtures last year.
Following a disappointing year, Tipperary have appointed Philly Ryan in charge.
Wexford v London, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 7pm
In 2024, Wexford came close to earning promotion, and that will be the objective for John Hegarty's team.
Hegarty, though, will afford London the utmost respect, as they survived a scare in Ruislip last year, eventually emerging 1-13 to 1-9 winners.
Michael Maher's London had some fine moments in 2024 in the league and Tailteann Cup.
Sunday January 26
Longford v Limerick, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 2pm
Mike Solan impressed as a manager in the underage ranks with Mayo and will now operate at senior inter-county level.
Solan won an All-Ireland U21 title with Mayo in 2016, helping to develop a talented crop of players, who continue to perform for the green and red.
Limerick were relegated from Division Three, but Jimmy Lee has the passion to get them believing again.
Wicklow v Waterford, Echelon Park, 2pm
Despite suffering relegation in the league, Wicklow subsequently had decent championship moments in 2024.
Similarly, Waterford endured difficulties in the league before earning championship wins in Munster and the Tailteann Cup.
