Preview: Weekend’s Allianz Football League action:
Allianz Football League Division One
Saturday 15th March
Kerry v Armagh in Austin Stack Park at 5.30pm, RTE
This should be a lively encounter in Tralee between two counties, who want a win to edge closer to preserving top flight status.
Kerry have enjoyed good moments in the is league, perfectly illustrated by a David Clifford hat-trick inspired success over Tyrone.
Nonetheless, Jack O’Connor’s outfit have lost three from five so they will be primed for the visit of the All-Ireland champions.
Armagh delivered when it counted against Dublin with Barry McCambridge and Conor Turbitt influential.
Similar dynamism will be necessary down in the Kingdom, but this is the type of battle Kieran McGeeney’s charges relish.
Dublin v Galway in Croke Park at 7.30pm, TG4
Shane Walsh’s exploits ensured Galway divided the spoils with Tyrone in Tuam to make it five unbeaten in the 2025 league with three wins and two draws.
The Dublin panel will be extremely familiar with Walsh’s gifts and sweet kicking ability.
Following a defeat against Armagh, Dessie Farrell’s team will be intent on making a positive statement at GAA headquarters.
There is a nice mix of emerging and established players in Farrell’s panel so this match against Galway will be a valuable audition for some.
Padraic Joyce has afforded plenty of footballers opportunities during his tenure and upcoming matches with Dublin and Kerry will be worth monitoring.
Sunday 16th March
Derry v Mayo in Celtic Park at 1.30pm, TG4
This is a vital encounter for Derry, who will want to summon a home win.
It has been a strange campaign as Derry have only registered one point despite some decent displays.
Mayo were resilient against Kerry with Donnacha McHugh and Ryan O’Donoghue instrumental in securing the spoils in Castlebar.
Lachlan Murray has been effective for Derry in the league and Paddy Tally’s team know that only victory will suffice if relegation is to be avoided.
Having embarked on an adventure from Division Four to One, Derry will not want to drop down so this should be an interesting affair.
Donegal v Tyrone in O’Donnell Park at 3.30pm, TG4
Donegal have gleaned four victories from five matches in 2025.
Ryan McHugh, Daire Ó Baoill, and Ciaran Thompson have enjoyed productive bursts in that spell for Jim McGuinness’ developing team.
This Letterkenny fixture against Tyrone will be tricky because Malachy O’Rourke’s team need to conclude the group stages strongly.
There was plenty to admire in the manner Tyrone competed in Tuam when drawing with Galway last time out.
Darragh Canavan and Mark Bradley were splendid during the match for Tyrone, who need to build on that solid display.
Allianz Football League Division Two
Saturday 15th March
Down v Westmeath in Páirc Esler at 6pm
Considering the Championship implications attached to relegation from Division Two, this is a huge game for Westmeath.
It has been a peculiar league for Westmeath. Involved in several thrillers, Westmeath have still lost all five games.
Luke Loughlin has demonstrated his class and the midlanders will still feel two wins might be enough to preserve their status.
Down have made significant strides under Conor Laverty, reflected in the 2024 Tailteann Cup win.
For the longer term, though, Laverty will want to remain in Division Two, and progress further, especially with players of Odhran Murdock and Pat Havern’s calibre involved.
Sunday 16th March
Cork v Louth in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 2pm
A 2024 Championship exit, when losing to Louth, hurt Cork deeply.
In the intervening months John Cleary and his backroom team have been working hard, trying to generate momentum.
This league campaign, featuring flashes of brilliance from Chris Óg Jones, has featured two wins and three losses.
Louth are in a similar position with Sam Mulroy’s prolific scoring returns a highlight for Ger Brennan’s outfit.
Meath v Monaghan in Páirc Tailteann at 2pm, TG4 App
There shouldn’t be any shortage of drama in Navan because these two counties are very much involved in the promotion race.
Eoghan Frayne and Jordan Morris have excelled for Meath, who have collected eight points from five games.
That is precisely the same amount accumulated by Monaghan, who have been involved in some high scoring encounters.
Micheal Bannigan has impressed for Monaghan, who know that another demanding assignment awaits in this high stakes battle.
Roscommon v Cavan in King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park at 2pm
Another game that matters deeply should be interesting in the Hyde.
With the Murtaghs in good form, Roscommon thundered into the new campaign, but a loss to Meath hurt.
Responding to that setback will be important for Davy Burke’s side, who know that Cavan are a capable team, when in the mood.
Dara McVeety and Gearoid McKiernan are still going strong for Cavan, who could join Roscommon on eight points, if they eke out an away success.
Allianz Football League Division Three
Saturday 15th March
Laois v Clare in Laois Hire O’Moore Park at 6pm
These two counties have collected six points from the first five rounds.
Despite Emmet McMahon’s excellence, Clare still suffered a defeat away to Sligo last weekend.
Undoubtedly, that was a setback, but this match in Portlaoise against Justin McNulty’s Laois will be a vital encounter in the promotion race.
Sunday 16th March
Antrim v Sligo in Corrigan Park at 2pm
Avoiding Division Four in 2026 is Antrim and Sligo’s objective.
Antrim have won two games so far, while Sligo were boosted by a hard earned victory over Clare.
Darragh Cummins and Niall Murphy were instrumental in that triumph for Sligo, who know that Antrim will be primed for a battle on home turf.
Leitrim v Fermanagh in Ballinamore at 2pm
It has been a demanding campaign for Leitrim, who have suffered five losses on the spin.
A young panel is learning valuable lessons and Fermanagh will be seeking to preserve their status at this level by securing an away win.
Declan McCusker, the experienced Fermanagh campaigner, remains a hugely important player.
Offaly v Kildare in Glenisk O’Connor Park at 2pm
The top two clash in Tullamore and it should be revealing.
Kildare’s defeat against Clare was disappointing, but Brian Flanagan has given plenty of players opportunities throughout the league.
Offaly, with Declan Kelly and Mickey Harte at the helm, will want to finish the group stages strongly.
This is exactly the type of important test both counties will enjoy ahead of the Championship.
Allianz Football League Division Four
Saturday 15th March
Carlow v Longford in Netwatch Cullen Park at 5.30pm
Both counties have suffered unfortunate losses in the league so this should be an interesting encounter.
Carlow, managed by Shane Curran, will be eager to impress at home, but Longford want to finish the league with a flourish.
A couple of victories for Mike Solan’s charges in their remaining games could put them in the promotion picture.
Wexford v Tipperary in Chadwicks Wexford Park at 6.30pm
Wexford have already secured promotion so John Hegarty’s charges can look forward to a Croke Park league decider.
Tipperary would love to join them at GAA headquarters and an away win for Philly Ryan’s side would put the Premier County on seven points entering the last round of the group phase.
Waterford v London in Fraher Field at 7pm
Waterford will be striving to open their account in Dungarvan, but London have enjoyed encouraging moments already in 2025.
Michael Maher’s team have posted two wins which is a hugely encouraging return and the visitors’ will firmly believe that further points can be obtained ahead of the Championship.
Sunday 16th March
Wicklow v Limerick in Echelon Park at 2pm
This is a crucial clash for the second and third placed teams in Division Four.
Oisín McConville’s Wicklow panel is nicely stocked with decent footballers, but Limerick are beginning to generate momentum and belief once more.
Emmet Rigter’s emergence has been important in Limerick’s revitalisation, and this match will be revealing in Aughrim.