Preview: Weekend’s Allianz Football League action:
Allianz Football League Division One
Saturday 17th February
Derry v Monaghan, Celtic Park, 5pm
Dublin v Roscommon, Croke Park, 5pm, Live on TG4
Kerry v Mayo, Austin Stack Park, 7.30pm, Live on RTE
Sunday 18th February
Tyrone v Galway, O’Neill’s Healy Park, 1.45pm, Live on TG4
Buoyed up by two impressing victories over Galway and Dublin, Mayo travel to Tralee for what promises to be an intriguing clash with Kerry.
On the opening weekend Kerry suffered a disappointing loss to Derry, but the response against Monaghan was emphatic.
Seán O’Shea’s excellence ensured Kerry left Clones armed with the full complement of spoils, while David Clifford’s cameo was another source of encouragement.
Jack O’Connor, though, will be demanding a similarly industrious display against Mayo, who have thundered into the new campaign.
Jack Carney has been relevant in both Mayo fixtures so far, while Paddy Durcan and Eoghan McLaughlin are raiding forward to good effect too.
Another team enjoying a productive spell, Derry, host Monaghan at Celtic Park.
Triumphs over Kerry and Tyrone mean Derry have collected four points already with Ethan Doherty and Cormac Murphy supplying positive performances.
Conor Glass remains a key figure for Derry, who know that Monaghan will be primed for this encounter.
Monaghan, with Killian Lavelle and Jack McCarron central, did defeat Dublin at Croke Park before suffering a home reversal against Kerry.
Having suffered defeats to Monaghan and Mayo, All-Ireland champions Dublin will be striving to summon a response when Roscommon visit GAA headquarters.
Davy Burke’s outfit did demonstrate admirable battling qualities when drawing with Galway at a windswept Dr Hyde Park following an away defeat to Tyrone.
Ben O’Carroll’s return is a significant addition for Roscommon, who frustrated Dublin in championship fare last year.
Dublin have afforded emerging players opportunities in the league with Theo Clancy and Greg McEnaney making an impact.
In Omagh on Sunday the stakes are piled high for Tyrone and Galway, who both want to pocket points.
Tyrone, prompted by the splendid Darragh Canavan, overcame Roscommon on home turf prior to the Derry setback.
Galway, without several frontline players, divided the spoils with Roscommon following the opening round loss to Mayo.
Pádraic Joyce, though, will be satisfied that a string of younger players such as Liam Ó Conghaile and Cillian Ó Curraoin have contributed.
Allianz Football League Division Two
Saturday 17th February
Donegal v Fermanagh, Letterkenny, 2pm, Live on BBC iPlayer & GAAGO
Cork v Cavan, Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 4pm
Sunday 18th February
Kildare v Armagh, Netwatch Cullen Park, 3.45pm, Live on TG4
Meath v Louth, Páirc Tailteann, 2pm, Live on TG4 Player & App
Armagh and Donegal are the only teams to have secured maximum points in a crucial Division.
On Saturday in O’Donnell Park, Letterkenny Donegal will be fully aware of Fermanagh’s threat.
A battling draw with Meath showcased Fermanagh’s resilience ahead of a hugely encouraging win over Kildare.
Che Cullen and Declan McCusker remain influential figures for Fermanagh, who will need to restrict a talented Donegal attack.
Paddy McBrearty and Oisín Gallen have enjoyed productive moments in the campaign so far for Jim McGuinness rapidly improving Donegal outfit.
Following a couple of disappointing defeats, Cork host Cavan in another vital fixture.
Considering the Championship implications, a decent placing in the league must be attained so Cork know that a positive result is required.
Cavan, with Padraig Faulkner and Paddy Lynch prominent, beat Kildare before losing to Donegal.
This encounter Leeside will certainly be revealing for Cork and Cavan.
There will be no shortage of intrigue and sub plots when Kildare face Armagh.
Kieran McGeeney’s stint in charge of Kildare was noteworthy, but the Lilywhites have suffered two losses in the competition.
At the opposite end of the table, Armagh have recorded a couple of victories to generate momentum.
Oisín O’Neill’s availability adds another option for Armagh, who have plenty of depth with Oisín Conaty making an impact also.
Kildare will be looking to Darragh Kirwan and Jimmy Hyland for attacking inspiration.
At Páirc Tailteann Meath’s clash with neighbours Louth also matters deeply.
Meath, without a string of key players, drew with Fermanagh prior to an away reversal against Armagh.
Louth were edged out on the opening weekend by a smart Armagh finish, but Ger Brennan’s charges responded impressively against Cork.
Goalkeeper Niall McDonnell starred for Louth, while Sam Mulroy contributed five points.
Eoghan Frayne has been relevant for the Royals, while Mathew Costello and Aaron Lynch are other talented footballers in Colm O’Rourke’s panel.
Allianz Football League Division Three
Sunday 18th February
Antrim v Down, Corrigan Park, 2pm
Limerick v Sligo, Rathkeale, 2pm
Offaly v Clare, Glenisk O’Connor Park, 2pm
Wicklow v Westmeath, Aughrim, 2pm
Attaining a place in the All-Ireland SFC is a significant prize for those who flourish at this level.
So the fact that Antrim, Down, and Westmeath have all collected four points augurs well for them.
This Sunday at Corrigan Park, though, Antrim host Down in a crucial encounter.
Andy McEntee is carrying out impressive work with Antrim, who feature the prolific Dominic McEnhill in attack.
Down, prompted by the excellent Odhran Murdock, have been motoring well in the early weeks of the campaign.
Having reached the Tailteann Cup decider last year, manager Conor Laverty will be striving to make further progress in the coming weeks and months.
Westmeath fended off Clare’s challenge in their most recent encounter with Ronan O’Toole’s dynamism a key factor in the game.
Wicklow, who have lost twice, represent an awkward challenge for Westmeath in Aughrim.
The talented Kevin Quinn remains an instrumental player for Wicklow and will pose a threat.
Sligo, with Seán Carrabine still very effective, travel to Rathkeale for a tricky tussle against Limerick, who badly need points.
Limerick were soundly beaten by Down, but Jimmy Lee’s charges will be intent on summoning a defiant response.
Offaly, who have lost twice, host Clare in Tullamore in another critical match.
The Faithful county have suffered narrow defeats to Westmeath and Antrim.
Anton Sullivan and Nigel Dunne are still delivering for Offaly, who are aware of the importance of this fixture.
Clare, though, know that a victory would leave them in a healthy position too, and will trust that Dermot Coughlan and Ciaran Downes can maintain their good form.
Allianz Football League Division Four
Saturday 17th February
Waterford v Longford, SETU Waterford Arena, 4pm
Laois v Carlow, Laois Hire O’Moore Park, 6pm
Sunday 18th February
London v Tipperary, McGovern Park, 1pm
Leitrim v Wexford, Avant Money Páirc Seán MacDiarmada, 2pm
With several counties believing that promotion is attainable, crucial matches are on the agenda.
On Saturday evening Laois, beginning to stir again under Justin McNulty, face neighbours Carlow.
Goalkeeper Killian Roche has remarkably landed 0-10 in two games for Laois, including five from play, underlining his value to the cause.
Carlow, though, will be optimistic following an excellent start themselves with Mikey Bambrick prominent.
Leitrim, one of three teams with a 100 per cent record in Division Four, face Wexford in Carrick-on-Shannon on Sunday.
Darragh Rooney has been scoring heavily for Leitrim, but John Hegarty’s Wexford know that an away victory would edge them back into serious contention.
Tipperary, with Seánie O’Connor in prolific form, travel to Ruislip for a game against London.
Michael Maher’s developing team will be eager to accumulate points at McGovern Park.
It has been a disappointing start to the league for Waterford and Longford, who clash in Carriganore on Saturday.
Similar to 2023 when Longford won the O’Byrne Cup, the midlanders subsequently struggled in the league.
Paddy Christie will be hoping to secure the spoils in the south east to relaunch their league campaign.