SaturdayDIVISION ONE ACork v Westmeath, Pairc Ui Rinn, 7.30 (Live TG4)A very interesting start to the league with two old adversaries back in action.
The future promises to be a pure test of the management acumen of Billy Morgan and Páidí Ó Sé, as can be seen from the team selections. Both sides contain virtually the same personnel as lined out last season so the managers will be judged on how much extra can be extracted from much the same material.
Ó Sé has impressed the need for more "steel" in Westmeath's performances and the county had a good O'Byrne Cup campaign even if the final defeat to Meath revisited old insecurities. The vacancy at centre forward will be filled by Fergal Wilson if he's fit and Donal O'Donoghue moves to full back where he played well last week.
Nonetheless, Ó Sé and selectors will be hoping David Mitchell can recover form after last year's leg break. Morgan welcomes back Philip Clifford and the welcome will be even warmer if the year out has rekindled his spark the Bantry player showed at the start of his career. Derek Kavanagh goes to full back and will have his hands full with teenage opponent Paul Martin. Westmeath should have the advantage with a month's competitive football behind them but they look a little too far below strength with Des Dolan still out and Martin Flanagan on the bench.
Sunday
DIVISION ONE A
(Matches at 2.30 unless stated)
Dublin v Tyrone, Parnell Park, (Live TG4)
It's hard to fault Dublin's decision to play this at Parnell Park given depressed expectations in the city. The sense of the downbeat wasn't lifted by the under-21 success and the difficulties encountered by full-strength teams in the panto match before Christmas and the O'Byrne Cup defeat by Carlow haven't allayed the unease. At the National Football League launch on Thursday the Taoiseach made some jocose references to the pressure on Tommy Lyons, which drew a few mirthless smiles from the Dublin manager.
Pressure on Mickey Harte is of a different type: the extent to which last year's blueprint will work this time around. Already the McKenna Cup progress has been emulated. There will be interest in how soccer convert Colm McCullagh gets on. On the face of it Lyons can hardly be blamed should Dublin go down to the champions but they did beat Tyrone last year and will give it a good shot this time too.
Fermanagh v Mayo, Enniskillen
Subdued times in both counties. Mayo have an imposing injury list whereas Fermanagh have taken some heavy blows to morale during the otherwise impressive progress of recent years. The departure of the Gallaghers has combined with the management loss of trainer Martin McElkennon and manager Dominic Corrigan. This fixture against a weakened Mayo offers the chance of a good start for Fermanagh.
Longford v Kerry, Pearse Park
Jack O'Connor is taking this sufficiently seriously to enlist the Gaeltacht players ahead of the All-Ireland club semi-final. The new Kerry manager has struck the first note of his management tenure by liberating Séamus Moynihan to wing back. Fingers will be crossed Michael McCarthy can make a success of full back and he has under-21 experience of the position to sustain him. Longford have David Blessington back after a year's absence and he has been switched from centre back to centre forward. A couple of the recent Leinster minor winners, Stephen Lynch and Michael Kelly, get the call-up for Longford but this could be more a learning than an earning experience.
DIVISION ONE B
Meath v Galway, Navan
Signs of life in Meath after a nightmare 12 months. Mark O'Reilly took a knock last week but otherwise the O'Byrne Cup winning team is on hand, as Anthony Moyles's suspension doesn't apply at county level. Shane McKeigue played well at centre forward but the jury's still out on the best use of Niall Kelly. Similarly Darren Fay may not have the mobility for centrefield but with Ollie Murphy, Trevor Giles and Nigel Nestor all still to return, it's too early to be passing judgment.
Galway rest the Caltra players ahead of the All-Ireland club semi-final and introduce some debutants. Kevin Walsh is still in harness at centrefield, while Michael Donnellan has looked in better form on the wing. Meath should profit from the competitive outings.
Limerick v Laois, Gaelic Grounds
Two Kerrymen in opposition with differing agendas. Mick O'Dwyer is believed to intend using the league for more experimental purposes this year as opposed to chasing results. Nonetheless he names 11 of the Leinster-winning team to play a Limerick side very definitely chasing results in the drive to maintain their new Division One status. Whatever O'Dwyer's overall plans he won't want to be relegated and this may on paper be a likely two points but Limerick are capable of staying put as tomorrow will indicate.
Sligo v Cavan, Markievicz Park
Eamonn Coleman is hoping Dermot McCabe can make a satisfactory return to action slightly ahead of schedule and leave Patsy Brady as Cavan's only long-term injury concern. Both counties need to rediscover momentum and Sligo get the nod.
Armagh v Wexford, Crossmaglen
It's hard not to sympathise with Wexford selector Ger Halligan's disappointment at the fixtures computer which allocated his team only three home matches. A fixture like this would have triggered a lot of interest in Wexford Park and been a fitting inaugural Division One match for the county. Both teams have injury difficulties, although Joe Kernan has been able to mobilise Steven McDonnell and hopes to bring Diarmuid Marsden in at some stage. Wexford are short Matty Forde and have longer-term concerns about Tom Howlin, Diarmuid Kinsella and John Hegarty. The home side will be better able to cope given the strength of the respective panels.
DIVISION TWO A
(Matches at 2.30 unless stated)
Carlow v Monaghan, Dr Cullen Park
A respectable O'Byrne Cup campaign came at a cost for Mick Condon with full back Brian Farrell out with a broken arm. Monaghan can profit.
Clare v Roscommon, Cusack Park
Clare, with a couple of changes from last weekend's McGrath Cup final, will have their work cut out against one of the promotion favourites.
Donegal v Offaly, Ballybofey
In contrast to last year's perpetual injury crisis, Brian McEniff fields a strong line-up. Offaly got to the O'Byrne Cup semi-final but will struggle here.
London v Leitrim, Ruislip, 1.0
Away win.
DIVISION TWO B
Kildare v Derry, Newbridge
A fixture that looks out of place in the lower reaches of the league. Padraig Nolan needs to unearth a replacement for emigrant Stuart McKenzie-Smith and a centrefield with injuries to Killian Brennan and Dermot Earley. Former minor captain Michael Foley comes into the middle. No change to the perennial Derry hope for some new forwards. Maybe a home win.
Waterford v Wicklow, Walsh Park
Hugh Kenny will be very anxious to raise Wicklow's performance levels and this will be a good test against a side buoyed by last year's under-21 success. A test that should be passed.
Down v Tipperary, Newry, 2.0
Relegation was a blot on Down's otherwise good year and they should be too strong for the visitors, even with Declan Browne back in one piece.
Louth v Antrim, Drogheda
Val Andrews will expect to get his management off to a good start with two points, although Antrim have had useful practice in the McKenna Cup.
