Rules, rules, rules
For the first time, Gaelic football’s “enhancements” will be on display to the masses.
All 32 counties are in action across the weekend, with four games set to be televised, where the seven ‘core’ enhancements will get their first road test in a competitive environment.
At the Galway-Kildare challenge game in Newbridge earlier this month, there was some early confusion at the application of the rules and that is likely to be repeated at grounds around the country.
But this is what the GAA has voted for. At Special Congress late last year, the rule changes were accepted with the minimum of fuss – no rule change received less than 73pc backing – as delegates voted overwhelmingly in favour of change.
The games will be watched closely by Jim Gavin’s Football Review Committee (FRC) which has seen a revamp with the addition of Peter Canavan and former inter-county referee Maurice Deegan after the departures of Michael Murphy and Malachy O’Rourke. A review of the changes will take place at the end of the league.
First look at new-look Dubs?
Life after Brian Fenton and James McCarthy starts in earnest for Dublin tomorrow night when Mayo come to Croke Park. But what’s not clear is if it’s the end of the road for anyone else.
Dublin, like most counties, have been on the challenge-game circuit but no one has any real certainty on the make-up of their panel. Dessie Farrell did confirm that they have 16 new faces involved but there was little else in the way of detail, meaning Stephen Cluxton’s future remains up in the air.
His fellow nine-time All-Ireland winner Mick Fitzsimons looked as good as ever in Cuala’s run to the top of the club mountain but has previously stated that any decision on his Dublin future was on ice. Jack McCaffrey is thought to have one foot out the door while there has been plenty of speculation around the futures of Jon Small and Paul Mannion.
What we do know is that James Madden is back after an extended stint in the AFL, Eoghan O’Donnell has left the hurling squad to play football while Davy Byrne is back in tow. Perhaps more will be revealed tomorrow night when Farrell speaks to the media. However, it’s almost certain that by then we still won’t know everything.
Michael Murphy returns to inter-county action. Photo: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Return of the king?
If it was going to happen, we thought it would have been last year. When Jim McGuinness returned to the hot seat in Donegal, it followed that Michael Murphy would be coaxed out of retirement. When he didn’t play in 2024, we assumed his days with Donegal were done.
But late last year the news filtered out that the band was back together, however the story came with a twist with rumours that McGuinness was experimenting with the Glenswilly man as a goalkeeper.
Murphy picked up a hamstring injury but McGuinness hinted he will make his return to inter-county action on Sunday when they travel to Killarney to face Kerry. His comeback story will be one of the plot lines of the season that will be closely followed.
Champions back in the pack
When is the last time the reigning All-Ireland champions in both codes have come into the new season with such a low profile?
Kieran McGeeney’s Armagh are 8/1 fifth favourites to retain Sam Maguire behind Kerry, Dublin, Galway and Donegal. It’s curious considering they beat the Kingdom and the Tribesmen in the All-Ireland semi-final and final to win their second title.
Brian Lohan’s Clare, who start their league campaign against Kilkenny, are viewed in a similar fashion. They are third favourites at 4/1 behind Limerick (7/4) and Cork (11/4). You sense that privately neither manager will be too fussed if the early-season spotlight is shone in a different direction.
Davy Fitzgerald is stepping into the unknown with Antrim. Photo: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Davy on the road again with Antrim
Davy Fitzgerald starts life as Antrim manager this weekend with a trip to Croke Park to face Dublin.
He’s brought success to the likes of his home county Clare when they won the 2013 All-Ireland title and later Wexford, who won their first Leinster title in 15 years under his guidance. His second stint with Waterford wasn’t the happiest but he’s been a near ever-present on the men’s inter-county circuit since joining the Clare senior panel as a player in 1989. In fact, he’s missed just one season – 2022 – and even then he was involved with the Cork camogie team as coach.
And now he’s taking what he admits is something of a step into the unknown
“What is Antrim’s ceiling? To answer that honestly, I’m not sure.”
SATURDAY
AIB All-Ireland club JFC final
An Cheathrú Rua v Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin, Croke Park, 3.10 – TG4
Allianz NFL Division 1 Galway v Armagh, Pearse Stadium, 5.15 – RTÉ 2; Tyrone v Derry, Healy Park, 6.0; Dublin v Mayo, Croke Park, 7.30 – TG4
NFL Division 2
Cork v Meath, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 5.0; Cavan v Monaghan, Kingspan Breffni Park, 6.0
NFL Division 3
Leitrim v Laois, Páirc Seán Uí Eslín, 2.30; Kildare v Fermanagh, Cedral St Conleth’s Park, 5.0
NFL Division 4 Carlow v Tipperary, Netwatch Cullen Park, 6.0; Wexford v London, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 7.0
Allianz NHL Division 1A
Wexford v Cork, Wexford Park, 5.0
NHL Division 1B
Offaly v Carlow, Glenisk O’Connor Park, 2.0; Westmeath v Laois, TEG Cusack Park, 2.0; Dublin v Antrim, Croke Park, 5.15
NHL Division 2
Down v Kildare, McKenna Park, 2.0;
Meath v Donegal, Trim, 2.0;
Tyrone v Derry, Healy Park, 4.0
NHL Division 3
Mayo v Cavan, MacHale Park, 1.0
NHL Division 4
Louth v Fermanagh, Páirc Naomh Bríd, 2.0; Longford v Warwickshire, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 2.0; Lancashire v Leitrim, Abbotstown, 2.0
Lidl Ladies NFL Division 1
Kerry v Armagh, Austin Stack Park, 1.30 – TG4; Dublin v Mayo, Parnell Park, 2.0
Ladies NFL Division 2
Cork v Westmeath, Páirc Uí Rinn, 2.0
SUNDAY
AIB All-Ireland club IFC final
Ballinderry v Crossmolina Deel Rovers, Croke Park, 1.30 – Spórt TG4 YouTube
Allianz NFL Division 1
Kerry v Donegal, Fitzgerald Stadium, 1.45 – TG4
NFL Division 2
Roscommon v Down, King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park, 2.0; Westmeath v Louth, TEG Cusack Park, 2.0
NFL Division 3
Antrim v Clare, Corrigan Park, 1.0;
Offaly v Sligo, Glenisk O’Connor Pk, 2.0
NFL Division 4
Longford v Limerick, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 2.0; Wicklow v Waterford, Echelon Park, 2.0
NHL Division 1A
Clare v Kilkenny, Cusack Park, 2.0 – TG4 Player; Galway v Tipperary, Pearse Stadium, 3.45 – TG4
NHL Division 3
London v Roscommon, McGovern Park, 1.0; Sligo v Wicklow, ATU Sligo Knocknarea Arena, 1.0
Lidl Ladies NFL Division 1
Tyrone v Meath, Newtownstewart, 2.0
Kildare v Waterford, Hawkfield, 2.0
Ladies NFL Division 2
Roscommon v Monaghan, Clann na nGael, 2.0; Tipperary v Galway, Seán Treacy Park, 2.0; Clare v Donegal, Shanahan McNamara Memorial Park, 2.0
Ladies NFL Division 3
Limerick v Down, Mungret, 12.30; Laois v Carlow, LOETB, 2.0; Wexford v Offaly, McAuley Park, 2.0; Louth v Cavan, O’Raghallaigh’s, 2.0
Ladies NFL Division 4
Derry v Fermanagh, Owenbeg, 2.0;
Sligo v Antrim, Ballymote, 2.0;
Wicklow v Leitrim, Blessington, 2.0;
Longford v Kilkenny, Kenagh, 2.0