Ulster counties begin preparation for a new era of Gaelic football this weekend, with Armagh and Monaghan both in action on Saturday.
In the absence of provincial warm-up competitions, a series of intercounty challenge games featuring the FRC’s new rules take place this weekend.
All-Ireland champions Armagh are believed to be in action against Wicklow on Saturday, with their first match since claiming Sam Maguire coming against The Garden County - under Crossmaglen’s Oisín McConville for a third year.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Bannigan starts his reign as Monaghan manager in Mayo, with the Farney County down in the second tier for the first time since winning the Division Two title back in 2014.
Kevin McStay remains in charge of the Westerners, despite his position coming under some scrutiny.
The beaten Connacht finalists have a new S&C team as well as new performance psychology coaches after a backroom team rejig, while they will be without Cillian O’Connor’s services for this season at least.
Proceeds in Castlebar will go towards Mayo GAA’s charity partner, The Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, with throw in at 6:30pm on Saturday.
Elsewhere, David Gough will be the man in the middle for the clash of Galway and Kildare, also on Saturday night.
St Conleth’s Park is the venue for the 7:30pm throw-in, with proceeds going to the ‘Senior Football Team Training Fund’.
Kildare, under new manager Brian Flanagan, will be seeking to gain promotion back to Division Two after a poor league showing in 2024 saw them relegated.
In hurling, All-Ireland runners-up Cork face Waterford in Dungarvan. Throw-in is at 5pm on Saturday, with proceeds going to the Friends of Brian Greene Fundraiser.