The ‘two up, two down’ promotion/relegation element of the Allianz Football League can sometimes skew the make-up of the top flight – but there’s little doubt that Division One is as tough as it could be this year.
Reigning League champions Derry are joined by the All-Ireland champions (Armagh), the beaten All-Ireland finalists (Galway – who also happen to be Connacht champions), and the two losing All-Ireland semi-finalists, Kerry and Donegal, the Munster and Ulster champions respectively.
Also there are Leinster champions Dublin, Connacht runners-up Mayo, and Tyrone – who are on a longer stretch in the top division than any county other than Kerry.
With respect to the demoted duo from last year, Monaghan and Roscommon, it’s beyond dispute that the inclusion of the promoted pair, Armagh and Donegal, has strengthened Division One, both of them bouncing straight back up after relegation in 2023.
The quality of those eight counties promises to provide cut-throat competition from throw-in on Saturday evening to the last long whistle in round seven.
Relegation wouldn’t cost any of them a place in the Sam Maguire shake-up this year, nor would they be too troubled about earning promotion next season, but there’ll still be serious determination to avoid the drop.
The trope that ‘you can only win the All-Ireland from Division One’ has been turned into tripe, first by Dublin in 2023, then again by Armagh last season. But before those the Orchard County were the last side to collect ‘Sam’ after playing in Division Two earlier in the year, back in 2002, so no one will want to say that that ‘rule’ has been completely consigned to history.
The suspension of the pre-season competitions this year puts even more weight on the league as preparation for the championship, especially with the new rules to consider.
The focus will surely be on survival at first, but managers will still have the bigger picture in mind of ensuring that they will be up against the top teams again next year.
Every single point could be precious – not just those earned from winning or drawing matches but in terms of scoring difference when everything is totalled up on the evening of Sunday March 23.
The two new managers in Division One, Tyrone’s Malachy O’Rourke and Paddy Tally in Derry, will go head-to-head at Healy Park in Omagh.
The three other matches are all tasty pairings too, not least the re-match of the All-Ireland Final with Galway hosting Armagh in Pearse Stadium. Dublin welcome familiar foes Mayo to Croke Park, while Donegal head down to Killarney to take on Kerry.
Of course, those will be just the first in a series potentially cracking contests, with local, historic, and recent rivalries all feeding into the spicy mix.
The presence of four Ulster teams not only ensures a lot of derby games but also chances to avenge recent defeats in the Championship.
Armagh, Derry, and Donegal have all met each other in recent Ulster finals, while they will all want to beat Tyrone – and vice versa.
Throw in Galway-Mayo and Kerry-Dublin, plus Dublin seeking revenge on Galway for last year’s Championship exit, and the plotlines write themselves.
Division Two looks almost as finely balanced as the top flight – but I will say it, there’s no All-Ireland winner coming out of there this year.
Roscommon are probably the best of the bunch but you wouldn’t be certain of them going back up, nor rule any of the other seven sides out of taking a promotion place – or being in relegation danger.
Monaghan may have at last relinquished their prized place in Division One but they have another new manager in Gabriel Bannigan, who has to start the post-Conor McManus era.
Down won the Tailteann Cup, which allows them the comfort of knowing their involvement in the Sam Maguire shake-up is absolutely secure. However, Conor Laverty will not want to risk dropping down again after earning promotion by experimenting too much.
There should be strong belief in the Mourne County camp after finally ending their awful run of losses in deciders by winning the Tailteann, but a season of consolidation might be best for them.
Cavan had a chastening All-Ireland group experience but have enough talent to again reach that level – but Cork, Meath, and Louth will all feel likewise, with the Rebels in particular sure to set sights on going up.
The Ulster sides in Division Three, Fermanagh and Antrim, face a real struggle to secure promotion. The Ernemen look a better bet than the Saffrons, who have only three home games and rarely put good runs of results together.
Kieran Donnelly is into his fourth season in charge, but other Ulstermen could stymie his hopes of a rapid return to Division Two.
Mickey Harte’s involvement should boost Offaly, while Sligo have been improving under Tony McEntee, including giving Galway a real scare in Connacht last year. The latter’s former Armagh colleague Justin McNulty will be setting sights on another promotion for ambitious Laois, while Down’s Steven Poacher has taken charge in Leitrim.
The Ulster interest in Division Four is restricted to management, where Oisin McConville will believe he can bring Wicklow straight back up.
Yet probably only London and Waterford can be discounted from the promotion possibilities. The lack of relegation reduces the pressure in the basement division, but Carlow, Limerick, Longford, Tipperary, and Wexford will all have ambitions for improvement.
The tighter schedule for the league increased intensity last year, and from top to bottom it looks like we’re in for fantastic entertainment again.
