GAA Championship
After a six-month hiatus, competitive inter-county action returns with the first round of the Allianz Football League this weekend.
Dublin begin life in Division 2 for the first time in 15 years, while All-Ireland champions Kerry are set to begin the defence of their League crown with a trip to a Donegal side in transition.
Armagh goals may halt Farney Army
Monaghan vs Aramagh: Saturday, 28/01/2023, 6:30pm
Last summer Monaghan were Ulster semi-finalists, losing by four points to eventual provincial champions Derry, while Armagh bowed out at the first hurdle, going down to Donegal in Ballybofey.
The Orchard county would avenge that defeat to Donegal in the qualifiers, handsomely, as Kieran McGeeney and his men made a journey that yielded wins over the reigning All-Ireland champions Tyrone before they got rid of Ulster favourites Donegal.
Armagh went out swinging in the last-eight of the All-Ireland series, beaten by a fast-improving Galway side at Croke Park only following that rarest of GAA beasts – a penalty shootout.
What came to characterise the journey of Monaghan and Armagh in Championship football during 2022 was goals. Monaghan shipped five in their Ulster campaign against Down and Derry, while Armagh raised a remarkable six green flags in the win over Donegal and the loss to Galway.
McGeeney and Armagh are expected to kick on this season and in an ultra-competitive Division 1, they’ll know well that an opening win over Monaghan in Castleblayney on Saturday evening is an ideal platform. Finding the back of the net can sway this one their way.
Selection
*Prices subject to fluctuation
Donegal in trouble before a ball is kicked
Donegal vs Kerry: Sunday, 29/01/2023, 2:00pm
New Donegal manager Paddy Carr had his job made tougher before a ball was kicked in earnest when Michael Murphy announced his retirement in October.
The Glenswilly clubman wasn’t just Donegal’s captain, he was their go-to man, the cornerstone of an unmatched era of success for the Tir Conaill side.
Life without him is going to be tough and a period of readjustment will be needed. Murphy quite often was not overly-relied on for the league campaign in any case, but that too was a contributory factor in Donegal’s recent flirtations with relegation.
As noted, Division 1 looks exceedingly tough this season and Donegal could be the fall guys as they try to adapt to a new management team minus their on-field leader.
Kerry may be defending League and All-Ireland champions but their centre-back Tadhg Morley still feels the current group have yet to put together the “complete” performance, a worrying claim for their would-be rivals to contemplate.
They aren’t going to be at full strength in Ballybofey on Sunday, with Morley one of just five All-Ireland final starters available to Kerry as they head north this weekend. That, though, just means that manager Jack O’Connor will be deploying a team of ‘eager to impress’ squad members.
Given the huge doubts over Donegal, and a poor record against Kerry in recent times, this can go the way of the visiting side.
Selection
*Prices subject to fluctuation
