Armagh were the big winners from the opening weekend’s action, in Division 1 of the Allianz Football League, as they became the only team to register a win after overcoming Dublin at headquarters.
The pick of the ties this weekend, sees a mouth watering fixture between Kerry and Dublin under lights in Tralee.
Kerry V Dublin, Saturday February 5th, 7:00pm, Austin Stack Park
Both Jack O’Connor and Dessie Farrell have been left assessing the previous weekend’s performances, as the early favourites fell short of the mark. They meet tonight in a sold out Austin Stack Park as the hosts bid for a tenth game unbeaten in the league.
The Kingdom shared the spoils with Kildare in Newbridge 1-10 to 0-13, their current bainisteoir not getting the result he aimed for back at his former home. Leading by four at the break, they failed to add a further score for 28 minutes, as they failed to contest Kildare late on.
For the six in a row Dubs, they suffered a 2-15 to 1-13 defeat to Armagh at Croke Park last Saturday. The Dubs were left chasing the pace of the Ulstermen, limping into the half time break trailing 2-08 to 0-05. The pressure looks to be on Farrell early, and a defeat against their old rivals could add more fuel to the fire.
Armagh V Tyrone, Sunday February 6th, 2:00pm, Athletic Grounds
Armagh will look to win their second game on the bounce, they welcome their Ulster counterparts All Ireland Champions Tyrone to the Athletic grounds, another victory would be a statement of intent from Kieran McGeeney’s men.
Rian O’Neill was the star for his county last weekend, the forward scoring 1-04 in a great individual display, they managed to leave with a five point win but easily could have been more, playing free flowing attacking football, packed with pace and great scoring ability, they look a threat in the division.
Tyrone had to share the spoils with Monaghan last weekend, a dramatic final few minutes saw the game finish 0-9 to 0-9, but the game looked to have swong in either direction late on. Paul Donaghy looked to have given Tyrone a one-point win, but Joe McQuillan disallowed the point, judging there to be a foul on Rory Beggan in the build-up.
Monaghan V Mayo, Sunday February 6th, 2:00pm, St Tiernach’s Park
Monaghan and Mayo both left it late to snatch a point last weekend, a tale of two goalkeeper performances keeping them both in the contest. Mayo dealt a huge blow earlier this week, Tommy Conroy picking up a cruciate ligament injury, while playing for NUI Galway in the Sigerson Cup quarter-final on Tuesday evening.
The hosts had to rely on the kicking ability of Conor McManus, the forward coming off the bench to kick a late point to level matters. Rory Beggan was the key man for Monaghan however, the goalkeeper managing to score three points that afternoon, his team’s top scorer last weekend.
From one goalkeeper to another Rob Hennelly landed a difficult free kick, in the 75th minute to salvage a point for Mayo in unfavourable conditions at Markievicz Park Sligo. They managed to hit five points on the trot, the latter coming off the deck as Hennelly kicked a long range free into a swirling breeze.
Donegal V Kildare, Sunday February 6th, 2:30pm, Páirc Seán MacCumhaill
Donegal will be anxious to make an impact in the division this weekend, they meet Kildare with both having a different finish to their ties last weekend, Donegal coughed up a lead while Kildare hit three late points to salvage a draw.
The Ulstermen will look to turn the tide at home in Ballybofey, they started bright last weekend managing a 0-7 to 0-3 lead at half time. Pushing the lead out to five points, 0-11 to 0-06 after the restart they stalled and failed to hold onto possession late on, gifting Hennelly a scorable free from distance.
The Lilywhites kicked four points in a row to seal a draw with Kerry last weekend, Jimmy Hyland with an outstanding performance kicking six points, they ran the midfield and kept Kerry at bay for most of the second half, unable to score for 28 minutes past the Kildare backline.
Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.