Another exciting weekend of Division 1 football awaits fans with Kerry and Monaghan kicking things off on Sunday afternoon. A Connacht Derby is set for a 2pm start at Pearse Stadium while Tyrone and Donegal meet in an all-Ulster clash. Armagh host Mayo at the Athletic Grounds in the late throw-in.
Kerry v Monaghan, 1.30pm @ Fitzgerald Stadium, Sunday 5th February
Kerry fell to a late defeat to Donegal in Ballybofey last weekend and the All-Ireland Champions will look to get back to winning ways in Killarney where they take on Monaghan.
Monaghan also lost in their opening league fixture despite a late charge at Ulster rivals Armagh. The Northern side will have a tough job on their hands as they attempt to get off the mark in Fitzgerald Stadium.
These sides’ most recent meeting came in round 4 of last season’s league, when the Kingdom triumphed over the Farny on a scoreline of 3-14 to 1-13 in Clones. Kerry will have a few bodies still absent but the likes of Dara Roche will pose a threat to the visitors. Monaghan’s Conor McCarthy scored 1-2 last week and will be their go-to man, though Jack McCarron is likely out injured.
Galway v Roscommon, 2pm @ Pearse Stadium, Sunday 5th February
An all-Connacht matchup will be played out in front of Galway’s Pearse Stadium as the Tribesmen look to beat Roscommon after coming to a stalemate with Mayo in the opening round. With three points, Damien Comer was once again the Maroons’ most dangerous player and he’ll surely be up for the clash with the Rossies.
Roscommon earned a surprise victory over Tyrone last weekend; second-half goals from Ciaran Murtagh, Diarmuid Murtagh and Ben O’Carroll saw the side complete a great comeback at Dr Hyde Park.
The Rossies beat the Tribesmen in round 7 of Division 2 before beating them again in the league final last year. Galway got their revenge in the Connacht Final with a three-point victory at Pearse Stadium. As 2022 saw the sides’ rivalry become red-hot, there’ll be no quarter given when these sides meet on Sunday.
Tyrone v Donegal, 2pm @ O’Neill’s Healy Park, Sunday 5th February
Tyrone’s loss away to Roscommon is sure to have bristled the Red Hands and they’ll be out for a well-needed win when the host Donegal. Having scored three points off the bench, Darren McCurry could start this weekend.
Donegal will be full of confidence following their win over the Kingdom but they’ll need to be on top form if they are to come out on top in Omagh. Caolan McColgan was impressive from wing-back for the Tír Chonaill, scoring three-points, and his running could be a serious threat to the Red Hands.
Donegal won out in last year’s league clash between these counties after a 2-10 to 0-12 win in Ballybofey. Repeating that feat in Tyrone’s layer will be difficult.
Armagh v Mayo, 3.30pm @ BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, Sunday 5th February
Armagh’s upward trajectory appeared to continue last weekend when they saw off Monaghan by two points on the road. Stefan Campbell scored two vital points late on in that tie to seal the result and could well menace the Mayo defence this time around.
Mayo had Ryan O’Donoghue to thank for their draw with arch-rivals Galway. The forward notched a late equaliser to add to his six other points in that game and he’s shaping up to be the Westerners main man for this season. He’ll need to be influential again as Mayo face a testing trip to the Athletic Grounds.
When these teams encountered each other last year, the Maritime County came out on top 0-15 to 1-10 in Castlebar. Armagh will sure to have revenge on their minds in the reverse fixture this weekend.
