The big game of Division 1 this weekend is the meeting of Meath and Armagh in Ashbourne. Both sides have a 100% start to the league campaign. After a poor year last year Meath have been in good form this year while after gaining promotion from Division 2 last year, Armagh have impressed.
Last years beaten Division 1 finalists Galway have struggled this year and are second from bottom without registering a point. They need to pick up points quickly but face a stern test on Sunday when they take on Dublin in Parnell Park.
Kerry v Mayo, 17th Feb, Fitzgerald Stadium, 2.30pm
Reigning League champions Kerry have a 100% record in Division 1 and will hope to maintain that when they welcome Mayo to Killarney on Saturday.
Kerry have been in good form both in front of the posts and in defence. They have the meanest defence in the league. Mayo lie 6th in the table with just one win so far; that was against their neighbours Galway.
Last time out Kerry recorded an excellent win over Cork while Mayo fell to Dublin. The Kingdom will want to keep up their winning streak while Mayo will be hoping to pick up something as they try to keep an eye on the two teams behind them.
Cork v Waterford, 18th Feb, Páirc Uí Rinn, 2pm
A Munster derby in Cork on Sunday. Cork lie in 5th place in the table, just behind Dublin on score difference and ahead of Mayo on score difference. Bottom side Waterford are without a point this year.
Cork have won just one game this year; that was at home to Galway in their first game of the year. They have lost to Armagh and Kerry. There were 13 points between the sides at the end of the Kerry game. Cork will be hurting from that.
Waterford have lost their opening three games and know they need to pick up points quickly if they are to avoid the drop to Division 2, especially with two teams being relegated.
Dublin v Galway, 18th Feb, Parnell Park, 2pm
After picking up their first win of the campaign against Mayo last time out, Dublin will hope to build on that as they entertain a struggling Galway side at Parnell Park.
Last year Galway reached the Division 1 Final, this year they have lost their opening three league games and are three points off Mayo in sixth place. With two going down they need to pick up points quickly.
This is a big game for both sides. Dublin will want to kick on from that Mayo game while Galway are in need of a win and would like it to come on Sunday.
Meath v Armagh, 18th Feb, Ashbourne, 2pm
The pick of the games in Division 1 between two sides who, along with Kerry, have a 100% record, so far. That’s going to change on Sunday.
Armagh have impressed since their promotion from Division 2. They have beaten Waterford, Cork and Galway. Meath struggled last year but are a different proposition this year. They’ve recorded wins over Mayo, Dublin and Waterford.
The Royal County are at home and hoping that is a big advantage. A game that is hard to call and will come down to how either defence can handle potent forwards.
Deniese O'Flaherty
Deniese is a freelance sports journalist/broadcaster. She has worked for several local and national media outlets. GAA and soccer are her great loves and she also follows rugby league and snooker. She's a big supporter of her local clubs St. Mary's GAA Granard and Longford Town. She also follows Celtic, Liverpool and Leeds Rhinos. She presented and produced a popular sports podcast last year where she interviewed Ray Houghton, Chris Kamara and John Hartson. Deniese is currently Head of Communications for Boccia Ireland