SATURDAY 5 FEBRUARY
Allianz Division 1
Kerry v Dublin, Austin Stack Park, 7pm
Allianz Division 2
Down v Galway, Pairc Esler, 5pm
Cork v Clare, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 7pm
Allianz Division 3
Antrim v Limerick, Corrigan Park, 2.30pm
SUNDAY 6 FEBRUARY
Allianz Division 1
Armagh v Tyrone, Athletic Grounds, 2pm
Monaghan v Mayo, Clones, 2pm
Donegal v Kildare, Ballybofey, 2pm
Allianz Division 2
Offaly v Derry, Bord na Mona O'Connor Park, 2pm
Meath v Roscommon, Pairc Tailteann, 2pm
Allianz Division 3
Wicklow v Fermanagh, Aughrim, 2pm
Longford v Louth, Glennon Bros Pearse Park, 2pm
Laois v Westmeath, O'Moore Park, 2pm
Allianz Division 4
London v Waterford, Ruislip, 1pm
Sligo v Carlow, Markievicz Park, 1pm
Wexford v Sligo, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 2pm
Tipperary v Leitrim, Semple Stadium, 2pm
Cavan v Wexford, Breffni Park, 2pm
ONLINE
Live blogs each day on RTÉ Sport Online and the RTÉ News app.
RADIO
Live commentaries on RTÉ Radio 1's Saturday and Sunday Sport.
TV
On Saturday RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player cameras will be in Tralee for the eagerly awaited clash between Kerry and Dublin. Also on Saturday night, BBC iPlayer will have live coverage of Down v Galway in Division 2.
Cork versus Clare is live on GAAGO on Saturday in Ireland.
On Sunday, TG4 will have have deferred coverage of Armagh v Tyrone in Division 1.
Highlights on Allianz League Sunday, RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, 9.30pm.
WEATHER
Saturday: A mainly cloudy and breezy day, dry to begin in most places. Rain and drizzle will push down from the northwest over much of the rest of Ulster and Connacht too through the morning, extending further southwards through the afternoon and evening, though parts of south Leinster and south Munster will hold dry. Nighttime will see breezy in moderate to fresh southwest winds, with lowest temperatures at night of four degrees in the north to eight degrees in the south.
Sunday: Continuing mostly cloudy on Sunday with outbreaks of rain and drizzle, most persistent and widespread early in the day, with good dry spells developing later. Highest temperatures of seven to 11 degrees generally, a little cooler across Ulster. Moderate to fresh and occasionally gusty westerly winds, stronger in western coastal parts. For more visit met.ie
Kerry and Dublin ready to serve up another league classic?
For many years Colm O'Rourke argued that the notion of a rivalry between Kerry and Dublin was simply a myth given Kingdom's dominance in the fixture. Up until 2011, it was hard to dispute the claim, but since then the balance of power has changed dramatically, with Dublin claiming eight All-Irelands in that period to Kerry’s sole success in 2014. Is the balance about to tip back again in favour of the men in green and gold?
Dublin’s showing against Armagh did nothing to dispel the growing claims that the men from the capital are on a downward trajectory, with Dessie Farrell unable to replace decorated trophy winners with players of the same calibre. Kerry’s second-half showing against Kildare – scoring just three points after the break and unable to stem the Kildare fightback – will have given Jack O’Connor food for thought, but under lights at Austin Stack Park this promises to be a real litmus test of what we can expect for 2022.
The last two league outings have resulted in draws, with David Clifford on both occasions claiming the final score of the game in 2020 (an 80th-minute free) and 2021(a penalty) to salvage draws, while the last Saturday night game in Tralee saw Peter Crowley fisting over the bar deep into injury time to secure a one-point win.
A full capacity will watch on at Austin Stack Park, with the remaining tickets snapped up by Monday afternoon.
Who will keep tabs on the Clifford brothers? How will the battle for possession around the middle third fare out? Was Dublin’s poor shot selection and at times ill-discipline against Armagh simply rustiness or something the home side will look to capitalise on? Will any of Dublin’s emerging players stake a serious championship claim?
We should have more informed answers shortly before 9pm on Saturday.
Donegal's home comforts and Armagh eye another scalp
If you wanted to get an indication of what Donegal have been like under Declan Bonner, last Sunday's draw to Mayo was a microcosm of his tenure in charge.
Firstly, the good stuff. Michael Murphy's influence on proceedings through winning possession and feeding those in better positions. Not to mention his own deadly accuracy. Paddy McBrearty operating off him to great effect. Michael Langan’s ability to swing over points from distance at his utmost ease. Composed counter-attacks worked through the hands with Ryan McHugh heavily involved. A strong presence around the middle third.
The flip side was the second half when Mayo fought back despite being a man down to engineer a draw. We saw the poor body language of some of the Tír Chonaill players, poor decision-making on the ball and the feeling that they just wouldn’t halt the Mayo momentum. Had they more time, Bonner’s side could have left with nothing.
They welcome Kildare to Ballybofey, who in stark contrast, pulled a draw out of the bag against Kerry when the Kingdom looked for all the world at one stage to be easing to victory in Newbridge. Glenn Ryan will be pleased with the response of his team and perhaps we are seeing signs that an over-reliance on Daniel Flynn could become less of an issue in 2022.
Donegal’s league record is impressive at Sean MacCumhaill Park – it is almost seven years since they last lost at the venue but they will need a strong team showing – not just the marquee names – to take the win.
Who would have guessed that after the opening round of fixtures in the top-flight, Dublin would be the only side to suffer defeat? Armagh gave a swash-buckling display at Croke Park, but Kieran McGeeney’s buoyant charges now face the visit of the All-Ireland champions.
Tyrone dug out a draw in Clones in what may have been the closest thing to a win. The conditions for their 0-9 to 0-9 draw with Monaghan were nothing short of atrocious, and facing into the second-half wind, it seemed unlikely they could hold onto their lead. The Farney men will rue a late free that could have sealed the win, but regardless, it was a performance full of endeavour from the champions, displaying their noted resilience to the maximum.
With Armagh making steady progress and Tyrone the team to now beat, a rivalry that was red-hot at the start of the century could be heading for a new chapter in 2022.
Division Two to split in two?
Based on what happened last weekend, the smart money would be on Galway, Clare, Derry and Roscommon to continue winning ways. All four are on the road, so it's far from a foregone conclusion, but the defeated sides from the opening weekend will need some real improvement.
Down were arguably the best of that quartet, keeping pace with Derry before fading at the end, while at the other end of the spectrum, Meath were abject for long stages in Salthill, going an incredible 45 minutes before registering their first score. A win at home to the Rossies would be most welcome, but a competitive afternoon is a must.
A middle first-half collapse facing into the wind led to Cork's losing start, and while a third of the team was making its league debut, it was a disappointing outing for new manager Keith Ricken at the Hyde. The Rebels may have 'won' the second-half 0-4 to 0-3 but only one of those points came from play and the Banner travel to Leeside as part of a double-header with the hurlers full of confidence.
Offaly too must bounce back. Bernard Allen was the main man against Clare as his team raced into an early wind-assisted lead, but once the home side settled into their gameplan, the result was only going one way.
From what was spoken as potentially the most competitive of divisions, it could be a table very much split into two camps after this weekend.
Division 3
Many observers earmarked Laois and Antrim to lead the way in Division 3 and both made flying starts. A superbly-finished goal from midfielder Kevin Small pushed the economical Saffrons to a valuable away win over misfiring Fermanagh, while Billy Sheehan's charges emerged victorious in his first league game in charge of the O'Moore County away to Louth.
The sides lock horns in Portlaoise in round four, but this weekend Antrim welcome a Limerick side that stuck four goals past Longford en route to a seven-point win.
Laois’ task this weekend is likely to be a stiffer one as Westmeath impressed in their comeback win over Wicklow. Trailing by eight points before the first quarter and against the wind, they fought their way back into the contest. Even allowing for the wind advantage after the break, the Westmeath men had Wicklow’s five-point lead whittled down after just six minutes of the resumption and eased their way home.
Elsewhere the loser of Longford and Louth will be up against it to be part of the promotion picture, so there's plenty at stake when the ball is thrown in at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park.
London calling at Fraher Field
The round two clash at Fraher Field was widely expected to be between two sides licking their wounds after the opening round of the league.
The Exiles were 23 months without a game of football. Manager Michael Maher had only 13 players left who played in the 2020 league, and against Carlow he handed nine players their debut. Having trailed at one stage by 10 points, the visitors left Dr. Cullen with a remarkable win.
On Saturday afternoon they will run out against a Déise side that were expected to be no match for a Tipp team looking to return to Division 3. Having dominated the second half, even Premier boss David Power admitted his team were second best.
Now the chance to win two on the spin is there for the taking.
Wexford face a huge ask to deny Cavan a win to continue their winning ways, while Andy Moran must regroup his Leitrim troops for a trip to Tipp.
Sean Carrabine was Sligo's main scoring presence in the hard-fought win at Wexford Park, and Tony McEntee’s side welcome to Markievicz Park a Carlow side hoping to put right the wrongs of last week.
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