A competitive third tier to say the least, with fine margins likely to decide it all when we reach a conclusion on the Easter weekend, and that's not even mentioning the prospect of gaining a ticket for the Sam Maguire race in the summer.
The two promoted teams could end up playing in the All-Ireland round-robin, irrespective of how they fare in their provincial championship.
Clare, in the last year of the Colm Collins regime, are probably still feeling cross that they fell through the Division 2 trap door.
Narrow defeats to Meath and Kildare more than underlined their competitiveness, but the most galling of all was the loss to Dubs at Croker. Two points in it at the end, but it was the Banner who called the tune for the most part.
Mark Fitzgerald, who was interim manager of Limerick for a few months in 2023, is the new bainisteoir
Down and Westmeath will also be looking up. The Mourne County reached last year's Tailteann final (lost out on promotion on the head-to-head), while the midlanders' draw with Tyrone saw them narrowly miss out an All-Ireland quarter-final place.
Andy McEntee will be looking to build on a solid first year with Antrim, more evidence of their worth was evident in their Tailteann Cup campaign.
After the sudden death of Liam Kearns, Martin Murphy guided Offaly for the final few games in the 2023 league, before then overseeing a notable win over Meath in the championship. A Croke Park cracker, that went to extra-time, saw them subsequently fall short against Louth.
Defeat to Wexford at the preliminary quarter-final stage of the second-tier competition ended their season. The Offaly board then named Declan Kelly as the new permanent manager. A move welcomed by Faithful fans as Kelly steered the county to an eye-catching All-Ireland U-20 success in 2021.
Sligo and Wicklow, with Armagh men Tony McEntee and Oisín McConville respectively leading their fortunes, emerged from the basement last spring. Both counties will be no doubt eye more than consolidation.
Jimmy Lee is keeping in the family with his appointment as Limerick boss, following on from his brother Billy's time at the helm from 2016 to 2022.
Last year's league saw the Shannonsiders pick up just one point from their seven games, a nadir that also saw then manager Ray Dempsey step aside after growing player unrest. Mark Fitzgerald was in charge for the rest of the league and championship campaign.
Antrim
2023 league: Sixth in Division 3
2023 championship: Ulster preliminary round defeat to Armagh; Tailteann Cup semi-final loss to Meath.
2024 championship: Ulster quarter-final v Down
Manager: Andy McEntee (2nd year in charge)
Joint-captains: Peter Healy and Dermot McAleese
Squad news: Stephen Beatty and Paddy McAleer have returned to the squad, with Eunan Walsh also back in the fold. John Morgan, Daniel McNicholl, Conor Hand, Kavan Keenan, Aidan McAleese, Benen Kelly, Calum Higgins and Oran Downey are some of the newer names that saw action in the McKenna Cup.
Prospects: Will look to build on a decent finish to 2023. Have four games at home in Corrigan Park, with back-to-back clashes early on against Offaly and Down. Are good enough to be still be in contention come the latter end of the league, but will need greater consistency in performance if they are to challenge for promotion.
League prediction: 5th
Clare
2023 league: Seventh in Division 2
2023 championship: Munster final loss to Kerry, finished bottom of their group in the All-Ireland round-robin
2024 championship: Munster semi-final v Tipperary/Waterford
Manager: Mark Fitzgerald (1st year in charge)
Captain: Cillian Brennan
Squad news: Veteran midfielder Cathal O'Connor recently announced his inter-county retirement, this following on from Pádraic 'Podge' Collins' decision to call time on his Banner career. In recent seasons, the talented dual star turned his focus solely towards football as the county made progress under the guidance of his father, Colm.
Eoin Cleary, an All-Star nominee in 2021 and '22, announced last August that he was taking a year out in 2024.
Prospects: New boss Mark Fitzgerald has introduced a number of new faces to the squad, with Josh Guyler, Darren O'Brien, Ciaran McMahon, Eoghan Casey, Diarmuid Fahy among those looking to nail down places. In their recent McGrath Cup game with Cork, only five of the squad were involved from that which defeated the Rebels in last year's Munster championship.
Dermot Coughlan and the Griffin brothers, Shane and Aaron, are the names to watch out for in attack.
The Banner have three games at home against Sligo, Wicklow and Antrim. Getting the maximum return here will be crucial in their quest for instant promotion, with Down away in their last game, a tricky assignment if points are a requirement at that juncture.
League prediction: 6th
Down
2023 league: Third in Division 3
2023 championship: Ulster semi-final loss to Armagh, beaten by Meath in Tailteann Cup final
2024 championship: Ulster quarter-final v Antrim
Manager: Conor Laverty (2nd year in charge)
Captain: Pierce Laverty
Squad news: Possibility that Eugene Branagan may not be involved for a few months. Odhran Murdock, although heavily linked with a move to the AFL, is set to stick around.
Goalkeeper Charlie Smyth was recently confirmed in the NFL International Pathway Programme alongside Rory Beggan, Mark Jackson and Darragh Leader.
Prospects: Favourites to top the section after a promising first year under Conor Laverty. Ciarán Meenagh, who stepped up to lead Derry last season before stepping down after their narrow All-Ireland semi-final loss, is an eye-catching addition to the management ticket.
Meenagh again links up with Laverty, who he previously worked alongside during Damian McErlain's time in charge of Derry. Former Mourne star Marty Clarke and previous Tyrone minor and Derry U-20 boss Mickey Donnnelly are also on the management ticket.
Games against Wicklow (away), Limerick (home) and Antrim (away), on paper, are winnable as Down look to signal their intent early on.
League prediction: 1st
Limerick
2023 league: Relegation from Division 2
2023 championship: Lost to Clare in Munster semi-final, defeated by Laois in the Tailteann Cup quarter-final
2024 championship: Munster quarter-final v Cork
Manager: Jimmy Lee (1st year in charge)
Captain: Iain Corbett
Squad news: Goalkeeper Donal O'Sullivan has retired. Brothers Bob and Tommie Childs from the Galtee Gaels have returned to the fold.
Prospects: Brian O'Sullivan, Emmet Rigter, Bryan Nix and Eoin Hurley from county champions Newcastle West, Rathkeale's Andrew Meade and Monaleen's Darragh Siochrú are some of the new names that saw game time in January.
Jimmy Lee, after having worked as a selector during his brother's time at the helm, will be familiar with much of the squad. Home games against Antrim and Sligo early on are in close proximity to difficult away assignments in Down and Westmeath. Staying in the section would be an early season boost.
Prediction: 7th
Offaly
2023 league: Fifth in Division 3
2023 championship: Leinster semi-final loss to Louth, beaten by Wexford in the Tailteann Cup preliminary quarter-final
2024 championship: Leinster quarter-final v Laois
Manager: Declan Kelly (1st year in charge)
Captain: Lee Pearson
Squad news: New skipper Pearson is one of a number of the All-Ireland winning Under-20 squad from 2021, with Rory Egan, John Furlong, Morgan Tynan, Cathal Flynn, Cormac Egan and Jack Bryant also getting their chance to stake a claim for places on the starting XV.
Prospects: Bit more of a feel-good factor in the Faithful County now, no doubt helped by that U20 triumph three years ago.
Kelly's backroom team will include Vinny Mooney – a former Shannonbridge and Offaly footballer who had been with Kilmacud Crokes as they claimed the Andy Merrigan Cup – and Ciaran Kilmurray. David Connolly will also be a selector.
A derby at home against Westmeath is first up for Offaly, who will hope to be challenging at the top end of the section. Having four games at home will be something they can take advantage of.
Prediction: 4th
Sligo
2023 league: Division 4 winners
2023 championship: Connacht final loss to Galway, finished bottom of their group in the All-Ireland round-robin
2024 championship: Connacht quarter-final v Leitrim
Manager: Tony McEntee (4th year in charge)
Captain: Niall Murphy
Squad news: Apart from Finian Cawley, who has linked up with the hurlers, manager McEntee has the same squad to work with from last year.
Prospects: Progression has been the case for the Yeats County in 2022 and '23. Success at minor and U20 level has also given the side a boost. Operating in the third tier, in a more than competitive environment, will be the next step for Sligo to take.
Seán Carrabine, Finnian Cawley, Pat Spillane, Patrick O'Connor and Niall Murphy are key men in their attack, while Evan Lyons and Nathan Mullen offer solidity at the back.
Four games at home for McEntee's side, with the final two, against Westmeath and Offaly, rounding out their campaign. They will still hope to be in the promotion mix by then.
Prediction: 3rd
Westmeath
2023 league: Fourth in Division 3
2023 championship: Lost to Louth in Leinster quarter-final, finished bottom of their group in the All-Ireland round-robin
2024 championship: Leinster preliminary v Wicklow
Manager: Dessie Dolan (2nd year in charge)
Captain: Kevin Maguire
Absent: Midfielder Sam Duncan has opted to go travelling this year and will not be part of the panel. John Heslin has overseas work commitments and is likely to miss first few rounds.
Prospects: On the basis of the performances in last year's All-Ireland round-robin, Westmeath looked a cut above Division 3. Can they build on that early-summer promise to yield a productive spring in 2024?
John Heslin and Luke Loughlin will again look to carry the scoring threat, with manager Dolan keen to work even closer with the U20 squad as he looks to unearth new talent. Dolan, again will have John Keane and Jason Sherlock working alongside him.
A trip to Offaly on Sunday next is one of four away assignments to come, with Down at home and Sligo in Markievicz Park the likely key games late on as the Lakeman eye promotion.
Prediction: 2nd
Wicklow
2023 league: Promoted to Division 3
2023 championship: Beat Carlow in Leinster preliminary round, before losing to Carlow in the quarter-final; failed to advance to knockout phase in Tailteann Cup.
2024 championship: Leinster preliminary v Westmeath
Manager: Oisín McConville (2nd year in charge)
Captain: Podge O'Toole
Absent: Manager confirmed to RTÉ Sport that Mark Kenny, JP Hurley, Darragh Fitzgerald, Andy Maher, Mark Jackson (NFL trials, though could play some part in 2024) and Paul McLoughlin have opted out for the year.
Prospects: Mark Doran, former Down player and coach, is a new addition to the Garden County management team.
Wicklow showed much resolve in achieving promotion last year and a similar drive will be required if they are to figure prominently here.
Prediction: 8th
Watch Kerry v Derry in the Allianz Football League on Saturday from 5pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to updates on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
Watch highlights on Allianz League Sunday on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 9.30pm, follow a live blog every Sunday afternoon on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live updates on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
