Kerry started their Division 2A campaign with a convincing win 2-22 to 0-13 win over Derry at Celtic Park.
The Kingdom, who lost last year's semi-final to Westmeath, opened with a free from captain Podge Boyle, but their assignment looked decidedly more difficult when Colin Walsh was sent off in the opening minutes.
That numerical disadvantage gave the Oakleaf County a foothold and new manager Johnny McGarvey saw his side stay in touch in the first half with James Friel grabbing a few scores.
Kerry led 0-13 to 0-08 at the break with Boyle racking up a series of frees to keep the visitors ahead.
A trio of Cormac O’Doherty frees brought Derry within three points in the third quarter but Paudie O’Connor’s goal in the 57th minute killed the game as a contest as it put Kerry 1-18 to 0-13 ahead.
It was all one-way traffic from there with Kerry adding a further 1-04 without conceding, Eoin Ross grabbing their second goal in the final minutes.
Kildare also started their Division 2A campaign with a comprehensive victory as they defeated Carlow 0-25 to 0-11 at Netwatch Cullen Park.
Johnny Byrne, James Burke, Cathal Dowling and Gerry Keegan were all on the scoresheet early on as the Lilywhites moved 0-05 to 0-01 ahead after 10 minutes.
Kevin McDonald landed a few first-half scores for Carlow and when Rochard Coady landed an effort from play in the 33rd minute, they were just two points behind, 0-08 to 0-06. Keegan and Burke did respond though to give Kildare a four-point interval advantage.
The away side went on to dominate the second half with Burke adding to his ever-increasing tally with a series of frees.
There was another big winning margin in Division 2B as Meath earned a 10-point victory over Wicklow, 2-24 to 2-14.
Meath were soon into a 0-5 to 0-01 lead at Páirc Tailteann before Gavin Weir landed a few frees to take Wicklow back into it.
Danny Staunton and Diarmuid Masterson also landed scores from play and Wicklow were only one behind after 20 minutes, the Garden County trailing 0-06 to 0-05.
Meath’s response was excellent as they landed five scores without reply, but they lost Damien Healy to a red card just before the interval – and there was also time for Seanie Germaine to grab a Wicklow goal with the away side trailing 0-12 to 1-06 at the break.
The second half saw a further three goals as Meath, despite being a man down, stretched their advantage.
Two of those arrived early on, one for each side, as the Royals made a strong start to the second period to cruise into a 1-19 to 2-06 lead heading into the final quarter. A further Meath goal just before the full-time whistle sealed the win.
Donegal were made to work harder for their first two points as they defeated Sligo 1-16 to 0-15 in Letterkenny.
The hosts started very well and were 1-09 to 0-08 ahead at half time with Ruairi Campbell grabbing their goal.
Sligo, who were very wasteful over the 70 minutes, did finish strongly with Tomás Cawley and Conor Hanniffy bringing them within two points late on, but it was the hosts who finished the stronger to prevail.
Tyrone hit three injury-time points to edge London by 1-26 to 3-18 in Dungannon, in what was their first league game since the passing of former player Damian Casey.
The Exiles led by a point in time added on but a Conor Grogan score and Mickey Little brace from placed saw the hosts snatch a dramatic victory.
A Danny Magee double after Eoin McGuinness had raised an early green flag helped Armagh to a 3-18 to 1-16 win over Louth in Division 3A.
Magee’s quickfire double gave Karl McKeegan’s side a 3-15 to 1-04 half-time lead at Darver, Seán Kerrisk with Louth’s goal early on.
Paul McCormack, who helped Armagh to the 2002 All-Ireland Football title, did see a big improvement from his side after the break, but it was the Orchard County who earned the points.
Monaghan edged an Ulster derby, defeating Fermanagh 2-13 to 1-14 in Inniskeen in a dramatic finish at Grattan Park.
Thomas Hughes opened the scoring with a Farney goal with Danann McKeogh responding for the Erne County, who trailed 1-10 to 1-07 at the break.
Fermanagh started the second half well and Luca McCusker put them two ahead in the 56th minute and they were still one up deep in additional time – but Hugh Byrne has the last say with a match-winning goal.
There was also drama in the Connacht derby between Mayo and Roscommon at Hastings MacHale Park as Michael Farrell landed a last-gasp point to help the home side to a point, 0-17 to 0-17.
The sides shared 14 scores evenly in the first half, and it was tight for most of the second half before Roscommon made their push to the line. However, Mayo scored four of the last five points to earn a draw.
In Division 3B, Canice Maher’s early second-half goal proved decisive as Cavan defeated Longford 1-13 to 0-14.
In Páirc na hÉireann, Leitrim’s journey home would be a sweet one as they were 1-21 to 3-06 winners against Warwickshire with Brendan Delaney grabbing their goal early on.
