ARMAGH
On top of being All-Ireland champions, Armagh were only beaten twice in all of 2024, both times at the hands of Donegal.
Justin Kieran is a man that could kick on in 2025, having missed out on All-Ireland glory, while the Blaine Hughes/Ethan Rafferty debate could be a headache all season long.
With Niall Grimley and Ben Crealey at midfield, and an abundance of attackers, Armagh can suit the new rule changes, but like most teams off the back of Sam Maguire success, they may not have the most stellar league campaign.
Manager
Kieran McGeeney
Last year
Division Two runners-up. Ulster runners-up. All-Ireland champions.
Fixtures: Galway (A), Tyrone (H), Donegal (A), Mayo (H), Dublin (A), Kerry (A), Derry (H).
DERRY
Having watched Newbridge claim the Derry SFC from the sidelines, Pádraig McGrogan will be hungry to get back after an ACL tear last May. With him, Derry have arguably the best half-back line in Ireland.
And it seems to be a much happier Derry camp under Paddy Tally, though time will tell.
The likes of Charlie Diamond and Lachlan Murray could stamp their authority on this side if given the chance. They may have to in 2025, with a seemingly incessant production line by the Foyle.
Retaining their title is unlikely to be a primary concern, particularly with four away fixtures, but the Oak Leafers look good for a top half finish.
Manager
Paddy Tally
Last year
Division One champions. Beaten by Donegal in Ulster. Beaten 0-15 0-10 by Kerry in All-Ireland quarter-final.
Fixtures: Tyrone (A), Kerry (H), Galway (H), Dublin (A), Donegal (A), Mayo (H), Armagh (A)
DONEGAL
Michael Murphy in goals. Challenge matches behind closed doors. Jim McGuinness never fails to intrigue.
And Donegal could really target the title. With a David Clifford-less Kerry first up, a win in The Kingdom would be both a statement and a springboard.
Does any team in the country have the abundance of long range kickers that Donegal do in this new two-point era?
Backed by The Irish News’ Cahair O’Kane and Neil Loughran for All-Ireland glory, that would signal a correlation with the Naomh Conaill man’s first spell in charge.
Year one: Ulster title. All-Ireland semi-final.
Year two: Ulster title. All-Ireland title…
Manager
Jim McGuinness
Last year
Division Two champions. Ulster champions. Beaten by Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final.
Fixtures: Kerry (A), Dublin (H), Armagh (H), Galway (A), Derry (H), Tyrone (H), Mayo (A)
DUBLIN
There are gaping holes, and then there are the meteorite-sized chunks eaten out of Dublin’s core in the absence of Brian Fenton and James McCarthy.
Cuala’s duo of Peter Duffy and Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne excelled en route to All-Ireland victory. The latter in particular will surely play a role, but against Conor Glass, Diarmuid O’Connor, Paul Conroy etc, will he stand out to the same extent?
You get the impression Dublin will be out to avoid a slow start to the league that has hampered them in recent seasons.
After a quarter-final defeat to Galway, those retirements and the implementation of the new rules, this year is Dessie Farrell’s true test as a manager.
Manager
Dessie Farrell
Last year
Division One runners-up. Won 14th Leinster title in a row. Beaten by Galway All-Ireland quarter-final.
Fixtures: Mayo (H), Donegal (A), Kerry (A), Derry (H), Armagh (A), Galway (H), Tyrone (A).
GALWAY
It was ironic that the final of Galway and Armagh signalled the end of the old Gaelic football yet it was that same season’s Footballer of the Year Paul Conroy who stole the headlines with four two-pointers against Kildare in a challenge match a few weeks ago.
In Connor Gleeson, Matthew Tierney, Shane Walsh and others, Galway can kick scores from range like few others.
Cian Hernon is a huge addition back after a spell abroad for university, with a lot of this panel having played in two All-Ireland finals now. Johnny McGrath could excel as one of three defenders inside, already proven as an out and out man-marker.
Manager
Pádraic Joyce
Last year
Sixth in Division One. Connacht champions. All-Ireland finalists.
Fixtures: Armagh (H), Mayo (A), Derry (A), Donegal (H), Tyrone (H), Dublin (A), Kerry (H).
KERRY
Jack O’Connor will target the league. He always does. After all, his record still stands.
In every year he has led Kerry to a Division One title, Sam Maguire has followed. And Sam Maguire is about all that may see him in this role beyond 2025 amidst disillusionment in the Kingdom.
Cian O’Neill returns to the fold having been part of Eamonn Fizmaurice’s 2014 All-Ireland winning coaching staff.
Joe O’Connor faced much criticism at midfield last year, while it will be interesting to see in what capacity Tadhg Morley adapts to the new rules without Paddy Tally.
Manager
Jack O’Connor
Last year
Third in Division One. Munster champions. Beaten by Armagh in All-Ireland last four thriller.
Fixtures: Donegal (H), Derry (A), Dublin (H), Tyrone (A), Mayo (A), Armagh (H), Galway (A)
MAYO
Kevin McStay is a man under pressure in the third year of his term, and Cillian O’Connor’s decision to take a year out of the panel certainly didn’t ease the scrutiny on St Brigid’s All-Ireland winning manager.
Aidan O’Shea has been one who has had a revival under McStay, although the Championship’s record appearance maker for an outfield player will turn 35 this summer.
Paul Towey has been touted to make an impression in the forward line, while Eoghan McLaughlin could be due a big season. Paddy Durcan could make his return from an ACL tear during this campaign.
But the early signs suggest Mayo could struggle.
Manager
Kevin McStay
Last year
Fourth in Division One. Beaten by a late Connor Gleeson free in Connacht final. Draw with Dublin. Beaten by Derry on penalties in All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final.
Fixtures: Dublin (A), Galway (H), Tyrone (H), Armagh (A), Kerry (H), Derry (A), Donegal (H).
TYRONE
Malachy O’Rourke. Perhaps Monaghan’s greatest ever manager. Glen would likely throw him in that category too. And a member of the FRC that has drafted these new rules.
Tyrone seem to have landed on their feet in landing the Fermanagh man that Derry seemingly couldn’t.
But the two Canavans could well be missing for the first two league encounters. Should Tyrone lose to Derry at the weekend, then the Old Firm away in Armagh looks very tricky.
The Red Hand aren’t exactly stuck for forwards, but as time goes on that could turn into a stick to beat them with.
Cathal McShane’s role in particular will be fascinating.
Manager
Malachy O’Rourke
Last year
Fifth in Division One. Beaten by Donegal after extra-time in Ulster. Knocked out by Roscommon in preliminary quarter-final.
Fixtures: Derry (H), Armagh (A), Mayo (A), Kerry (H), Galway (A), Donegal (A), Dublin (H)