SATURDAY
DIVISION ONE
Monaghan v Armagh (Castleblayney, 6.30pm, live on BBC iPlayer & GAAGO)
Odds H: 13/8 D: 13/2 A: 2/3
Verdict: Armagh
Galway v Mayo (Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, 7.30pm, live on RTÉ2)
MAYO head into this game off the back of a successful FBD League, and yet we’re still not sure where they stand. Lee Keegan and Oisin Mullin are simply irreplaceable, but with Ryan O’Donoghue, Tommy Conroy and Cillian O’Connor returning to full fitness, Mayo’s attacking threat is instantly improved. Padraic Joyce has named a strong starting team, which includes 11 of the side that lost out to Kerry in last year's All-Ireland final. This could be a big year for Galway, and this is the perfect game to get them up and running.
Odds H: 10/11 D: 13/2 A: 6/5
Verdict: Galway
DIVISION TWO
Derry v Limerick (Owenbeg, 3pm)
Odds H: 1/8 D: 14/1 A: 11/2
Verdict: Derry
Dublin v Kildare
(Croke Park, 5pm, live on TG4)
Dublin are clear favourites to bounce right back up to the top tier and their squad has been boosted with the return of Jack McCaffrey and Paul Mannion, who is likely to be rested for the first few rounds. Kildare will hope to build on what was a promising campaign last season, although it ended in relegation. They finished above Dublin, beating them and earning a draw against Kerry, but they’ll be meeting a different animal this afternoon. Dessie Farrell’s men look to have regained the eye of the tiger and will be hard stopped.
Odds H: 1/6 D: 12/1 A: 9/2
Verdict: Dublin
DIVISION THREE
Fermanagh v Longford (Ederney, 2pm)
Odds H: 6/5 D: 13/2 A: 10/11
Verdict: Longford
Tipperary v Down (FBD Semple Stadium, 6pm)
Odds H: 9/4 D: 15/2 A: 4/9
Verdict: Down
DIVISION FOUR
Carlow v Wicklow (Netwatch Cullen Park, 7pm)
CARLOW had a disappointing 2022 and will be out to right the wrongs of last season. But Oisin McConville’s Wicklow will be eyeing this up as a great chance to get points on the board and get their campaign up and running.
Odds H: 15/8 D: 7/1 A: 4/7
Verdict: Wicklow
Wexford v London (Chadwicks Wexford Park, 7pm)
LONDON were one of the stories at the beginning of last year's campaign, winning their first three games, but Wexford proved a step too far in round four. John Hegarty’s side will be determined to begin the year on the right note and home advantage should help.
Odds H: 1/5 D: 11/1 A: 4/1
Verdict: Wexford
SUNDAY (2pm unless stated)
DIVISION ONE
Roscommon v Tyrone (Dr Hyde Park, 1.30pm, live on TG4 app; deferred coverage on TG4)
Odds H: 2/1 D: 7/1 A: 8/15
Verdict: Tyrone
Donegal v Kerry (Páirc Sean Mac Cumhaill, live on TG4)
Odds H: 7/4 D: 15/2 A: 4/7
Verdict: Kerry
DIVISION TWO
Cork v Meath (Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 1.30pm, live on TG4 app; deferred coverage on TG4)
IN Colm O’Rourke’s playing days, Meath and Cork were battling it out for the ultimate prize, but this season, they’re hoping to secure their status and remain in the race for Sam Maguire. Both sides have fallen away from the big stage, and both will want to get back to where they used to be.
Cork were impressive in the McGrath Cup and with Kevin Walsh now coaching the team, they will be hard to break down.
Home advantage for the Rebels may just swing this one.
Odds H: 2/5 D: 15/2 A: 5/2
Verdict Cork
Clare v Louth (Cusack Park)
There’s a feeling at the start of every year that Clare’s luck will eventually run out and they’ll end up in one of the two relegation spots. But they’ve proved all the doubters wrong in recent seasons and they’re an established Division Two team at this stage. Mickey Harte’s Louth won Division Three last year, but this is a difficult start to 2023.
Odds H: 4/7 D: 7/1 A: 15/8
Verdict Clare
DIVISION THREE
Westmeath v Cavan (TEG Cusack Park)
Odds H: 10/11 D: 13/2 A: 6/5
Verdict: Cavan
Antrim v Offaly (Corrigan Park)
Odds H: 7/4 D: 13/2 A: 8/13
Verdict: Antrim
DIVISION FOUR
Leitrim v Waterford (Avant Money Páirc Sean Mac Diarmada, 1pm)
ANDY Moran may not have had the instant impact he’d hope for in Leitrim when he came in last year, but the Connacht men should have enough to see off Waterford.
Odds H: 1/8 D: 14/1 A: 11/2
Verdict Leitrim
Sligo v Laois (Markiewicz Park)
THIS game could end up defining where both teams finish up and both will hope to be in the shake-up for promotion. Sligo are on the right track under Tony McEntee and may just get over the line.
Odds H: 5/6 D: 13/2 A: 5/4
Verdict Sligo
