Allianz National Football League Preview
Never mind the O’Byrne Cup or Dr. McKenna Cup. The Allianz National Football League brings a welcome return to top-class action for inter-county teams after the well intentioned but ill-conceived winter training ban.
It’s the start of spring and the League signals optimism and unpredictability. Thirty-three teams and thirty-three matches. There are no €58 million signings, leveraged buy-outs or new foreign owners; just speculation that the lad just out of minor will be the next big thing or that the star player will be coaxed out of retirement. This could be our year.
In 2002, the League moved to the February-April slot in the calendar, having previously taken place from November to March. Since then, the League has become a key part of the preparation for the Championship. A good run in the League is often a sign of things to come in the summer. Since the calendar switch, five National League winners have gone on to win Sam Maguire, including Cork last year and Kerry on three occasions. No team from outside Division 1 has won an All-Ireland since Armagh in 2002.
The League used to be about sub-zero temperatures, tiny crowds and limited media coverage. That’s all changed, except perhaps the temperatures. The big matches are live under lights and attract sizeable crowds.
Division 1
Dublin will host Cork, Kerry, Down and Mayo at Croke Park, with Armagh, Monaghan and Galway also in the top flight. The bookies have Cork as favourites, followed by Kerry and Dublin.
The media spotlight is rarely off the Dublin footballers. Opinion is divided over Pat Gilroy's 630am training sessions, but if his side show the same rate of improvement as during last year's Championship, they could take top honours. The Dubs will miss their Kilmacud Crokes players as long as their run continues in the All-Ireland Club Championship.
The loss of the Crokes players can be overcome, as the Dublin County Board's decision to move four clashes to headquarters should give the Dubs an added impetus, especially if big crowds can be attracted. The Dublin County Board are using the clubs as the springboard to market the ticket packages for the games, with the clubs sharing in the profits. It’s a new venture and has been broadly welcomed. Even if they are forcing Jedward on us.
James Horan in Mayo, Tomás Ó Flatharta in Galway and Eamon McEneaney in Monaghan are the new managers on the block. Monaghan have lost forward Rory Woods to emigration and their manager to Meath. Despite some good players, they may not have enough quality and could struggle to avoid filling one of the two relegation places.
In Galway, Declan Meehan has hung up his boots, whereas Pádraic Joyce remains the team’s focal point, despite turning 34 later this year. Tomás Ó Flatharta has appointed three captains (why not appoint fifteen) and will have his work cut out to deliver the Tribesmen to safety after last year’s losses to Sligo and Wexford in the Championship.
Mayo tend to perform well in the League and are second only to Kerry in the roll of honour of League winners. This seems to count for little though by the time the Championship comes around. With Conor Mortimer potentially out for the season and Billy Joe Padden having joined Paddy O'Rourke's Armagh, they will do well to reach the final again this year, after being easily beaten in last year's League decider by Cork.
Cork will be without Graham Canty, Anthony Lynch and Alan Quirke for the start of the League campaign. While Nemo Rangers have progressed to the All-Ireland Club Championship semi-final, unlike previous years Nemo players don’t make up the backbone of the Cork team. Derek Kavanagh hung up his inter-county boots after September’s success and Paul Kerrigan is the only Nemo player likely to occupy a starting place come the Championship.
Having reached the Holy Grail last year, it remains to be seen whether the Leesiders can show the same appetite. Now they’ve gotten the monkey off their backs (being the best team around not to win an All-Ireland), it could lead to them playing with a bit more freedom. Or will they stick with the short passing style that brought them success last season?
What of their great Munster foes. Kerry, with the exception of Paul Galvin's blossoming media/fashion career, have had a quiet off-season. Mike McCarthy is the only retiree, but Tom O’Sullivan has yet to return to training, while Galvin, Killian Young, Tommy Griffin and Aidan O’Mahony are carrying injuries. Despite worries in midfield and their full back line, Kerry’s depth of talent up front makes them a force to be reckoned with. The return of the Dr. Crokes players after they were beaten by Nemo in the Munster Club Championship Final will also be a boost.
I'll plump for the Dubs to start their bandwagon rolling early this season. Whether they can keep it moving in the right direction this summer is another matter. Galway and Monaghan will have to fight hard to stay in the division. Down are the only team I haven’t yet mentioned and despite Marty Clarke’s brilliance in the playmaker role, I suspect Down might also struggle to build momentum after the high of reaching last year’s All-Ireland final.
I’ll be writing a weekly blog on the National League. I look forward to receiving your comments.