Allianz League braced for kick-off
The televised clash of Mayo and Kerry under lights in Tralee next Saturday night marks the launch of the 2006 Allianz Football League which will serve up 118 games between next weekend and the final which is scheduled for Croke Park on April 23.
The Allianz Hurling League will start on February 19 and the finals are scheduled for May 30.
Commenting at the launch of the 2006 Allianz Leagues, Brendan Murphy, chief executive Allianz Ireland said: "The introduction of 'live' TV coverage by TG4, Setanta, in addition to exposure by RTE and BBC plus widespread radio and newspaper coverage, amply reflect the Allianz League's position as one of the most high-profile annual Irish sporting events."
While the clash of Kerry and Mayo will provide a lively start to the football campaign next weekend, several very interesting games will also feature on the Sunday programme, including the meeting of All-Ireland champions, Tyrone and Leinster champions, Dublin, who clashed in two memorable All-Ireland quarter-finals last year.
Defending Div 1 League champions, Armagh will be at home to Kildare while runners-up, Wexford will be away to Laois. Three of the last four Div 1 titles have gone to Ulster with Tyrone winning in 2002 and 2003 while Armagh won the final for the first time last year.
Next weekend's Allianz National Football League programme is:
Saturday:
Div 1A: Kerry v Mayo, Tralee (7.45pm live on Setanta)
Sunday (2.30pm unless stated):
Div 1A: Tyrone v Dublin (live on TG4), Omagh;
Offaly v Cork, Tullamore; Monaghan v Fermanagh, Clontibret.
Div 1B: Down v Meath, Newcastle; Armagh v Kildare, Crossmaglen; Derry v Galway, Celtic Park; Laois v Wexford, Portlaoise.
Div 2A: Clare v Carlow, Ennis; Donegal v Leitrim, Ballyshannon; London v Longford, Ruislip (1.0); Limerick v Roscommon, Gaelic Grounds.
Div 2B: Cavan v Louth, Kingspan Breffni Park; Antrim v Wicklow, Casement Park; Westmeath v Waterford, Mullingar; Sligo v Tipperary, Markievicz Park.
The first round hurling games are as follows:
Div 1A: Offaly v Cork; Clare v Down; Waterford v Wexford.
Div 1B: Antrim v Galway; Kilkenny v Laois; Limerick v Tipperary.
DIV 2A: Derry v Dublin; Carlow v Roscommon; Wicklow v Meath. DIV 2B: Mayo v Kildare; London v Kerry; Westmeath (bye).
DIV 3A: Leitrim v Louth; Sligo v Monaghan; Donegal (bye).
DIV 3B: Cavan v Longford; Fermanagh v Tyrone; Armagh (bye).
