1. Dublin’s four-in-a-row bid
Dublin go in search of history in the forthcoming League campaign as they look to become the first county since Kerry in the early 1970s to win a fourth successive top flight crown.
The Kingdom claimed the title in 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974, before Meath took over as champions.
Dublin’s last three wins matched Cork’s exploits from 2010-2012 and league form is generally a better gauge of championship potential than not, as four of the last seven Division 1 winners have gone on to lift the Sam Maguire Cup.
Kerry did the double in 2009, Cork a year later while Dublin themselves won both competitions in 2013 and again last year.
2. Cian O’Neill’s reign in Kildare
Having suffered successive relegations under Jason Ryan, Kildare could badly do with an upturn in League fortunes.
They’re in a competitive group but nothing short of promotion would be considered a success in Division 3 of the Allianz League, as O’Neill targets a quick return to the second tier.
Kildare are in with three other Leinster teams – Offaly, Longford and Westmeath – with Munster trio Tipperary, Limerick and Clare also in the mix.
Sligo are Connacht’s representatives in an eight-team pool devoid of Ulster sides.
3. Mayo’s push for national silverware
Mayo haven’t won a National Football League Division 1 crown since 2001 but this would be a good time to end that famine.
With new manager Stephen Rochford in charge and still finding his feet, a good Spring campaign will give the Crossmolina man some breathing space ahead of the summer, when he will be truly judged.
Mayo fans crave All-Ireland senior glory and Sam Maguire hasn’t been seen in the county since 1951.
But a League crown would fuel expectations among Mayo fans that the players still have what it takes to challenge for the big national titles.
4. Cork under Peadar Healy’s stewardship
Cork have been regular contenders in Division 1 over the last number of seasons, winning three-in-a-row from 2010-2012 while also contesting last year’s final.
New boss Peadar Healy has already tasted success, as the Rebels captured the McGrath Cup last week.
But that success won’t register come the end of the season if Cork fail to make their mark on the League, and more importantly, the championship.
Cork’s style of play will make for interesting viewing but the Leesiders, under Healy, will be adaptable against different opposition.
Another solid League campaign beckons but Cork will come up against other teams hungry for success before the summer.
5. Kerry’s approach to the competition
This is a moot point. The Kingdom were lucky to avoid relegation from Division 1 last year but did what they had to in the final round of group fixtures against Tyrone.
Meeting Dublin on Saturday evening, with memories of last year’s All-Ireland final defeat still fresh in the memory, is sure to focus the minds for a one-off performance but Kerry’s consistency throughout the League in recent years has been questionable.
Boss Eamonn Fitzmaurice will take a pragmatic view, attempting to the reach the knockout stages while at the same time trawling for new talent.
The absence of James O’Donoghue for the League campaign is a blow but Colm Cooper’s earlier than expected return will offset that loss.
Kerry are the National League’s most successful team, having won it 19 times, but their last success was achieved back in 2009.
6. Armagh’s progress under Kieran McGeeney
It’s year two of the Kieran McGeeney reign in Armagh and the Orchard County are seeking further League progress.
Having suffered relegation from Division 2 in 2014, McGeeney brought them straight back up at the first attempt.
Now he’ll aim to, at best, consolidate Armagh’s tier 2 status but the competitor in him will hunt down promotion to the top flight.
On paper at least, it’s a division that Armagh can be competitive in but Ulster rivals Tyrone and Derry, and emerging Galway and Meath sides are the big dangers.
