Allianz National Football League Preview

Author: Jack Guing, Last Updated: 31.12.2024

The Gaelic football league campaign is set to get underway during the final weekend of January with all 4 divisions to call once again.

There have been managerial changes amongst certain counties as well as players opting out of playing in 2025 in other counties. This makes it hard to know what to expect from the Allianz National Football League in 2025.

The new Gaelic football rules will also have an impact on the National League, and it will be interesting to see how these new rules impact teams’ style of play across the league campaign.

Let’s take a short look at these rules to remind you what they are as well as previewing each division.

The New Rules

The upcoming season will be abide by the following;

• 1 v 1 thrown in to start the game.
• Kick outs must travel beyond a 40 metre arc<./li>
• Goalkeeper can only receive a pass from a teammate inside the large rectangle and the teammate must also be in the large rectangle and beyond the halfway line.
• Each team must keep 3 players in the opposition half at all times.
• Advanced mark now has an advantage option and will go back for the free if no advantage accrues.
• Two points awarded for points outside a 40m arc.
• Solo and go option instead of taking a direct free.
• 50 metre advance for frees if free is delayed by opposition.
• Extending Black card offences to holding up your opponent.
• Punishments for dissent.
• Only a captain can communicate with the referee.
• Countdown clock and hooter where feasible to be introduced.

Division 1 Preview

This season, division 1 will be battled out by last year’s winners Derry, Dublin, Kerry, All Ireland champions Armagh; last year’s Division 2 champions Donegal, Galway, Tyrone and Mayo. Division 1 is always a difficult one to call because of the quality involved.

Derry had a strong campaign last year but then flattered to deceive in the All Ireland championship. The new rules will be interesting and could affect defensive teams such as Derry as the Gaa tries to promote more attacking football.

Kerry, Dublin and Donegal are my picks for the division 1 title, but All Ireland champions Armagh, Mayo, Galway and Tyrone will all have a say in this tight division.

Division 2 Preview

Division 2 will be contested by Cork, Meath, Roscommon, Monaghan, Cavan, Louth, Down and Westmeath.

This division on paper also looks like a real tight and interesting one with an argument potentially being made for every team potentially winning the division or finishing in the top 2 to get promotion to division 1.

Division 3 Preview

In 2025, Division 3 will be contested by Kildare, Fermanagh, Clare, Offaly, Antrim, Sligo, Letrim and Laois. Kildare and Fermanagh were relegated from division 2 last season and look to be the strong favourites to gain promotion back to division 2.

It will be interesting to see if any of the others can challenge with Laois and Letrim looking to make the step up from division 4. Clare look the most likely to challenge Kildare and Fermanagh. Antrim have improved in recent years and will hope to take the next step, as have Sligo.

It’s hard to know what to expect from Offaly who had a poor league and Tailteann cup campaign last year but now have Mickey Harte on board as joint manager. I expect Kildare and Fermanagh to have the strength to gain promotion from this division.

Division 4 Preview

Division 4 will be contested by Wicklow, Limerick, Tipperary, Carlow, Wexford, Longford, Waterford and London. Wicklow and Limerick will be favourites due to the fact they were in division 3 last season.

Teams like Longford, Carlow and Tipperary have been in higher divisions over the last few years and need to improve to get out of the lowest division. Wexford were close to promotion last year and will be in contention again.

This Gaelic football league campaign promises to be an interesting one with the introduction of the new rules. Each division is very competitive and will be exciting to see how they transpire.

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