Allianz National Football League 2025

The first weekend of the Gaelic football Allianz National League occurred last weekend with results taking place that will shape the rest of the league campaign. Storm Eowyn hit Ireland resulting in the postponement of some league matches due to travel issues and power outages.

There were 13 matches this weekend in the league campaign, with the new rules being implemented for the first time at inter-county level. The consensus from fans and pundits is that they were a success, with matches higher scoring, even in the poor conditions.

In the 16 matches played in round 1 last year, there was an average of 28.8 points per game compared to 37.2 points per game last weekend. There was an average of 1.9 goals per game in round 1 last year compared to 2.3 goals per game in round 1 this year.

If you missed any of the action, look at our review of last weekend’s Allianz league matches.

Division 1 Review

Donegal’s away match to Kerry on Sunday was postponed due to the impact of Storm Eowyn so only three matches took place in Division 1 last weekend. Galway took on Armagh in a repeat of last year's All Ireland final.

Galway got revenge for last year’s defeat with a 1-12 to 0-9 victory in tough conditions in Salthill. Tyrone took on Derry in an all-Ulster clash in Healy Park in Tyrone. Tyrone had a comfortable win, 2-13 to 1-9 as Derry continued their struggles from the championship last year.

The tie of the weekend saw Dublin take on Mayo. These two teams have had a competitive rivalry over the last decade and Dublin got the better of Mayo by a scoreline of 1-17 to 1-15 in a very entertaining game in Croke Park that showcased the new rules perfectly.

Division 2 Review

Division 2 looks set to be a very competitive division, with cases being made for several teams to gain promotion to Division 1. All four matches for this division took place over the weekend. There were entertaining and high-scoring games across the division.

Cork took on Meath with Cork coming out on top on a scoreline of 2-19 to 0-21. Monaghan and Cavan was another high-scoring game with Monaghan winning on a scoreline of 2-22 to 0-20.

There was an all-Leinster clash on Sunday with Louth defeating Westmeath in a tight game 1-17 to 0-18. Roscommon looked impressive in their clash with Down winning on a scoreline of 3-21 to 1-20.

Division 3 Review

Storm Eowyn impacted one of the games in division 3 with Leitrim’s clash with Laois being postponed due to power outages. Antrim defeated Clare 1-9 to 1-6 in one of the few low-scoring games of the weekend.

Kildare were very impressive in their victory over fellow promotion hopeful Fermanagh, defeating them on a scoreline of 2-24 to 1-12 to top the table on score difference. Offaly put in a strong second-half display to defeat Sligo 1-17 to 0-13 in Mickey Harte’s first game as joint manager.

It will be interesting to see how this division develops, with it looking like it will be an unpredictable one based on last weekend’s results.

Division 4 Review

There were 3 matches played in division 4 with Wicklow’s match with Waterford being postponed. The only draws of this weekend's action came between Carlow and Tipperary with the match ending on a scoreline of 2-13 to 1-16 and Longford versus Limerick which was 2-12 to 1-15.

Wexford had a comfortable victory over London on a scoreline of 2-24 to 2-6. This also looks like it will be an unpredictable division with Wexford currently in the strongest position.

The first weekend of the Allianz National League could be seen to be a successful one regarding the implementation of the new rules. Matches were more attacking and scoring was higher. Hopefully, these high-scoring matches continue as the league goes on.

Stay tuned for more news content from BetinIreland.ie.