previews Division 2 of the Allianz Football League.
ARMAGH
Fifth
Kieran McGeeney (6th year)
2nd season in Division 2 following 2018 promotion
Rory Grugan
Brendan Donaghy, 33, first played for Armagh 15 years ago but remains a key figure in defence for Kieran McGeeney.
A 2-1 blast on his debut against Cavan in the McKenna Cup last month indicated that Conor Turbitt is a serious prospect. A former Ulster U20 finalist.
Blaine Hughes has the accuracy and the experience to use the new kick-out rule to his advantage, picking out key players in attacking positions higher up the pitch.
"This is my sixth season in charge. The time for transition is over, we're ready to push on now."
This weekend's opener in Cavan is a grudge match, a repeat of last summer's two-game Ulster championship saga which Cavan edged. The Round 5 and 6 games against old rivals Fermanagh and Roscommon are huge ties too.
Third. Armagh have jumped between Divisions 2 and 3 under Kieran McGeeney but having completed five years in the hot-seat the indicators are that they're ready to push hard for a return to the top flight.
CAVAN
Relegated from Division 1
Mickey Graham (2nd year)
1st season in Division 2 following 2019 relegation
Raymond Galligan
He turns 33 this year and has over 130 games played for Cavan but Martin Reilly is still going strong. Thirty-something goalkeeper Raymond Galligan is back too.
With key forwards missing this year for various reasons, Conor Smith hinted in the McKenna Cup that he could be one to step up.
Sky-scraping forwards have rarely been a feature of Cavan lineups so perhaps wily Galligan can take advantage of the new rule on kick-outs.
"Nobody knows better than us how to get out of Division 2 - we did it in 2016 and 2018."
Cavan have to travel to play both Kildare and Armagh, the two favourites to go up. Wins there would be a giant boost to their promotion hopes.
Fourth. Cavan have flitted between Divisions 1 and 2 in recent seasons but returning to the top flight is a big ask without the retired Cian Mackey and former captains Dara McVeety and Killian Clarke who have opted out.
CLARE
Sixth
Colm Collins (7th year)
4th season in Division 2 following 2016 Division 3 title success
Eoin Cleary
With Gary Brennan and Jamie Malone unavailable for 2020, David Tubridy's return is a major boost. He was terrific last summer, 12 years after his debut in 2007.
Jack Sheedy and Jack Morrissey impressed in defence and attack respectively on their debuts in the McGrath Cup against Waterford.
Brennan's absence robs Clare of a potential outlet for marks if they need to go route one. Their forwards are skillful enough to still take advantage, finding space to take marks on their chest.
"We've worked to be ranked the second-best team in Munster - let's keep it that way."
Clare's last two games in the campaign are at home to Ulster duo Fermanagh and Armagh, two massive games that could shape Clare's entire year if relegation is an issue and Tier 2 football is staring them in the face.
Eighth. Captain Gary Brennan and Jamie Malone were so influential in last year's run to Round 4 of the qualifiers that it's hard to imagine they won't be missed.
FERMANAGH
Third
Ryan McMenamin (1st year)
2nd season in Division 2 following 2018 promotion
TBC
A decade on from his inter-county debut, Tomas Corrigan turns 30 this year but is fully committed in a big boost to Ryan McMenamin. Ruairi Corrigan is available too.
Stephen McGullion was with Fermanagh briefly in the past, under Pete McGrath, but reckons he's more mature this time and the Derrygonnelly midfielder looks a decent prospect.
Eoin Donnelly has form as a nuisance under the high ball close to goal, just ask Monaghan. With fans hoping for a more adventurous approach, the advanced mark could offer a route one outlet.
"We're on the right side of the Championship draw in Ulster - let's try to finally win it before they scrap it."
If Fermanagh are to upset the odds and secure a promotion place, they'll need to hit the ground running with ties against Kildare and Roscommon first up.
Sixth. It's easy to forget that Fermanagh were sitting pretty after five games last season, unbeaten and eyeing promotion. Losses to Armagh and Meath cost them promotion. Losing Sean Quigley is a big blow.
KILDARE
Fourth
Jack O'Connor (1st year)
2nd season in Division 2 following 2018 relegation
David Hyland
Paul Cribbin, Niall Kelly, Johnny Byrne, and Daniel Flynn are all established performers who missed 2019 for various reasons.
Clogherinkoe's Jack Robinson looks a real prospect. He scored 0-7 from play in last summer's Leinster junior final and made his debut against Longford in the O'Byrne Cup.
Former Aussie Rules player Daniel Flynn, just back after taking 2019 out, is well placed to take advantage of the advanced mark.
"If I could be as successful as Micko that would do".
The Round 3 trip to Armagh is a huge game for Kildare. Aside from facing old boss Kieran McGeeney, a win would be a huge step towards promotion. Then they're at home to Roscommon.
First. Jack O'Connor put it out there straight away that securing promotion and returning to Division 1 was a big target. All the players he wanted have committed so a top-two finish looks a good bet.
LAOIS
Division 3 runners-up
Micheal Quirke (1st year)
1st season in Division 2 following back to back promotions from Divisions 3 and 4
TBC
Ross Munnelly, 37, is back for an 18th season having made his debut way back in 2003. Mark Timmons and Colm Begley, both 33, are available too.
Diarmuid Whelan, last year's U20 captain, was among five players handed their debut against Offaly in the O'Byrne Cup last month by the new management. An exciting prospect in attack.
The advanced mark would have suited towering Donie Kingston but he's quit so perhaps Graham Brody can exploit the new 20m kick-out rule instead. A few give-and-go moves could even be on the cards for the wandering 'keeper.
"We have to stay in Division 2 because Tier 2 football would be a giant blow to the county."
Four away games means Portlaoise needs to be a fortress for Laois if they're to stand any chance of battling for a Division 1 place. The home game against Kildare, pitting Quirke against his former Kerry manager Jack O'Connor, will be intriguing.
Seventh. Just three home games, allied to the loss of the Kingston brothers and former captain Stephen Attride means it could be a baptism of fire for new manager Micheal Quirke.
ROSCOMMON
Relegation from Division 1
Anthony Cunningham (2nd year)
1st season in Division 2 following 2019 relegation
Enda Smith
A decade after helping Roscommon to a breakthrough 2010 Connacht title, Cathal Cregg is still going strong. A point scorer in last weekend's FBD League final.
Boyle's Cian McKeon, Richard Hughes, a county finalist with Roscommon Gaels last October and Elphin's Luke Mollohan are fringe talents who have the potential to make their mark.
Even without Diarmuid Murtagh who is unavailable in 2020, Roscommon have the forward quality to draw plenty of black cards and sin-binnings this year.
"We want to get up to Division 1 and to stay there this time. We've been a yo-yo team for too long."
The promotion issue could easily come down to the last day for Roscommon who travel to play Cavan on March 22. That's a derby date at this stage considering all their recent battles and shared history.
Second. A Super 8s team for the last two years, the reigning Connacht champions and back to back FBD League winners. All the indicators are that the Rossies will push hard for an immediate return to Division 1.
WESTMEATH
Division 3 winners
Jack Cooney (2nd year)
1st season in Division 2 following 2019 promotion
Kieran Martin
John Heslin may be just 27 but made his debut almost a decade ago in 2011. Considering how 2020 ended - with a dismissal in the qualifier defeat to Clare in Mullingar - he'll be keen for a big season.
Conor McCormack looks an interesting player in attack for Westmeath, featuring throughout their run to the O'Byrne Cup semi-finals.
Heslin has the potential to pick a ball out of the sky if played in attack though Westmeath aren't blessed with big forwards generally.
"We've got to secure our Tier 1 status through the league because we play Dublin first in the Championship and reaching a Leinster final is unlikely."
Next Sunday's campaign opener is a repeat of last June's qualifier in Mullingar, which Clare won. Motivation won't be lacking and a home win would set Westmeath up nicely for three tough ties against Ulster opposition.
Fifth. Westmeath could be the surprise packet of this year's division if they get on a roll and three of their first four games are at home. Promotion seems unlikely but they could definitely take a scalp or two.