GAA National Leagues: Kerry the team to beat but all to play for

Tyrone were very unlucky last year to go down and begin their Division Two campaign at home to Kildare on Saturday [18:00, live on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport NI website].

It looked like Tyrone had Armagh beaten in Ulster and did better than Donegal against Kerry in the championship, so I think they will be looking to bounce back up.

With Loughmacrory winning the club championship and the spread of players from clubs, this is a big season for Tyrone and manager Malachy O’Rourke in his second season. Reaching Division One is a definite as I think they will come straight back up but then then the eyes will move to an All-Ireland title push.

Derry were also relegated last year and they have a massive game to start in Division Two against Meath at Croke Park on Saturday [15:00].

Both of these teams will have designs on getting up to the top division but for Derry, there were some good signs in the Dr McKenna Cup and Ciaran Meenagh is back in there with the full Loughmacrory management team plus former Derry stars Chrissy McKaigue and Benny Heron.

After last season when they didn’t win a match in the league, Derry need to hit the ground running and although they can beat Meath, it will be a difficult task.

Cavan is another team with new management, with former playing great Dermot McCabe going back in after a spell with Westmeath.

They have a tough opener away to Cork [Sunday, 13:30] who have so much potential, but their target is to get up to that next level like their neighbours Monaghan and hold their own.

They always produce great footballers, but never seem to have enough steel and consistency, so that will be their objective.