Ulster heavyweights renew rivalry as Harte returns to Derry

There’s another exciting slate of fixtures in the Allianz Football League this weekend as the promotion and relegation picture becomes clearer across the four divisions.

Going into this weekend, Donegal and Down remain top of Division One and Three respectively with a 100% record.

Armagh will look to stop the rot after two defeats in a row in the top tier, Derry are back on the promotion hunt in Division Two after back-to-back victories, while Tyrone registered their first win in same division at the weekend.

Armagh and Donegal has become the great Ulster rivalry of recent seasons, with the Tir Chonaill men having won the last two provincial deciders.

They are also the last two Ulster counties to compete in the All-Ireland final. Armagh famously beat Galway in the 2024 showpiece before Donegal fell to Kerry last July.

The battle within the war will come on the sideline as Kieran McGeeney and Jim McGuinness renew their rivalry, one which stretches back to 2011 when the former’s Kildare side lost to McGuinness’ Donegal in the All-Ireland quarter-final.

Sunday will mark the fifth league and championship meeting between the sides in the past three seasons and they look to be on a collision course to meet in this year’s Ulster semi-final.

It’s been business like for Donegal so far throughout the league. Three wins from three and they sit top of the division beating Dublin, Kerry and Mayo.

After an impressive opening day win against Monaghan, Armagh have stuttered with back-to-back defeats against Connacht opposition in Galway (home) and Roscommon (away).

McGeeney and Armagh need points more as they battle to avoid a relegation dogfight, while Donegal will look to make a push to consolidate their position.

Derry failed to win a league or championship game throughout the entirety of 2025, a far-cry from their spell as Division One league champions under Mickey Harte in 2024.

Just as winning is a habit, losing can become an unwanted one and after an opening day defeat by Meath, Derry finally secured their their first win in over a year by beating neighbours Tyrone at Celtic Park three weeks ago.

After a battling victory over Kildare in Newbridge, the Oak Leafers return to Celtic Park, but they will be without captain Conor Glass, who was sent off six minutes into the game against the Lilywhites.

Ciaran Meenagh’s men will be heavy favourites to make it three wins in a row as Offaly – joint-managed by Harte – make the trip in search of their first league points.

Malachy O’Rourke’s Tyrone were heavily tipped for immediate promotion back to the top tier this season after becoming the first county to be relegated with seven points in 2025.

Throw into the mix an appearance in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final and the influx of a host of successful underage teams, it appeared likely the Red Hands would make the step at the first time of asking.

But after an opening draw with Kildare and a loss to Derry, the Red Hands picked up their first Division Two win with an impressive dismantling of Cavan last time out.

Promotion hopes are not dead and buried just yet, but it’s likely Tyrone will have to win all four of their remaining fixtures to have any chance, starting with Sunday’s trip to Louth.

Darragh Canavan is the standout name on the Tyrone team and kicked nine points in their win over Cavan, but this weekend will mark his last game for the county until the Ulster Championship clash with Armagh in April due to a pre-planned holiday to Australia.

The importance of winning Division Three is clear for the Down manager Conor Laverty as he wants to give his side the best chance of competing in the All-Ireland championship rather than the Tailteann Cup later this summer.

The Mournemen have battled their way to three wins from three and that included a victory over promotion rivals Westmeath in Newry last time out.

This weekend they face another side pushing for promotion as they head to Wexford (Sunday, 14:00 GMT), who have two wins from their first three games.

Victory for Down would put them in a real strong position secure immediate promotion back to the second tier ahead of struggling Fermanagh’s visit to Pairc Esler.

The league tables make grim reading for Monaghan, Fermanagh and Antrim supporters.

This year’s Division One campaign was always going to be tough for Monaghan after Scotstown’s run to the All-Ireland club semi-final robbed them of their full hand in the early rounds.

A heavy defeat by Armagh at Clones was followed by losses on the road to two counties tipped for relegation in Roscommon and Dublin.

With Mayo visiting St Tiernach’s Park on Sunday (13:45 GMT), it’s unlikely to get any easier for Gabriel Bannigan, who is also contending with a hefty injury list.

Division One

Saturday 21 February

Dublin v Kerry, Croke Park (19:00)

Galway v Roscommon, Salthill (19:00)

Sunday 22 February

Monaghan v Mayo, Clones (13:45)

Armagh v Donegal, Athletic Grounds (15:45)

Division Two

Saturday 21 February

Derry v Offaly, Celtic Park (18:00)

Sunday 22 February

Cork v Meath, Pairc Ui Rinn (14:00)

Louth v Tyrone, Ardee (14:00)

Cavan v Kildare, Breffni Park (15:00)

Division Three

Sunday 22 February

Westmeath v Fermanagh, Mullingar (13:00)

Clare v Laois, Ennis (14:00)

Sligo v Limerick, Markievicz Park (14:00)

Wexford v Down, Wexford Park (14:00)

Division Four

Saturday 21 February

Carlow v Waterford, Cullen Park (18:00)

Sunday 22 February

Wicklow v London, Aughrim (13:00)

Leitrim v Antrim, Carrick-on-Shannon (14:00)