Saturday’s opening game sees Ulster champions Donegal travel to Pairc Ui Rinn to face Cork on the back of a comfortable victory over Tyrone in Ballybofey.
Donegal are in the midst of an eight-game winning run stretching back to the middle of their Division Two campaign, a sequence which has included two final wins over Armagh (Division Two and Ulster Championship), a couple of victories over Tyrone and a statement success over Derry.
Victory over Cork would strengthen Donegal’s bid to top Group 3 and book their place in the All-Ireland quarter-finals for the first time since 2016.
On Saturday evening, Cavan host Dublin at Breffni Park needing a bounce-back win after losing heavily to Mayo a fortnight ago in Castlebar.
Cavan were disappointing against Mayo, and while they are still missing key marksman Paddy Lynch, Raymond Galligan will demand a strong response for the visit of the free-scoring All-Ireland champions to Breffni Park.
Tyrone are in action early on Sunday as they host Clare in Group Three. Having been well beaten by Donegal, the Red Hands need points on the board before facing Cork in their final group game at a neutral venue.
In Group Four, Monaghan host Louth on the back of a humbling loss to Kerry in their opener, going down to a 10-point loss in Killarney.
This weekend’s headline fixture, though, is unquestionably Derry v Armagh at Celtic Park.
It’s a huge game for both counties, but while Armagh bounced back from their Ulster final defeat by Donegal with a comfortable win over Westmeath, leaving Salthill empty-handed two weeks ago has raised further questions about Derry.
Fancied by many at the start of the year as genuine All-Ireland contenders, losing to Armagh would plunge Derry deeper into murky waters – especially if Westmeath were to beat Galway to leave the Oak Leafers bottom of Group 1.
