Antrim
Manager: Andy McEntee (Third year).
Main man: Ruairí McCann.
2024 league form: The Saffrons finished fifth in Division Three, picking up six points after a campaign in which they won three games and lost four. They were five points off promotion and four clear of relegation.
Outlook: Given the heavy-hitters in the Ulster SFC, the league is realistically the competition where Antrim can make most progress. This is their fourth consecutive season in Division Three but promotion will be a challenge.
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Opening fixture: Sunday v Clare, Corrigan Park, Belfast, 1pm.
Prediction: Sixth.
Clare
Manager: Peter Keane (First year).
Main man: Eoin Cleary.
2024 league form: Having suffered relegation from Division Two in 2023, Clare had hoped their stay in Division Three would be a brief one – but they missed out on promotion by a single point. They won five of their seven matches and lost the other two.
Outlook: The return of forwards Eoin Cleary and Keelan Sexton to the panel is a significant coup for Peter Keane. There are some 14 players currently involved who were not part of the 2024 squad as the Banner look to secure a return to Division Two.
Opening fixture: Sunday v Antrim, Corrigan Park, Belfast, 1pm.
Prediction: Second.
Fermanagh
Manager: Kieran Donnelly (Fourth year).
Main man: Ultan Kelm.
2024 league form: Fermanagh have made a quick return to Division Three after just one season in Division Two. They won two games, lost four and drew one as they finished seventh in the table, slipping back down the league ladder for 2025.
Outlook: Kelm’s availability is huge for Fermanagh. The Erne Gaels clubman had hoped to secure a contract with AFL outfit Fremantle over the winter but ultimately that did not materialise. However, Fermanagh will be without Conor McShea and Callum Jones.
Opening fixture: Saturday v Kildare, Cedral St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge, 5pm.
Prediction: Fourth.
Kildare
Manager: Brian Flanagan (First year).
Main man: Kevin Feely.
2024 league form: Kildare were one of only two teams (along with Limerick) to register seven straight losses in the 2024 league. It was a difficult campaign for the Lilywhites, with relegation heaping pressure on then manager Glenn Ryan.
Outlook: Flanagan’s appointment and the reopening of St Conleth’s Park appear to have generated a feel-good energy around Kildare football again. And having named a strong squad of players for the season ahead, Kildare should have enough talent to ensure their Division Three stay is a short one.
Opening fixture: Saturday v Fermanagh, Cedral St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge, 5pm.
Prediction: First.
Laois
Manager: Justin McNulty (Second year).
Main man: Killian Roche.
2024 league form: The O’Moore County sealed promotion and won the Division Four title last year – ending their two-season stint in the basement of league football. They won six of their seven group games and ultimately beat Leitrim in the divisional decider at Croke Park.
Outlook: Laois have lost a raft of players, particularly up front where Evan O’Carroll (knee injury) is among the absentees. Elsewhere, the experienced Kieran Lillis has retired, so this could be a tricky league campaign for the Midlanders.
Opening fixture: Saturday v Leitrim, Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, Carrick-on-Shannon, 2.30pm.
Prediction: Seventh.
Leitrim
Manager: Steven Poacher (First year).
Main man: Keith Beirne.
2024 league form: Leitrim finished second in Division Four last year, securing promotion to Division Three for 2025. Under Andy Moran, they won five of their seven group games, losing the other two.
Outlook: Leitrim are back in Division Three for the first time since 2020, but they enter the season with a very different squad to that which secured promotion. Nine of the starting team from last year’s Division Four final are no longer part of the panel. And they had managerial issues with Mickey Graham over the winter too, so might struggle to avoid an immediate return to Division Four.
Opening fixture: Saturday v Laois, Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, Carrick-on-Shannon, 2.30pm.
Prediction: Eighth.
Offaly
Manager: Declan Kelly and Mickey Harte (First year as joint managers. Kelly was manager in 2024).
Main man: Dylan Hyland.
2024 league form: Offaly lost four of their seven games in the division last season, but two wins and a draw in their other fixtures proved enough to stave off relegation.
Outlook: The arrival of Harte has injected energy and raised expectations – as well as interest – in the fortunes of the Offaly footballers. Harte is a serial winner – whether it be the McKenna Cup or the Sam Maguire. Having led Derry to a Division One title last year, you can be sure he’ll be targeting a Division Three crown with Offaly this term.
Opening fixture: Sunday v Sligo, Glenisk O’Connor Park, Tullamore, 2pm.
Prediction: Third.
Sligo
Manager: Tony McEntee (Fifth year).
Main man: Niall Murphy.
2024 league form: Sligo more than held their own in what was the Yeats County’s first year back in Division Three since 2019. McEntee’s side won four games, lost two and drew one as they finished fourth in the table.
Outlook: Keelan Cawley has retired while Seán Carrabine is away, but Alan Reilly is due back. Sligo have clearly made progress under McEntee and the squad has not undergone massive turnover. The outcome of their opener against Offaly could set the pattern for their league.
Opening fixture: Sunday v Offaly, Glenisk O’Connor Park, Tullamore, 2pm.
Prediction: Fifth.
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