Éamonn Fitzmaurice: Kerry injuries, Donegal form and Mayo tactics — who’s shaping the All-Ireland race?

Injuries, evolving tactics and early-season form offer clues as leading contenders begin their All-Ireland championship campaigns

Jason McGee's return to fitness has been a major boost for Donegal. Pic: ©INPHO/James Crombie

The last of the big dogs — Kerry, Donegal and Galway — make their championship bows this weekend. While all will be focused on the here and now it is a mere 13 weeks to the All-Ireland final. I expect at least one if not two of this trio to be still standing by the end of July. 

There is so much going on across Gaelic games at the moment it can be a struggle to keep up. Before even considering this weekend's action the news cycle this week provided stories galore as injury updates abound. Kerry have an injury epidemic but with regard to the big picture Ben Crealy’s loss for the rest of the season is massive. He is hugely important to Armagh, even more so with Niall Grimley and Rian O’Neill on sabbaticals and Callum O’Neill also injured. Andrew Murnin is named to start, but remains a doubt. Ethan Rafferty for midfield anyone, even though he has been selected in goals?