Spring Series begins with Football double header

The Spring Series in the 2013 Allianz League will see six football matches and a single hurling game taking place at Croke Park.

Dublin fans are once again in for a treat next February and March with Jim Gavin's footballers playing Cork, All-Ireland runners-up Mayo, Kildare, Tyrone and Down at GAA headquarters.

The Croke Park league fixtures, which include a Dublin v Limerick hurling tie, were confirmed today by the GAA's Central Competitions Control Committee.

This follows an agreement by Kildare GAA for their footballers to play two of their 'home' league matches at Croke Park, including a Sunday afternoon duel with Leinster champions Dublin.

The Lilywhites will face All-Ireland champions Donegal on Saturday, February 2 in the curtain raiser of a floodlit double header (throw-in 5.15pm). The second game that night will see Dublin and Cork battling it out at 7pm.

There will be three stand-alone football encounters and also a second double header on the eve of St. Patrick's Day - Dublin v Limerick in the Hurling League, and Dublin v Tyrone in football's top flight.

2013 GAA SPRING SERIES MATCHES:

Saturday, February 2: Allianz Football League - Donegal v Kildare (5.15pm); Dublin v Cork (7pm)

Saturday, March 2: Allianz Football League - Dublin v Mayo (7pm)

Sunday, March 10 - Allianz Football League - Kildare v Dublin (2pm)

Saturday, March 16: Allianz Hurling League - Dublin v Limerick (5.15pm); Allianz Football League - Dublin v Tyrone (7pm)

Saturday, March 23: Allianz Football League - Dublin v Down (7pm)