Kerry set to open National League campaign against Roscommon

In a rematch of the All-Ireland final, Kerry travel to Donegal in the second round. 

Kerry are set to face Roscommon in Killarney on January 25. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

All-Ireland SFC champions Kerry are to start the defence of their Division 1 title against Roscommon in Fitzgerald Stadium on Sunday, January 25.

Starting their season in earnest, All-Ireland hurling winners Tipperary will meet Galway under lights in FBD Semple Stadium on Saturday, January 24.

That same weekend, Cork’s teams will enjoy a home doubleheader in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh: Ben O’Connor’s first season game coming against promoted Waterford, which is preceded by the footballers’ Division 2 clash with Cavan.

Limerick have a bye in the opening hurling weekend as Offaly and Kilkenny meet in the remaining Division 1 game. Clare v Dublin is the pick of the first round matches in Division 2.

The National Football League fixtures currently being disseminated among counties are provisional but the Rossies under new manager Mark Dowd and selector/coach Jason Sherlock are expected to be the Kingdom’s opponents in the county’s first home opening in Killarney since Tyrone in 2019.

A trip to Donegal is pencilled in for the following weekend before Jack O’Connor’s men return home to Austin Stack Park to face Galway in Round 3. A date with Dublin in Croke Park on Saturday, February 21 is on the cards where All-Ireland semi-finalists Meath could form one half of the curtain-raiser and then back-to-back home games against Monaghan (Killarney) and Mayo (Tralee), the latter of which is set to be played under lights.

New Kerry selector and coach Kieran Donaghy is due to face his former Armagh colleagues in the final round game in Armagh city’s Box-It Athletic Grounds on Sunday, March 22.

Meanwhile, Jason Sherlock has been confirmed as part of the Roscommon senior football management team under new manager Mark Dowd.

Thursday night's meeting of the county board ratified Sherlock's appointment on the team alongside Iain Daly (Michael Glaveys), John Rogers (Strokestown) and former Kilkenny hurling strength and conditioning coach Mickey Comerford.