Ulster Rivals Armagh and Donegal Clash as Harte Returns to Derry

The Allianz Football League weekend features key Ulster clashes with Donegal and Armagh renewing rivalries, Mickey Harte returning to manage Derry, and Tyrone pushing for promotion amid player absences.

League Action Heats Up Across Divisions

Donegal star Michael Murphy signs autographs after his side's round three victory against Mayo in Letterkenny.

The Allianz Football League continues with another compelling weekend of fixtures as promotion and relegation battles intensify across all four divisions.

Currently, Donegal and Down lead Divisions One and Three respectively, maintaining perfect records with three wins from three matches.

Armagh aims to halt a two-game losing streak in Division One, while Derry resumes its promotion campaign in Division Two following consecutive victories. Tyrone secured their first win in Division Two last weekend.

Monaghan, Cavan, Fermanagh, and Antrim remain among the six counties yet to earn a point in this year's league.

McGeeney and McGuinness Renew Rivalry

Jim McGuinness and Kieran McGeeney will face off once again on Sunday.

Armagh and Donegal have established themselves as the premier Ulster rivalry in recent years, with Donegal having claimed the last two provincial titles.

These two counties were also the last Ulster representatives in the All-Ireland final. Armagh famously defeated Galway in the 2024 final, while Donegal lost to Kerry in July last year.

The sideline rivalry between managers Kieran McGeeney and Jim McGuinness adds further intrigue. Their competitive history dates back to 2011, when McGeeney's Kildare side fell to McGuinness' Donegal in the All-Ireland quarter-final.

Sunday's match will be their fifth league and championship encounter over the past three seasons, with both teams potentially meeting again in this year's Ulster semi-final.

Donegal has been dominant so far, winning all three league games against Dublin, Kerry, and Mayo, positioning themselves at the top of Division One.

Armagh began strongly with a win over Monaghan but have since suffered consecutive defeats to Connacht teams Galway (home) and Roscommon (away).

McGeeney and Armagh are in urgent need of points to avoid relegation struggles, while Donegal seeks to consolidate its leading position.

The Athletic Grounds promises an intense atmosphere for this latest chapter in the rivalry on Sunday at 15:45 GMT.

Jim McGuinness and Kieran McGeeney shake hands at Croke Park — Image caption, Jim McGuinness and Kieran McGeeney will go to battle once again on Sunday

Can Derry Win Three in a Row as Harte Returns?

Mickey Harte returns to manage against Derry on Saturday night at Celtic Park.

Derry endured a winless 2025 season in both league and championship games, a stark contrast to their 2024 Division One league championship under Mickey Harte.

After an opening day loss to Meath, Derry secured their first victory in over a year by defeating neighbours Tyrone at Celtic Park three weeks ago.

Following a hard-fought win over Kildare in Newbridge, the Oak Leafers return to Celtic Park but will be without captain Conor Glass, who was sent off six minutes into the game against the Lilywhites.

Ciaran Meenagh's team is favored to claim a third consecutive win as Offaly, jointly managed by Harte, visits in search of their first league points.

A victory would significantly boost Derry's promotion prospects ahead of home fixtures against Cork and Cavan and an away game at Gavin Devlin's Louth.

Mickey Harte pictured when he was Derry manager for a game at Croke Park — Image caption, Mickey Harte returns to manage against Derry on Saturday night at Celtic Park

Tyrone's Promotion Push as Canavan Departs

Tyrone will be without Darragh Canavan for the remainder of the league after Sunday's trip to Louth.

Malachy O'Rourke's Tyrone entered the season as strong candidates for immediate promotion back to Division One after being the first county relegated with seven points in 2025.

Following an All-Ireland semi-final appearance last year and the success of several underage teams, expectations were high for a swift return to the top tier.

After an opening draw with Kildare and a loss to Derry, Tyrone recorded their first Division Two victory by decisively defeating Cavan last weekend.

While promotion remains possible, Tyrone likely needs to win all remaining four matches, beginning with Sunday's game against Louth.

Darragh Canavan, who scored nine points in the win over Cavan, will miss the rest of the league due to a pre-planned holiday to Australia. He is expected to return for the Ulster Championship clash with Armagh in April.

Tyrone's remaining fixtures include a home game against Offaly, followed by matches against promotion rivals Meath at Croke Park and Cork at Healy Park.

Darragh Canavan is action against Cavan at Healy Park — Image caption, Tyrone will be without Darragh Canavan for the remainder of the league after Sunday's trip to Louth

Can Down Edge Closer to Division Two?

Down remain unbeaten with three wins from three at the top of Division Three.

Manager Conor Laverty emphasizes the importance of winning Division Three to position his team for All-Ireland championship competition rather than the Tailteann Cup this summer.

The Mournemen have battled to three consecutive wins, including a victory over promotion rivals Westmeath in Newry last time out.

This weekend, they face another promotion contender as they travel to Wexford on Sunday at 14:00 GMT. Wexford currently hold two wins from three games.

A win would place Down in a strong position to secure immediate promotion back to Division Two ahead of hosting struggling Fermanagh at Pairc Esler.

Laverty will hope for another prolific scoring performance after his side tallied 4-52 in their opening three matches.

Conor Laverty on the pitch at Clones at Down manager — Image caption, Down are three wins from three at the top of Division Three

Monaghan, Fermanagh, and Antrim Seek First Wins

League tables present a challenging outlook for Monaghan, Fermanagh, and Antrim supporters.

Monaghan's Division One campaign was always expected to be difficult after Scotstown's run to the All-Ireland club semi-final limited their player availability in early rounds.

They suffered a heavy defeat to Armagh at Clones, followed by losses away to two counties considered relegation candidates, Roscommon and Dublin.

With Mayo visiting St Tiernach's Park on Sunday at 13:45 GMT, Gabriel Bannigan faces a tough task, compounded by a significant injury list.

Fermanagh remain pointless and at the bottom of Division Three ahead of a trip to promotion-chasing Westmeath, while Antrim sit last in Division Four before an away fixture against promotion-contending Leitrim.