What do Kerry's five All-Ireland titles with O'Connor at the helm have in typical? He has actually won the league with the Kingdom in the same season - 2004, 2006, 2009, 2022 and 2025 - and that is a sure indication that the maestro will be gunning for some spring flatware this year to give himself the very best possible opportunity of going back-to-back in the championship.
Kerry football is riding a crest of a wave at the moment. A Paul Geaney-inspired Dingle won the All-Ireland club championship in significant fashion last Sunday and whatever is rosy in the garden of the Kingdom at the moment. It is really tough to see much changing this year.
Kerry start their project at home to Roscommon. Paddy Power have actually chalked them up at 1-14 to get off to a winning start and, must they do so, the 13-5 about them winning Division 1 won't exist as other competitors will have lost their opening components. It's worth taking now.
Much will depend upon David Clifford remaining fit, as it constantly does. If he plays most of the video games, it is hard to see Kerry not winning at least 4 or 5 of their 7 group video games and that will suffice to take them to the decider. Four of their 7 video games are at home against Roscommon, Galway, Monaghan and Mayo. It's a nice draw.
Indeed, it would be not a surprise if we had a repeat of the 2025 league final this year, as Mayo may emerge as Kerry's greatest hazard.
Andy Moran is adored in his home county and there seems to be a genuine buzz about the location since he has taken control of. An opening round win over arch Connacht competitors Galway would tee them up nicely for a tilt at the title and they seems to have uncovered a few young gems in the last 12 months. A huge 2026 searches in store.
Division 2 looks wide open but stability might be the secret to flatware.
Three of the eight groups have a manager in his very first year in charge, while another 4 are entering their second campaign. Only Cork employer John Cleary has been in charge for 3 seasons currently and he appeared to be making decent progress with the Rebels, who commence their campaign with a gimmie at home to Cavan and a wide-margin success searches in store.
The Rebels deal with transfer contenders Louth and Offaly in the next two rounds so it's not hard to envisage them having optimum points after 3 rounds. That makes 7-1 an excellent cost about them winning the division.
Louth seem a side who could struggle this year. The Leinster champions have been punching above their weight for many of the last years however it is going to difficult for them to continue in that vein after Ger Brennan stepped away to manage his native Dublin. Their opener away in Tullamore against Offaly is a must-win encounter. Lose that and they could be in big problem.
Surely Division 3 is the most straightforward. Down and Westmeath look a cut above the rest and backing the Midlanders for promo at 8-5 looks the shrewdest play.
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