Allianz Football League: 5 things to expect

The new league season throws in this weekend. What will happen is anybody's guess really, but here's a few plot-lines that may make an appearance.

More goalkeeping calamities

It's now eight years since Kieran McGeeney had the mick taken out of him relentlessly as he put midfielder Paul Courtney into goals for an Ulster tie with Cavan [side-note: Courtney picked up a Tyrone league and championship double with Trillick this season].

But like the schoolkid who double straps while everyone else is sticking to one shoulder, the laughing soon stops and everyone ends up following suit.

This year’s league is expected to feature more 'fly’ goalies than ever seen before, with a number of counties using pre-season challenge games to test outfielders between the sticks.

Take Conor Laverty’s Down for example, who have called former Mourne attacker Kevin Anderson back into the squad after over a decade away, and he’ll battle it out with John O’Hare to play the advanced goalkeeping role. Many other counties are thinking similar.

With that in mind, what we are guaranteed to see is more red faces as turnovers are forced out the field and the ball is worked up to the opposition goal where nobody is home.

Full credit to all players brave enough to try the new role, but the risk and reward factor is so strong that entertainment possibilities are limitless.

Goals, goals and more goals

Gaelic football has its critics at the moment; the spirit of adventure making way for a timid approach that kills off all sense of individuality.

True that may be, but this new robotic formula hasn’t allowed the green flags to freeze over at the side of the posts.

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