Champions Meath to face Dublin in Lidl Football League Division 1 opener

All-Ireland champions Meath will begin the defence of their Lidl National Football League title against Dublin over the weekend of 21-22 January.

The Royals have dominated the game over the last couple of seasons, claiming back to back Brendan Martin Cups either side of a first-ever Division 1 league triumph.

The Dubs, who won the previous four All-Ireland titles, did manage to get one over on their neighbours in the Leinster final but they fell at the quarter-final stage in their quest to claim the ultimate prize during the summer.

The clash of the two giants of the game will be the first game of new Meath manager Davy Nelson's tenure, after he succeeded Eamonn Murray in October, while their two stars who played in the AFLW - Vikki Wall and Orlagh Lally - are due to be available for selection during 2023.

Elsewhere on the first weekend of action, Donegal will travel to Galway, Mayo are set to host Cork, while this year's Division 2 winners Kerry will face fellow Munster women Waterford.

Across the top three divisions of the league in the spring there will be no semi-finals, with the top two teams, after the regular fixtures, advancing to the final.

Division 4 is slightly different, with the eight counties split into two groups of four. The top two sides in each group will contest semi-finals, with the winner of each advancing to the final. Kilkenny return to the competition for the first time since 2019.

The Division 1 and 2 finals will be played at Croke Park on Saturday 15 April, with the Division 3 and 4 finals taking place the following day.

Lidl National Football League Divisions 2023:

Division 1: Meath (defending champions), Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Mayo, Waterford.Division 2: Armagh, Cavan, Laois, Monaghan,