Division 2 preview: New managers facing high stakes

For the critics of the Allianz Hurling League and its lack of jeopardy, the second tier for the football league is surely the Mecca of competitive pre-championship action.

Division 2 came into much sharper focus with the restructure of the championship format last year, with the top 16 sides at the end of the league campaign - except for those replaced by lower-ranked provincial finalists - advancing to the All-Ireland series, the remaining half competing for the Tailteann Cup.

It made for all types of scenarios and calculations going into the final round, when Clare suffered relegation yet made the All-Ireland series courtesy of their journey to a Munster final. Expect more of the same this time around.

And whatever about the action on the pitch, eyes and attentions will focus on some of the personnel patrolling the sidelines, with three teams under new management.

The return of Jim McGuinness to the Donegal hotseat will be fascinating. Will he introduce ideas picked up from his time with soccer clubs Derry City, Celtic, Beijing Guoan and Charlotte Independence?

Having sanctioned an eight-metre perimeter fence at their main training pitch at the Convoy Centre of Excellence for privacy, and successfully requesting a week-long training camp in Spain before Christmas, it’s clear that the Glenties man means business in attempting to return his county to the top table. He will be relieved not to be missing the first five games of the campaign, having successfully appealed an eight-week ban for Donegal fielding an underage player in the Dr McKenna Cup.

Cavan too should have fresh ideas given that Raymond Galligan has made the direct move from goalkeeper to manager, while former Dublin defender Ger Brennan will lead Louth in the