Division 3 preview: Strong northern tinge to crucial tier three battle

Division 3 might only have two Ulster sides competing in it, but there's no doubting that there’s an overwhelming northern twinge to this crucial third tier.

Ironically one of those Ulster sides, Antrim, has a Leinster man in charge in the form of Andy McEntee but Mickey Harte (Offaly), Kieran Donnelly (Fermanagh), Tony McEntee (Sligo), Steven Poacher (Leitrim) and Justin McNulty (Laois) ensure the province is well represented. Of the other two counties, Kildare boss Brian Flanagan has Armagh's Aidan O’Rourke as his number two while new Clare manager Peter Keane has gone against the grain.

Ulster being in vogue is no surprise given the province's greediness in 2024, leaving no crumbs really for anyone else across the football spectrum at all grades and levels - but this, of course, will be a much-changed league with the new football rules coming into play.

Pre-season has brought its concerns for some of those involved in this division. The Irish News reported that Antrim were pinged with a dissent penalty after an opponent put on a fake Belfast accent and dished out a bit of abuse within earshot of the referee.

RTÉ Sport listened in as Fermanagh boss Kieran Donnelly was informed of some tweaks to rules just two weeks out from round one as Croke Park continued to deal with some concerns from match officials.

These rule changes are set to play a crucial role in how this division will pan out.

Even with that, there's no doubting that Kildare carry the tag of favourites into the league season, and their opener against a strong Fermanagh outfit should provide a real mark of where they are at under new boss Flanagan.

He has a track record of success with underage Lilywhite teams and fans will be hopeful he can start bringing through