Éamonn Fitzmaurice: Ulster counties have the edge in January

Former Kerry manager Éamonn Fitzmaurice highlighted Monaghan's display as the pick of the bunch on a bumper opening weekend for Ulster counties.

But for Eoghan Frayne's late equaliser for Meath at home to Fermanagh on Saturday afternoon, Ulster counties would have racked up a 100% record in Round 1 of the 2024 Allianz Football League.

The remaining eight Ulster sides registered opening-day victories, Derry and Monaghan both gaining revenge for their All-Ireland semi-final defeats away to Kerry and Dublin respectively.

Tyrone defied gloomy predictions and a red card to see off Roscommon in Omagh, Cavan beat Kildare in Carlow (Newbridge being under development) and Jim McGuinness' second Donegal stint started in earnest with an impressive demolition of Cork.

RTÉ analyst Fitzmaurice reckons that the relative popularity and seriousness of the Dr McKenna Cup leaves the northern counties in fine fettle for the early rounds of the league.

"The thing with the Ulster teams is they always, for the most part, take the McKenna Cup very seriously," Fitzmaurice told Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio 1.

"That translates into early season league form as well. They had a massive weekend.

"Monaghan, in particular, had a great win. On Saturday, I would have been wondering were they one of the candidates for relegation, as we say every year. They always defy the odds. They've a great record against Dublin.

"But bear in mind, they've had retirements. Rory Beggan going to America at the moment, Karl Gallagher gone to Australia.

"Their performance on Saturday evening was fantastic. Maybe the fact that some of their leaders, the likes of Darren Hughes and Conor McManus, aren't back yet, allowed space for the others.

"Stephen O'Hanlon had an outstanding