RTÉ GAA Eamonn Fitzmaurice expecting Donegal to show good form early on in Allianz League

RTÉ GAA analyst Eamonn Fitzmaurice is excited by the unknown in what he feels is most competitive Allianz Football League Division 1 ever seen, with a fancy for Donegal to be strong early on.

The much-discussed rule changes have levelled the playing fields in many ways while there is also a blockbuster line-up in the top tier with the Tir Conaill men and All-Ireland champions Armagh the promoted sides this year.

Some close matches are expected in the coming weeks with anyone's guess which county will be in Croke Park for the final in the spring, or those dropping to Division 2.

The work Jim McGuinness has been putting in, as well bring back the likes of Michael Murphy, could give them an edge.

Speaking to the RTÉ GAA podcast, Fitzmaurice said: "It’s fascinating. One thing for sure is Division 1 is bonkers competitive. It’s as competitive as I’ve ever seen it. There is no free passes, every game will be a complete battle so teams will be taking points off each other.

"Donegal had their overseas camp in the Middle East. By all accounts it was a tactical style camp. To me that tells you of a team that is a good bit down the line. If you’re able to be focused on the tactical nuances that early in a season, it means you are in a good place.

"It’s a serious test for Kerry on the first day. If they get two points out of Donegal they would be very happy.

"My feeling is Donegal will come in locked and loaded is not based on anything else, we haven’t seen anything yet, but considering the personnel they have and the person is charge of them, and that they seem to have a bit of work done, they’ll be a handful early on for everyone.

"It’s very hard to know overall. Kerry are playing Dublin in the third round and at that stage you could have