GAA:The GAA today announced details of the Allianz National League football and hurling fixtures for 2010.
All eyes will be on Killarney for the opening weekend as reigning All-Ireland champions, Kerry, open their defence of the NFL title against Dublin.
The sky blues will be keen to avenge their unceremonious exit from the All-Ireland in August when Kerry outclassed Dublin at Croke Park. The sides shared the spoils in their corresponding fixture at Parnell Park last March.
The opening day also throws up some old rivalries with Derry meeting Tyrone and Mayo hosting Joe Kernan’s Galway on Saturday, February 6th.
Division 2 will be no less competitive with Kildare, Donegal and Meath favourites to progress to the final stages following impressive championship form this year.
The National Hurling League will feature a much anticipated curtain-raiser as Tipperary and Kilkenny renew acquaintances under the floodlights of Semple Stadium on Saturday, February 20th.
Thurles provided the venue for last year’s epic final which Kilkenny edged in extra time.
On Sunday, February 21st Limerick open their campaign against Galway with Cork hosting Offaly and Waterford meet an ever improving Dublin side.
Commenting on the fixtures, GAA President Christy Cooney said: “The Allianz GAA Leagues get our inter-county season rolling and offer our counties the perfect platform to return to top level competitive action as another season dawns on us.
“It’s no coincidence that the teams who do well in the leagues quite often end up in the mix for championship silverware later in the season and we are looking forward to campaigns that will no doubt see both Kerry and Kilkenny make strong defences of the respective 2009 titles they won in style.”