The GAA Social looks ahead to the championship

With the National League now in the rear-view, it's time to take it up a level as championship football action begins in earnest.

This weekend, there is action across all four provinces and in Ulster, there is the tantalising preliminary round clash between Armagh and Tyrone at the Athletic Grounds [16:15 BST] - one you can watch live on BBC Two NI, BBC iPlayer, website and app.

It promises to be a summer of twists and turns with so much to ponder, to The GAA Social is joined by Philly McMahon and Conor McManus to discuss what we might see in the weekend and months ahead.

Armagh enter as favourites against Tyrone

Armagh and Tyrone have served up some memorable games down through the years and their rivalry in the 2000s in perhaps one of the most enduring in recent Gaelic football history.

Of course, a derby can take on a life of its own and there are absolutely no guarantees when these sides meet, but former Armagh All-Ireland winner Oisin McConville feels his native county go into Sunday's game with greater momentum after a much more encouraging league campaign.

"What we've seen over the past few years in the league is that teams who are going well, you can pick stuff out and go, 'they are nearly there'," he said.

"It's probably now a stretch for teams who haven't had fundamental form in the league to spring a massive surprise in the championship."

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The GAA Social- Championship Special

Tyrone were regarded as a little unlucky to find themselves in Division Two of the league this year, relegated on seven points in 2025 when they went on to contest an All-Ireland semi-final.

With All-Ireland U20 wins in 2024 and 2025, there is undoubted talent in the O'Neill County, but Malachy O'Rourke's side go into Sunday after a disappointing league.

"You hear a lot about this Tyrone team coming through and the strength of their development squads, they get their man [Malachy O'Rourke] but things just haven't clicked," McMahon, a winner of eight All-Irelands with Dublin, told the podcast.

"As much as Monaghan and Cavan is one of those one-off go and have a rattle, so is Armagh-Tyrone. I still think Armagh are a little bit ahead of Tyrone."

While former Monaghan star Conor McManus feels you should "write Tyrone off at your peril", he identifies areas of concern for the Red Hands.

"With the kick-outs, it's become a dog fight and the teams with the size have an advantage. Armagh have the size and while Tyrone have Conn Kilpatrick and Brian Kennedy, outside of that they are quite small which is going against them," McManus notes.

"Darragh Canavan was supposed to fly out to Australia for a month - those things aren't what you'd associate with Tyrone or a team trying to win an All-Ireland.

"I know he didn't get away, but the furore around that doesn't help and when Malachy was over us [Monaghan], those things just didn't happen."

Big opportunity on the other side of Ulster's draw

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Neighbours Cavan and Monaghan meet in a 19 April quarter-final

The winner of Sunday's opener faces Fermanagh 13 days later with a semi-final against either Donegal or Down to look forward to.

McMahon is "leaning towards Armagh and Donegal" to meet on 3 May but what of the other side of the draw?

Derry host Antrim on 18 April with Cavan at home to Monaghan the following day - both games live on the BBC - with the winners meeting in a 2 May semi-final.

While the Oak Leafers missed out on promotion from Division Two, they found form after a difficult 18 months and "are definitely back on the road" according to the former Dublin defender.

Should they overcome the Saffrons, then who do they face from the following day's derby?

Monaghan lost their Division One status after a difficult campaign, while Cavan managed to survive in Division Two.

Neither are on a hot streak, but McManus notes "there's an opening for any team on that side of the draw to get to an Ulster final, so it's a big game".

"Division One is a very unforgiving place to be when you have a lot of injuries and you are blooding a lot of young lads at one time," McManus said of the Farney men.

"We saw that the first day against Armagh and it just followed that pattern the whole way through. They had a good performance against Donegal and hopefully they will have four or five lads back like Ryan McAnespie, Conor McCarthy, Killian Lavelle, Dylan Byrne, Louis Kelly.

"Cavan aren't firing on all cylinders either but on their worst day, Cavan or Monaghan can always get themselves up for that game.

"Neither team are coming in on the crest of a wave, so if ever there was a 50-50 game, this is it."

Have Donegal solved the Clifford conundrum?

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Paudie Clifford was a thorn in Donegal's side during last year's All-Ireland final

You can listen to the podcast to hear the full predictions of all three for their provincial and All-Ireland winners, but it won't come as a surprise to learn the trio place Donegal and Kerry as leading contenders.

Last year, the Kingdom reigned but Donegal turned the tables in the recent league final, which may have "sharpened Kerry's knives" according to McManus.

Donegal using goalkeeper Gavin Mulreany as an added defender will give Kerry much to ponder should they meet again later this year, but then Jack O'Connor will likely have some key figures to return.

"You can say Donegal tactically got it right, but they still haven't answered the question on Paudie Clifford," says McConville

McMahon disagrees on that point, and feels Donegal manager Jim McGuinness may have found the solution which could lead to ultimate glory this year.

"[Clifford's] influential, but did McGuinness get it wrong tactically last year? I think you just have get in his face and don't let him hit those passes.

"I find it very hard to see any team beating Donegal and Kerry.

"The only team that has won back-to-back since 2006 is Dublin and Kerry. Can Kerry do it? Yes, but it's a big ask and that's why I'm veering towards Donegal."