Mayo host champions

Derry will open the defence of their National Football League title with a visit to Mayo for the first of the three pre-Christmas fixtures. The remaining four dates won't be finalised until after the GAA's special congress on October 14th. Should the proposals for the diluted knockout football championship be accepted - the main topic of debate for the special congress - then it is expected that the remaining league fixtures will have to be brought forward from their provisional dates.

The first three rounds will be played on October 29th, November 12th and November 26th. Beaten finalists Meath will travel to Clare for their first game while Dublin play host to Tyrone at Parnell Park - a repeat of last year's opener when they fell to the Ulster side by seven points.

Among the more enticing opening clashes in Division One is the meeting of Connacht rivals Roscommon and Galway. Semi-final qualifiers last spring, Roscommon will be eager to diffuse their disappointing championship form against Leitrim.

In Division Two A, Cork will open against Armagh - the two teams relegated last season after a disappointing return of one win in seven games. Also relegated were Kildare and Down and they will face Tipperary and Monaghan respectively.

Meanwhile, both Kerry are Galway continue preparations for their All-Ireland final replay on Saturday week with the just the minimum of worries. Kerry manager Paidi O Se gave his side his first run out since the drawn game on Wednesday evening and no one showed any ill effects of the previous weekend.

Midfielder Darragh O Se has been carrying a slight ankle injury, but it hasn't been causing any problems on the field. Likewise, Mike Frank Russell carried a slight thigh strain into the drawn game, but didn't show any signs of reduced performance.

Once again, the big talking point before the team announcement next week is whether or not Maurice Fitzgerald will get his first start of the championship.

In Galway, manager John O'Mahony had been concerned about minor knocks picked up by full back Gary Fahy and wing forward Michael Donnellan in the course of the drawn game.

Both players sat out Tuesday night's training session, but neither of them are doubtful for the replay.