Overview
- Armagh face Tyrone at the Box‑It Athletic Grounds on Friday, 2 January to launch the reinstated Dr McKenna Cup, a rare early meeting after Tyrone’s drop to Division Two prevents a league clash.
- Derry, the holders, visit Donegal in Letterkenny on Sunday, 4 January, with Donegal set to stage early home games away from Ballybofey due to MacCumhaill Park pitch works.
- The McKenna Cup group rounds run 2–11 January with semi‑finals on 14 January and the final on 17 January, confirming a seven‑day window for all group fixtures.
- The Allianz Football League begins the weekend of 24–25 January, headlined by a Croke Park double‑header on Saturday featuring Meath v Derry and Dublin v Donegal.
- All‑Ireland champions Kerry and Tipperary start at home (Kerry v Roscommon on 25 January; Tipperary v Galway on 24 January), with league finals slated for 28–29 March and provincials opening 11–12 April.