Division one

1. Tyrone

Mickey Harte's mindset has reverted to 2003 – a year his side won league and All Ireland – so expect a marker to be laid down. Six of the 2008 minor team have come onto the panel with Kyle Coney and Peter Harte most likely to make an impact alongside more famous faces.

2. Galway

Same Joe Kernan – his new squad is referring to him as the best manager they've worked under. But same Galway team too and therein lies the rub. Still a reliance on Michael Meehan and Joe Bergin, a glimmer of hope around Barry Cullinane and Niall Coleman, all of which results in a desperation surrounding Toto Griffin.

3. Derry

Stability, a low turnover of players and two finals have done them little good these past two years so expect experimentation. Will hope Mark Lynch is more comfortable back at six, Seamus Bradley holds his own, Raymond Wilkinson wins dirty ball and Eoin Bradley remains on fire when Paddy makes it back.

4. Kerry

Will Aidan O'Mahony return to his best? Will Mícheál Quirke, David Moran, Donncha Walsh and Barry John Walsh challenge for summer spots? Will Scanlon and Griffin go as well again? Not enough interest for a big league but enough yeses there for another big summer.

5. Cork

Given the college involvement and the policy of not playing under-21s until after their championship, changes will mostly be in position rather than personnel. Pearse O'Neill will get time at 14 but the emergence of Ciarán Sheehan and David Goold would be progress.

6. Mayo

Points at home will be precious. Still need a ball-winning midfielder and some physicality around the central diamond. Seamus O'Shea may solve some of that problem.

7. Dublin

With baby, bathwater, rubber duck and anything else that was in the tub thrown out, with retirements meaning a weakened midfield, a still-porous defence and with four long-distance away games, this campaign could spell trouble.

8. Monaghan

Still no sign of a second midfielder or a three-point-a-game forward to help Tommy Freeman. One of Martin McElroy, Dermot Malone, Aiden Farmer or Francie Caulfield could break through but the ever-growing brains trust on the line could do with all four stepping up.

Division two

1. Kildare

With Alan Smith and John Doyle missing early on, there's a chance to look for another scoring forward. Equally important will be the progression of Rob Kelly and Gary White and some discipline in the corners. But most important is gaining Division One status.

2. Donegal

Handed the best schedule of any big team which should result in at least five wins, especially if Michael Murphy continues on a course for the stars and Stephen Griffin develops into a new Brian Roper.

3. Meath

Jamie Queeney's finishing and Ollie Lewis's pace will make the forwards even more dangerous but they're a half-back short of promotion.

4. Armagh

Charlie Vernon needs to start cutting it around the centre, Stefan Forker needs composure, Jamie Clarke needs time as does Stevie McDonald at centre-forward to rid the side of the predictability inside.

5. Down

All the focus will be on Marty Clarke but James McCartan will be hoping Colm Murney and Timmy Hanna can play their way into the backs. And most pressing is the need to find some physical defenders.

6. Laois

Showed against Kildare they are no longer happy to be pushovers but physicality can only get you so far. Too reliant on Tierney's frees.

7. Westmeath

Interesting choice of management but that will make no difference if Dessie Dolan, Martin Flanagan and John Keane all stay away. Conor Lynam may be a light in the dark.

8. Tipperary

Will target Westmeath but by then they'll have been relegated. But even being here is an achievement.

Division Three

1. Antrim

If CJ McGourty can bring his club mentality onto a side that keeps the flair and pace of last summer, the upward curve will continue.

2. Fermanagh

With Rory Gallagher back, at least the free-taking issue should be solved. Lacking creativity in open play, and lacking quite a few marquee names from Little to Maguire to McCluskey.

3. Sligo

Stability is key for Kevin Walsh. If David Kelly can remain at his '09 level and Adrian Marren continues his improvement, then only away games at the top two will see them miss another promotion.

4. Louth

Learnt from last year's overreaction to O'Byrne Cup. In Louth tradition they'll hope Rooney, Judge, Clarke and Carroll can score more than a weak full-back line concedes.

5. Wexford

Not only is Matty Forde most likely gone for good but those left from 2008 have regressed. Could do with David Walsh and Niall Malone slotting in quickly to three and six.

6. Offaly

Niall Smith and Brian Connor bring a fresh look to centrefield but things will be stale at the back.

7. Cavan

Raymond Galligan and Gareth Smith will pick up some of the slack caused by the absence of Johnston and Flanagan. But there's no one to pick up ball at centrefield.

8. Roscommon

Donie Shine won't be able to compensate for the loss of Karol Mannion and Senan Kilbride. After two steps forward, it'll be one back.

Division Four

1. Limerick

Hurling crisis can only benefit them. Not that they'd need too many dual players to focus on football in order to crawl out of the basement.

2. Leitrim

Given Emlyn Mulligan's record, it's little wonder they got relegated without him last year. With him back, they should bounce back.

3. Clare

With Michael McDermott and Liam McHale on the line they'll lack neither preparation nor belief. But might lack quality for promotion.

4. Wicklow

Thomas Walsh is unlikely to return, so could do with unearthing a midfielder not to mention a scoring inside forward.

5. Longford

Pádraig Berry and Paddy Dowd are gone and David and Paul Barden will miss games through injury. Most counties would struggle to cope. Longford certainly will.

6. Carlow

If Brendan Murphy can bring his experience and form home from Sydney, three wins are possible.

7. London

Remember all those jokes about how they wished the Celtic Tiger would end. Who's laughing now?

8.Waterford

John Kiely is gone and this division looks harder than ever.

9 Kilkenny

If the county board aren't going to do it right…