The return of the GAA's Allianz Leagues on Saturday provided a welcome return of intercounty gaelic football after six months away.
It also provided fans and media members with badly-needed information about players and squads for the upcoming year.
It's extraordinary that one of the sport's major competitions can begin with such uncertainty about the players who'll feature, but that's one of the peculiarities about the GAA.
While teams have been back training since November, managers haven't had to face questions from the media. After tonight's games in Galway and Croke Park, the status of some of the game's best players was clarified.
Perhaps the biggest news comes from Armagh. Kieran McGeeney confirmed after Armagh's defeat in Galway that the county's talisman Rian O'Neill is not currently involved with Armagh, with his status with the county up in the air, according to Maurice Brosnan with The Examiner:
"He is taking a bit of time out for himself at the minute. I don't know whether it is weeks or months. We said we'd give it to him...When it is personal I try not to ask any questions. He was in for a while and he was training, he is just taking a bit of time for himself. That is it.”
He later told Jonathan Higgins of Off The Ball he'd be taking a "few months to himself"
It's a huge pity as O'Neill would have been a joy to watch with these new rules.
Dublin squad update after GAA's Allianz League opening night
Perhaps no manager has had to deal with as much squad turnover as Dublin boss Dessie Farrell.
Farrell provided some interesting updates on three of the greatest players to ever play the game on Saturday.
He said Stephen Cluxton has rejoined the panel for 2025, despite the widespread expectation he was retiring. He confirmed gaelic football's greatest-ever goalkeeper was rehabbing from a knee operation but would be back in action soon.
He also said Jack McCaffrey and Paul Mannion were both unlikely to feature in 2025 for Dublin.
Per Karl O'Kane in the Mirror:
These lads aren’t ones for releasing retirement statements or whatever, but I’d say it’s unlikely that the two lads will be involved with us this year.
Farrell also provided some updates on the Small brothers. Paddy Small is back training with Dublin while John Small is still deciding what he'll do for 2025.
Finally, he's giving Mick Fitzsimons time to himself after Cuala's All-Ireland win before checking in on 2025.
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