Heads up - Round 1 of the Dublin SFC 2025 is here!

Let's look at the games coming up this weekend:

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Group 1
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Power Rankings:

• Ballyboden St Endas - AFL Div 1 2025 - 1st
• Na Fianna - AFL Div 1 2025 - 2nd
• Ballinteer St Johns - AFL Div 1 2025 - 7th
• St Vincent's - AFL Div 2 2025 - 2nd

Group 1 looks like being pretty competitive, with the top two from Div 1 against a slightly underperforming BSJ team, who look to have lost a bit of momentum recently, having previously looked to be building up a very good young team. Luke Breathnach seems to be in the USA currently, which wont help, and a young Vincent's team, which seems to be on the upward curve. But Boden and NAF might be a step too far for both of them.

Round one games:

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Na Fianna v Boden

This should be a cracking game this evening in Parnell Park - looking forward to seeing the team sheets later to see how strong each side - important for both sides to get off to a good start.

• One to Watch Boden - I was really impressed with Sweeney last year, hopefully he's playing this evening.
• One to Watch NAF - James Doran is playing for NAF and when on form is a good play maker.

TT- Boden to edge it - hopefully a cracker

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Vincents v Balinteer

Game of two up-and-coming teams here, BSJ seem to have stalled in their progress slightly, maybe, so will be looking to kick on again. Talk ot Breathnach being in the USA will mean they're without his considerable talents this weekend, unfortunately.

Vincents seem to have regrouped and are going well with a young team overall.

• One to watch BSJ: Jack Lundy - touted by many as potentially county grade
• One to Watch Vincents: Eoghan Dunne - A very good player at this grade for me.

TT - tough one to call, without Breathnach, I'll hesitantly go for Vincents?

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GROUP 2
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• Castleknock - AFL Div 1 2025 - 6th
• Ballymun Kickhams - AFL Div 1 2025 - 8th
• Templeogue Synge Street - AFL Div 2 2025 - 6th
• Whitehall Colmcille - AFL Div 2 2025 - 11th

Round one games:

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Ballymun v TSS

A so-so league for Ballymun this spring/summer, finishing in 8th place in AFL1, vs a TSS team who are 6th on AFL2. With lorcan O'Dell and Nial Scully back in the fold they'll be a different proposition but Ballymun will ikely have too much for them?

• One to Watch Ballymun - James McCarthy
• One to watch TSS - Nail Scully

TT - Ballymun by a few

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Whitehall v Castleknock

On paper, there's only one winner here, CK are 6th in AFL 1 and have Ciaran Kilkenny back for a few weeks. But then Whitehall turned form on it's head in the hurling with their returning Dubs contingent - they're a different animal with their Dubs back for Champsionship. Cossie, Gannona nd EOD would improve any team.

• One to Watch CK - St. Ciaran of Kilkenny
• One to Watch Whitehall - Cormac Costello - flying for their hurlers

TT - Castleknock ... maybe ...

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Group 3
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• Cuala - AFL Div 1 2025 - 10th - (All Ireland Champs)
• Thomas Davis - AFL Div 1 2025 - 9th.
• Lucan Sarsfields - AFL Div 1 2025 - 13th.
• Raheny - AFL Div 2 2025 - 3rd.

Round one games:

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Lucan v Thomas Davis

Lucan are 13th in AFL1 v TD, who are 9th. For a club of their size, Lucan seem to be struggling the last few years in the Championship. TD are tipping along in a decent league position. This will be an important game for both sides if they want to avoid relegation issues.

• One to Watch Lucan - Mark Lavin - I'm hoping he is fit and playing and can find form
• One to Watch TC - got to be Cian Murphy, who is hopefully over his injury issues

TT - Td to edge it?

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Cuala v Raheny

Raheny have the honour of playing the All-Ireland Champions in Round 1. The big talking point is whether Con will be fit or not, and whether Brian Fenton is back in the country. Cuala have had a so-so league under new management, but should be a different beast here, especially if Con is fit.

• One to Watch Cuala - I'll have to give this to Con for round one, will spread it around more in later rounds
• One to watch, Raheny - Brian Howard, of course.

tt - Cuala to win by a few if Con is around, otherwise it'll be close.

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Group 4
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• Clontarf - AFL Div 1 2025 - 4th.
• Kilmacud Crokes - AFL Div 1 2025 - 5th.
• St Judes - AFL Div 1 2025 - 12th.
• St Sylvesters - AFL Div 1 2025 - 16th.

Round one games:

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Crokes v Clontarf

4th v 5th from AFL 1 - Crokes under new management will be amongst the favourites for the title, Clontarf have been building a very impressive team who were great to watch last year. Shame this isnt going to be available to stream as it could be one of the best games of the weekend.

• One to Watch Clontarf: Charlie Meehan - quick/dynamic Half Forward - makes things happen
• One to Watch Crokes: I'm going to go with young Quigley even tho i dont know if he's starting for them - just think he's an exciting prospect.

tt - Crokes to edge a good game

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Judes v Syls

12th v 16th in the AFL1, both teams will be looking to get an important win here to try and fight off relegation, imo. Jude's had the marginally better league, so might give them the edge.

• Not going to lie, I'm not sure who is going well or who to look out for with Judes or Sylvesters - someone might add in the comments below?

tt- Judes to edge it