Champions begin title defence

GAELIC GAMES: Both the reigning Leinster football and Munster hurling colleges champions open the defence of their titles over the coming days. Tomorrow Dundalk Schools, who shocked St Patrick's, Navan, in Leinster last year, take on Dublin side St Declan's in one of six first-round games scheduled for this week.

Colaiste Eoin, the last Dublin school to win the Leinster football title, play St Peter's, Wexford, in Kilmacud tomorrow, while this afternoon there is an all-Westmeath clash between Moate and St Mary's.

In Munster, the four quarter-finals of the Dr Harty Cup take place this afternoon, with defending champions St Colman's, Fermoy, playing Thurles CBS at Ardfinnan. There is also the meeting of St Flannan's and Our Lady's, Templemore, a repeat of last year's semi-final where the Tipperary school prevailed.

There is also one quarter-final in the Munster senior football Murray Cup, brought forward a week, and featuring two Kerry schools - St Brendan's, Killarney, and Tralee CBS.

TODAY

Leinster Colleges SF A: Round one: Moyne CS v Boyne CS, Dromlish, 1.0; Marist, Athlone v Scoil Mhuire, Clane, Athlone, 1.30; St Mary's, Mullingar v Moate CS, Mullingar, 2.30.

Munster Colleges SH Dr Harty Cup Quarter-Finals (all games 2.0): St. Flannan's v Our Lady's, Templemore, Nenagh; Doon CBS v Cashel CS, Tipperary Town; St Colman's v Thurles CBS, Ardfinnan; De La Salle, Waterford v Abbey CBS, Clonmel.

TOMORROW

Leinster Colleges SF A: Round one: Dundalk Schools v St Declan's, DCU, 1.0; Colaiste Eoin v St Peter's, Wexford, Kilmacud, 2.0.

FRIDAY

Leinster Colleges SF A: Round one: St Joseph's, Rochfortbridge v Col San Froinsias, Rochfortbridge, 1.30.

Munster SF Corn Ui Mhuiri: St Brendan's, KIllarney v Tralee CBS, Killarney, 2.0.

SUNDAY

Munster Vocational Schools SF A: final: Causeway Comprehensive School v St Brogan's College, Bandon, Killarney, 2.30.

Wexford, who play Waterford in the National Football League on Sunday, will be without forward Scott Doran for most of the campaign.

Doran underwent a groin operation in December and resumed light training over the past few weeks.