David's have the incentive

AS the senior football championship in Leinster enters the quarter-final stage, tomorrow's encounter with St David's of Artane and St Patrick's of Navan is sure to be heightened by the rivalry between Dublin and Meath.

St David's come into this game as the maturing side. They last won the Leinster title back in 1986, the same season they reached the All-Ireland final, but having won the Under-16 title last year, they can't be too far short of further honours.

"We're still that bit on the young side, with a lot of the under-16 players with us this year," admits the St David's coach Brian Talty. "But the Meath-Dublin rivalry will always add that extra bit of incentive and motivation, and we're certainly looking forward to it."

The St David's side is strengthened by a number of Dublin minors from last year, including Seamas McCann, Stephen Mills and goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton, along with captain Anthony Holly.

The other eagerly anticipated quarter-final clash has the holders and All-Ireland champions Good Counsel meeting Salesian's of Newbridge tomorrow. Elsewhere, the preliminary round of the Connacht senior football championship continues this Sunday, with Roscommon CBS, winners two years ago, meeting St Colman's at Ballinlough.