Dublin to face Carlow in O'Byrne Cup opener

2012 LEINSTER COMPETITIONS:DUBLIN HAVE set themselves several modestly lofty ambitions for the near future under their new strategic plan, the Blue Wave – including winning a senior football All-Ireland every three years, a hurling All-Ireland every five years, a minor football and hurling All-Ireland every three years, and other underage All-Irelands every five years.

But there is also the more immediate ambition of trying to win back the O’Byrne Cup for the first time in four years – the dates and venues for the 2012 pre-season competition have been agreed by the Leinster Council, and will see the All-Ireland senior football champions begin their new season on January 8th with a first-round game away to Carlow.

Dublin were actually beaten in the first round of this year’s competition, against Westmeath, although that clearly didn’t do them any harm come the other end of the season: indeed they went on to claim the O’Byrne Shield, which caters for the first-round losers.

This year’s O’Byrne Cup champions Kildare will begin their new season with a first-round game against one of the four college teams – DIT, DCU, UCD and Athlone IT, although those exact match-ups have still to be confirmed.

Leinster’s pre-season hurling competition, the Walsh Cup, will also see All-Ireland hurling champions Kilkenny open their season, against either Wexford or NUI Galway, in what is effectively the second round.

There is one withdrawal from the Walsh Cup next year as Antrim, who have participated in recent years along with the Leinster hurling championship, have decided against competing, at the request of new hurling manager Jerry Wallis.

Wallis recently took over from Tipperary man Dinny Cahill and believes his priority should be preparing for the Allianz Hurling League, adding that the Walsh Cup usually involves some lengthy travel.

It was also announced earlier this month that Kerry would not be competing in Munster’s pre-season football competition, the McGrath Cup, as manager Jack O’Connor expects to be without several first-choice players who intend taking an extended winter break.

Finally, the Munster Council have announced that the AIB Munster club hurling final will take place in Thurles, on Sunday week, and sees Limerick champions Na Piarsaigh take on Crusheen from Clare.