Leinster ties kick off typical season of unpredictable fare

COLLEGES GAA: Two games in the Leinster senior football championship this week mark the 2002 start of the unpredictable colleges competitions. On Friday, Coláiste Eoin face Dundalk Schools and St Benildus College face Patrician, Newbridge.

The winners progress to next week's first full round of games, which includes All-Ireland title-holders St Patrick's, Navan. Awaiting the winners of the Coláiste Eoin-Dundalk tie are St Joseph's, Rochfortbridge, while the winners of the St Benildus-Patrician tie will meet St Mark's CS.

Coláiste Eoin are still in a rebuilding phase after winning the Leinster title four years ago, but they are capable of at least progressing to the quarter-finals this year. Last year they fell in their opening game to Marist College, who had an impressive run to the semi-finals.

The draw for the Ulster senior football MacRory Cup took place earlier this month, with the games set to be played on successive Saturday's in February - the 2nd and 9th - with venues yet to be confirmed.

Joint-holders St Michael's, Enniskillen (who shared the honour with Omagh CBS because of the foot-and-mouth problem) must overcome old rivals St Patrick's, Armagh, if they are to reach their fourth consecutive MacRory Cup final.

Quarter-final draw: St Colman's, Newry v Omagh CBS; Abbey CBS v St Patrick's Academy, Dungannon; St MacCartan's College, Monaghan v St Patrick's College, Maghera; St Michael's College, Enniskillen v St Patrick's, Armagh.

The Munster competitions are already well progressed and the Dr Harty Cup SH semi-final line-ups have been decided. Defending champions St Colman's, Fermoy will face Cashel Community School, and Our Lady's, Templemore will face Midleton CBS. Both games will take place on February 22nd, with venues to be announced.

FIXTURES: Friday - Leinster SF A: Dundalk Schools v Coláiste Eoin, Dundalk Gaels, 2.0; Patrician, Newbridge v St Benildus College, College Park, Newbridge, 2.0. Saturday - Leinster VS inter-county football quarter-final: Carlow v Meath, Carlow, 1.30.