The opening fixtures for the O Byrne and Walsh Cup competitions have been unveiled.
Carlow are out on the opening weekend in both competitions where they’re away to Wicklow in the O Byrne Cup and at home to Wicklow in the Walsh Cup.
Both games take place on Saturday December 30th.
Bord na Móna Walsh Cup
Group 1: Wexford, carlow, Wicklow
Group 2: Kilkenny, Kildare, Laois
Group 3: Dublin, Antrim, Meath
Group 4: Offaly, Westmeath
Format: Round robin with first placed team advancing to semi-finals. Offaly and Westmeath will play each other home and away with aggregate score deciding who tops Group 4.
Dates: Dec 30, Jan 3, Jan 7. Semi-Finals: Jan 14. Final: Jan 20/21
| DATE | VENUE | TIME | |||
| GROUP 1 | |||||
| Carlow | v | Wicklow | 30.12.2017 | Carlow Venue | 2.00pm |
| Wexford | v | Carlow | 3.1.2018 | Wexford Venue | 8.00pm |
| Wicklow | v | Wexford | 7.1.2018 | Wicklow Venue | 2.00pm |
| GROUP 2 | |||||
| Kildare | v | Laois | 30.12.2017 | Kildare Venue | 2.00pm |
| Laois | v | Kilkenny | 3.1.2018 | Laois Venue | 8.00pm |
| Kilkenny | v | Kildare | 7.1.2018 | Kilkenny Venue | 2.00pm |
| GROUP 3 | |||||
| Meath | v | Antrim | 30.12.2017 | Abbottstown | 2.00pm |
| Meath | v | Dublin | 3.1.2018 | Meath Venue | 8.00pm |
| Dublin | v | Antrim | 7.1.2018 | Dublin Venue | 2.00pm |
| GROUP 4 | |||||
| Offaly | v | Westmeath | 30.12.2017 | Offaly Venue | 2.00pm |
| Westmeath | v | Offaly | 7.1.2018 | Westmeath Venue | 2.00pm |
| SEMI-FINALS | 14.1.2018 | 2.00pm | |||
| FINAL | 20/21.1.2018 | 2.00pm |
Bord na Mona O’Byrne Cup S.F. 2018
Group 1 – Dublin, Offaly, Wexford
Group 2- Kildare, Louth, Longford
Group 3 – Meath, Carlow, Wicklow
Group 4 – Westmeath, Laois
Format: Round robin with first placed team advancing to semi-finals.
Westmeath and Laois play each other home and away with aggregate score deciding who tops Group 4.
Dates: Dec 30, Jan 3, Jan 7. Semi-finals Jan 13/14. Final Jan 20/21
| DATE | VENUE | TIME | |||
| GROUP 1 | |||||
| Offaly | v | Wexford | 30.12.2017 | Offaly Venue | 2.00pm |
| Dublin | v | Offaly | 3.1.2018 | Dublin Venue | 8.00pm |
| Wexford | v | Dublin | 7.1.2018 | Wexford Venue | 2.00pm |
| GROUP 2 | |||||
| Louth | v | Longford | 30.12.2017 | Louth Venue | 2.00pm |
| Kildare | v | Louth | 3.1.2018 | Kildare Venue | 8.00pm |
| Longford | v | Kildare | 7.1.2018 | Longford Venue | 2.00pm |
| GROUP 3 | |||||
| Wicklow | v | Carlow | 30.12.2017 | Wicklow Venue | 2.00pm |
| Carlow | v | Meath | 3.1.2018 | Carlow Venue | 8.00pm |
| Meath | v | Wicklow | 7.1.2018 | Meath Venue | 2.00pm |
| GROUP 4 | |||||
| Westmeath | v | Laois | 30.12.2017 | Westmeath Venue | 2.00pm |
| Laois | v | Westmeath | 7.1.2018 | Laois Venue | 2.00pm |
| SEMI-FINALS | 13/14.1.2018 | ||||
| FINAL | 20/21.1.2018 |
2017 saw the Dublin footballers regain the Bord na Móna O’Byrne Cup with a victory over a spirited Louth team while the Walsh Cup hurling decider was also a keenly contested affair with Kilkenny out playing Galway in a Nolan Park decider.
Following a positive response from supporters it has been decided to maintain the format for the Bord na Móna O’Byrne Cup which will see teams divided into groups and with mid-week matches taking place to reach the semi-finals.
Leinster GAA Chairman Jim Bolger said: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Bord na Móna and build upon the strong relationship we have built since 2012.
“They understand the importance of community and the work that we do to enable our clubs and members to be the best they can be.
“The Bord na Móna O’Byrne Cup football trophy has been competed for since 1954 and the Tom Walsh Cup has existed since 1956. Between them they have played a crucial role in Leinster GAA as Accident Tournaments whereby the proceeds generated by attendances is used in a special fund that looks to benefit ordinary GAA people in Leinster who are in dire need of assistance.
“These are special competitions that have a crucial place in the calendar because in both codes they act as a vital dress rehearsal for the start of the national leagues and provide a warmly welcome outlet for supporters who have been starved of seeing their county play since the summer.
