New season is upon us
January 04, 2015
The Leitrim team celebrate with the FBD League Cup at Markievicz Park. INPHO
The 2015 inter-county football season begins in earnest today with no fewer than 18 first / preliminary round ties in the O'Byrne, McKenna, Connacht FBD League and McGrath Cup taking place.
Fifteen new managers will make their bows, with Donegal's Rory Gallagher and Armagh's Kieran McGeeney being among the most high profile. Beaten All-Ireland finalists Donegal will travel to Owenbeg for their McKenna Cup opener against Derry, while McGeeney's Orchard County will host old foes Tyrone at the Athletic Grounds.
In the O'Byrne Cup, Leinster champions Dublin will take on debutants NUI Maynooth at Parnell Park, while there is sure to be plenty of interest in the local derby clashes between Westmeath and Meath, and Offaly and Laois.
In the FBD League, Mayo's new joint-managers Pat Holmes and Noel Connelly will get their first look at their new charges in action against NUIG, while Sligo and Galway will also be under new management for their clash at Enniscrone.
Cork open their McGrath Cup defence against Mary I in Mallow, with All-Ireland champions Kerry not in action until next Sunday against IT Tralee.
O'Byrne Cup round 1
Dublin v NUI Maynooth, Parnell Park, 2pm
Offaly v Laois, Tullamore, 2pm
Kildare v Louth, Newbridge, 2pm
Carlow v UCD, Dr Cullen Park, 2pm
Westmeath v Meath, Cusack Park, 2pm
Wexford v DIT, Gorey, 2pm
Wicklow v IT Carlow, Blessington, 2pm
McKenna Cup round 1
Down v Cavan, Pairc Esler, 2pm
Derry v Donegal, Owenbeg, 2pm
Fermanagh v Queen's, Brewster Park, 2pm
Armagh v Tyrone, Athletic Grounds, 2pm
Antrim v St Mary's, Creggan, 2pm
McGrath Cup preliminary round
Waterford v UL, Carriganore, 2pm
Cork v Mary I, Mallow, 2pm
Connacht FBD FL round 1
Mayo v NUIG, MacHale Park, 2pm
Roscommon v IT Sligo, Strokestown, 2pm
Leitrim v GMIT, Cloone, 2pm
Sligo v Galway, Enniscrone, 2pm
