Preview: Weekend’s Football inter-county action:
GAELIC FOOTBALL
Connacht FBD League Semi-Finals
Friday 5th January
Roscommon v Sligo, University of Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome, 7pm
Sunday 7th January
Mayo v London, University of Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome, 1pm
Dioralyte O’Byrne Cup Quarter-Finals
Saturday 6th January
Longford v Westmeath, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 1.30pm
Offaly v Dublin, Faithful Fields, 1.30pm
Wexford v Kildare, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 1.30pm
Meath v Louth, Ashbourne, 7pm
Dioralyte O’Byrne Shield Quarter-Finals
Saturday 6th January
Wicklow v Carlow, Bray Emmets, 1.30pm
Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup
Saturday 6th January
Derry v Down, Owenbeg, 6pm
Sunday 7th January
Tyrone v Donegal, O’Neill’s Healy Park, 1pm
Antrim v Fermanagh, Ahoghill, 1pm
McGrath Cup
Saturday 6th January
Limerick v Kerry, Rathkeale, 2pm
Sunday 7th January
Waterford v Clare, Lemybrien, 2pm
Another action packed weekend commences on Friday evening at the University of Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome.
Roscommon, who enjoyed many encouraging moments under Davy Burke in 2023, meet Sligo in the Connacht FBD League.
Tony McEntee is developing Sligo too and both counties would relish another game in the final ahead of the Allianz Football League.
London make a welcome return to the competition, but face a daunting task against Mayo at the same venue on Sunday afternoon.
The Dioralyte O’Byrne Cup features four quarter-final ties on Saturday.
Emerging talent from the capital should be on view against Offaly at the Faithful Fields.
Declan Kelly’s charges eked out a win over Laois during the week with the Faithful eager to make progress in the coming weeks and months.
Longford, who triumphed in this tournament last year, host Westmeath at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park.
Wexford and Kildare enjoyed decent victories during the week so the match at Chadwicks Wexford Park should be a competitive affair.
Tailteann Cup winners Meath, who include plenty of promising players in the extended panel, are at home to Louth in Ashbourne.
Wicklow meet Carlow in an O’Byrne Cup Shield Quarter-Final, providing further opportunities for players ahead of the start of the Allianz League.
Jim McGuinness’ return as Donegal manager ensures there is significant excitement in the county once more.
The midweek success over a youthful Armagh selection was a positive opening ahead of Sunday’s trip to Omagh for a game against Tyrone.
Antrim were spirited throughout their game against Monaghan and now face Fermanagh in Ahoghill on Sunday.
The Saturday evening match between Derry and Down should be hard fought too.
Following two Ulster titles on the spin Derry will have grand ambitions in 2024, but Down have shown signs of encouragement under Conor Laverty’s shrewd guidance.
In the McGrath Cup Kerry were far too strong for Tipperary on Tuesday, Jack O’Connor’s charges travel to Rathkeale for a game against Limerick on Saturday.
The following afternoon Waterford, now being managed by former Meath player Paul Shankey, host Clare at Lemybrien.