Hibernation Ends

In Ulster the McKenna cup starts the 2012 season off and nearly all of the 9 have something of interest to ponder before the National League starts.
Tyrone have had a number of retirements, does Mr Harte insistence that numbers of the uni players line out for the county in this subsiduary competition reveal real conerns.
Derry Paddy Bradley using it to get match fitness. Afrter the injury can he make a full comeback.
Antrim, only players over six foot need apply.
Fermanagh, everybody joined the Peter love in. The second round game between Fermanagh and Tyrone master v apprentice.
Armagh must be POR last year unless he performs miracles
Cavan, can they genuinely build on last years u-21 success. Is there life in the Seanie Johnstone to Meath rumours.
Monaghan no big changes
Donegal can they repeat last years run. Will they gamble on three forwards. Will the expulsion cause unseen problems
Down, Ambrose is back. Can the Armagh O'Rourke solve the defensive problems. Will the six foot five former Hogan cup winning captain make a debut and more importantly solve the midfield issue.

What are the secondary competitions in other provinces likely to point to bfore the NFL starts.

Nothin.g The League and these cups mean feic all.

The most interesting news of the off season is Graham Geraghty is to select and play for Meath.

Gwaaan! Monaghan!

Thomond wrote:Nothin.g The League and these cups mean feic all.

The most interesting news of the off season is Graham Geraghty is to select and play for Meath.

Geraghty, in true Jeckell & Hyde fashion to have a chat with himself when dropped...........................

Dr McKenna Cup results in full: Tyrone 1-13 1-05 Queen's. Fermanagh 2-11 1-06 Antrim. Monaghan 0-14 0-06 St Mary's. Down 2-12 0-10 Armagh. Derry 0-13 0-12 Cavan. Donegal 0-09 0-11 UUJ.

Happy new year.

All the Cork panel were fighting each other last night. Punches thrown, a couple of knockouts and brutal savagery...........

A charity boxing night folks.

O'Byrne Cup round one results:

Meath 1-13 1-10 Wexford

Wicklow 1-14 0-18 DCU

Longford 0-13 1-09 Athlone IT

Kildare 2-11 0-09 Dublin IT

Offaly 3-06 0-07 Westmeath

Carlow 0-10 0-17 Dublin

Laois 0-11 0-15 UCD

FBD Insurance League results:

GMIT 2-08 1-11 Roscommon

Mayo 0-10 0-06 Leitrim

Sligo 1-17 0-09 London

Galway 0-09 1-08 NUIG

McGrath Cup preliminary round results:

Waterford 0-14 2-14 IT Tralee

Clare 0-18 1-08 UL

Tipperary 2-13 3-08 LIT

Good to see the Dubs won their match at the weekend - start as you mean to go on lads!

http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2012/0108/obyrnecup.html

Are Kerry the only county this year to totally disregard the subsidury competition in their province. I read that Cork would have a strong team out today.

For all the bandwagon summer only followers thought it would be worthwhile letting you know the attendance figures for games in the McKenna cup. Six thousand Down v Armagh and over seven thousand last wednesday night in Omagh for Tyrone v Fermanagh.
Both semi finals will be played in Armagh this Sunday. Seems the hardy Ulster followers are more committed than others.

That's good news on the attendance figures

Those are very good attendences. Colm O'Neil was back playing for Cork today after his cruciate ligament injury last season and grabbed 2 points. (second time he has done it and he is only 23!) Cork put out a fairly strong team with a mixture of experiences heads and some young fellas and beat CIT 2-17 to 0-07.