Ian O'Riordan
Dublin officially start their football season tomorrow with the O'Byrne Cup meeting with Carlow at Dr Cullen Park. Manager Tommy Lyons hasn't yet named his starting line-up, prompting rumours he's not worried about the fixture, or else is eager to put out his strongest possible team.
Lyons knows success of some sort this season is almost essential if Dublin are to give him a fourth year in charge. Dublin will want to win, and win well, with the meeting of All-Ireland champions Tyrone in their first league match now more than just a thought in the back of the head.
Tomás Quinn, Ray Cosgrove and Declan O'Mahony are carrying minor injuries but some experimentation is expected. Carlow welcome back Thomas Walsh to their forward line but Dublin should cope easily with this opening challenge.
Kildare, defending champions, tomorrow face Westmeath in Mullingar. Manager Pádraig Nolan has already called in some fresh faces, such as defenders Robbie McCabe and Eamonn Fitzpatrick, and centre forward Morgan O'Sullivan. Karl Ennis returns from a knee injury, although Dermot Earley has opted to play with NUIG in the FBD Connacht League against Mayo. Also missing is the injured Killian Brennan. Westmeath's season has already gathered some momentum with last Sunday's win over Louth. Manager Páidí Ó Sé has shuffled his team but that momentum should see them through.
The two other quarter-finals involve Longford against Meath, and Offaly against DIT. Longford are missing key players, including Enda Barden, but should be evenly matched with an experimental Meath team. Offaly played well against Wexford last Sunday and the unchanged team should beat DIT.
Tyrone join the McKenna Cup action after returning from Dubai. Manager Mickey Harte has included Omagh Town soccer player Colm McCullagh in his squad to play Derry at Omagh, and also includes nine starters from last September's final. Peter Canavan and Cormac McAnallen are injured. Armagh will field an under-21 side to play Monaghan, while in Connacht, Roscommon play Sligo IT this evening. Three further non-county teams play on Sunday, with NUIG playing Mayo, GMIT taking on Leitrim, and the Defence Forces playing Sligo.
