IN ROUND three of the O’Byrne Cup, the stand-out tie this weekend is the meeting of Dublin and DCU at Parnell Park.
In their campaign to date, holders Dublin have recorded a draw against Wexford followed by a big win over IT Carlow on Wednesday night. Sigerson favourites DCU have two wins under their belt, also posting a big winning margin against IT Carlow before beating Wexford in their Group A clash midweek.
Dublin manager Jim Gavin had Dean Rock to thank for rescuing his side against Wexford with a last-gasp point while, against the Carlow students, he included highly-regarded youngster Con O’Callaghan in his experimental side. The Cuala player is hotly tipped to be the next big thing in Dublin football.
DCU, meanwhile, will top the group if they avoid defeat to the Metropolitans. They have shown their quality in the competition with Mark Plunkett, Conor McHugh, David Mannix and Conor McGraynor impressing thus far.
Elsewhere, Meath take on Laois at Pairc Tailteann, with the latter favourites to top Group C after two wins for new manager Mick Lillis, against UCD and Carlow. Meath comfortably beat Carlow before succumbing to UCD.
In Group B, all four sides – Kildare, Louth, DIT and Offaly – are in contention to progress to the semi-finals with all four being tied on two points apiece.
Offaly and Kildare meet at Tullamore with both teams looking to bounce back from defeats last time out to DIT and Louth respectively.
Meanwhile, in Group D, Westmeath are in control. On Wednesday night, they fought back gamely in the second half to beat Longford by a single point. Denis Coroon grabbed the winner. Should they beat out-of-contention Wicklow, they will advance.
n In the Bord na Mona Walsh Cup, PJ O’Mullan takes his Antrim side to the capital to play Dublin tomorrow at the DCU Sportsgrounds (preview P73).
Antrim were beaten by Laois in their opener but did run up a total of 1-19. O’Mullan has spoken of the “positives” to be taken from the encounter. They will face a very stiff test from a Dublin side who beat UCD on Thursday evening registering 4-15. On an encouraging note for the Saffrons, they also conceded 3-12 to the students.
Westmeath play NUI Galway today, while tomorrow’s fixtures are Laois v UCD, Meath v Wexford, IT Carlow v Carlow and Galway v DCU.
