Interesting fixtures in opening round of knockout cups
The draws for the opening rounds of the knockout football competitions threw up a fascinating contest in the Feis Cup with former Trim manager Kevin Reilly opening his tenure as boss of Meath SFC champions Ratoath with a home game on Friday 3rd February.
Reilly left Trim last November after guiding the club to Meath and Leinster IFC honours, but will now face his former side who are managed by Ciaran Giblin, who was a selector with Reilly during Trim's successful two-year spell.
In round two of the Feis Cup reigning Keegan Cup holders Ratoath will travel to face Donaghmore/Ashbourne, while Navan O'Mahonys will begin life in the second tier with a Corn na Boinne clash with Rathkenny on Saturday 4th February.
The 2022 Feis Cup fell victim to the packed fixture schedule in 2022, but it returns this year and is expected to be completed before the A FLs commence in early March.
Simonstown won the 2021 Feis Cup with a final victory over Wolfe Tones and they will begin the defence of their title at home to Donaghmore/Ashbourne on Friday 3rd February.
Interestingly Moynalvey have opted not to field a team in the Feis Cup.
THURSDAY 2nd FEBRUARY (8PM)
Corn na Boinne - Longwood v Ballivor.
FRIDAY 3rd FEBRUARY (8PM)
Feis Cup - Simonstown v Donaghmore/Ashbourne; Ratoath v Trim; Dunshaughlin v St Colmcille's; Seneschalstown v Gaeil Colmcille; Skryne v Summerhill.
Corn na Boinne - Meath Hill v Castletown; Walterstown v Dunderry; St Michael's v Walterstown; Nobber v Duleek-Bellewstown; St Mary's v Drumconrath.
Tailteann Shield - Carnaross v Cortown.
SATURDAY 4th FEBRUARY
Feis Cup - Ballinabrackey v Na Fianna, 3pm; Curraha v St Peter's, 3pm.
Corn na Boinne - St Michael's v St Patrick's, 6.30pm; Dunderry v St Michael's, 3pm; Navan O'Mahonys v Rathkenny, 6.30pm; Drumbaragh v Bective, 3pm; Oldcastle v Blackhall Gaels, 6.30pm.
Tailteann Cup - Clann na nGael v Dunsany, 3pm; Ballinlough v St Brigid's, 6.30pm; Ballinlough v Clann na nGael, 6.30pm; Syddan v St Vincent's, 3.30pm; Kilmainham v Moylagh, 3.30pm.
Tailteann Shield - Boardsmill v Clonard, 3.30pm.
FRIDAY 10th FEBRUARY (8PM)
Feis Cup - Donaghmore/Ashbourne v Ratoath; St Colmcille's v Seneschalstown.
Corn na Boinne - Castletown v Longwood; St Patrick's v Walterstown.
SATURDAY 11th FEBRUARY (3PM)
Feis Cup - Trim v Simonstown; St Peter's v Ballinabrackey; Na Fianna v Curraha; Gaeil Colmcille v Dunshaughlin, at Grangegodden; Summerhill v Wolfe Tones.
Corn na Boinne - Ballivor v Meath Hill; Rathkenny v Nobber, 3.30pm; Duleek-Bellewstown v Navan O'Mahonys, 6.30pm; Bective v Oldcastle 3.30pm; Blackhall Gaels v Drumbaragh, at Batterstown, 6.30pm.
Tailteann Cup - St Brigid's v Clann na nGael, 3.30pm; Dunsany v Ballinlough, 3.30pm; St Vincent's v Kilbride, 3.30pm; Moylagh v St Ultan's, 3.30pm.
Tailteann Shield - Drumconrath v Moynalty, 3.30pm; Carnaross v Slane 6.30pm.
SUNDAY 12th FEBRUARY
Tailteann Shield - Clonard v Kilmainhamwood, 12pm.