It’s Kildare versus DCU in the 2012 Bord na Mona O’Byrne Cup final on Sunday 29th January.  The Lilywhites are on still on course to defend their cup after a bruising semi-final victory over Dublin while the DCU students caused something of an upset with a facile eight point victory over Meath in Navan.
While Pat Gilroy fielded a weakened Dublin team in Newbridge, there was still plenty of bite between the Leinster rivals but Kieran McGeeney will be particularly pleased with the six-point margin of victory in front of an impressive 6,000 strong crowd.

Sunday’s final pits last year’s winners against an increasingly impressive DCU, who were the 2010 winners and also finalists in 2009. Sligo corner forward, David Kelly, with a haul of 2-1 against Meath, will be a key man for the Glasnevin outfit, while McGeeney will be using the final with one eye on their League opener against Tyrone the week after.

Meanwhile, in the Bord na Mona O’Byrne Shield, Wexford will face Laois in the final on Sunday 29th January.

The weekend semi-finals saw Wexford win a pulsating tie in extra time with a late goal securing a 1-15 to 0-17 win. Laois saw off DIT 0-15 to 0-07 in Portarlington to gain their place in the final.

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Read More: 

Rory McIlroy tames the Tiger in first outing of the New Year

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GAA Digest: DCU's Niall Moyna and Donegal's Jim McGuinness spar over Martin McElhinney O’Byrne Cup

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Bord na Mona O’Byrne Cup Final
Sunday 29th January:
Kildare v DCU, 2pm, Newbridge. Live on TG4.
 
Bord na Mona O’Byrne Shield Final
Sunday 29th January:
Wexford v Laois, 2.30pm, Wexford Park
 
Bord na Mona Walsh Cup

Cup holders, Dublin, start their Bord na Mona Walsh Cup campaign away to Laois on Sunday 29th.  It was a winning start for Laois manager, Teddy McCarthy, after they defeated DIT by 3-13 to 2-14 in extra time but they will face a tough task against Anthony Daly’s team who will be keen to make a strong start to 2012.

All Ireland champions, Kilkenny, begin their inter county hurling year against NUI Galway, and despite the retirements of big name stars including Cha Fitzpatrick, Eddie Brennan, and PJ Ryan, Brian Cody’s Cats will be as hungry as ever to make an immediate impression to their campaign.

In the competition’s other tie, UCD play Galway while the semi finals of the Bord na Mona Walsh Shield see Carlow face DIT and Wexford face Offaly.

Bord na Mona Walsh Cup round 2 fixtures:
Sunday 29th January:
UCD v Galway, 2pm, Belfield
Laois v Dublin, 2pm, Rathdowney
Kilkenny, v NUIG, 2pm, Freshford
Bord na Mona Walsh Shield semi finals:
Sunday 29th January:
Carlow v DIT, 2pm, Carlow
Wexford v Offaly, 12.45pm, Wexford Park
Bord na Mona Kehoe Cup round 2 fixtures:
Saturday 28th January:
Trinity College v Down, 2pm, Clan na Gael, Ringsend
Kildare v GMIT, 12.30pm, Newbridge
Sunday 29th January:
Wicklow v St Pats Drumcondra, 2pm, Eire Og, Greystones
Meath v DCU, 2pm, Navan
Bord na Mona Kehoe Shield semi finals:
Louth v Fingal, 2pm, Darver
Roscommon v Armagh, 2pm, Athleague