Gary Walsh netted a goal for Laois against Wicklow on Wednesday.
It is early in the year, but Laois and Meath are both optimistic following a couple of encouraging O’Byrne Cup wins.
Ultimately it means they will contest a winner takes all clash under the Saturday evening lights in Stradbally.
DIT and Wicklow were beaten with the minimum of fuss by both Laois and Meath ensuring the upcoming encounter promises to be much more hard fought.
Peter Creedon and Andy McEntee are aware of the potential that exists in their new roles so advancing to the knockout stages of the competition would be ideal preparation ahead of the Allianz Football League.
While Wicklow were spirited against Laois in the first half on Wednesday evening Creedon’s charges responded impressively.
Goals from Ruairi O’Connor and Gary Walsh ensured they recorded a comfortable win, while at the same time Meath were overcoming DIT’s challenge.
Donal Lenihan and Bobby O’Brien rattled the DIT net in that match as McEntee continues to use the O’Byrne Cup to examine his panel.
In Group One UCD and Wexford have three points on the board following two matches so **Dublin’s **trip to Enniscorthy on Sunday should be interesting.
Paul Clarke has been in charge of Dublin for their fixtures against DCU and UCD with Jack McCaffrey starring for the Sigerson Cup champions at Parnell Park on Wednesday evening.
Dublin trailed by 1-6 to 0-0 in that contest before launching a determined revival mission, but John Divilly’s side prevailed.
Seamus McEnaney will be pleased with Wexford’s solid start with Ben Brosnan’s brace of goals steering them to a win over DCU.
Kildare hammered IT Carlow on Wednesday following up their triumph against Longford with another satisfactory result.
Tommy Moolick was influential for Kildare, who face a young **Offaly **outfit at O’Connor Park in Tullamore this weekend.
Offaly caused Longford problems initially in Newtowncashel, but Dennis Connerton’s team dominated the majority of the second half.
**Wicklow **have suffered a couple of heavy losses to Meath and Laois so Johnny Magee will be hoping for an improvement when they host **DIT **at Blessington.
Louth, who return to Division Three of the Allianz Football League next month, have outfoxed Westmeath and Maynooth University.
Colin Kelly’s men will be eager to complete a hat-trick of January victories against Carlow, who were beaten by a James Dolan inspired Westmeath at Netwatch Cullen Park on Wednesday.
Bord Na Mona O'Byrne Cup
Saturday January 14
Group 3
** **
Laois v Meath, Stradbally, 7pm
Sunday January 15
Group 1
** **
Wexford v Dublin, Enniscorthy, 2pm
UCD v DCU, Belfield, 2pm
Group 2
** **
Offaly v Kildare, O'Connor Park, 2pm
Longford v IT Carlow, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 2pm
Group 3
** **
Wicklow v DIT, Blessington, 2pm
Group 4
** **
Westmeath v Maynooth University, Páirc Ciaran, 2pm
Louth v Carlow, Drogheda, 2pm
