Caltra among 48 teams in sevens

Jim O’Sullivan

Other top club sides participating include former All-Ireland club champions Castleisland Desmonds (in the same group as Caltra), Corofin and Kilmacud Crokes, along with reigning Leinster champions St Brigid's.

Last year's Sevens winners Aghada from Cork will defend their crown. Kilmacud Crokes executive committee chairman Neil O'Flaherty cited their success as an example of what their competition symbolised.

"People who saw them win last year will remember the joy and excitement it created for the players and their manager Conor Counihan and it was even bigger when they returned home," he said.

"We find that teams which do well in our tournament invariably do well in their county championships. They may not win them, but they are usually there or thereabouts," he said.

Croke Park marketing manager

Dermot Power and games manager Ciaran O Neill represented the GAA.

The following is the draw:

Group 1: St. Brigid's, Downpatrick, An Tochair, Ballina Stephenites.

Group 2: Corofin, Clan na Gael (Armagh),

St. Anne's (Dublin) Clonmel Commercials.

Group 3: Bellaghy, Latton O'Reillys, Curry,

Dunboyne.

Group 4: Rainsford, Éire Óg (Carlow), Dungiven, St. Patrick's (Louth).

Group 5: Na Fianna, Pearse Óg, Aodh Ruadh, Drom-Broadford.

Group 6: Castleblaney Faughs, Portglenone, Leixlip, Fingal Ravens.

Group 7: Aghada, Blackhall Gaels, St Galls,

Kiltane.

Group 8: Castlewellan, Round Towers, St Olafs, Castleconnor.

Group 9: Clonduff, Kilmainhamwood, Round Towers (Dublin), Youghal.

Group 10: Caltra, St. Enda's (Tyrone), Castleisland Desmonds, Bannow Ballymitty.

Group 11: Kilmacud Crokes, An Riocht (Down), Barna, Four Masters.

Group 12: Arles-Kilcruise, Mullaghabawn, Thomas Davis (Dublin), Longstone (Down).

Venues: Glenalbyn Groups 1/2; St. Benildus College Groups 3/4; Silverpark

Groups 5/6/7/8; Clonkeen College Groups 9/10/11/12.