Brennan still backs O’Byrne Cup as Carlow and Dublin withdraw

DESPITE the withdrawals of the Dublin and Carlow senior footballers, the O’Byrne Cup has not been devalued as a competition, according to Leinster Council chairman Nicky Brennan.

Dublin decided only last week to field an U21 selection against Wicklow on January 2 instead of their senior squad after the late appointment of Paul Caffrey as senior manager.

That decision was severely criticised by Wicklow, who were anticipating a large crowd for the fixture in Aughrim, but now Carlow have gone a step further by withdrawing completely from the traditional season curtain-raiser in Leinster.