Sorry tale as Cats withdraw from league

Kilkenny have opted to withdraw their senior and U21 football teams from next year’s Division 4, Leinster junior and U21 championships.

As an alternative, the county board unanimously voted on Monday night to enter the 2013 British football championship, which takes place over the course of June.

At the top end of the league, reigning Division 1 champions Cork have been provisionally scheduled to begin the defence of their title away to Dublin in the first weekend of February. Kerry are set to face Mayo in round one while All-Ireland champions Donegal are away to Kildare in their Division 1 opener.