O'Byrne cup matches called off

A statement this morning from the Leinster Council has confirmed that all eight of the 2010 O'Byrne Cup first round matches, which were due to take place over Saturday and Sunday, have been postponed.

"Due to the current weather conditions, and the weather forecast for the weekend, the Leinster GAA Council has decided to postpone all eight games in Round 1 of the O'Byrne Cup senior football competition which were scheduled for this weekend," it read.

"These games have been re-arranged for the following weekend - January 16 and 17 - venues and times as originally scheduled."

It is the second pre-season competition to fall victim to the current cold snap. The Connacht Council were also forced to postpone the four scheduled FBD Insurance League games for this weekend.

Leinster champions Dublin had selected an experimental panel for their O'Byrne Cup opener against Wexford, which will now take place at Parnell Park on Sunday week.

Amongst the most eye-catching inclusions are U-21 star Dean Rock, a son of Dubs legend Barney Rock, and Michael Darragh MacAuley from county champions Ballyboden St Enda's has also made the cut.

Starting his second season at the helm, Dublin manager Pat Gilroy took his squad for a 6,30am training session in DCU on Tuesday and had them back later for another workout as they bid to banish memories of their nightmare All-Ireland exit at the hands of Kerry.

One player who missed that game, Mark Davoren, is continuing to make strides with his recovery from a cruciate knee ligament injury.

The Kilmacud Crokes forward damaged his knee in the Leinster Championship against Meath last June. But, encouragingly, he has been out at training this week and managed some straight-line running.

Reschedules 2010 O'Byrne Cup First Round matches:

Saturday, January 16 -

Laois v DIT, Graiguecullen, 7.30pm

Sunday, January 17 -

Kildare v UCD, Newbridge, 2pm

Carlow v Athlone IT, Carlow, 2pm

Wicklow v Louth, Baltinglass, 2pm

Dublin v Wexford, Parnell Park, 2pm

Longford v Meath, Ballymahon, 2pm

Kilkenny v Offaly, Kilkenny, 2pm

Westmeath v DCU, Mullingar, 2pm