Masters footballers face Laois in championship opener

Thu, 2nd May 2019

Reigning All-Ireland Masters (Over-40s) football champions Dublin begin the defence of their title when they face Laois in Bill Delaney Park, Stradbally this Saturday (2.0).

There are 16 teams in total participating this year with the top four progressing to the semi-finals.

The Dubs will face Roscommon, Down, Tyrone, Mayo and Kildare as well as the O'Moore County.

The other counties taking part are Clare, Antrim, Cavan, Sligo, Donegal, London, Galway, Roscommon, Westmeath and a combined Leitrim/Longford selection.

In last year's All-Ireland final the Dubs, who were captained by Gary O'Connell, defeated Tyrone 1-14 to 1-12 with Niall Crossan tallying 0-7 while Cormac Smith got the goal.

It had taken a replay to get the better of Donegal (0-13 to 1-8) with Crossan converting seven frees while Ray Cosgrove slotted three points from play and Johnny McNally converted a long-range free to steer Dublin to victory.

Many of the same players as last year are involved again with Tommy Brennan (Lucan Sarsfields) a strong addition.

Several players who represented Dublin at senior level in NFL/SFC or O'Byrne Cup lined out last year including Peadar Andrews, Shane Ryan, Gary O'Connell, Ian Clarke, Johnny McNally, Ciaran McGuinness, Derek Byrne, Niall Crossan, Ray Cosgrove, Paul Croft, Mick O'Keeffe and Ken Darcy.

Dublin are managed by Val Andrews, who also took charge last year.

Laois' panel include several former senior footballers including Colm Parkinson, Eamonn Delaney and Greg Ramsbottom as well as the former St Mary's of Saggart duo Shane Cooke and Dessie Brennan.