O’Byrne Cup: Current state of play

All counties except Wexford have a mathematical chance of qualifying for the semi-finals of this year’s Bord na Móna O’Byrne Cup, ahead of the final round of group games this Sunday.

If two teams are tied at the top of the table, the outcome of the game between them decides which of them goes through, if that game was a draw then scoring difference. If three or more teams tie for qualifying positions, score difference will decide.

Dublin's footballers need to beat Wexford by a minimum of 16 points (and then also tally more than the 3-16 Offaly managed against the Slaneysiders) in St Park's Park, Enniscorthy on Sunday, as scoring difference could yet prove crucial in Group 1 of the Bord na Móna O’Byrne Cup.

“We always knew were going to have to win it,” he added. “Now we’re just putting a figure on it – a number on it," says Dublin's manager for the O'Byrne Cup, Paul Clarke.

“We’ll go down and give it a shot. And Wexford will not make it easy for us. By no means, they will not make it easy.”

In Group 2, Longford can afford a narrow loss to Kildare and still sneak through, whereas the Lilywhites would need to win by at least ten points. Meath require a draw at home to Wicklow to dislodge Carlow from top spot in Group 3, while a draw would also suffice for Westmeath versus Laois in the two team Group 4.

The pairings for the Bord na Móna O’Byrne Cup semi-finals on Sunday, January 14, are as follows:

Carlow/Meath/Wicklow (2.00): Carlow/Meath/Wicklow v Kildare/Longford/Louth

Laois/Westmeath (2.00): Laois/Westmeath v Dublin/Offaly

The final will be held at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise, on Sunday, January 21 at 4pm (weather permitting) as a double-header with an AIB All-Ireland Intermediate Club semi-final, and will be broadcast live on TG4.

Bord Na Móna O’Byrne Cup Group 1

Results: Offaly 3-16, Wexford 0-9; Dublin 1-13, Offaly 0-16

Sun 7 January: Wexford v Dublin at Enniscorthy, 2pm

Bord Na Móna O’Byrne Cup Group 2

Results: Longford 2-13, Louth 1-10; Louth 2-11, Kildare 0-9

Sun 7 January: Longford v Kildare at Glennon Bros Pearse Pk, 2pm

Bord Na Móna O’Byrne Cup Group 3

Results: Carlow 3-8, Wicklow 0-6; Meath 0-9, Carlow 0-7

Sun 7 January: Meath v Wicklow at Pairc Tailteann, 2pm

Bord Na Móna O’Byrne Cup Group 4

Result: Westmeath 1-13, Laois 1-12

Sun 7 January: Laois v Westmeath at Stradbally, 2pm