Dublin's U20 footballers step up their championship preparation this week when they commence their John Kerins Cup campaign against Kildare away on Wednesday in St Conleth's Park, Newbridge (7.0).

Last year the Leinster U20FC, in its inaugural year, began with a round-robin group phase but this year the provincial championship is knockout with five Development Leagues taking place in advance.

Dublin, who are managed again this year by Tom Gray, are grouped with Cork, Kerry, Galway as well as the Lilywhites in the John Kerins Cup.

Following Wednesday night's game they face Cork this Saturday in the Laois Centre of Excellence, Portlaoise (2.0).

The other groupings are - Philly McGuinness Cup, Group 1: Fermanagh, Sligo, Longford, Leitrim; Group 2: Donegal, Tyrone, Mayo, Roscommon; Leo Murphy Cup, Group 1: Antrim, Derry, Cavan, Louth; Group 2: Down, Armagh, Monaghan, Meath; Liam Connor Cup: Offaly, Limerick, Westmeath, Wicklow, Clare; Andrew Corden Cup: Carlow, Wexford, Tipperary, Waterford, Laois.

Last year Dublin's U20 footballers defeated Longford in Championship action (2-21 to 0-11), Westmeath (2-16 to 1-13) and Wexford (1-15 to 1-11) in Group 1 then they overcame Meath (4-16 to 2-10) in the Leinster semi-final before losing to Kildare (1-15 to 0-10) in the provincial final.

Players who are again underage this year such as David O'Hanlon, Kieran Kennedy, Neil Matthews, Eoin O'Dea, Donal Ryan, James Doran, Michael Mullin, Ciarán Archer, Karl Lynch Bissett, Seán Farrelly, Ross McGarry and Daniel Brennan enjoyed championship game-time during last year's championship while James Madden would also be eligible but recently signed an extension to his Australian Football League contract with Brisbane Lions.

Dublin's schedule in the John Kerins Cup is - Rd 1: v Kildare, Wednesday May 29, Newbridge (7.0); Rd 2: v Cork, Saturday June 1, Laois Centre of Excellence, Portlaoise (2.0); Rd 3: v Kerry, Saturday June 8, venue/time to be confirmed; Rd 4: Bye; Rd 5: v Galway, Saturday June 15, venue/time to be confirmed.

Dublin will face Longford in the Leinster U20FC quarter-final in Glennon Bros Pearse Park on Tuesday, July 2.

Dublin's U20 hurlers are in Leinster U20HC on Wednesday, June 26 when they face the winners of the Tier 1 phase (Antrim, Carlow, Westmeath, Offaly).

John Kerins Cup (2019 Football Development League)

2019 LEINSTER U20 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

FIRST ROUND

SATURDAY, JUNE 22

St Conleth's Park, Newbridge: Kildare v Laois, 12.0

Innovate Wexford Park: Wexford v Wicklow, 12.0

Netwatch Cullen Park: Carlow v Offaly, 12.0

QUARTER-FINALS

TUESDAY, JULY 2

Kildare/Laois v Westmeath, 7.30

Carlow/Offaly v Meath, 7.30

Wexford/Wicklow v Louth, 7.30

Glennon Bros Pearse Park: Longford v DUBLIN, 7.30

SEMI-FINALS

TUESDAY, JULY 9

Kildare/Laois/Westmeath v Carlow/Offaly/Meath

Wexford/Wicklow/Louth v Longford/DUBLIN

FINAL

FRIDAY, JULY 19 (7.30)