Gaelic games/ Championship draw: It may be the off season but matters GAA are churning over with the championship draw for 2008 made in Croke Park last night.
To the defending champions first. The Munster Council have reverted to their traditional seeded football draw with Cork and Kerry separated until the final. Council secretary Jimmy O'Gorman was keen to stress each season's provincial finalists, not merely Cork and Kerry, will be the seeded teams.
All-Ireland football holders Kerry play either Waterford or Clare in the Munster semi-final. Kerry demolished Waterford in this year's opening game in Dungarvan after they ended Páidí Ó Sé's short reign in Clare.
The rest of Leinster will try to deny Brian Cody's Kilkenny hurlers what at this stage seems an inevitable march to the provincial crown they have monopolised in modern times.
The winner from Laois and Offaly are the first potential victims in the semi-final. Wexford await the winner from Dublin and Westmeath on the other side of the draw.
The Leinster football championship threw up several interesting fixtures, with Dublin probably the happiest as their traditional rivals Meath, Laois and Kildare are lumped on the other side of the draw.
Kieran McGeeney's immediate transition from player to manager begins in direct opposition to the wily old Mick O'Dwyer as the Kerryman leads Wicklow for a second campaign. Laois await the winners.
Dublin, seeking a fourth successive title, face Louth in the opening defence of their crown.
Longford and Westmeath, who crossed paths twice in the championship just past - with honours even, although Westmeath's qualifier victory ended Longford's summer - are again drawn in the opening round.
In Munster hurling, champions Waterford yet again begin their quest for an All-Ireland with a preliminary match, this time against a Clare team under the new management of Mike McNamara in the most enthralling of provincial competitions.
The winners play Limerick in the semi-final, with the old foes Cork and Tipperary battling it out for the other route to the final.
The Ulster football championship separates the coming forces within the province and the champions of the last six years, Tyrone and Armagh.
Armagh begin their campaign under new manager Peter McDonnell after the most successful manager in the county's history, Joe Kernan, finally took his leave after defeat to Derry in this years qualifiers.
Holders Tyrone are due to meet Armagh in the semi-final, providing they overcome Down.
In Connacht, champions Sligo must beat London to set up a semi-final against John O'Mahony's Mayo.
That's it on the championship front until next May, except for details on fixtures and venues. But they are for another day.
Championship 2008
FOOTBALL
Leinster - First Round: Kildare v Wicklow; Meath v Carlow; Longford v Westmeath; Quarter-finals: Laois v Kildare/Wicklow; Wexford v Meath/Carlow; Offaly v Longford/Westmeath; Dublin v Louth; Semi-finals: Kildare/Wicklow/Laois v Meath/Carlow/Wexford; Longford/Westmeath/Offaly v Dublin/Louth.
Connacht - First Round: Galway v Roscommon; Leitrim v New York; London v Sligo; Semi-finals: Galway/Roscommon v Leitrim/New York; London/Sligo v Mayo.
Ulster - First Round: Antrim v Cavan; Quarter-finals: Armagh v Antrim/Cavan; Tyrone v Down; Donegal v Derry; Fermanagh v Monaghan; Semi-finals: Antrim/Cavan/Armagh v Tyrone/Down; Donegal/Derry v Fermanagh/Monaghan.
Munster - First Round: Limerick v Tipperary; Waterford v Clare; Semi-finals: Cork v Limerick/Tipperary; Kerry v Waterford/Clare.
HURLING
Munster - First Round: Waterford v Clare; Semi-finals: Limerick v Waterford/Limerick; Cork v Tipperary.
Leinster - First Round: Dublin v Westmeath, Offaly v Laois; Semi-finals: Wexford v Dublin/Westmeath; Kilkenny v Offaly/Laois.
