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Today the greatest player ever to put on a Westmeath jersey announced his retirement from inter-county football. Dessie Dolan was a classy footballer who helped steer Westmeath to their only ever Leinster Football Title in the Summer of 2004. Thanks for the memories Dessie and best of luck with your retirement.

Can't be without a thread for Division 2.

Meath   3-18 - 4-11   Galway
Louth   0-16 - 1-13   Armagh
Laois   1-09 - 2-19   Donegal
Down   1-11 - 0-14   Monaghan

1   Donegal   1   1   0   0   2-19   1-9   2
2   Meath   1   1   0   0   3-18   4-11   2
3   Monaghan   1   0   1   0   0-14   1-11   1
4   Louth   1   0   1   0   0-16   1-13   1
5   Down   1   0   1   0   1-11   0-14   1
6   Armagh   1   0   1   0   1-13   0-16   1
7   Galway   1   0   0   1   4-11   3-18   0
8   Laois   1   0   0   1   1-9   2-19   0


7 Feb 2014 8pm   Armagh   v   Down   Athletic Grounds
9 Feb 2014 2pm   Monaghan   v   Meath   Clones
9 Feb 2014 2pm   Louth   v   Laois   Drogheda
9 Feb 2014 2pm   Galway   v   Donegal   Pearse Stadium, Galway

Preparations for the new inter county season will begin in earnest tonight when the 2014 provincial championship draws will be screened live on RTE2 from 7pm.

The draws will be take place in Croke Park for the football championships in Munster, Leinster, Connacht and Ulster, as well as for the Leinster and Munster hurling championships.

Time to get her going. Personally I think it will be a Mayo v Dublin final and before yesterday I would have been confident of a Mayo win. But after yesterday I am not so sure. Mayo lost some of their invincibility yesterday, at least in my eyes. Whatever happens no one could begrudge them an All Ireland.

Only one previous championship meeting between the sides, back in 2004, when Louth won after extra time. The date and time for this game won't be decided until after the draw for the hurling qualifiers is made.
Despite the recent loss to Wexford, Louth have to be strong favourites for this game, though I'd prefer it to be played anywhere other than Drawda.

Game now officially SOLD OUT 

NEIL GALLAGHER, CICEAMS CHUAILGHNE
PADRAIG RATH, DREADNOTS CEANN CLOCHAIR
DESSIE FINNEGAN, NAOMH PADRAIG
JOHN BINGHAM, NAOMH MHUIRE
JOHN O BRIEN, SEAN O MATHUNA
DEREK CRILLY, NA GAEIL, DUN DEALGAN
ADRIAN REID, RAONAITHE MAITEOIGE
PADDY KEENAN , NAOMH PADRAIG
BRIAN DONNELLY, CICEAMS CHUAILGHNE
ANDY MC DONNELL, GORMAITHE BAILE NUA
BRIAN WHITE, CICEAMS CHUAILGHNE
CONOR RAFFERTY, CICEAMS CHUAILGHNE
CIARAN BYRNE, NAOMH MOCHTA
SHANE LENNON, EMMITTI CILL CHOIRLE
DEREK MAGUIRE, EIRE OG DUN DEALGAN

Can't find a thread, apologies if I have missed it.

Louth team to play Laois.

NEIL GALLAGHER, CICEAMS CHUAILGHNE
PADRAIG RATH, DREADNOTS CEANN CLOCHAIR
DESSIE FINNEGAN, NAOMH PADRAIG
JOHN BINGHAM, NAOMH MHUIRE
JOHN O BRIEN, SEAN O MATHUNA
DEREK CRILLY, NA GAEIL, DUN DEALGAN
ADRIAN REID, RAONAITHE MAITEOIGE
PADDY KEENAN , NAOMH PADRAIG
BRIAN DONNELLY, CICEAMS CHUAILGHNE
ANDY MC DONNELL, GORMAITHE BAILE NUA
BRIAN WHITE, CICEAMS CHUAILGHNE
CONOR RAFFERTY, CICEAMS CHUAILGHNE
CIARAN BYRNE, NAOMH MOCHTA
SHANE LENNON, EMMITTI CILL CHOIRLE
DEREK MAGUIRE, EIRE OG DUN DEALGAN

Crossmaglen star Oisin McConville announces retirement

Crossmaglen star Oisin McConville has brought a glittering career to an end by announcing his retirement.
The 37-year-old former Armagh forward said it was the right time to quit after Crossmaglen's All-Ireland club semi-final defeat last weekend.
McConville won the All-Ireland title with Armagh in 2002 and his county career included two All Stars.
He won six All-Ireland club titles as part of an all-conquering Cross team, in which he played for 20 years.
Play media

Crossmaglen's 2-7 to 1-9 defeat by St Brigid's in the All-Ireland semi-final was McConville's last game for the Armagh club.
McConville has also made headlines off the pitch after speaking publicly about his battle with a gambling addiction.
His trophy-laden career also includes seven Ulster Championships with Armagh and 10 Ulster club titles.
"For my own personal reasons it is the right time - I have been picking up injuries and different things like that," added McConville.
"I'm happy with the decision and at peace with the fact that I'm not going to be playing football any more.
"I have had an unbelievable time playing gaelic football and I've won so much, but for me it was much more than that - it was my life for so many years.
"It is going to be hard, and there is going to be a big void but I have plenty of things to replace it."
McConville's plans for the future include coaching, while he has ruled out an early move into GAA management.
He said he could become a manager in the long-term, but only if it was with Crossmaglen or Armagh.

Sound advice from the Ulster Council, good to see the Likes of Big Joe involved.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WUEioXx_qwI

Slow Down.

Mullane has hung up the boots. One of the most committed hurlers I ever had the pleasure of watching and as hard as nails. Probably the greatest hurler of the modern era not to win an All Ireland. Enjoy the retirement John.

Cork can be every bit as cynical as Donegal. Should be a cracker.

Big split in the Louth camp, can see this being a very one sided affair. Looks like it will be Fitzers last game.

From last weeks Sunday Times, their take on the greatest teams. If anyone has access to the Times online maybe they could stick it up.

1 Kerry 1975-86
Star Man: Pat Spillane
Achievement 10/10
Thrill Factor 10/10
Game Changing 10/10

2 Down 1960-68
Star Man: Sean O'Neill
Achievement: 9/10
Thrill Factor: 10/10
Game Changing: 9/10

3 Kerry 2004-Present
Star Man: Declan O'Sullivan
Achievement: 9/10
Thrill Factor: 9/10
Game Changing: 9/10

4 Tyrone 2003-08

5 Galway 1964-66

6 Dublin 1974-79

7 Kerry 1929-32

8 Cavan 1947-52

9 Wexford 1913-18

10 Meath 1987-91

Forget 1690, 2010, this is war.

Opinion polls show the following.

FG  38%
SF  17%
Lab 16%
FF   15%
ULA  6%
Ind   3%

1. Kerry
2. Cork
3. Tyrone
4. Dublin
anyone want to have a go at filling in the rest.

Obviously a home tie for the Dubs