Kildare footballers and hurlers given 2 home games each in group stages of O'Byrne and Walsh cups

The draws for the O'Byrne and Walsh cups have been relatively kind to Kildare after it was revealed that both the footballers and hurlers will play two out of their three group games at home in January. Both competitions represent the first opportunity for fans to see the sides in competitive action in 2017, with the two teams entering their second years under the respective managements of Cian O'Neill and Joe Quaid. The footballers face both Longford and Carlow IT in St Conleth's Park in the space of three days, before they make the trip to Tullamore to take on Offaly four days later. Joe Quaid's hurlers will have home advantage for their opener against Carlow IT in the Walsh Cup, but they will be away to Christy Ring Cup champions Meath the following week. Their group stage will be completed by hosting Offaly in Newbridge on January 22.

O'Byrne Cup fixtures

Kildare v Longford, venue: St Conleth's Park January 8 Kildare v Carlow IT, venue: St Conleth's Park January 11 Offaly v Kildare, venue: O'Connor Park January 15

Walsh Cup fixtures

Kildare v Carlow IT, venue: St Conleth's Park January 8 Meath v Kildare, venue: Páirc Tailteann January 15 Kildare v Offaly, venue: St Conleth's Park January 22