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This Sunday in Tuam Stadium a Roscommon team that is beginning to improve and show some signs of unity and purpose under the stewardship of their great white managerial hope Fergal O'Donnell, take on Liam Sammon's exciting cocktail of youth and experience in the FBD league final.

Christmas has come and gone once again, the year '08 has also elapsed but it was one that will never be forgotten by Kilkenny fans. The clean sweep of All-Ireland titles along with the National Camogie League title made it the most special year ever. The sight of the four Kilkenny captains holding aloft the trophies on the front of the Kilkenny GAA Year Book said it all.

I always feel a little sad taking down the tree on “Little Christmas”. Once the decorations and sparkling lights are boxed away and the tree has been dragged un-ceremoniously out the door (or window) for the nearest collection point, there can be no denying that all the razzmatazz, hullabaloo and magic of Santa is over for another 11 months. Last Tuesday evening in the Silke household was even more poignant than normal as our five year-old-daughter was let stay-up late to help packing the crib and taking down the tree. As the tree was carried out shedding needles at an enormous rate, she too shed a few tears and was very, very sad that her tree — the one she had picked on her own with the help of the nice Coillte man — was now dead.

The John McIntyre era commences at O'Connor Park on Sunday when Galway make the short trip to Tullamore for a Walsh Cup clash with Offaly.

They are overwhelming favourites to advance to take on Kilmacud Crokes on Saturday February 21 in Mullingar in the All-Ireland semi-final.

Connacht have chosen a new strategy in a bid to qualify for this year’s European Challenge Cup quarter-finals by resting their front-line players for Saturday’s fixture against London Irish.

Connacht rivals Galwegians and Buccaneers clash on Saturday in the AIB League division one at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday afternoon (2.30pm).

“It’s not ideal but that’s the nature of junior soccer,” said Mayo manager Declan Kilkelly of his side’s preparation for tomorrow’s quarter final of the Oscar Traynor Cup. Mayo only got back to group training this week after their win over the Galway League in the last round of the group stages of the competition in December, due to the Christmas break and FAI Junior Cup action. Tomorrow they will make the trip to Dublin to take on the United Churches League in the quarter final of the premier tournament for county sides in junior soccer looking to book a place in the final four of the competition.

Having impressively accounted for near neighbours Offaly in the opening round of the Cadbury’s Leinster u21 football championship, Westmeath are in action again this Saturday in the quarter final. Kilkenny provide the opposition in a game fixed for Nolan Park at 2.30pm. Even allowing for the fact that Westmeath will be forced to line out without a host of regulars due to college commitments, it’s inconceivable to think they could slip up against lowly Kilkenny.

It is the January final everybody craved considering Galway and Roscommon have shown a keen interest in the 2009 Connacht FBD League.