For many it is the heartbeat of the summer and while the split season has shifted things forward by six weeks it is still with a rush of adrenalin that fans, players and administrators greet the publication of the Master Fixture List.
In years to come the hope has to be that there will be one announcement covering the Men’s and Women’s games but that is not here yet so the first markers in the Championship Diary at least are for the Men’s Football and Hurling Championships.
The respective Finals will be held at Croke Park on Sunday July 28th and Sunday July 21st.
The semi-finals will be held on the two weekends prior to that making for a special month of July for those left standing.
The Tailteann Cup Final will be held at Croke Park on the day of the second Football Semi Final on Sunday 13th July.
The Joe McDonagh Cup Final will be held on the day of the Leinster Hurling Final on June 8th.
The Munster Hurling Championship which always attracts significant interest will be played over a five weekend stretch running from April 21st to May 26th.
The Ulster Football Championship gets under way on the 7th April with Monaghan against Cavan in the Preliminary Round and runs through to the Final on the 12th May, the same day as the Leinster Football Final, and one week after the Finals in Connacht and Munster.
The Allianz Hurling and Football leagues get underway on the first weekend of February and the last weekend of January with Kerry against Derry in Tralee and Dublin against Monaghan in Croke Park the opening fixtures on the 27th January.
The AIG Club Championship Finals will be played the weekend before.
The Sport for Business Sporting Year Ahead traditional kick starter for the year ahead will take place in Dublin on the morning of Thursday, January 25th.
Secure your place to join us for the morning here.
