By Denis J. Croke

THE draw for the Kelly Cup marks the beginning of club action for 2023. The draw, which was made last week, sees 12 teams entered in this year’s early season competition.

Last year’s competition seemed to be the beginning of a great year for St Joseph’s. Not only did they take home the Kelly Cup but added the ACFL Division 1 title for good measure. But the championship was to end in disappointment for the Kellyville outfit when they crashed out at the quarter-final stage at the hands of O’Dempsey’s.

There are four groups of three teams in this year’s competition with the top team in each to contest the semi-finals.

St Joseph’s have been drawn in Group C along with Crettyard and Park/Ratheniska.

Last year’s beaten finalists, Ballyroan Abbey have been drawn alongside Ballylinan and Stradbally in Group B

While dates for playing the games have not yet been finalised, the cup is provisionally scheduled to start on the weekend of 10 February, be played over the next four weekends with the final on the weekend of 10 March.

Kelly Cup draw

Group A – Emo, Graiguecullen, Timahoe

Group B – Ballylinan, Ballyroan Abbey, Stradbally

Group C – Crettyard, Park/Ratheniska, St Joseph’s

Group D – Ballyfin, Arles Kilcruise, Killeshin