DUHALLOW resumes from the lockdown with the advancement of the U21FC and its completion.

The decision by the Cork County Board not to utilise the weekend of July 17-19 to begin their competitions owing to restrictions and no dressing-rooms access allows Duhallow lay down a marker to commence competitions.

From a condensed timetable, the Duhallow Junior Board are keen to utilise all dates available and the first competition on the agenda is the U21FC after it had commenced with a backdoor last February. 

Just five teams remain in the hunt, a quarter final needs to be resolved on the meeting of St Peter's and Robert Emmets on Friday, July 17.

The winners from the outstanding quarter final will be pressed into action again soon in a semi final against Boherbue on the following Monday with the second semi between Duarigle Gaels and Sliabh Luachra Gaels programmed for Saturday.

Weekend two (July 24-26) sees the opening round of the County Senior, Premier Intermediate and Intermediate FC as is the Duhallow JAFC operating in a group format. 

Two rounds from the County Senior, PIHC and IHC along with the divisional JAHC, again, run on a group format are timetabled for the opening weekends in August to confirm a busy and tight schedule.

Owing to timing constraints, teams that top the group formats advance to a divisional final, only divisional champions in both the JAHC and JAFC will advance into the county thus the promise of exciting action and the importance of domestic campaigns.

With the resumption of GAA activity, all clubs are currently in overdrive in terms of training and sharpening up in challenge games ahead of going straight into championship fare. 

A number of standout fixtures from the opening games to the county programme includes the clash of familiar rivals Kiskeam and Mallow in the SAFC.

There is also keen Duhallow involvement to the Co. Premier IFC, Kanturk face up to Macroom, Newmarket encounter Na Piarsaigh and reigning Intermediate champions Knocknagree tackle St Vincent's.

From the intermediate grade, a stand out opening tussle to the group format is the all Duhallow meeting of Rockchapel and Dromtariffe. 

Also in the same group are Ballydesmond who face Kinsale for the second consecutive season, hoping to avenge a defeat after extra time in 2019.

Completing the Duhallow line up in the grade are Millstreet on coming up against St. Finbarrs in their initial assignment. 

Likewise the hurling fare promises to be competitive, Kanturk begin with a clash against Cloyne in the SAHC and Meelin encounter Douglas at Intermediate level.

The divisions and colleges rounds of the Premier Senior championships determines one team qualifying for the quarter-final stages, Duhallow will be represented in both football and hurling.