Dublin will field a team in next year's O'Byrne Cup, despite the fact that manager Pat Gilroy and the majority of his squad will be in Spain for the first round clash with Offaly. Gilroy will take his new charges to La Manga for a training camp in early January in a bid to familiarise himself with the players ahead of the National League campaign, meaning Dublin will field a shadow team for their opening O'Byrne Cup defence against the Faithful County on January 4. Confirming their participation in the pre-season competition, Dublin chairman Gerry Harrington said: "There definitely will be a Dublin team in the O'Byrne Cup, that was always going to be the case. "Pat will bring players away, but there are others who can't travel because of work or family commitments so they will be available, as will others around the county." In 2005, Dublin opted not to enter their first-team in the O'Byrne Cup, playing their under 21s instead. Tweet

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