Leinster hurling championship newcomers Galway will make their debut in the province when they travel to take on Offaly in the first round of the Walsh Cup on January 18 next. The Tribesmen, who are expected to name their new manager next Tuesday, will be competing in the pre-season competition for the first time as a forerunner to their participation in the Leinster championship next summer. Antrim, who will also compete in the Leinster championship for the first time, begin their defence of the Walsh Cup with a trip to Laois. All-Ireland champions Kilkenny have been drawn away to Dublin and are on the opposite side of the draw to Galway, while Colm Bonnar's first game in charge of Wexford will be at home to UCD. Westmeath have been downgraded to the Kehoe Cup where they will play the winners of the Wicklow v Trinity College first round tie. Christy Ring Cup holders Carlow, who are currently managerless, have also received a bye into the second round where they will meet the winners of Longford and Roscommon. WALSH CUP S.H. 1. Wexford v UCD, Jan 18 2. Offaly v Galway, Jan 18 3. Laois v Antrim, Jan 18 4. Dublin v Kilkenny, Jan 18 5. 1 v 2, Jan 25 6. 3 v 4, Jan 25 Final: 5 v 6, Feb 1 WALSH SHIELD S.H. 1. Loser 1 v Loser 2, Jan 25 2. Loser 3 v Loser 4, Jan 25 Final: 1 v 2, Feb 2 KEHOE CUP S.H. 1. Wicklow v Trinity, Jan 11 2. 1 v Westmeath 3. Fingal v Louth, Jan 11 4. DCU v Mayo, Jan 11 5. Meath v Down, Jan 11 6. Kildare v DIT, Jan 11 7. Longford v Roscommon, Jan 11 8. 7 v Carlow 9. Game 2, Jan 18 10. 3 v 4, Jan 18 11. 5 v 6, Jan 18 12. Game 8, Jan 18 13. 9 v 10, Jan 25 14. 11 v 12, Jan 25 Final: 13 v 14, Feb 1 KEHOE CUP SHIELD S.H. 1. Loser 1 v Loser 3, Jan 18 2. 1 v Loser 4, Jan 25 3. Loser 5 v Loser 6, Jan 18 4. 3 v Loser 7, Jan 25 5. 1 v 2, Feb 1 6. 3 v 4, Feb 1 Final: 5 v 6 , Feb 22 Tweet

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