It was time to sort the wheat from the chaff in the early-season intercounty competitions.
Around the four provinces today, final and semi-final places were up for grabs in the subsidiary football competitions. The big match of the day was Dublin V Meath at Navan in a fascinating O'Byrne Cup semi-final, while holders Kildare entertained DIT in the other semi at Newbridge.
The stand-out clash in Round Three of the FBD Connacht league was an effective semi-final shootout between Mayo and Roscommon at Castlebar, with both teams knowing victory would secure a final berth against Galway.
Meanwhile, Cork could book a McGrath Cup final slot against UCC if they overcame Waterford at Clashmore and the remaining four McKenna Cup Round Three fixtures - which fell foul to the weather midweek - would determine the four semi-finalists up north.
There was also hurling action in the Walsh Cup, Kehoe Cup and Waterford Crystal Cup, where Clare V Tipperary at Sixmilebride was undoubtedly the highlight game.
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