Duleek-Bellewstown are Kilkenny bound

Duleek Bellewstown captain Robin Clarke raises the Mattie McDonnell Cup at Devenish Park

Duleek-Bellewstown will lead the Meath charge into provincial action as the Leinster club championships click into gear this weekend.

Fresh from ending a 21-year wait for Intermediate championship glory, Anthony Malone’s side are Kilkenny bound on Sunday as they prepare to take on Mullinavat in their opening provincial encounter at John Locke Park in Callan, throw-in 1.30pm.

The 'Vegas boys' claimed their eighth Kilkenny SFC title in the space of ten years, and ninth overall, when beating local rivals Tullogher-Rosbercon in the final back in May.

Trim, in 2021, were the last Meath side to come up against Kilkenny opposition in this competition, and went on to secure provincial honours.

Peter McDermott Cup champions Curraha were scheduled to face Longford junior runners-up Ballymore in the opening round of the Leinster club JFC at Skryne on Sunday, but the fixture will no longer go ahead following Ballymore’s withdrawal from the competition.

Curraha now advance directly to the quarter-finals where they will face Westmeath champions St Joseph's of Streamstown.