Meath intermediate championship winners Gaeil Colmcille make the long journey to Crettyyard to take on Laois champions Ballyroan Abbey in the opening round of the Leinster Club IFC.

Ballyroan and Abbeyleix joined forces in 2007 to form the Ballyroan Abbey club. That year the amalgamated side were relegated to Intermediate but 2008 saw a swift return to the senior. The Laois club defeated Meath champions St Ultans in the Leinster Club IFC final that year. However, 2010 saw the club decimated by injuries and transfers and they were relegated from senior ranks after four successive championship defeats.

Ballyroan Abbey defeated Clonaslee 1-9 to 0-6 to clinch the county title two weeks ago. Their best known players are county stars MJ Tierney and Padraig McMahon. Tierney scored 1-3 in the county final while Scott Conroy chipped in with 0-4. Full forward Martin Scully was awarded player of the match. The club is managed by Johnny Irwin and their colours are sky blue with a navy trim.

Gaeil Colmcille will be hoping to put the Division 2 league final loss to Na Fianna behind them. Jody Devine will be looking for big performances from key players Danny McGovern, Justin Carry Lynch, Johnny Quigley, Michael Foley, Brian Hanlon, Gary Arkins, Robbie Flanagan and Seamus Mattimoe to overcome this tricky assignment. Throw in time in Crettyard is 2.30.

Drumbaragh can draw on home comforts as they take on Kildare champions Two Mile House in the second round of the Leinster Club JFC.

The Emmets are on the crest of a wave at the moment. Finian Murtagh's charges have claimed the Tailteann Cup and their first junior championship title. The north Meath club came good in the second half to defeat Wicklow champions Kilmacanogue in the opening round of the Leinster JFC three days after defeating Kilmainham in the county final replay. The venue, Pairc Tailteann will be a big plus for the junior winners who will be looking for big performances from William Carry, Peter Carry, James Connolly, Darragh McNamara, John Smith and Willie Arkins.

The Emmets opponent are Kildare champions Two Mile House. The club colours are yellow and green and are based in the countryside of east Kildare nestled between the Curragh Plains and the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains. The clubs best known player is Kildare senior and 2010 All Star Peter Kelly. They also provided three players including captain Mark Sherry to this years very strong Kildare minor squad. William Burke, Shane Darcy and Chris Julian were also part of the Kildare junior squad that reached the All Ireland final.

They have endured four county final defeats since 2007 but finally came good in October by defeating Straffan 0-15 to 0-13 in the final. The victory was soured somewhat with the dismissal of three Two Mile House players in the final minutes. Aidan Dowling, Christy Burke and Adam Burke got their marching orders. Top scorers for the House on final day was full forward Aidan Casey. Two Mile House are managed by former Kildare star Jarlath Gilroy. Throw in at Pairc Tailteann is 2.30. Tweet

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