
Teams returned to training in the last couple of weeks.
Laois, Offaly and Westmeath senior footballers and hurlers return to action on the second weekend in January.
John Maughan's Offaly start out with a home tie against Dublin in O'Connor Park on Saturday the 8th at 2pm.
At the same time the Billy Sheehan era in Laois begins in Enniscorthy against Wexford, while Jack Cooney's fourth year at the helm of Westmeath's footballers begins with a tie against Kildare in Newbridge.
The small ball action is back on Sunday the 9th of January.
Michael Fennelly's Offaly make the trip to Ballinasloe to take on Henry Shefflin's Galway at 2pm.
Cheddar Plunkett will be hopeful of seeing some progress in the O'Moore county hurlers against Wexford in Rathdowney at the same time.
The games take place over the same 48 hour period that Shamrocks, Clara and Clonbullogue are involved in the Leinster club championship finals.
Fixtures:
Saturday January 8th - Football
Offaly v Dublin - O'Connor Park, Tullamore - 2pm.
Wexford v Laois - St. Patricks Park, Enniscorthy - 2pm
Kildare v Westmeath - St. Conleth's, Newbridge - 2pm
Sunday January 9th - Hurling
Galway v Offaly - Ballinasloe - 2pm
Laois v Wexford - Rathdowney - 2pm