Paul Fitzpatrick

The 2013 All County Football Leagues throw in this weekend, with some intriguing match-ups around the county. And in a new departure due to the novel "home and away" format this season, the county board are encouraging clubs to give up home advantage this time around if their own pitch isn't playable and their opponents' is.

While it's not a rule as such, CCC fixtures secretary Angela Hamilton explained that it is a guideline and she encouraged clubs to co-operate and provided an assurance that the fixture would be reversed in the next round of fixtures.

"Every team will be playing twice, in the event this weekend that their pitch is not playable, if they revert to the other pitch this time, it will be reversed the next time you meet," she explained.

"It's not something that can be enforced hard and fast but it's what we're advising clubs to do because with 18 games to play, and more rounds in Division 3 than that even, there is not an awful lot of opportunities for postponed games. We're telling clubs to be realistic about it, they'll regain home advantage in the next round.

"The CCC will reverse the fixture the second time round, we will be making sure that happens so hopefully that will encourage clubs to be more open to the idea this weekend and in the next few weeks if their opponents' pitch is playable."

The tie of the round in Division 1A is probably the meeting of reiging champions Mullahoran and Lacken. The Celtics have had the upper hand over the Dreadnoughts in league clashes in recent seasons but won't have a full hand to choose from, with a number of experienced players taking a break after a long 2012 campaign which stretched into November.

Mullahoran, for their part, also look set to miss some important players, with Eddie O'Reilly having retired, Dermot Sheridan injured and Paul Brady busily preparing for the defence of his All Ireland handball crown.

Cavan Gaels, under Joe O'Connor, host Castlerahan in another enticing clash, while the meeting of Kingscourt and Lavey will mark a first competitive match for a new team for both Stars manager Niall Lynch and Lavey's Ray Cullivan.

In Division 1B, Drumlane will be without a number of players for their visit to Killygarry, including the experienced Barry Corrigan, who has teamed up with another Cavan native, former county goalkeeper Ronan Keaskin of Knockbride, to manage St Perigrine's in Dublin.

2012 ACFL Division 2 champions Cootehill host John Joe Stewart's Belturbet, who will be without star forward Brendan "Bud" Fitzpatrick, who is currently in Australia.

Paul McCorry, newly-appointed manager of Redhills, will lead his side against Paddy Bates-managed Drumalee, who he trained to the Division 2 league title two seasons ago, while Ramor, under Gary Farrelly, will take on Denn.

FIXTURES

Cavan ACFL Div 1A 2013

Sun, 17 Feb, Ramor United V Denn 14:00, Ref: Martin Sexton

Sun, 17 Feb, Mullahoran V Lacken 14:00, Ref: Kieran Mc Carville

Sun, 17 Feb, Kingscourt V Lavey 14:00, Ref: Raymond Kelly

Sun, 17 Feb, Cuchulainns V Ballinagh 14:00, Ref: Tony Gregory

Sun, 17 Feb, Cavan Gaels V Castlerahan 15:30, Ref: Ollie Donohue Ref

Cavan ACFL Div 1B 2013

Sun, 17 Feb, Redhills V Drumalee 14:00, Ref: Margaret Farrelly

Sun, 17 Feb, Killygarry V Drumlane 14:00, Ref: Mg Brady Ref

Sun, 17 Feb, Drumgoon V Gowna 14:00, Ref: Donal Reilly

Sun, 17 Feb, Crosserlough V Ballyhaise 14:00, Ref: Padraig Kellegher

Sun, 17 Feb, Cootehill V Belturbet 14:00, Ref: Oliver g O Reilly

Cavan ACFL Div 2 2013

Sun, 17 Feb, Cornafean V Cavan Gaels 12:00, Ref: Chris Mc Caffrey

Sun, 17 Feb, Swanlinbar V Killeshandra 14:00, Ref: John Cassidy

Sun, 17 Feb, Munterconnaught V Laragh Utd 14:00, Ref: Brendan Sweeney

Sun, 17 Feb, Killinkere V Mountnugent 14:00, Ref: Michael Lee

Sun, 17 Feb, Drung V Bailieborough 14:00, Ref: John Emmo Ref

Cavan ACFL Div 3 2013

Sun, 17 Feb, Templeport V Ballymachugh 14:00, Ref: Jim Giblin

Sun, 17 Feb, Shercock V Knockbride 14:00, Ref: Jimmy Galligan ( Lk )

Sun, 17 Feb, Kildallon V Shannon Gaels 14:00, Ref: Pat Clarke (Ref)

Sun, 17 Feb, Corlough V Kill 14:00, Ref: Harry Conaty

Sun, 17 Feb, Butlersbridge V Maghera 14:00, Ref: Declan Mc Cabe

Minor League Div 1

Sat, 16 Feb, St Felim's V Laragh Utd 14:00, Ref: TBC

Sat, 16 Feb, Crosserlough V Templeport 14:00, Ref: TBC

Sat, 16 Feb, Bailieborough V Ramor United 14:00, Ref: TBC

Minor League Div 2

Sat, 16 Feb, Southern Gaels V Drumlane 14:00, Ref: TBC

Sat, 16 Feb, Castlerahan V West Cavan Gaels 14:00, Ref: TBC

Sat, 16 Feb, Ballyhaise V Erne gaels 14:00, Ref: TBC

Minor League Div 3

Sat, 16 Feb, Mullahoran V Cootehill 14:00, Ref: TBC

Sat, 16 Feb, Blackwater Gaels V St Joseph's 14:00, Ref: TBC

Sat, 16 Feb, Ballymachugh V Denn 14:00, Ref: TBC

Minor League Div 4

Sat, 16 Feb, Venue: Drung Gaa Grounds, St Finbarr's V Drumgoon 14:00, Ref: TBC

Sat, 16 Feb, Drumalee V Cuchulainns 14:00, Ref: TBC

Sat, 16 Feb, Killinkere V Knockbride 14:00, Ref: TBC