THE 1997 Railway Cup campaign gets underway tomorrow, as the football semi-finals take place at Navan and Ennis. The hurling has been scheduled for next autumn. The competitions pose a continuing vexation for the GAA which has tried to breathe life into them in a variety of ways over the years. The current timing of January has been observed for the past three years but attracts plenty of dissent, much of it from those centrally involved.

Whether you judge the calendar positioning a success depends on what you're trying to achieve. Noel Walsh, the Munster chairman and long-time devotee of the provincial competition takes the practical view that this is the only time of the year during which the games will attract any publicity.

Conversely, Brian McEniff, the long-serving Ulster manager, has never made any secret of his unhappiness with the current arrangement. Weather conditions which in the past two years have caused postponements, the proximity of the resumption of the National Football League and players' tendency to rest themselves before the season starts in earnest are among the reasons.

McEniff's point of view has merit, but only if you accept the concept - advanced by amongst others Mattie Kerrigan, the Leinster manager - that the competition is strictly a players' event and should be maintained for their benefit, regardless of the public interest. Otherwise, Walsh's opinion is more valid, and January is the only time when the Railway Cup will get a clear run at the public.

The commitment of the players isn't as widespread as some like to maintain and at least one prominent player has declined to be involved in his province's challenge - for no particular reason and others find reasons without too much soul-searching.

There are, however, those wh9 do treat the competitions seriously and when a decent manager is appointed, the players respond. In recent years, there has been a faint revival, with organised coaches generating greater enthusiasm, but this has only extended as far as making the other three provinces as competitive as Ulster.

Players from the least successful counties have traditionally been the competition's most wholehearted supporters. This year, the lowliest county represented in the football competition is Limerick at the hardship end of Division Four - whose well-respected mid-fielder John Quane will accompany Kerry's former under-21 county player, William Kirby.

At the age of 26, Quane is a comparative veteran, having played on the Limerick teams that came so close to shocking Kerry in the Munster championships five and six years ago.

It's worthwhile, especially for me, coming from Limerick, a weak county. It gives me the opportunity to play with the best players in the province. It's a very enjoyable experience and nice to meet them and talk about football.

"Sometimes it's hard to keep up enthusiasm and commitment (at county level) but there's not very much you can do about it and I still enjoy my football."

Realistically, the competition's best chance of finding a comfortable niche is the current arrangement. Moving it around the calendar once more will break what small momentum it has currently gathered, and even if the crowds never come back there can be few complaints about it surviving as a players' tournament.

Leinster v Ulster, Navan, 2.30

For the many years of northern dominance, Leinster were Ulster's main challengers so it was ironic that when Brian McEniff's side had their great run halted, it was Munster who were responsible. Leinster, appropriately, won the title and now defend it against their predecessors.

Most of the disruptions for Leinster manager Mattie Kerrigan have been suffered in relation to fringe players, and the retention of two-thirds of his title-winning side is impressive in the fractured context of the Railway Cup.

Ulster are rebuilding and look less formidable than in the past but the team spirit and sense of continuity are still there. Leinster's attack, however, looks more potent with Louth's Colin Kelly apparently having shrugged off some indifferent county form to claim his regular spot in the left corner, Tommy Dowd at full-forward and the enduringly excellent Kevin O'Brien on the other side.

Ulster's forwards may not be entirely free of injury and the verdict goes, albeit narrowly, to the holders.

Munster v Connacht, Ennis, 2.30

With the full commitment of the province's players for the first time in a while and the added advantage of their well-contested provincial league giving Connacht an edge, the westerners are seeking a first win in 11 years.

Munster football is suffering from something of a confidence crisis after Kerry's defeat by Mayo, but their management is sharp and many of the more obvious choices are on the bench rather than unavailable.

Martin Carney's efforts on Connacht's behalf mirror those of fellow Bundoran man McEniff in Ulster. Tomorrow will be Carney's best chance to date.