|
Laois Senior Footballers have been given a tough assignment against Down in the All-Ireland Round 2 Qualifiers after the O'Moore's were paired with the Mournemen in this evening's draw which took place at Croke Park.
Down were impressive in the Ulster SFC this year, with a replay victory over Tyrone after extra-time, at Páirc Esler in Newry. Ross Carr's charges again carried that good form into the Qualifiers, where last night they had a comprehensive 5-19 to 2-10 win over Offaly at O'Connor Park, Tullamore.
Laois manager Liam Kearns will be thankful that his side have secured home advantage, with the time and venue to be confirmed by the GAA's Central Competitions Control Committee at their weekly meeting in Croke Park tomorrow morning.
A two-point win on Saturday night over Longford earned Laois a place in the Round 2 draw, a stage of the competition that they O'Moore's have never lost at, since the introduction of the Qualifiers in 2001.
Meanwhile last year's beaten Ulster finalists Monaghan, will again face Ulster opposition in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship qualifiers next weekend, after yesterday afternoons one-point win over Derry placed them in this evening's Round 2 draw, in which Seamus McEnaney's side were drawn away to Donegal.
Westmeath, victors over Tipperary will again be on their travels, with Tomás Ó Flatharta's side gifted a tough test away to Tyrone, with the game most likely to take place in Healy Park.
Elsewhere Mickey Ned O'Sullivan's Limerick again have a home tie, with Kildare set to visit the Shannonsiders next weekend.
Meanwhile the Tommy Murphy Cup draw also took place at Croke Park, with home advantage for both Antrim and Wicklow, after they were drawn against London and Leitrim respectively in the penultimate round draw.
In Hurling, reigning Christy Ring Cup Champions Westmeath will face Derry at home next weekend, after this evening's draw.
Meanwhile surprise packets Mayo, will host Carlow in the penultimate round. The Westerners overcame Wicklow after extra-time at Aughrim in yesterday's quarter-final.
Fingal's impressive march through their debut year in the Nicky Rackard Cup will move to the North-West next weekend, after the North Dublin outfit were paired away to Sligo, while Monaghan will host Louth.
The CCCC (Central Competitions Control Committee) will meet tomorrow morning to confirm the venues and times for these games.
Meanwhile the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Quarter-finals will not take place in Croke Park next weekend, as the surface at GAA Headquarters has immediately undergone some treatment work following Dublin's Leinster four-in-a-row title win this afternoon.
The treatment works will take a fortnight to complete, and thus Semple Stadium is likely to play host to Cork v Clare and Wexford v Waterford next weekend. A decision will be taken in the morning by the CCCC to confirm these fixtures.
ALL-IRELAND ROUND 2 SFC QUALIFIERS
Donegal v Monaghan
Tyrone v Westmeath
Limerick v Kildare
Laois v Down
TOMMY MURPHY CUP SEMI-FINALS
Antrim v London
Wicklow v Leitrim |
