Football Championship qualifier draw tees up juicy all-Ulster tie
This morning's draw for rounds 2A and 2B of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship qualifiers has thrown up a juicy all-Ulster clash between Tyrone and the losers of the Monaghan-Armagh replay.
The beaten provincial semi-finalists and the various first round qualifier winners were pitted against each other in the draw which was broadcast live on RTÉ Radio 1's 'Morning Ireland'.
The GAA's director general Páraic Duffy and RTÉ football analyst Kevin McStay drew out the teams, with the first sides out having home advantage.
Three late points from Jamie Clarke, Stefan Campbell and substitute Rory Grugan saw Armagh fight back to draw 0-14 apiece with defending champions Monaghan in last Saturday's Ulster SFC semi-final.
The winners of next weekend's replay in Clones will move on to face Donegal in the provincial decider, while Tyrone await the losers in round 2B of the All-Ireland qualifiers.
If Monaghan lose to Armagh, they will at least have home advantage against the Red Hands by virtue of the fact that they beat Mickey Harte's men at the quarter-final stage of the Ulster Championship. Omagh will be the venue if Armagh are Tyrone's next opponents.
Wexford, who lost yesterday's Leinster semi-final to Dublin, will be at home to provincial rivals Laois in round 2A, while Longford, the conquerors of Derry last time out, face another away trip - this time Jack Sheedy's side will be venturing south to Tipperary.
Wicklow - recent three-goal winners over Offaly - will be back at Aughrim for a second round date with Sligo, looking to repeat their 1-18 to 0-16 qualifier win over the Yeats men from three years ago.
The Gaelic Grounds will host the meeting of Limerick and Antrim who were beaten by Donegal in their Ulster semi-final encounter.
While the Tyrone v Monaghan/Armagh pairing will command the headlines, round 2B has some other cracking contests in prospect with Kildare, who disappointed against Meath yesterday, on the road to James McCartan's Down.
Following their first qualifier win since 2005 - a one-point defeat of Waterford - Carlow will be hoping home advantage proves key when Clare pat them a visit at Dr. Cullen Park.
Cavan will also entertain Roscommon at Breffni Park, hoping to avenge their 1-17 to 0-18 loss to the Rossies in the Division 3 league final earlier this season.
The round 2A games have been provisionally scheduled for next Saturday, while round 2B is set to be played out on Saturday week (July 12). The CCCC (Central Competitions Control Committee) will confirm the dates within the next 24 hours.
Wexford v Laois
Tipperary v Longford
Limerick v Antrim
Wicklow v Sligo
(Matches to be played on Saturday, July 5)
Carlow v Clare
Cavan v Roscommon
Tyrone v Monaghan/Armagh
Down v Kildare
(Matches to be played on Saturday, July 12)
