Johnston's Kildare debut could be against Cavan after second-round draw
This morning's draw for the second round of the GAA All-Ireland Senior Football Championship qualifiers provided an ironic twist as beaten Leinster semi-finalists Kildare were paired with Cavan.
One of the biggest stories of the 2012 season has been ex-Cavan forward Seanie Johnston's transfer to Kildare club St Kevin's, and he played hurling for their sister club Coill Dubh on Saturday in a bid to become eligible for the Lilywhites.
Johnston was at Croke Park yesterday for Kildare's surprise defeat to Meath but was not togged out as part of the matchday squad. Now, it turns out that his own native Cavan are next on Kildare's radar and his first game for his adopted county could be against the Breffni men in two weeks' time.
The draw for the second round qualifiers was made by GAA President Liam O'Neill and Meath's two-time All-Ireland winner Liam Hayes and broadcast live on TV3's 'Ireland AM' programme.
The eight beaten provincial semi-finalists were put in bowl A, while bowl B contained the teams who were victorious in the weekend's first round qualifiers.
Antrim, who travelled to Ruislip to beat London, will have home advantage against Galway, while Wicklow will fancy their chances of overcoming their second round hosts Leitrim whom they beat 2-13 to 1-10 in Division 4 this year.
Mullingar will be the destination for Kerry's first back door date as they take on Westmeath, the conquerors of Louth in the opening round.
Another Ulster heavyweight is standing in Roscommon's path in the form of Tyrone. Des Newton's Rossies will be hopeful of pulling off another shock at Dr. Hyde Park after coming from behind to beat Armagh yesterday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Longford's reward for ending Derry's Championship campaign over the weekend is a home tie against Limerick, and two counties that were relegated during the Allianz League this season, Laois and Monaghan, will meet at O'Moore Park.
Tipperary and Wexford will also renew their rivalry after clashing in Division 3 in March. Wexford, who were knocked out of the Leinster Championship by Dublin yesterday, were too strong that day for Tipp - handing them a 2-20 to 1-8 defeat at Wexford Park.
The second round games will be played on Saturday, July 14. The venues and throw-in times will be confirmed by the GAA's Central Competitions Control Committee tomorrow.
GAA All-Ireland Senior Football Championship second round qualifiers:
ANTRIM v GALWAY
LEITRIM v WICKLOW
WESTMEATH v KERRY
ROSCOMMON v TYRONE
LONGFORD v LIMERICK
CAVAN v KILDARE
LAOIS v MONAGHAN
TIPPERARY v WEXFORD
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