Breffni Park to host for Louth-Meath clash
The Central Competitions Control Committee of the GAA have confirmed the dates, venues and throw-in times for the All-Ireland SFC first round qualifiers.
Much of the focus will be on the repeat of last year's Leinster SFC final as Louth and recently dethroned champions Meath go head to head again. Their encounter has been set for Saturday week - June 25 - at Kingspan Breffni Park (throw-in 7pm).
As Louth's home ground in Drogheda has a capacity of just 4,000 and a huge crowd is expected to attend the game, officials have moved it to the neutral Cavan venue.
All eight qualifiers will take place on Saturday week, with the meeting of London and Fermanagh in Ruislip getting things underway at 1.30pm.
The Louth-Meath game is part of a double header at Breffni Park - Cavan will take on Longford in the curtain raiser at 5pm. Last year's beaten All-Ireland finalists Down will venture to Ennis to take on Clare (throw-in 3pm).
The Antrim v Westmeath tie will go ahead at 2pm at Casement Park, while Aughrim and Tullamore will be the respective venues for the Wicklow v Sligo and Offaly v Monaghan tussles that evening.
Portlaoise's O'Moore Park, the scene of Carlow's shock win over Louth yesterday, will host Laois' clash with Tipperary. It could yet be a double header at the midlands venue, with the possible SHC qualifier meeting of Laois and Offaly set to be added to the bill.
ALL-IRELAND SFC FIRST ROUND QUALIFIER FIXTURES:
Saturday, June 25 -
Clare v Down, Cusack Park, 3pm
Laois v Tipperary, O'Moore Park, 5pm/7pm
* If part of double header with Laois v Offaly hurling qualifier, throw-in will be at 5pm. Or as a stand alone fixture, throw-in will be at 7pm
Antrim v Westmeath, Casement Park, 2pm
Louth v Meath, Kingspan Breffni Park, 7pm
London v Fermanagh, Ruislip, 1.30pm
Cavan v Longford, Kingspan Breffni Park, 5pm
Wicklow v Sligo, Aughrim, 5pm
Offaly v Monaghan, Tullamore, 7pm
