Dates and venues confirmed for qualifiers

The dates and venues for the Bank of Ireland All-Ireland SFC fourth round qualifiers have been confirmed by the GAA's Games Administration Committee today.

Mon, 17 Jul, 2006 - 17:15

The dates and venues for the Bank of Ireland All-Ireland SFC fourth round qualifiers have been confirmed by the GAA's Games Administration Committee today.

A toss of a coin at GAA headquarters decided home advantage for the four fixtures.

Despite losing their grip on the Munster title, Kerry's luck has not run out - they will incredibly be at home for the fourth time in five championship games when they take on Longford on Saturday week.

The Kingdom's clash with the midlanders has been set for Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney with a 5pm throw-in.

Saturday week's other qualifier will see Westmeath, who overcame Sligo over the weekend in a 90-minute thriller, travel to Pearse Stadium in Salthill to face dethroned Connacht champions Galway (throw-in 7pm).

The following afternoon, Ulster rivals Fermanagh and Donegal will meet at Enniskillen's Brewster Park at 2pm, while the Laois v Offaly game has been set for O'Moore Park in Portlaoise (throw-in 4pm).

Over 30,000 spectators watched the four third round qualifiers at various venues last Saturday. Fitzgerald Stadium boasts the biggest capacity of the fourth round grounds at 41,000.

The make-up of the All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals and semi-finals has also been settled on - sides who have played each other already in the championship (e.g. Armagh and Donegal) have been kept apart.

Munster champions Cork are destined to face Ulster opponents in the last-eight, while newly-crowned Connacht kingpins Mayo could face Laois, who knocked 2005 champions Tyrone out in the second round.

A repeat of the 2002 All-Ireland final could be on the cards with Armagh awaiting the winners of the Kerry v Longford game. Dublin, fresh from retaining their Leinster crown, could also be paired with Galway in an intriguing tie.

2006 BANK OF IRELAND ALL-IRELAND SFC FOURTH ROUND QUALIFIERS: FIXTURES -

Saturday, July 29:

Kerry v Longford, Killarney, 5pm

Galway v Westmeath, Pearse Stadium, 7pm

Sunday, July 30:

Fermanagh v Donegal, Enniskillen, 2pm

Laois v Offaly, Portlaoise, 4pm

BANK OF IRELAND ALL-IRELAND SFC QUARTER-FINALS:

Cork (Munster winners) v Fermanagh/Donegal

Armagh (Ulster winners) v Kerry/Longford

Mayo (Connacht winners) v Laois/Offaly

Dublin (Leinster winners) v Galway/Westmeath