Armagh's faith and fate now in plan B

Joint Armagh managers Brian McAlinden and Brian Canavan will be fully behind the county's entrance into the losers' group of the football championship.

Sunday's quarter-final loss to Tyrone killed off their chances of a third successive Ulster title, but a meeting has already been set for this week to draw up their preparations for qualification from the losers' group.

Relationships between the management and players appeared to strain during the tail end of last summer's run to the All-Ireland semi-final, but, according to county secretary and PRO Patrick Og Nugent, preparations for Sunday's game went exactly as planned.

"If there were any problems between the management and some of the players then they were put to bed during the league," said Nugent.

"Everything about the routine and countdown to Sunday's game, all the build-up and the training, was the same as it was last year.

"The only problem was that Tyrone wanted it more. We were outpaced and outplayed but we were coming off two long summers and it was hard for the players to enthuse in the same way. We didn't have the hunger, but there's certainly no question of either manager going anywhere at this stage."

The players will get a break from training this week as the Armagh club championship begins at the weekend, but Nugent is confident the county has an chance to reach the All-Ireland quarter-final.

"The immediate reaction after losing is disappointment. But someone said to me on Sunday evening that it doesn't matter if you go in the back door as long as you come out the front door with the Sam Maguire."

Meanwhile, London are still hopeful that they will be allowed into the losers' group of the football championship even though their original game against Mayo was cancelled because of the foot-and-mouth crisis in England.

The Games Administration Committee will make a final decision on the matter when they meet tomorrow evening and London secretary Tommy Harrell has admitted that they are hoping for the best but expecting the worst.

"We are totally in the hands of the GAC right now," said Harrell. "Foot-and-mouth has practically disappeared over here now, but we are still getting conflicting reports as to what that means for sport.

"Losing out on the Mayo game has already been a huge blow, and the players were gutted. It's been stop and start all year for the players but they are ready to go now. All we can do is hope. I think we deserve to at least get one game."

Part of the problem is that London are not yet deemed losers because they have not yet played a game. But, with New York already deciding not to enter the losers' qualification group, London's omission would result in one of the 15 remaining counties gaining a bye into the second round.

Elsewhere, Dublin are still uncertain about a number of players ahead of their championship opener with Longford, part of the double bill in Croke Park on Sunday. Goalkeeper Davy Byrne looks certain to miss the starting line-up, and Colin Moran is also awaiting a late fitness test.

Laois, who meet Offaly in the first game, have Colm Parkinson back in the team. He missed the win over Wexford because of a leg muscle injury but has been returning to full training.

Meath and Kildare have an extra week to conclude their preparations. Meath, who meet Westmeath on Sunday week, had a final challenge game against Kerry on Saturday evening - which they lost to the All-Ireland champions 2-11 to 2-7 - as part of the opening of the new floodlight pitch at Simonstown.

Kildare's preparations to meet Carlow also received some positive news at the weekend - starting with Martin Lynch, who is back in the country and helped his club Clane to a draw with Rheban on Saturday evening.

Niall Buckley - just back from Chicago and passed as eligible to play for his club - was due to start with Sarsfields, but that game was postponed.

Mayo's championship countdown received a minor setback on Sunday when James Nallen came off with a shoulder injury while playing for Crossmolina in the opening round of the Mayo football championship.

Kieran McDonald didn't start for Crossmolina, but only as precaution, and even though the All-Ireland champions suffered a shock defeat to Charlestown, a new back-door stage in the county will give them another chance.