Back door may suit Tyrone

ALL-IRELAND SFC QUALIFIERS

THERE’S NO lack of sub-plots in the second round of the All-Ireland football qualifiers – of which seven of eight are confirmed for Saturday week – and while the meeting of Longford and Tyrone doesn’t come with any great history, it’s nonetheless intriguing.

Home advantage has made it a lot more attractive for Longford, who this time last year beat a well-fancied Mayo in Pearse Park in the first round of the qualifiers, and will again fancy their chances against a Tyrone team who finished Sunday’s Ulster semi-final against Donegal looking tired and somewhat confounded, at least compared to the All-Ireland winning heights of 2008.

However, manager Mickey Harte was quick to point out that the last time Tyrone were sent down the qualifier route they won the All-Ireland, and in fact have won two of their three All-Ireland titles through the so-called back-door (in 2005 and 2008).

“Well, we’d much rather be in the Ulster final,” says Harte, “but that’s the road we’re forced to take now, and we have to go down it. Although the last time we were there it didn’t do us any harm. Maybe that is a good omen.”

Throw-in at Pearse Park on Saturday week will be 7pm, as are the meetings between Laois and Kildare in Portlaoise, Meath and Galway in Navan, and Armagh against Wicklow in Armagh.

Laois against Kildare gets top billing as TV3’s live game (they had the first pick of the second-round qualifiers), and not surprisingly so as former Mullaghbawn clubmates and Armagh All-Ireland winning team-mates Justin McNulty and Kieran McGeeney face each other on the sidelines.

Laois enjoyed a big win over Tipperary in round one, but won’t fancy a wounded Kildare eager to make amends for the controversial end to Sunday’s Leinster semi-final at Croke Park.

First up on Saturday week will be Antrim’s hosting of Carlow at Casement Park (2pm), while last year’s beaten All-Ireland finalists Down are at home to Leitrim at Páirc Esler in Newry (3pm).

In other years London were very much seen as the soft draw, but not in 2011, and after beating Fermanagh in round one – their first championship win in 34 years – London will fancy another upset when they welcome Waterford to Ruislip, which will have 6.30pm start. “We’re not finished yet,” said London manager Paul Coggins after Saturday’s six-point win. “We’re looking forward to the season continuing for another while, and I suppose causing more fixture chaos in London.”

A date and time has yet to be confirmed for the meeting of Limerick and Offaly. It will be played at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick, possibly as a double-bill with the Limerick hurlers should they win their phase two qualifier against Wexford this Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Leinster Council have announced ticket packages for Sunday’s provincial hurling final between Kilkenny and league champions Dublin.

Stand tickets are €35, and Hill 16 €20, but Cusack Stand tickets can be purchased for the price of a Hill ticket under the Adult Club Group package (15 or more to a max of 50 per club). Under-16s can be seated there for €3 (under the Juvenile Club Group Pass), or €5 (as part of a family ticket). Senior citizens and student refunds of €15 are also available.

Fixtures

All-Ireland SFC qualifiers, Round Two

Saturday, July 9th: Antrim v Carlow, Casement Park, 2.0; Down v Leitrim, Páirc Esler, Newry, 3.0; London v Waterford, Ruislip, 6.30; Laois v Kildare, Portlaoise, 7.0 (live on TV3); Meath v Galway, Páirc Tailteann, Navan 7.0; Longford v Tyrone, Pearse Park, 7.0; Armagh v Wicklow, Athletic Grounds, 7.0; Limerick v Offaly, Gaelic Grounds, TBC.