Donegal awaiting losers in Leinster

After eventually disposing of Fermanagh at their third attempt, Donegal have drawn the losers of next week's big Leinster semi-final, Meath or Kildare. That was the headline fixture in last night's draw for the second round of the All-Ireland qualifiers which will take place over the next two Saturdays.

Donegal played Meath in the 1990 All-Ireland semi-final and were unlucky to lose by eight points but the county has never before played a championship match against Kildare. The match will be played on Saturday week.

The fixtures for that date, June 30th, look the more newsworthy with Ulster champions of the past two years Armagh drawn against whoever loses out in next weekend's provincial semi-final between Cavan and Monaghan. On the same day, earlier in the afternoon, last year's All-Ireland finalists Galway will travel to Aughrim to play Wicklow for the first time in championship football.

Once more an Ulster tie has been replicated in the qualifier series. Antrim, winners over Leitrim in the first-round qualifiers, have drawn Derry for the fourth time in two championships. That will take place next Saturday in Casement Park.

After their marathon first round tie with Wexford, Westmeath must travel to the Gaelic Grounds to play Limerick, reviving memories of the under-21 semi-final between the counties last year.

Laois, who got a bye into this round, are at home to either Cork or Clare. Yesterday's beaten Leinster semi-finalists Offaly will take on Louth at Navan. A year ago, Louth celebrated victory over the same opponents in the inaugural Division Two NFL final at Croke Park.

Finally Sligo, narrowly beaten by Mayo in the Connacht semi-final, will travel to Dr Cullen Park to play Carlow.

GAC chairperson Paraic Duffy said both Breffni Park (venue for CavanArmagh) and Aughrim would be subject to safety inspections and if everything was in order, the Wicklow venue would be all-ticket.

A late, late comeback from Westmeath forced a replay with Offaly in the Leinster JFC on Saturday night. Going into the last five minutes, Offaly seemed safe until Thomas Cleary converted a series of frees to put Westmeath within a point. Offaly were now on the ropes and after over two minutes of injury time, Cleary slotted over his fifth despite the difficult angle and so earned his side another day.