ALL-IRELAND QUALIFIERS DRAWS:TELEVISION CAMERAS picked up Monaghan manager Seamus McEnaney and former Armagh boss Joe Kernan sharing a joke in the stand before the Tyrone-Derry match in Casement Park yesterday. Little did they know their counties would be squaring off in what promises to be a mighty collision and the pick of the All-Ireland first-round football qualifier draw made last night.
After a fractious defeat to Derry (which led to several suspensions) in the Ulster championship, Monaghan have home advantage and could even have leading marksman Tommy Freeman back after his eight-week suspension was sent back to the Central Hearings Committee because of technical irregularities. The CHC are expected to re-hear the case this week.
Nothing else jumps off the page with Down travelling to London to save their summer and Offaly going to Wexford in an all-Leinster tie.
Donegal should recover from their surprise defeat in Ulster to Antrim with a home match against Carlow, Meath will be expected to account for Waterford, while Mick O’Dwyer’s Wicklow have a tricky home fixture against Fermanagh.
All games, like phase one of the All-Ireland hurling championship, are due to take place on Saturday, July 4th.
In the hurling qualifiers, Offaly have been drawn against Cork in phase one, almost certainly in Tullamore, while Laois will host Antrim.
Phase two of the hurling was also decided last night with Wexford at home to Limerick and Galway facing Clare, probably in Ennis. All four teams have a three-week break, July 11th, after losing their respective provincial semi-finals over the weekend with Galway looking like genuine contenders after asking some serious questions of All-Ireland champions Kilkenny on Saturday.
The throw-in times and venues will be confirmed by the Central Competitions Control Committee this week.
Kerry defender Killian Young had to leave the field as South Kerry beat Rathmore in a county game at the weekend. Young, just back after a shoulder injury, damaged the other shoulder and must be a doubt for Kerry’s qualifier match on July 11th.
Better news for Kerry is the fine form shown by Tadhg Kennelly who scored 1-3 from the 40 which helped Feale Rangers defeat St Michael’s/Foilmore.
