The results of the recent All-Ireland senior football championship lottery indicate that Dublin and Kerry have drawn favourable match-ups, while Derry, managed by Mickey Harte, may have to face off with Donegal once again during the round-robin games.
Derry, which recently suffered a loss to Donegal in a regional quarter-final, has been placed in Group One with the victor of the Connacht final (either Galway or Mayo) and the team falling in the Ulster final (either Donegal or Armagh) as well as Westmeath under Dessie Dolan’s direction.
If Donegal should lose to Armagh in the Ulster final, a new face-off between Harte and Jim McGuinness can be expected shortly after their intense regional collision at Celtic Park.
Whilst Group One appears intimidating, the championship prospects brighten significantly for Dublin and Kerry who could have an easier pathway to the All-Ireland quarter-finals, provided they come out on top in their respective regional finals. They are both top contenders for the Sam Maguire award.
Provided Dublin emerges victorious in Leinster, they will find themselves in Group Two along with the runner up from Connacht (Galway or Mayo), plus Roscommon and Cavan.
In the case of a defeat in the Connacht final, Galway or Mayo may end up with a more advantageous round-robin group. If Kerry manages to secure a victory in Munster, they would be placed in Group Four alongside the runner-up from Leinster (Dublin or Louth), and additionally Monaghan and Meath.
If Louth lose out in the Leinster final, they would receive an advantageous first round home fixture against Meath in the All-Ireland series, despite using Páirc Tailteann in Navan as their regular championship venue.
On the other hand, the Tailteann Cup draw was also conducted on Tuesday, positioning Glenn Ryan’s Kildare alongside Leitrim, Longford and Waterford in a group.
ALL-IRELAND SFC DRAW
GROUP 1: Derry, Westmeath, and final winners of Connacht (Mayo/Galway) and finals runners-up of Ulster (Donegal/Armagh).
GROUP 2: Roscommon, Cavan and final winners of Leinster (Dublin/Louth) and finals runners up of Connacht (Mayo/Galway).
The groups for the Tailteann Cup draw have been established as follows: Kildare, Leitrim, Longford, and Waterford form Group 1, with Sligo, Antrim, Wexford, and Tipperary making up Group 2. Group 3 comprises of Fermanagh, Laois, Wicklow, and Carlow, whereas Group 4 is made up of Down, Offaly, Limerick, and London.
Additionally, in Group 3 for an another undisclosed competition, the winning team from Ulster (either Donegal or Armagh), the team placing second in Munster (either Kerry or Clare), along with Tyrone and Cork. Group 4 for the same competition features the winner from Munster (either Kerry or Clare), the runner-up from Leinster (either Dublin or Louth), and includes Monaghan and Meath.