Do or die.
As big of a ball ache as the qualifiers are, it simplifies everything now. Survive and advance. That’s the only objective of the championship from now on – it doesn’t matter how you play or who you’re playing. Survive and advance.
The backdoor has never looked as tricky for teams to enter the quarter-finals. An open draw, a winner on the day, and Tyrone, Mayo, Kildare and Cavan swimming beyond their shores at such an early stage.
Although most of the big guns missed out on pairings with each other in round 1, there are still some clinker ties to look forward to. All the games – barring the one in Ruislip – will take place on Saturday 9 June and the time and venue has been set for each, apart from the game in Navan which still hasn’t confirmed a throw-in.
All-Ireland SFC qualifier Round 1
Meath v Tyrone
Saturday 9 June
Páirc Tailteann, Navan
Wexford v Waterford
Saturday 9 June, 2pm
Wexford Park, Wexford
Derry v Kildare
Saturday 9 June, 3pm
Owenbeg
Wicklow v Cavan
Saturday 9 June, 6pm
Joule Park, Aughrim
Offaly v Antrim
Saturday 9 June, 6pm
O’Connor Park, Tullamore
Limerick v Mayo
Saturday 9 June, 6pm
Gaelic Grounds, Limerick
Westmeath v Armagh
Saturday 9 June, 7pm
Cusack Park, Mullingar
London v Louth
Sunday 10 June, 2pm
McGovern Park, Ruislip
Remember, there will be a winner on the day.
Extra time will be played if necessary.
If teams are still level, there will be a further two bouts of extra time (this time five minutes each way).
If teams are still level after that, we’ll go to the free-taking competition.
