First fixtures and dates of Super 8s confirmed

Patrick McCarry

Fans from four counties can start making plans around that weekend now.

There are still 12 counties vying for the final four places in the 2019 All-Ireland quarter finals, or Super 8s. As provincial title winners, Donegal, Kerry, Dublin and Roscommon are already qualified and lying in wait.

The draw for Round 3 of the Qualifiers took place on Monday morning, with Mayo versus Armagh the pick of the upcoming ties:

Mayo v Armagh, Castlebar
Kildare v Tyrone, Newbridge
Westmeath v Clare, Mullingar
Laois v Offaly, Portlaoise

The winners of those games, this weekend, will take on the losing provincial finalists over July 6-7 for the final four spots in the quarter final series.

Two sets of Super 8 fixtures have now been confirmed, so Dublin, Kerry, Roscommon and Donegal fans all know who their counties will be up against, and where, on the July 20-21 weekend.

Croke Park will play host to Kerry vs. Donegal and Dublin – in their ‘neutral venue’ fixture – face Connacht champions Roscommon.

For the opening round of fixtures, played over July 13-14, all four provincial winners are at home. Mayo and Tyrone are the two big-hitters in the qualifiers but there are potential clashes for Kerry and Galway, while Cork could get Dublin at Croke Park if they come through Round 4 of the qualifiers.

The final round of games could see Dublin travelling to Kingspan Breffni Park to taken on Cavan while Kerry could face Meath at Pairc Tailteann on the August 3-4 weekend.