Football

Sligo to host decisive Armagh-Galway clash

Derry face trip to Newry to salvage Championship season

Armagh came within a whisker of an All-Ireland semi-final but were denied by Galway
Armagh came within a whisker of an All-Ireland semi-final but were denied by Galway
By Paul McConville

Armagh’s decisive Group One clash with Galway will be played at Markievcz Park on Sunday June 16.

Both teams have won their opening two games in the round-robin stages, with the Orchardmen scoring a comprehensive win over Ulster rivals Derry in Celtic Park on Sunday.

The winners of the clash will top the group and advance to a quarter-final while the losers will finish second and play at home in the preliminary quarter-finals. A draw would see Armagh top the group due to their better points difference.

Derry’s only hope of advancing in this year’s Championship is through the preliminary quarter-finals but they must beat Westmeath to make it there. Their meeting will be played at on Saturday in Newry

Mayo will take on All-Ireland champions Dublin at in Dr Hyde Park, Roscommon on Sunday June 16. after the Westerners appealed for their final round Group Two clash to be played away from Cork Park

The third play-off place from the group will go to either Cavan or Roscommon with the Breffnimen needing a win to advance. Their match will take place at Pearse Park, Longford on the Saturday.

Jason McGee rises for the ball during Donegal's All-Ireland round robin victory over Tyrone in Ballybofey on Saturday night. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
Tyrone and Donegal can both still top Group Three Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

Tyrone can still secure a quarter-final spot if they top Group Three with their final match against Cork taking place at on Saturday in either Tullamore or Portlaoise. The venue will depend on the outcome of this weekend’s Joe McDonagh Cup final between Offaly and Laois. The winners of the Joe McDonagh Cup will play a home All-Ireland qualifier against Cork that weekend.

Ulster champions Donegal can also top the group and will take on Clare in Castlebar on Saturday June 15.

Monaghan and Meath is the crunch tie in Group Four with the Farneymen able to advance by avoiding defeat to the Royals. Only a win at Kingspan Breffni next Sunday will put last year’s Tailteann Cup winners into the preliminary quarter-finals

Louth can top the group if they beat Kerry with that match taking place in Portlaoise

ALL-IRELAND SFC ROUND THREE

SATURDAY, JUNE 15

Group 1 Derry v Westmeath (Páirc Esler, 7pm, live on GAAGO)

Group 2 Roscommon v Cavan (Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 5pm)

Group 3 (3pm) Donegal v Clare (Hastings Insurance MacHale Park); Tyrone v Cork (Glenisk O’Connor Park OR Laois Hire O’Moore Park)

SUNDAY, JUNE 16

Group 1 Galway v Armagh (Markiewicz Park, 1.45pm, live on RTÉ2)

Group 2 Dublin v Mayo (Dr Hyde Park, 3.45pm, live on RTÉ2)

Group 4 (3pm) Kerry v Louth (Laois Hire O’Moore Park); Monaghan v Meath (Kingspan Breffni)