skip to main content

Updated Tailteann Cup favourites Cavan to face Down in quarter-finals

The quarter-final pairings in the Tailteann Cup
The quarter-final pairings in the Tailteann Cup

The draw for the quarter-finals of the Tailteann Cup has taken place, with Cavan and Down meeting in an all-Ulster clash, while Meath will host Wexford in a Leinster derby.

Elsewhere, Limerick will be at home to Laois and Carlow will make the journey north to take on Antrim.

Three matches will take place on Saturday, beginning with Limerick v Laois at 3pm live on GAAGO and Meath v Wexford an hour later.

Cavan v Down ends the day's action at 5.15pm, also on GAAGO.

The Antrim v Carlow clash takes place at 1pm on Sunday.

Elsewhere details have also been confirmed for the All-Ireland Hurling Championship preliminary quarter-finals.

Offaly v Tipperary will take place in Glenisk O'Connor Park on Saturday at 4pm on GAAGO.

Carlow v Dublin is at 5pm in Netwatch Cullen Park.

Monday's Tailteann draw, which was broadcast live on RTÉ Radio's Morning Ireland, saw the winners of Saturday's preliminary quarter-final ties - Carlow, Down, Laois and Wexford - placed in Bowl 2 and drawn out second against the four winners in the group stage - Cavan, Meath, Limerick and Antrim.

No repeat pairings were possible from the group stage, but with Cavan and Laois (who had met before) the last two teams left in the respective bowls after Limerick were drawn against Down, a re-draw was required, with Limerick then drawn against Laois and Cavan pitted against the Mourne County.

GAA president Larry McCarthy was present for the draw and said the competition has been "a huge success so far".

The Tailteann Cup semi-finals will be played at Croke Park, with the final also at the Jones' Road venue ahead of the first All-Ireland senior semi-final.

"The enthusiasm that has been embraced by everybody is wonderful," McCarthy added.

"We will continue to develop it and push it and it will be a wonderful occasion when we get to the final.

"The idea was that we would give more teams more games and has certainly been the way."

It was put to McCarthy by presenter Darren Frehill that maybe there are too many games in the calendar.

The Corkman disagreed and said: "The training to matches ratio was too poor, we had to give players more games and that's what we've done. The consequence of that is that they are a lot more matches but players are enjoying it and are getting great fun and a great kick out of it.

"It's a challenge for managers because they have to more players ready to play every weekend as a consequence of the games coming thick and fast. No, we don't have too many games."

Watch an All-Ireland Football Championship double-header, Roscommon v Kildare and Galway v Armagh, on Sunday from 1.15pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app or listen to live updated on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1

Read Next