2011 Championship draw

Daysha

The draw for the 2011 championship takes place in Croke Park tonight - less than three weeks after this year's championship ended.

The draw for all four provinces in football and hurling gets underway at 8pm and will be broadcast live on RTÉ2. Galway and Meath are the only two counties going into the football championship draw still looking to fill their senior football manager positions.

Galway were expected to name Joe Kernan's successor this week, but have held off for another week amid growing speculation that they are looking beyond the four candidates - Gerry Fahy, Tomas O Flatharta, Pete Warren and Matt Duggan - already interviewed.

Meath, meanwhile, aren't expected to have a new manager in place for at least another three weeks after 13 candidates were nominated for the position.

There is only one slight change to the existing schedule which sees the Leinster hurling championship expanded by one county to include Westmeath, who have been guaranteed three years in the Liam McCarthy Cup following their Christy Ring Cup triumph last July.

It means the Leinster hurling championship now comprises nine counties, and the McCarthy Cup consists of 14 counties. The format for the 2011 Leinster hurling championship was announced yesterday with four counties (Laois, Carlow, Antrim and Westmeath) going into an open draw and will contest a preliminary round.

The two winners join four more counties in three quarter-finals (Galway, Dublin, Offaly and Wexford), also made on an open draw. The three winners from there join Kilkenny in the semi-finals, those pairings also made on an open draw. Kilkenny, as Leinster champions, get a bye into the semi-final.

Westmeath's involvement in the Liam McCarthy Cup will also necessitate an additional game in the All-Ireland hurling qualifiers, with the preliminary round now comprising the five Leinster teams that fail to make their provincial semi-final, and the loser of the Munster preliminary game/quarter-final.

In football, the 2011 Leinster championship has the four 2010 semi-finalists seeded (Meath, Dublin, Westmeath and Louth) who thus get byes into the quarter-finals.

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Cake Man

Think we (Waterford) are due a 1st round Munster tie. Last few years we got the benefit of getting striaght into a Munster semi. I can see us being paired against AI champions Tipp in first round! :rolleyes:

Kristopherus

And beating them, now that L.Sheedy has walked:D

dartbhoy

You'd wonder are many of the footballing counties too bothered with tonight's draw considering all 4 semi finalists this year came through the qualifier route?

Flukey

That was pure chance, so yes counties are interested in their provincial championships. Louth will certainly want to win Leinster for example. It is strange that while qualifier draws can be made less than a week before the matches, the draws for the championship take place over 7 months before the first matches. It would be more than time enough to have this in April. Anyway, tonight it is, so let's see what happens.

KevIRL

Hurling championship draw 2011

Leinster

Prelim
Antrim v Laois
Carlow v Westmeath

QF
Antrim/Laois v Wexford
Carlow/Westmeath v Galway
Dublin v Offaly

SF
Dublin/Offaly v Galway/Carlow/Westmeah
Kilkennt v Antrim/Laois/Wexford

KevIRL

Munster Hurling 2010

QF
Cork v Tipp

SF
Limerick v Waterford
Clare v Cork/Tipp

Daysha

I don't believe it! Cork vs Tipp for the SEVENTH year running, with Waterford on the other side of the draw to the big two for the 4th year in a row.

Not complaining one bit, but with Donal O'Grady at Limerick it'll be a tough one.

KevIRL

Munster Football 2011

QF
Kerry v Tipp
Cork v clare

SF
Limerick v Kerry/Tipp
Waterford v Cork/Clare

c montgomery

KevIRL wrote: »

Munster Hurling 2010

QF
Cork v Tipp

SF
Limerick v Waterford
Clare v Cork/Tipp

FFS, not again

It will be a shame to have the All Ireland Champions in the qualifiers at such an early stage;)

c montgomery

Daysha wrote: »

I don't believe it! Cork vs Tipp for the SEVENTH year running, with Waterford on the other side of the draw to the big two for the 4th year in a row.

Not complaining one bit, but with Donal O'Grady at Limerick it'll be a tough one.

Ye couldnt have gotten a better draw:)

Cake Man

Happy enough with that draw, Limerick will be a tough one under DO'G. Just 70mins away from our 3rd consecutive Munster final appearance. Cork & Tipp must be sick of the sight of each other at this stage!

Trampas

was it just luck KK got to semi?

not watching

Always number 1

One other change I heard today was that if Roscommon lose to New York then they WILL be allowed in the back door whereas in previous years that was not the case.

Leinster football will be interesting.
Louth v Meath anyone???

KevIRL

Connacht Football 2011

QF
Leitrim v Sligo
Mayo v London
Roscommon v New York

SF
Galway v London/Mayo
Leitrim/Sligo v Roscommon/New York

KevIRL

Ulster Football 2011

Preliminary
Donegal v Antrim

QF
Donegal/Antrim v Cavan
Derry v Fermanagh
Armagh v Down
Tyrone v Monaghan

SF
Donegal/Antrim/Cavan v Derry/Fermanagh
Armagh/Down v Tyrone/Monaghan

KevIRL

Leinster Football 2011

Round 1
Kildare v Wicklow
Laois v Longford
Wexford v Offaly


QF
Kildare/Wicklow v Meath
Laois/Longford v Dublin
Wexford/Offaly v Westmeath
Carlow v Louth

SF
Kildare/Wicklow/Meath v Laois/Longford/Dublin
Wexford/Offaly/Westmeath v Carlow v Louth

20 Times 20 Times

As a Louth man I'm delighted with the draw , Chuffed with it actually couldnt of asked for better !

ebbsy

Great draw for the Garden County !!!!!!!

WICKLOW FOR SAM.

ShamoBuc

very happy with the football in Munster - Kerry/tip/ Lim on the other side!!
Tip and Cork in the hurling - best time to play them - last year proved that!
KK got a real handy draw ( in the hurling )

meathgal2010

Meath VS Louth Leinster Final

ebbsy

meathgal2010 wrote: »

Meath VS Louth Leinster Final

Wicklow will defeat the forces of evil in the quarters.

Hammer Archer

Yikes that's a tough one. Kildare will be favourites should they beat Wicklow (which, given their performance in the first round last year isn't guaranteed) but hopefully the debacle that was this year quarter final will give us extra motivation.
Louth will be gutted if they fail to make another Leinster final, but I've a feeling Wexford might surprise a few people.

saywhatyousee

KevIRL wrote: »

Connacht Football 2011

QF
Leitrim v Sligo
Mayo v London
Roscommon v New York

SF
Galway v London/Mayo
Leitrim/Sligo v Roscommon/New York

could not have asked for a nicer draw:)

tawfeeredux

saywhatyousee wrote: »

could not have asked for a nicer draw:)

If it's a Sligo -v- Ross semi, am i right in thinking it'd be in the Hyde? Sligo had home advantage this year (though they chose to play in Castlebar). Ok Sligo will be out for revenge, but Roscommon at home in the championship to Sligo will always back themselves.

teednab-el

I reckon Limerick could do a double in Munster next year. There footballers have the beating of Cork and Kerry if they can learn from their mistakes of not closing out games they are in with a real chance. Limerick hurlers have one of the best managers in the game with O Grady and with the selectors of Carey and Ryan, they wil be a hard force for any of the other teams in Munster. You can expect Limerick hurling to be back on track for 2011.

saywhatyousee

tawfeeredux wrote: »

If it's a Sligo -v- Ross semi, am i right in thinking it'd be in the Hyde? Sligo had home advantage this year (though they chose to play in Castlebar). Ok Sligo will be out for revenge, but Roscommon at home in the championship to Sligo will always back themselves.

that what they thought in 2007!!!
picked a nice amount of money after that game in the bookies:D

cruiserweight

Hammer Archer wrote: »

I've a feeling Wexford might surprise a few people.

I am quite happy with the football draw from a Wexford point of view, but I think that most teams in that side of the draw will fancy their chances of making the Leinster final.

As for the hurling draw, Kilkenny in the semis if Wexford win their quarter final, I would have perferred the winners of Offaly/Dublin (I guess they would have perferred Wexford to Galway)

grenache

teednab-el wrote: »

I reckon Limerick could do a double in Munster next year. There footballers have the beating of Cork and Kerry if they can learn from their mistakes of not closing out games they are in with a real chance. Limerick hurlers have one of the best managers in the game with O Grady and with the selectors of Carey and Ryan, they wil be a hard force for any of the other teams in Munster. You can expect Limerick hurling to be back on track for 2011.

Limerick will have Kerry (provided Tipp dont cause a massive upset) at home in the Gaelic Grounds in the semi. That is something in our favour at least. It would be great to see us actually learn from our mistakes in previous games and close a game out when we have the chances. We will have to beat Kerry or Cork sooner or later (i hope!). As for the hurling, i should imagine last years dropped/striking players should be chomping at the bit to get back into inter-county action. No greater motivator at the helm also with O'Grady in charge. I am expecting a major improvemet in the quality of our hurling.
Mind you, facing up to the Munster Champions is a big task. Promotion from Division 2 is a must and the most important thing, anything else is a bonus.

rossie1977

saywhatyousee wrote: »

could not have asked for a nicer draw:)

i love the confidence of sligo fans, if i was a sligo fan i would worry about beating leitrim first and foremost, leitrim in carrick is no walk-over, ye were well beat there last time out in 2005

as a rossie, i am only looking ahead to the ny game, anything after that is a bonus will be good to have the likes of kilbride back up front next year to ease the scoring on donie, there is talk of frankie dolan being brought back into the panel too as he has had a wonderful club campaign for bridgets this year

Rookster

Limerick have to have a great chance against Kerry (provided they get through) in the semi at home. Kerry are definitely going through a re-building stage looking for a half dozen players. There will not be a better time.

Browney7

teednab-el wrote: »

I reckon Limerick could do a double in Munster next year. There footballers have the beating of Cork and Kerry if they can learn from their mistakes of not closing out games they are in with a real chance. Limerick hurlers have one of the best managers in the game with O Grady and with the selectors of Carey and Ryan, they wil be a hard force for any of the other teams in Munster. You can expect Limerick hurling to be back on track for 2011.

Not expecting much from either team this year to be honest with you. Granted the Waterford draw isn't bad but I'm not too hopeful with the likes of Carey and TJ Ryan involved in the setup. TJ denounced last years players for playing under Justin so how they will have to blend the 2 panels. I've a feeling it will be the same thing as always. A glorious defeat in Munster and a tame exit in the qualifiers.

From the footballers' perspective again I can't see us winning Munster. We could lose a few of the dual players to the hurling and Kerry will be well awake to the threat we Limerick will pose in the semi. Maybe a run in the qualifiers might do us well if we get a few nice draws. Draws aren't the worst but not expecting much but then again I never do.

Peace

Tough draw for Dublin hurling. Dem Offaly lads know how to hurl. It will be interesting to see who comes through.

(I'm from Dublin)

Mushy

Are Tipp not allowed a direct route into the semi-final of Munster?

Bizzum

Good draw in Leinster Football for Wexford, Offaly, Westmeath, Carlow and Louth.
Certainly most of these will fancy their chances of a final appearance. Not much between most of them. That draw surely will make winter nights in the muck a lot more bearable for them!
Leinster Hurling isn't too bad either.
Galway and Kilkenny apart till the final, (If they get that far.).
The winners of Offaly and Dublin will relish a crack at Galway, (Again If Galway dispatch Carlow/Westmeath, which looks likely.), and a likely tough game under their belt will help.

The_Kew_Tour

From Cork point of View the hurling is disaster and football is excellent.

dartbhoy

Browney7 wrote: »

Not expecting much from either team this year to be honest with you. Granted the Waterford draw isn't bad but I'm not too hopeful with the likes of Carey and TJ Ryan involved in the setup. TJ denounced last years players for playing under Justin so how they will have to blend the 2 panels. I've a feeling it will be the same thing as always. A glorious defeat in Munster and a tame exit in the qualifiers.

From the footballers' perspective again I can't see us winning Munster. We could lose a few of the dual players to the hurling and Kerry will be well awake to the threat we Limerick will pose in the semi. Maybe a run in the qualifiers might do us well if we get a few nice draws. Draws aren't the worst but not expecting much but then again I never do.

I'm working in Limerick and talking with the lads today there seems to be very little confidence in the hurlers and a few made a good point that playing division 2 hurling doesn't prepare you properly for the championship. However there is a great confidence that the footballers can win a Munster title next year and I for one reckon a Munster football title could be on it's way to the Treaty county next year.

saywhatyousee

rossie1977 wrote: »

i love the confidence of sligo fans, if i was a sligo fan i would worry about beating leitrim first and foremost, leitrim in carrick is no walk-over, ye were well beat there last time out in 2005

as a rossie, i am only looking ahead to the ny game, anything after that is a bonus will be good to have the likes of kilbride back up front next year to ease the scoring on donie, there is talk of frankie dolan being brought back into the panel too as he has had a wonderful club campaign for bridgets this year

i wasnt trying to be disrespect leitrim or roscommon im pretty sure
ye are happy with the draw too!

KevIRL

Mushy wrote: »

Are Tipp not allowed a direct route into the semi-final of Munster?

No bye's in the Munster Championship this year. Even if there was, Waterford as Munster Champs would get it.

Mushy

KevIRL wrote: »

No bye's in the Munster Championship this year. Even if there was, Waterford as Munster Champs would get it.

I'm more getting at how they are always in the Q-F's, not to do with bye's

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Touhg opener for Galway against Mayo (probably). Heard that's on in McHale Park. Things aren't looking good, seeing as we haven't won a game in the qualifiers since 2005 (?) we could be looking at yet another short summer.

grenache

dartbhoy wrote: »

However there is a great confidence that the footballers can win a Munster title next year and I for one reckon a Munster football title could be on it's way to the Treaty county next year.

there's always great confidence we can cause an upset. But it wont be realised until we have a set of forwards who can put teams away when we're on top in games. We're seeing the same mistakes every year i.e. wayward kicking, shooting from stupid angles, not releasing the ball to a better placed man. They're not learning from their mistakes. Sincerely hope Maurice Horan and his new management team prove me wrong, but all i can see is a continuation of near misses. Its hard to disrupt the Cork/Kerry monopoly when its been there for so long. Lack of belief is as much a factor as lack of scoring power.

blackbelt

I'm not overly optimistic for our hurlers.The last 3 years I would have been sure we'd beat Offaly but it looks like Offaly hurling is back on track and we took them for granted in the league this year.The complacency that sets into our hurlers is a concern.I still rate Dublin higer than the likes of Antrim and Offaly but Dublin is still a county on the developmental ladder trying to break into the top 5 or 6.

Footballers have what looks like a handy enough draw against Longford or Laois should Dublin play to their usual capability.I'd expect us to meet Kildare in the semi final if all things remain the same but I do feel Meath will be out for revenge against Kildare and with a new manager in place by then,tey are facing Kildare at the optimum time when they are at their ost vulnerable.No disrespect to Wicklow but I can't see them pulling off an upset against Kildare and go out and do the same to Meath.

Leinster Final looks to be Kildare/Meath/Dublin v Louth/Wexford.

kodger

Sarge wrote: »

As a Louth man I'm delighted with the draw , Chuffed with it actually couldnt of asked for better

Hopefully westmeath will get to another leinster final.....i think louth are just like what westmeath was..a flash in the pan..but westmeath will have the experience to hold on when it gets tight near the final whistle..

KenHy

Hope your right Kodger!

But seriously the Wexford/Offly/Westmeath/Carlow/Louth half of the draw is week compared to the other side. The 3 top teams (Dublin, Kildare and Meath for anyone with their head in sand) will knock each other out and in a final anything can happen. All of the above teams will fancy their chances.

On the hurling does anyone know if there will be relegation from Liam McCarty this year? I'm hopeful that Westmeath will have the beating of Carlow anyway! would love to see them get a game against a good county again!

smashey

KevIRL wrote: »

Ulster Football 2011

Preliminary
Donegal v Antrim

Revenge. :cool:

Magill

Armagh and Down... awesome, winners will probably get tyrone, and thats only to get to the final. Ouch..