Roscommon learn opponents for group stages of Sam Maguire
Diarmuid Murtagh and Shane Cunnane will be hoping to help Roscommon progress beyond the group stage of the Sam Maguire Cup. Picture: INPHO/Bryan Keane
Roscommon have learned their opponents for the group stage of the Sam Maguire Cup.
Davy Burke’s men will come up against the winners of the Munster final (Kerry or Clare), the runners up of the Leinster Championship (the loser of Meath v Louth) and Cork.
Roscommon will be away for their clash with Kerry or Clare on the weekend of May 17/18 before they host the loser of the Leinster final in King and Moffatt Dr. Hyde Park.
That encounter with either Meath or Louth will be played on the weekend of Saturday, May 31st and Sunday, June 1st
The final encounter with Cork will be held at a neutral venue. That game will be held on the weekend of June 14th/15th.
Roscommon secured a comfortable victory over Cork during the league but the Rebels showed their threat when they almost dethroned Kerry as Munster champions in an enthralling affair. Cork also ended Roscommon's Championship in 2023 when overcoming Davy Burke's men by a point in the Preliminary Quarter Finals.
The Rossies' last encounter with Kerry saw the Kingdom secure a six point league win last year. Meanwhile, Roscommon's prior contest with Clare saw the Banner defeat Roscommon 2-15 to 1-17 in Round 2 of the Championship in Croke Park.
Roscommon have faced both Meath and Louth on the road this year. They lost out to Robbie Brennan's side on away soil with Roscommon beating Louth in Drogheda earlier this year. This time Roscommon will enjoy home comforts against one of those two teams.
Meanwhile, the winners of the Connacht Championship will face a tricky assignment as they were paired with the runners up of the Ulster final, Dublin and Derry.
The Connacht runners up will play the Ulster champions (Donegal or Armagh), Tyrone and Cavan.
The draw was conducted by Roscommon GAA Chairperson and Chairperson of the Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) Brian Carroll and Feargal McGill, GAA Director Player, Club and Games Administration.
Ulster winners (Donegal or Armagh)
Connacht runners up (Mayo or Galway)
Tyrone
Cavan
Munster winners (Kerry or Clare)
Leinster runners up (Meath or Louth)
Roscommon
Cork
Leinster winners
Munster runners up
Monaghan
Down
Connacht winners
Ulster runners up
Dublin
Derry
