Monaghan to host Mayo in All-Ireland series

Monaghan will face Mayo and Cavan will meet Westmeath in the All-Ireland championship first round.

The draw for the All-Ireland series was made this afternoon as Monaghan were paired with Mayo. As a provincial finalist Monaghan will have home advantage.

The game will be played in Clones on May 30th or 31st as Monaghan contest the Ulster final on Sunday May 17.

Whereas, Cavan will travel to Leinster finalists Westmeath on May 30^th or 31^st. It will meet Cavan will have gone six week’s with a competitive game since losing to Monaghan.

The pick of the draw was the meeting of Kerry and Donegal a repeat of last year’s All-Ireland football final.

Elsewhere, Cork face Meath and Galway host Kildare. Those games and Kerry versus Donegal will take place on May 23/24^st.

Dublin will meet Louth in a rematch of last Saturday’s Leinster semi-final. That game will be played on May 30 or 31^st. Armagh host Derry on the same weekend.

The format has changed for this year’s All-Ireland championship with 16 teams entering at round one in a backdoor system. The eight winners will progress to round 2A with the eight losers progressing to round 2B.

The four round 2A winners will progress to the quarter-final. Whereas, the four round 2B winner will move to round there, where they will meet four losers from round 2A. Indeed, the round three winners progress to the quarter-finals.