THE race for the Sam Maguire will be based on a backdoor format this year, with pairings based on where counties have progressed in both their provincial competitions and their league placing.

Any county reaching a provincial final will be in pot on for the draw and guaranteed a home draw.

The full breakdown of the pots will be finalised after this weekend’s Ulster and Leinster semi-finals.

As 2025 Tailteann Cup champions, Kildare are guaranteed a place in the Sam Maguire Cup regardless of this weekend’s Leinster semi-final with Westmeath.

With Donegal and Mayo joining Meath and Tyrone in Pot 2 after losing last weekend, it will leave an interesting set of draws when the search for Sam begins.

POT 1 – eight teams
Kerry
Cork
Galway
Roscommon
Derry/Monaghan
Dublin/Louth
Kildare/Westmeath
Armagh/Down

POT 2 – eight teams
Mayo
Donegal
Meath
Tyrone
Derry/Monaghan
Dublin/Louth
Team 7 TBC
Team 8 TBC

This is there the ifs begin. Cavan, Down and Westmeath must wait until this weekend to see if they make the cut.

If Kildare beat Westmeath, Down and Cavan will take the two remaining places in Pot 2.

If Westmeath make the Leinster final, Kildare will drop to Pot 2 with Cavan. That scenario would send Down to the Tailteann Cup.

If Westmeath and Down both win this weekend, Armagh and Kildare would drop into Pot 2, leaving Cavan in the Tailteann Cup.

Here are the fixtures.

Round 1 – May 23/24 and May 30/31
The eight provincial Champions and runners-up shall – Pot 1 – be drawn to play at home against the eight teams in Pot 2 above.

The finalists from the Munster ad Connacht Provincial Finals will play their Round 1 games on May 23/24. The finalists from Ulster and Leinster will play their Round 1 games on May 30/31.

Round 2A – June 13/14
The eight winners in Round 1 shall be drawn to play against each other in Round 2A, with the first team drawn having home venue.  The draw will be subject to the avoidance of repeat provincial final pairings.

Round 2B – Jun 13/14
The eight losers in Round 1 shall be drawn to play against each other in Round 2, with the first team drawn having home venue. The draw will be subject to the avoidance of repeat provincial final pairings.

Round 3 – June 20/21
The four losing teams from Round 2A will be drawn to play the four winning teams from Round 2B. A draw shall determine the home venue.
The draw will be subject in the first instance to the avoidance of repeat Provincial Final pairings and, where possible, repeat pairings from Round 1.

Quarter-finals – June 27/28
The four winners of Round 2A shall be drawn to play against the four winners of Round  3, subject in the first instance to the avoidance of repeat provincial final pairings and where possible repeat pairings from Rounds 1 and 2.

All-Ireland semi-finals – July 11/12
Based on a draw, subject to the avoidance of repeat pairings from the championship, where possible.

Final – Sunday, July 27 (Replay – August 8)