UPDATED: The search for Sam

AFTER last weekend’s Munster and Connacht finals, there is a clearer picture ahead of the All-Ireland series.

Reigning champions Armagh and Ulster champions Donegal now know exactly what they face when they dust themselves down after Saturday’s showdown in Clones.

Galway’s win over Mayo puts them into a tough group with Dublin, Derry and loser of Saturday’s final.

Mayo will face games against three Ulster teams – Tyrone, Cavan and the Ulster champions.

Kerry will avoid any Division One opposition but there will be another meeting with Munster rivals Cork.

Clare are not in Monaghan’s group along with 2024 Tailteann Cup winners Down and the winner of this weekend’s Leinster final.

GROUP 1: Winner Armagh/Donegal, Mayo, Tyrone, Cavan
GROUP 2: Kerry, Loser Meath/Louth, Roscommon, Cork
GROUP 3: Winner Meath/Louth, Clare, Monaghan, Down
GROUP 4: Galway, Loser Armagh/Donegal, Dublin, Derry

FIXTURE DATES

Round 1 The first named team plays at home.
May 17/18
Galway v Dublin
Mayo v Cavan
Kerry v Roscommon
Clare v Down

May 24/25
Winner Donegal/Armagh v Tyrone
Loser Donegal/Armagh v Derry
Winner Meath/Louth v Monaghan
Loser Meath/Louth v Cork

May 31/June 1 – Round 2
Tyrone v Mayo
Cavan v Winner Armagh/Donegal
Roscommon v Loser Meath/Louth
Cork v Kerry
Monaghan v Clare
Down v Winner Meath/Louth
Dublin v Loser Armagh/Donegal
Derry v Galway
Seeds three and four will play at home.

June 14/15 – Round 3
Winner Armagh/Donegal v Mayo
Tyrone v Cavan
Kerry v Loser Meath Louth
Roscommon v Cork
Winner Meath/Louth v Clare
Monaghan v Down
Galway v Loser Armagh/Donegal
Dublin v Derry
Games will be played at neutral venues.

June 21/11 Preliminary Quarter-Finals
The four second-placed teams from the group stage will play at home against the four third-placed teams, subject in the first instance to the avoidance of repeat provincial final pairings and where possible repeat pairings from the group stage.

June 28/29 – Quarter-Finals
The four first-place teams from the group stage play the four Preliminary Quarter-Finals winners, subject in the first instance to the avoidance of repeat provincial final pairings and where possible repeat pairings from the group stage.

July 12/13 – Semi-Finals
The four quarter-final winners shall play against each other based on a draw, subject to the avoidance of repeat pairings from the championship, where possible.

July 27 – Final (Replay, August 9)

Gerard O’Kane looks ahead to Saturday’s Ulster final