Confusion reigned in the aftermath of Fermanagh’s victory over Westmeath on Saturday as Pete McGrath’s victorious players wrongly presumed next Sunday’s All-Ireland quarter-final would be against Kerry in Croke Park.
This was, presumably, based on the idea that Cork would beat Kildare.
In fact, they face Dublin as Kildare are kept away from the team that beat them in the Leinster semi-final.
With provincial champions Mayo and Monaghan awaiting the victors of Saturday’s round 4B qualifiers - Sligo versus Tyrone and Donegal against Galway - a repeat of the Connacht and Ulster finals will also be avoided. So Mayo cannot play Sligo and Monaghan cannot face Donegal until an All-Ireland final. Mayo and Galway will only meet again, before the All-Ireland final, if Sligo beat Tyrone.
Possible All-Ireland quarter-final pairings
- Option 1 - Donegal v Mayo Tyrone v Monaghan
- Option 2 - Galway v Monaghan Tyrone v Mayo
- Option 3 - Donegal v Mayo Sligo v Monaghan
- Option 4 - Galway v Mayo Sligo v Monaghan