Why did the All-Ireland draw take place before the provincial finals?
The tremors from Dublin's defeat to Meath last weekend were always going to have repercussions for the summer. We've talked in the past about difficult groups. None rival this.
Third seeds Dublin will face the Connacht champions, Ulster runners-up and Derry in Group 4 of the Sam Maguire series. It is the first time in the history of this format that four teams who played each other in Division 1 are pitted in the same group.
Whoever triumphs in Castlebar on Sunday can look forward to a home fixture against Dublin and an away trip to Derry. Ouch.
What a way to bid farewell. At Congress last February, delegates overwhelmingly voted in favour of doing away with the group stages for the Sam Maguire and Tailteann Cups. An enhanced backdoor system will take its place in 2026.
First things first, why now? Time to dust off that old chestnut: logistics.
A catch-all explainer thrown over any awkward fixture, venue or scheduling debate. Take the Connacht final. If they waited until after the provincial finals had been played, it would give one of Galway or Mayo six days preparation time. That encompasses everything from training to travel and accommodation. The same applies for supporters.
Speaking after the Connacht final last year, Mayo manager Kevin McStay revealed they were one of the counties who had asked HQ to conduct their draws earlier.
'The paradox is that we're one of the counties who got caught on the logistics side of it. We couldn't get hotels because the draws were being made on Mondays,' he explained.
'We certainly asked them to tweak that. But what came out it was that we didn't know who we were playing anyway or what day we were playing or what time we were playing, because the draw was made and what we wanted was the fixtures.
'But we didn't get the fixtures because there are matches to be played yet and they didn't want to do an either/or, which I'm sure could be done administratively. That's for them to figure out into the future. I felt a little bit sorry for the Connacht Championship that the draw was made. You guys were all writing about the different groups you might be thinking of putting yourself into."
Either way, the group stage will kick off with a cracker in Pearse Stadium or MacHale Park. Kerry, on the other hand, won't face a 2025 Division 1 team at all. This is the second successive year that this has happened.
If they win a fifth Munster title in a row, they will face Cork once more. The losers of the Leinster decider and Roscommon are also in Group 2.
Despite being third seeds, Monaghan could be set for a group where they finished above every other team in the league. If Clare can't shock Kerry, they will join group 3. Monaghan finished above Down and Louth/Meath in Division 3.
There are blockbusters all over. Galway/Mayo versus Dublin. Donegal/Armagh versus Derry. Meath/Louth versus Cork. Dublin versus Donegal/Armagh. Where will that fixture be played?
It is due to take place on 31 May/ 1 June. That is the same weekend that the Christy Ring, Nicky Rackard, and Lory Meagher Cup finals are scheduled for Croke Park.
In the Tailteann Cup, Kildare will face Sligo and Leitrim once again, having already played them in the league. Tipperary are also in that group. That fixture will be the first time Kildare have played Tipperary in the championship.
Last year's beaten finalists Laois join Division 3 champions Offaly as well as Wicklow and Waterford. The most difficult one to call at this juncture is Group 4, where Fermanagh, Wexford, Carlow and Longford lie. As a reminder, New York will enter at the preliminary quarter-final stage.
Sam Maguire groups
Group 1
Ulster winners (Armagh/Donegal)
Connacht runners-up (Galway/Mayo)
Tyrone
Cavan
Group 2
Munster winners (Clare/Kerry)
Leinster runners-up (Louth/Meath)
Roscommon
Cork
Group 3
Leinster winners (Louth/Meath)
Munster runners-up (Clare/Kerry)
Monaghan
Down
Group 4
Connacht winners (Galway/Mayo)
Ulster runners-up (Armagh/Donegal)
Dublin
Derry
Tailteann Cup groups
Group 1
Kildare
Sligo
Leitrim
Tipperary
Group 2
Offaly
Laois
Wicklow
Waterford
Group 3
Westmeath
Limerick
Antrim
London
Group 4
Fermanagh
Wexford
Carlow
Longford
Sam Maguire key dates
Round 1 (May 17/18, May 24/25, home team first) – 1v3, 2v4.
Round 2 (May 31/June 1) – 4v1, 3v2.
Round 3 (June 14/15, neutral venues) – 1v2, 3v4.
All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals, June 21/22.
All-Ireland quarter-finals, June 28/29.
All-Ireland semi-finals, July 12/13.
All-Ireland final, July 27.
Tailteann Cup key dates
Round 1 (May 10/11, home team first) – 1v3, 2v4.
Round 2 (May 17/18, home team first) – 4v1, 3v2.
Round 3 (May 31/June 1, neutral venues) – 1v2, 3v4.
Preliminary quarter-finals, June 7.
Quarter-finals, June 14/15.
Semi-finals, June 21/22.
Final, July 12.
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