The meeting of Monaghan and league champions Derry is the standout game in the first round of the All-Ireland SFC qualifiers which was made in Croke Park. With a number of high profile teams in the drum there was anticipation of a couple of real humdingers but instead by and large the draw pitted the big hitters against a number of so called lesser lights. Last year's All-Ireland semi-finalists Meath will travel to Limerick while Longford, who will have played in the championship nine weeks before the first round of the qualifiers, host Laois. Cavan will travel to Newbridge to face Kieran McGeeney's Kildare while Down must go to Tullamore to face Offaly. Louth play Tyrone, but since the Wee County don't have a venue capable of hosting the game, the match will be played in either Navan or Parnell Park. Westmeath will fancy their chances against Tipperary while Brian McIvor is sure to have been pleased that Donegal have a home draw against Roscommon. Last out of the drum were Monaghan and Derry, who had anticipated meeting in an Ulster semi-final but since Fermanagh dumped both of them out of the provincial championship, they will meet at Clones in a qualifier instead. The games are scheduled to be played on Saturday 19 July. Round 1 Limerick v Meath Longford v Laois Kildare v Cavan Offaly v Down Louth v Tyrone Tipperary v Westmeath Donegal v Roscommon Monaghan v Derry Tweet

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