Explainer: The road to Sam
July 21, 2014
Dublin captain Stephen Cluxton raises the Sam Maguire Cup for the second time in three years.
©INPHO/Donall Farmer.
Following the conclusion of the provincial football championships over the weekend, the picture in this year's All-Ireland series has become a lot clearer with 12 teams still standing.
The new qualifier format introduced this year has caused some confusion amongst supporters as regards who plays who in the knock-out stages.
In the All-Ireland quarter-finals, the provincial winners cannot meet the team they defeated in that final. Dublin and Donegal are on the B side of the draw and will face the Round 4B qualifier winners - Kildare v Monaghan and Armagh v Meath. If either of the beaten provincial finalists wins their 4B game then the draw is predetermined, but if both Armagh and Kildare win those games then a draw will be needed to decide the quarter-final pairings.
That means we know holders Dublin will take on either Monaghan, Kildare or Armagh in their quarter-final clash on Saturday 9 August.
Should Jim Gavin's side negotiate that hurdle they could face a potential last four clash against Ulster champions Donegal.
Munster champions Kerry are in the same side of the draw as their Connacht counterparts Mayo.
Saturday 26 JulyAll-Ireland SFC Qualifiers Round 4A
Cork v Sligo, O'Connor Park, 5pm
Galway v Tipperary, O'Connor Park, 7pm
Saturday 2 AugustAll-Ireland SFC Qualifiers Round 4B
Meath v Armagh, Croke Park, 5pm
Monaghan v Kildare, Croke Park, 7pm
Sunday 3 AugustAll-Ireland SFC quarter-finals
Kerry v Sligo or Tipperary or Galway, Croke Park, 2pm
Mayo v Sligo or Tipperary or Cork, Croke Park, 4pm
Saturday 9 AugustAll-Ireland SFC quarter-finals
Donegal v Kildare or Meath or Armagh, Croke Park, 4pm
Dublin v Monaghan or Kildare or Armagh, Croke Park, 6pm
Sunday 24 AugustAll-Ireland SFC semi-final
Kerry or Round 4A winner v Mayo or Round 4A winner, Croke Park, 3.30pm
Sunday 31 AugustAll-Ireland SFC semi-final
Dublin or Round 4B winner v Donegal or Round 4B winner, Croke Park, 3.30pm
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