All four Tailteann Cup preliminary quarter-finals will be played this Saturday, June 10 with four teams enjoying home advantage.
Offaly, Carlow, Fermanagh and Down took the runners-up berths in their respective groups and will be at home for the preliminary quarter-finals with Cavan, Meath, Limerick and Antrim progressing straight through to the quarter-finals after topping the groups.
New York enter the competition at the preliminary quarter-finals and were drawn away to Carlow with that game at Netwatch Cullen Park being shown live on GAAGO at 5pm on Saturday.
GAAGO will also broadcast live coverage of Down’s clash with Longford at Páirc Esler (7pm) while Offaly host Wexford at Tullamore (4pm) while Fermanagh take on Laois at Brewster Park (6pm) in the remaining fixtures.
Speaking after Sunday’s seven-point loss to Antrim in the Box-It Athletic Grounds, Fermanagh boss Kieran Donnelly felt the scoreline was slightly harsh on his players after Antrim plundered two late goals in a 3-13 to 1-12 success.
“On a hot day, we needed more than a draw (to top the group) so we had to push out and chase the game,” said Donnelly.
“We were trying to push out and be a bit more aggressive and they got runners in behind. They’ve pace, there’s no doubt about it. There was one fortuitous goal they got, but the other one, I felt our heads had probably dropped by that stage. But the heat was extremely tough at that stage as well.
“I felt we dominated the first 20 minutes but we switched off and we started forcing shots and forcing passes. We invited Antrim back into it. We came out at the start of the second half and dominated the first 10 or 15 minutes. We started doing things again - forcing shots when they weren’t on.
“There are always learnings for us, but we felt we were on top for two periods in that game, but we weren’t smart enough in possession or ruthless enough in front of goals to kick on.”
Donnelly wasn’t aware of Fermanagh’s preliminary quarter-final opponents when speaking to the media immediately after Sunday’s Group Four finale, but he welcomed the fact that his side earned a home tie after finishing second and will host Laois this weekend at Brewster Park.
“It will be a quick turnaround, but that’s where we have left ourselves. We have a squad and we are probably going to have to use that going into next weekend,” added Donnelly.
“There will be no easy games. We will regroup and Tuesday will very much be a recovery session.
“It will be good to get home advantage. With the players and this squad, we feel like we’ve regrouped after tough disappointments all year.
“Against Offaly and Wexford - boys were flat after that one because we felt like we left that behind. That’s all we can control. It will be good to have a home venue.”
Tailteann Cup preliminary quarter-finals:
Saturday, June 10
Offaly v Wexford (Glenisk O'Connor Park, Tullamore, 4pm)
Carlow v New York (Netwatch Cullen Park, 5pm, live on GAAGO)
Fermanagh v Laois (Brewster Park, 6pm)
Down v Longford, (Páirc Esler, 7pm, live on GAAGO)
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