Westmeath and Roscommon minors set for Tullamore double header
By Kieran Galvin
Both the Westmeath and Roscommon minor footballers will be heading to Tullamore for their respective All-Ireland quarter-final clashes next Monday, August 5.
Westmeath will take on Connacht champions Mayo in O'Connor Park on the Bank Holiday Monday at 2.15pm, with the clash between Roscommon and Leinster champions Kildare to follow at 4pm.
Mayo defeated Roscommon in the Connacht final (3-7 to 1-10), while Kildare proved too strong for Westmeath in the Leinster decider (2-15 to 2-7).
It will be interesting to see if either Westmeath or Roscommon can bounce back from their provincial final defeats and turn over opponents who should be full of confidence after lifting silverware.
There had been some speculation that the Westmeath v Mayo match might be played in Croke Park, as a triple header alongside the All-Ireland SFC quarter-final involving Mayo and one of the other quarter-finals. However, the only one of the MFC quarter-finals which will be played in Croke Park is the meeting of Kerry and Tyrone on Sunday (12pm).
Given its close proximity to Westmeath compared to Mayo, Tullamore is a slightly surprising choice of venue for their All-Ireland quarter-final.
The other MFC quarter-final between Ulster champions Monaghan and Munster runners-up Tipperary will be played in Pearse Park, Longford, next Monday at 3pm.
In the event of a draw in the any of the MFC quarter-finals, extra-time will be played.
At the time of writing, referees for the All-Ireland MFC quarter-finals had yet to be confirmed.
Electric Ireland All-Ireland MFC Quarter-finals
Sunday August 4
Kerry v Tyrone, Croke Park, 12pm.
Monday August 5
Westmeath v Mayo, O'Connor Park, Tullamore, 2.15pm
Roscommon v Kildare, O'Connor Park, 4pm
Monaghan v Tipperary, Pearse Park, Longford, 3pm
All-Ireland SFC Quarter-finals
Saturday August 3 (Croke Park)
Monaghan v Tyrone, 5pm
Dublin v Cork, 7pm
Sunday August 4 (Croke Park)
Kerry v Cavan, 2pm
Mayo v Donegal, 4pm