The four Tailteann Cup preliminary quarterfinals will be played this Saturday June 10 with four teams enjoying home field advantage.
Offaly, Carlow, Fermanagh and Down took the runners-up spots in their respective groups and will be home for the preliminary quarter-finals with Cavan, Meath, Limerick and Antrim advancing directly to the quarter-finals after topping the groups.
New York entered the competition in the preliminary quarterfinals and was drawn by Carlow with that game at Netwatch Cullen Park airing live on GAAGO at 5 pm on Saturday.
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GAAGO will also broadcast live coverage of Down’s clash with Longford on Páirc Esler (7pm), while Offaly hosts Wexford at Tullamore (4pm), while Fermanagh takes on Laois at Brewster Park (6pm) in the remaining matches.
Speaking after Sunday’s seven-point defeat to Antrim at the Box-It Athletic Grounds, Fermanagh boss Kieran Donnelly felt the scoring was a bit harsh for his players after Antrim scored two late goals in a win from 3-13 to 1-12.
“On a hot day, we needed more than a draw (to lead the pack), so we just had to push and chase the game,” Donnelly said.
“We were trying to push and be a little more aggressive and they got runners behind. They have rhythm, of that there is no doubt. There was a fluke goal they got, but the other one, I felt like we probably had our heads dropped at that stage. But the heat was also extremely harsh at that stage.
“I felt like we dominated the first 20 minutes, but we got disconnected and started forcing shots and forcing passes. We invite Antrim to re-engage. We came out at the beginning 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 like we were on top for two periods in that game, but we weren’t smart enough in possession or ruthless enough in front of goal to kick.”
Donnelly was unaware of Fermanagh’s preliminary quarter-final opponents when he spoke to the media immediately after Sunday’s Group Four final, but he welcomed the fact his team won a tie at home after finishing second and will receive to Laois this weekend at Brewster Park.
“It will be a quick change, but that is where we have stayed. We have a team and we will probably have to use it for next weekend,” added Donnelly.
“There will be no easy games. We will regroup and Tuesday will be very much a recovery session.
“It will be nice to get the home field advantage. With the players and this team, we feel like we’ve regrouped after severe disappointments all year.
“Against Offaly and Wexford, the guys were flat after that because we felt like we left him behind. That’s all we can control. It will be nice to have a place at home.”
Tailteann Cup Preliminary Quarterfinals:
Saturday, June 10
Offaly v Wexford (Glenisk O’Connor Park, Tullamore, 4pm)
Carlow vs New York (Netwatch Cullen Park, 5 pm, live on GAAGO)
Fermanagh-Laois (Brewster Park, 6pm)
Down v Longford, (Páirc Esler, 7 pm, live on GAAGO)
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