Ulster SFC 2010 Draw
Once again the Ulster Senior Football Championship draw has served up some mouth-watering encounters.
In the preliminary round, Derry will play Armagh with the winners facing Monaghan in the quarter finals. Derry were beaten in the Ulster semi-final by Tyrone last year, while new Armagh manager Paddy O’Rourke will be keen to get off to a winning start with his new squad. Monaghan manager Seamus McEnaney will have to wait in the wings to see if his team will face neighbours Armagh or the team that put Monaghan out of the Ulster Championship in 2009, Derry.
In the first quarter-final, its a repeat of the Ulster Final of 2009 as Antrim face Tyrone. Antrim manager Liam Bradley will hope to continue his progress with the Saffrons and take out the reigning Ulster champions, while no doubt Mickey Harte will once again be meticulously plotting his way through the field already.
In the second quarter-final, Donegal will face Down. This is also an intriguing encounter as both sides will be anxious to get a victory having both been beaten in the opening rounds of last year’s Ulster Championship at the hands of Antrim and Cavan respectively.
Finally, Cavan will face off against Fermanagh in what is a repeat of last year’s Ulster quarter-final. On that occasion, after having beaten Down in the preliminary round, Fermanagh succumed to the Breffni blues. No doubt the Erne men will be keen to exact revenge this time round.
The dates and venues for the opening rounds of the Ulster Senior Football Championship will be confirmed by the Ulster Competitions Control Committee at a later date.
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Ulster Senior Football Championship 2010:
Preliminary Round:
Derry v Armagh
Quarter Finals:
Antrim v Tyrone
Donegal v Down
Cavan v Fermanagh
Monaghan v Derry / Armagh
Semi Finals:
Antrim / Tyrone v Donegal / Down
Cavan / Fermanagh v Monaghan / Derry / Armagh
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The draw for the 2010 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship also took place, and following Antrim’s defeat in the opening round to Dublin in 2009, the Saffrons will face an equally difficult tie next year against Offaly.
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Draw:
Preliminary Round:
Carlow v Laois
Quarter Finals:
Dublin v Prelim Winners
Wexford v Galway
Antrim v Offaly
Semi Finals:
Dublin / Prelim Winners v Kilkenny
Wexford / Galway v Antrim / Offaly