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Your Guide to The Tailteann Cup
The Sam Maguire trophy isn't the only senior football honour up for grabs this year. There's plenty of competitive football still to be played as Division 3 and 4 teams battle it out for the Tailteann Cup.
Currently in its third year, the Tailteann Cup is Ireland’s second-tier competition which allows for counties not competing in the All-Ireland championship an opportunity at winning silverware and earning a place in next year’s All-Ireland championship, while giving fans competitive games and a potential trip to Croke Park to look towards.
The cup is comprised of four groups consisting of four teams each. The winners of each group progress to the Quarter-Final, with each second-place team receiving a home fixture in the Preliminary Quarter-Finals. The three best third-place teams also progress to the Preliminary Quarter-Finals, with the final team being New York.
As we look ahead to Preliminary Quarter-Finals and beyond, here is your guide to this year’s Tailteann Cup.
Preliminary Quarter-Finals
With the group stages now complete, the stage is set for the Preliminary Quarter-Finals. Kildare, Sligo, Fermanagh and Down have all secured their places in the Quarter Finals.
Leitrim left it late against Longford to book their place in the Preliminary Quarter-Finals with a stoppage time free-kick being all that separated the two sides. Following their defeat to Kildare at the weekend, Andy Moran’s men will be hoping for a more convincing performance when they face Wicklow at Pearse Park on Saturday.
Wicklow have gradually improved throughout this year’s cup, getting their first win against Carlow following a resounding defeat to Fermanagh and a narrow loss to Laois. The Garden County saw off Leitrim last year to deny them promotion from Division 4 and will aim to replicate that result this weekend.
Glennon Brothers Pearse Park – Saturday 8 June 2024 – Leitrim v Wicklow
Limerick didn’t let an opening weekend defeat get them Down, as they hit the net twice in both of their remaining group games, easing past Offaly and London and securing a home fixture in the Preliminary Quarter Finals. The Shannonsiders will be in full confidence as they prepare for a visit from old hurling rivals Tipperary.
Tipperary will be hoping for a better showing against Limerick than their hurlers gave in April when they make the trip west to Mick Neville Park. If that is to be the case, they will need to patch up a leaky defence that gave up 7 goals against Antrim and Sligo. Their late win over Wexford should provide some momentum to bring into Saturday’s game.
Mick Neville Park – Saturday 8 June 2024 – Limerick v Tipperary
Coming into this year’s cup as Division 4 winners, Laois are no strangers to the latter stages of the Tailteann Cup, having reached last year’s Semi-Finals. They will be hoping for better fortunes should they reach that stage again this year, with New York and a potential Quarter Final tie standing in the way of a return trip to Croke Park on 23 June.
New York once again make the journey across the Atlantic. The Exiles will be looking for their first victory in the competition, but a promising 2 goal performance in their recent defeat to Mayo will inspire confidence and make for an interesting afternoon at Laois Hire O’Moore Park.
Laois Hire O’Moore Park – Sunday 9 June 2024 – Laois v New York
Another of last year’s Semi-Finalists, Antrim ran eventual winners Meath close and their current form suggests they are ready to do one better this year. 5 goals in the group games, including 3 from Ruairi McCann, will be a warning to every team in the competition. They will be expecting to say “So Long, London” when they meet them at Corrigan Park on Sunday.
London will be packing their bags and heading across the Irish Sea for a date in Belfast. Their first championship win in 11 years, an opening weekend victory over Offaly, was enough to book their place in the Preliminary Quarter Finals. They will need to replicate that performance, in spite of recent defeats to Down and Limerick, if they want to progress. In their way is a Titanic challenge: an in-form Antrim side with their sights set on Croke Park.
Corrigan Park – Sunday 9 June 2024 – Antrim v London
Find tickets for the Preliminary Quarter-Finals HERE.
Quarter-Finals
The group winners all have home field advantage for the Quarter Finals.
Down became the first team to secure a Quarter-Final place after dispatching London and Limerick in comfortable fashion. They came into this year’s championship as one of the favourites, following their appearance in last year’s final and an impressive league campaign. There will be no time to Mourne last year’s loss however, as their sights will be fixed on Newry and a date with one of this weekend’s winners.
Páirc Esler – Saturday 15/Sunday 16 June 2024 – Down v Preliminary Quarter-Final Winner
Despite an Allianz League performance that only James Bond could be proud of (0 Wins, 0 Draws, 7 Losses), Kildare came into their first Tailteann Cup as favourites and have lived up to the billing, putting up 9 goals in their three group games, including a 5 goal battering of Waterford. The Lilywhites walked into the knock-out stages and present a daunting Quarter Final challenge for their opponents.
Venue TBC – Saturday 15/Sunday 16 June 2024 – Kildare v Preliminary Quarter-Final Winner
Fermanagh eased past Wicklow before grinding out wins against Carlow and Laois to Erne a spot in the Quarter Finals. Despite relegation from Division 2, their recent performances will give them confidence of going all the way to Croke Park. A home fixture is all that stands between them and a Semi-Final appearance.
Brewster Park – Saturday 15/Sunday 16 June 2024 – Fermanagh v Preliminary Quarter-Final Winner
This year hasn’t been Black and White for Sligo as inconsistent league form saw them miss out on a Division final. That form hasn’t followed them here, as they made light work of Wexford and Tipperary before drawing with Antrim. They will look to make their first Tailteann Cup appearance one to remember.
Markievicz Park – Saturday 15/Sunday 16 June 2024 – Sligo v Preliminary Quarter-Final Winner
Find tickets for the Quarter-Finals HERE.
Semi-Finals
The Tailteann Cup Semi Finals will be held as a double header on Sunday 23 June at Croke Park.
Croke Park – Sunday 23 June 2024 – Quarter-Final Winner v Quarter-Final Winner
Croke Park – Sunday 23 June 2024 – Quarter-Final Winner v Quarter-Final Winner
Find tickets for the Semi-Finals HERE.
Final
The Tailteann Cup final will be held on Saturday 13 July at Croke Park and will be the first game of a double header featuring one of the All-Ireland Senior Football Semi-Finals. The winners of the game will be guaranteed to qualify for the 2025 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.
Croke Park – Saturday 13 July 2024 – Semi-Final Winner v Semi-Final Winner
Find tickets for the Tailteann Cup Final HERE.
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