Laois manager Mick Lillis.
Saturday June 18
All Ireland Football Qualifiers Round 1A
Laois v Armagh, O’Moore Park, Portlaoise, 3.30pm
It is a draw neither team craved, and a defining fixture in Portlaoise awaits.
Both Laois and Armagh were relegated from Division 2 of the Allianz Football League and their opening Championship outings ended in defeat.
Laois did launch a second half rally against Dublin pinching two goals, but the All Ireland Champions were never seriously troubled.
Kingspan Breffni Park provided the backdrop as Armagh were well beaten by a smart moving Cavan outfit.
Stefan Campbell contributed eight points for Kieran McGeeney’s side, but Cavan just had the speed and stamina to survive.
Cavan edged the opening half departing 1-9 to 0-7 ahead at the break and while Armagh battled they were still defeated.
In their past eight League and Championship matches Armagh have only claimed two wins, Laois have only registered one victory.
That 1-13 to 0-15 success arrived when Laois prevailed at the Athletic Grounds against Armagh on February 6.
Mick Lillis’ team know the defiance demonstrated on that particular evening must be replicated when Armagh visit Portlaoise.
Lillis located positives following the Dublin defeat. “I hope the realisation will get into fellas heads that this team can play.
“Now, all we can do is go back and prepare as best we can. These guys put their life on hold for football so they’re not going to do it for six months and just walk away at this stage. They’re going to put their shoulder down, take a bit of encouragement and hopefully go and give themselves a bit of a boost.”
John O’Loughlin, sent off in the Dublin game, is suspended for the Armagh clash, but Lillis was impressed with aspects from the Nowlan Park encounter. "Getting it down to six points was good. We played a lot of good football to get it to six points.
"But six points is a long way from winning the game. It's certainly a long way from winning the game when you're numerically disadvantaged as we were.
"While there were encouraging signs, and we did play some very good football in the second half, it was always something to bring a bit of honour out of the game rather than ever having a chance of winning it.”
Advancing to round 2a, though, is exactly what Laois and Armagh intend to achieve.
Derry manager Damian Barton.
Derry v Louth, Owenbeg, 5pm
** **
Derry were defeated by Tyrone with surprising ease in the Ulster SFC quarter-final so Damian Barton’s team will be hoping for a significant improvement.
Tyrone were always in control of that match emerging 3-14 to 0-12 victors, and Barton has acknowledged the pace and threat Louth carry.
Colin Kelly’s side were beaten by Meath in an interesting Leinster SFC quarter-final at Parnell Park last Sunday.
How they deal with the quick six day turnaround will be critical, but Louth’s Allianz Football League Division Three campaign was impressive.
Generating momentum in the Championship is a tough task, and whoever prevails from this fixture will take huge encouragement.
Wicklow manager Johnny Magee.
Carlow v Wicklow, Netwatch Cullen Park, 7pm
** **
Gaining a Championship win is what Carlow and Wicklow want and this match offers them both an ideal opportunity to do so.
Both teams were beaten at last month’s Leinster SFC preliminary round double bill at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise.
Carlow left knowing that they had examined a Ryan Burns inspired Louth, while Wicklow were eventually beaten by a late Laois flurry.
Turlough O’Brien’s approach is respected by Carlow, who will be anxious to perform on home turf, but Wicklow are dangerous opponents.
Johnny Magee and Ray Cosgrove are anxious to develop Wicklow’s youngsters and the recent evidence for them in Leinster is good.
Meath were tested in Navan last year, while Laois only pulled clear in the closing minutes in 2016.
Getting more Championship exposure is the ambition and the fact that Carlow and Wicklow both feel that progress can be made ensures this promises to be a lively fixture.
Leitrim manager Shane Ward.
Sunday June 19
Leitrim v Waterford, Pairc Sean MacDiarmada, Carrick-on-Shannon, 2pm
** **
Tom McGlinchey located the words to truly assess what counts for the Waterford footballers at the Munster Championship launch in May.
“For Waterford it's about winning a Championship game.” That goal remains the same despite the provincial quarter-final loss to Tipperary.
The Premier County have subsequently toppled Cork, and Waterford were much improved against Tipperary compared to when they collided in 2015.
Now Waterford will trust that McGlinchey’s ambition can be realised. The trip to Carrick carries a deep importance for Waterford.
Leitrim have dealt with plenty of demoralising days in the qualifiers, but this is a game that provides them with a nice chance to improve their own summer record.
