Monaghan get Down rematch while McGeeney faces old side

Tuesday 18th July 2017

Beaten Ulster finalists Down have just under two weeks to get themselves ready for a rematch of their semi-final against Monaghan having been drawn together in yesterday morning's Qualifiers Round 4B draw.

Eamonn Burns' men have to put the hurt of an eight-point Ulster final defeat behind them to face an opposition on a revenge mission.

Armagh, conquerors of Tipperary last weekend courtesy of a special Jamie Clarke goal, have the novel situation of facing Kildare, where their manager Kieran McGeeney spent six seasons in charge.

Both games will be played at Croke Park on July 29. The Down against Monaghan clash will throw-in at 5pm, with Armagh and Kildare at 7pm.

For Monaghan, this ticks a couple of boxes. It has been said that they need to win a big game in Croke Park (which overlooks their win over Kildare a couple of years ago), and they also have motivation after being sucker punched in the Ulster semi-final.

Should Kildare win they will automatically play Tyrone, and if Down win they will automatically face Dublin.

If Armagh and Monaghan both win, then a further draw will be required to determine which of the above provincial champions they will meet in the quarter-finals.

While teams in Round 4 are typically prevented from facing sides they've already played in their provincial championship, this wasn't possible for Down as they'd previously played both Armagh and Monaghan.

Draw: Down v Monaghan (5pm), Armagh v Kildare (7pm), Croke Park, July 29.

Belfast Telegraph