Longford looking for more qualifier joy against Derry

Longford will be hoping for a repeat of their shock 2012 qualifier win over Derry, having drawn the northerners for a second time in three seasons.

Yesterday’s first round qualifier draw pitted Jack Sheedy’s charges against the Division 1 league finalists, the latter hugely disappointing in their Ulster championship exit at the hands of Donegal last month. Longford were successful against Offaly first time out in Leinster but went down to Wexford by two points on Saturday evening.

Longford have emerged victorious in the counties’ last two qualifier meetings (2006 and ’12), home advantage, however, will be not be theirs on this occasion. Indeed, Derry haven’t lost a backdoor fixture on home soil since 2010.

Laois, impressive when going down to Dublin on Sunday, received a home tie against Fermanagh. The two counties have never locked horns in championship fare. Cavan and Down, similarly, will be confident of overcoming Westmeath and Leitrim respectively on home turf.

Offaly versus Wicklow is the only tie pitting provincial rivals against one another.

There is a new qualifying system this year with the draw split into Round 1A and Round 1B. There will be four games in each round with Round 1A staged for June 21 and Round 1B staged for June 28.

Round 1A

Derry v Longford, Laois v Fermanagh, Limerick v London, Wicklow v Offaly.

Round 1B

Louth v Monaghan/Tyrone, Cavan v Westmeath, Carlow/Meath v Clare/Waterford, Down v Leitrim.

* Times and venues will be decided by the CCC today.