Qualifier double-header at the Gaelic Grounds

The All-Ireland SHC third phase qualifier between Cork and Galway will take place at the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday (throw-in 4pm), and will be preceded by the Limerick v Offaly football clash.

Both of the hurling qualifiers have to take place at neutral venues, so the Antrim v Limerick match will be staged at Parnell Park next Saturday evening (throw-in 7pm).

Limerick GAA officials had been hoping that their hurlers could play on Sunday afternoon, in order to accommodate the dual players involved (Stephen Lucey and Mark O'Riordan), but the GAA's Central Competitions Control Committee would not budge.

Neither of the third phase ties will be televised and incredibly, the hurlers and footballers from Limerick, Antrim and Galway will all be playing at different grounds on the same day.

The GAA is likely to receive criticism from supporters for another fixture-crammed Saturday. Next Sunday is a relatively quiet day on the inter-county scene, albeit with the two games being provincial deciders (Leinster football and Munster hurling).

The winners of the two hurling qualifiers will progress to meet beaten Leinster finalists Dublin or either Waterford or Tipperary in the quarter-finals on July 24.

2011 GAA ALL-IRELAND SHC THIRD PHASE QUALIFIERS:

Saturday, July 9 -

Cork v Galway, Gaelic Grounds, 4pm

Antrim v Limerick, Parnell Park, 7pm

2011 GAA ALL-IRELAND SFC SECOND ROUND QUALIFIERS:

Saturday, July 9 -

Limerick v Offaly, Gaelic Grounds, 2pm

Antrim v Carlow, Casement Park, 2pm

Down v Leitrim, Páirc Esler, 3pm

London v Waterford, Ruislip, 6.30pm

Laois v Kildare, Portlaoise, 7pm (TV3)

Longford v Tyrone, Pearse Park, 7pm

Armagh v Wicklow, Morgan Athletic Grounds, 7pm

Meath v Galway, Páirc Tailteann, 7pm