Lay of the land: Half of Tailteann Cup spots could be filled this weekend

REIGNING CHAMPS: John Heslin of Westmeath, left, and Dessie Dolan celebrate after their side's victory in the 2022 Tailteann Cup final. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

As many as eight Tailteann Cup places and the seeding of one Sam Maguire Cup team will be confirmed across the weekend’s nine opening provincial championship fixtures.

The losers of the Connacht quarter-final between Mayo and Roscommon will be third seeds in the Sam Maguire Cup as both finished in the top four of Division 1 this year. The beaten team in the corresponding semi-final against Galway will also be third seeds as Pádraic Joyce’s team claimed a spot in the top half of Division 1 as well.