Draw produces novel tie

THERE will be a first-ever championship clash between Meath and Sligo following the All-Ireland SFC qualifier round 2A draw on Monday morning.

The Royals, who haven’t won a qualifier match since the 0-11 to 0-10 win over Galway in 2011 during Seamus McEnaney’s time in charge, have home advantage, with the tie scheduled for the weekend after next.

Meath were the first team drawn out of the bowl in the draw, which took place live on RTE’s Morning Ireland. Sligo defeated New York in the opening round of the Connacht SFC before losing 0-11 to 2-14 to Mayo in the provincial quarter-final.

They defeated Antrim 0-22 to 3-7 in their opening qualifier game at the weekend, with corner forward Stephen Coen top-scoring with eight points for Sligo, who are managed by Kildare native Niall Carew.

Reports that they used seven subs against the Saffron men have been denied by Sligo who claim that they have the paperwork to prove that only six were used. At the time of going to press there were no indications that the game would be forced to a replay.

Meath and Sligo last clashed in a Division 3 league match in Pairc Tailteann in 2013 and on that occasion the Royals emerged 1-17 to 2-12 winners.

In the other round 2A ties, it’s Mayo v Derry, Laois v Clare and Donegal v Longford.