North-south split for Tailteann Cup confirmed

THE GAA has confirmed that the controversial north-south split will be in place for the early rounds of the Tailteann Cup – in fact, up until the semi-final stage. Offaly manager John Maughan was just the latest to bemoan the fact the new second tier All-Ireland competition would not operate on an open draw basis – as generally expected. Instead, the GAA confirmed yesterday that it will be organised in Northern and Southern sections, with a draw to be made for each round and New York entering at the quarter-final stage. The draw will be made by GAA president Larry McCarthy next Monday on RTE Radio 1’s Morning Ireland at 8.35am, followed by a launch in Croke Park, with confirmation of throw-in times and venues in due course. New York was drawn to the Southern Section at a Central Competitions Control Committee meeting earlier in the week. As only three teams from this section will go to the quarter-final, any preliminary round games required will come from this section.

The final list of teams will be confirmed on Sunday as Westmeath and Tipperary will be eligible for the Sam Maguire Cup if they win their provincial semifinals this weekend. TAILTEANN CUP 2022 NORTHERN SECTION: Antrim, Cavan, Down, Fermanagh, Leitrim, London, Longford, Sligo SOUTHERN SECTION: Carlow, Laois, Offaly, New York (enter at quarter-final stage), Tipperary (if eligible), Waterford, Westmeath (if eligible), Wexford, Wicklow