All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Qualifiers

Limerick vs. Meath – Meath were the big beneficiaries of last year’s qualifiers, coming through all three rounds before beating Ulster champions, Tyrone in the All-Ireland quarter-final. However, their great run ended in a semi-final defeat by Cork. Limerick failed to make it past the first round, losing at home to Louth. However, their hopes have been raised this year by a fine performance in the Munster semi-final against Cork. Two late goals beat the Limerick men who then saw Cork go on to win the final against Kerry.

Limerick (SF v Meath): S Kiely; D Carroll, J McCarthy, S Gallagher; P Browne, S Lavin, P Ranahan; J Donovan, J Galvin; S Kelly, J Ryan, S Buckley; G Collins, M Crowley, I Ryan.

Tipperary vs. Westmeath – As a Division 4 side, Tipperary missed the qualifiers last year but are back in contention this year after winning promotion to Division 3 last April. This will be Westmeath’s fourth game in the 2008 championship, having already played Westmeath, Offaly and Dublin in Leinster.
Last Championship clash: Westmeath 0-12 Tipperary 1-8 (2005 Round 1 qualifier).

TIPPERARY (SF vs. Westmeath) – Paul Fitzgerald (Fethard); Niall Curran (Mullinahone), Mark Peters (Galtee Rovers), Ciaran McDonald (Aherlow); Paddy Codd (Killenaule), Robbie Costigan (Cahir), Christopher Aylward (Clonmel Og); Eamonn Hanrahan (Commercials), George Hannigan (Shannon Rovers); Damian O’Brien (Eire Og Annacarty), Philip Austin (Borrisokane), Hugh Coghlan (St. Vincents); Sean Carey (Moyle Rovers – Captain), Brian Coen (Fethard), Barry Grogan (Aherlow)

Westmeath (SF v Tipperary): G Connaughton; F Boyle, K Gavin, J Keane; M Ennis, D Heavin, D Healy; D O’Donoghue, P Bannon; S Quinn, J Smyth, D Harte; D Dolan, Denis Glennon, D Bannon