The draw for the opening round of matches in the 2026 Tailteann Cup was made on Monday lunchtime and have thrown up some potentially interesting clashes to look forward to.
Foremost among them the clash of Clare and Offaly. The most surprising nugget pertaining to that forthcoming fixture being that it will mark the Banner County’s debut in the Tier II Championship.
That in itself being a brilliant endorsement of the commitment to and development of football in the county by Colm Collins, in particular, and presumably plenty of others. Which up to press allowed the home of the most famous roar in the country punch well above their weight for an elongated period of time.
Not that their appearance in the Tailteann Cup should be seen as a degrading on their behalf. On the contrary, Clare’s appearance therein should add to the credibility and competitiveness of the competition.
Furthermore, one need only look at the past winners of the competition – Westmeath, Meath, Down and Kildare to realise how it can be a spring board to greater things.
Tailteann Cup Round One draw
Fermanagh v Longford
Laois v Wicklow
Clare v Offaly
Carlow v Antrim
Wexford v Limerick
Cavan/Westmeath/Down v Leitrim
Sligo v Tipperary
Waterford v London
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