Dublin and Kerry clash fixed for Croke Park

Dublin and Kerry have been drawn together in the All-Ireland quarter-finals for the second time in the four years of the qualifier system.

Tommy Lyons's side, fresh from disposing of Roscommon in yesterday's fourth-round qualifier, were paired with the Munster champions in yesterday evening's draw at Croke Park.

The match will be played on Saturday week on a double bill with the quarter-final between Derry and first-time Leinster champions Westmeath.

This coming Saturday sees Tyrone, big winners yesterday over Laois, face Connacht champions Mayo on the same bill as All-Ireland favourites Armagh, who take on this year's surprise packets Fermanagh.

All four ties are to be played at Croke Park.

Three years ago Kerry needed a replay to shake off Dublin with both matches played in Thurles. That quarter-final was the first championship meeting between the counties in 16 years, echoing the titanic clashes they had in the 1970s and '80s.

It will be a welcome shot at redemption for Dublin, who had a bad start to their season but who have now fulfilled the basic ambition of every team - to be in the shake-up in early August.

Tyrone and Mayo have nothing like as storied a championship past but have met once before, in the 1989 All-Ireland semi-final when John O'Mahony led his county to a shock win over the then Ulster champions.

Fermanagh will regard the draw against Armagh with a little frustration. Although they have had a great season to date, emulating last year's hitherto unparalleled achievement of reaching the last eight, they would presumably have preferred to avoid the favourites and, if possible, Ulster opposition.

Twelve months ago they were well beaten by Tyrone at the same stage but over the past two years have strung together some great results over non-Ulster counties.

Páidi Ó Sé's Westmeath face Derry, who have picked up remarkable momentum since losing in the Ulster preliminary round against Tyrone.

Not surprisingly, given that it's Westmeath's first trip out of Leinster as champions, the counties have no previous senior championship history although they have met at minor level, in the 1995 All-Ireland final when Westmeath won by 1-10 to 0-11.

Strangely none of that Westmeath team started either of the Leinster final matches against Laois whereas Paul McFlynn, Enda Muldoon and Johnny McBride were on the Derry team that defeated Limerick in the fourth round of the qualifiers.

SFC Quarter-finals Draw and dates

Saturday 7th August - Croke Park

Armagh v Fermanagh, 2.0

Mayo v Tyrone, 3.45

Saturday 14th August - Croke Park

Westmeath v Derry, 2.0

Kerry v Dublin, 3.45