Dublin facing tough draw in Leinster

All-Ireland football champions Kerry will open their title defence with a Munster semi-final date against the winners of Clare…

All-Ireland football champions Kerry will open their title defence with a Munster semi-final date against the winners of Clare and Waterford when the 2007 championship kicks-off next year.

The managerless Kingdom will fancy their chances of reaching the provincial final and perhaps gaining revenge on Cork who are expected to progress as they attempt to retain their Munster title.

Cork play Limerick in the quarter-final with Tipperary playing the winner in the semis.

Leinster champions Dublin are straight into the quarter-finals where they'll clash with the winners of Meath and Kildare.

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Mick O'Dwyer kick-starts his spell in charge of Wicklow with a first round opener against Louth.

The Ulster championship has thrown together a number of superb ties with Donegal and holders Armagh tussling in a repeat of last year's final.

Tyrone will look to bounce back after a disappointing year when they open their campaign against neighbours Fermanagh.

In Connacht, Galway and Mayo are paired together in the quarter-final with the winners meeting Leitrim or London in the semi-final.

Either Sligo or New York will progress to a semi-final tie with John Maughan's Roscommon who receive a bye.

All-Ireland hurling champions Kilkenny begin their defence at the semi-final stage in Leinster where they'll face the winner of the Offaly-Laois quarter-final.

Should Brian Cody's side win that game as they're expected to they'll face either Wexford or Dublin in the provincial final.

All-Ireland runners-up Cork open their Munster campaign with a quarter-final tie with Clare.  The winners progress to meet Waterford in the semis with either Tipperary or Limerick lying in wait for the final.

Connacht SFC:  Sligo v New York, Leitrim v London, Galway v Mayo, Roscommon bye to semi-final to play winner of Sligo & New York.

Leinster SFC:  Louth v Wicklow, Winners to play Wexford, Westmeath v Longford, Winners to play Laois, Meath v Kildare, Winners to play Dublin.  Carlow v Offaly.

Munster SFC:  Q/F Clare v Waterford, Winners to play Kerry.  Q/F Cork v Limerick ,Winners to play Tipperary.

Ulster SFC:  Prelim Cavan v Down, Q/F Winner v Monaghan.  Q/F Antrim v Derry, Q/F Fermanagh v Tyrone, Q/F Donegal v Armagh.

Leinster SHC:  Q/F Offaly v Laois, S/F Winner v Kilkenny, S/F Dublin v Wexford.

Munster SHC:  Q/F Clare v Cork, S/F Winner v Waterford, S/F Tipperary v Limerick