Gaelic Games: The all-Leinster clash between Kildare and Offaly in next Saturday's All-Ireland football championship qualifiers will be staged in Newbridge at the earlier throw-in time of 2.30 p.m. Gavin Cummiskey reports.

And Dublin will face London at Parnell Park with a 4.30 p.m. throw-in.

It has certainly been a novel year for London, who have already faced Galway in the opening round of the Connacht championship, only to suffer a 30-point drubbing after losing several key players to injury and absenteeism.

For Dublin, former under-21 full back Nathan Kane is ruled out with cruciate ligament damage.

For London, Paddy McConigly must also spend some time on the treatment table.

London manager John McParland was quick to dispel the rumours, which began after the Galway defeat, that London would not be travelling: "That is nonsense and it certainly did not come from me. Who knows where these things arise.

"It's another opportunity," he said. "Three weeks ago who would have thought we would be playing Dublin in the championship? Obviously, we were down after the Galway beating, but their players said to us after the match that we had them under the pressure for the opening 20 minutes. It may be just 20 minutes, but they are potential All-Ireland winners."

Offaly and Kildare both have a final chance of redemption, after defeats in their opening matches to the new forces in Leinster, Westmeath and Wexford respectively.

"We appreciate the enormity of the task," said Offaly manager Gerry Fahey. "To be honest, we are finding it difficult to recover from the last day out. It was a major disappointment (losing to Westmeath) especially when you set your sights so high. Morale is a bit down. I suppose we'll find out on the day if we have recovered.

"We had a close look at Kildare in the league semi-final but everything seemed to go right for us on that day so there is a huge incentive there for them."

Four of the five Ulster teams in the qualifiers must travel south. Fermanagh will have to pick themselves up after their brave showing against All-Ireland champions Tyrone for the long trek to play Tipperary in Semple Stadium.

Elsewhere, Down go to Luke Dempsey's rejuvenated Carlow, Derry have a day in Aughrim with Wicklow, while Antrim have a short stop-over to Drogheda for the challenge of Louth. The other matches pair Monaghan against Longford in Clones and Clare with Sligo in Ennis.

Qualifiers: Dates and venues
Saturday, June 12th (4.30 p.m. unless stated)

Newbridge, 2.30: Kildare v Offaly

Clones: Monaghan v Longford

Ennis: Clare v Sligo

Dr Cullen Park: Carlow v Down

Aughrim: Wicklow v Derry

Drogheda: Louth v Antrim

Parnell Park: Dublin v London

Semple Stadium: Tipperary v Fermanagh