The GAA have today confirmed the permutations that would necessitate a semi-final draw for the All-Ireland Football Championship.
The draw would take place live on RTÉ2 following Sunday’s clash between Dublin and Mayo - the last of this weekend’s All-Ireland quarter-finals.
Traditionally, the semi-final line-ups would be predetermined with the provincial champions or the team who defeated them in the quarter-finals facing off. This year would have seen Ulster versus Leinster and Munster versus Connacht in the last four.
However, the semi-final format was changed due to the new Championship structure and is now subject to avoidance of repeat pairing from earlier in the Championship campaign.
Several teams have already met either in the provincial series or the group stages.
Yet, wins for Tyrone and Derry over Kerry and Cork respectively would mean a draw wouldn’t be required as both Tyrone and Derry have both met Armagh and Monaghan. With all other combination of results, repeat pairings can be avoided.
In the event that the Red Hands and the Oak Leafers win, they’d play each other in the semi-final with the winners of Armagh and Monaghan taking on either Dublin or Mayo in the last four.
If Kerry, Cork and Mayo all win, repeat pairing cannot be avoided and an open draw would take place for the semi-finals.
The full fixture details for the semi-finals will be confirmed by the CCCC on Monday afternoon.
The first semi-final, which also features the Tailteann Cup final meeting between Down and Meath, takes place on Saturday, July 15 with the second semi-final on Sunday, July 16 with Croke Park hosting both semi-finals.
