The final two places in the All-Ireland series were filled in an afternoon of high drama on Sunday as Kildare and Cork joined the 14 sides already in the hat for tomorrow afternoon’s live draw on GAAGO.
Kildare almost dropped down to the Tailteann Cup despite a heroic Leinster semi-final effort against Dublin at Croke Park in a two point defeat.
However, Louth did them a huge favour in the curtain-raiser by beating Offaly after extra-time.
READ MORE: Dublin survive big scare to see off Kildare and reach Leinster decider
Had Offaly won, as a provincial finalist from Division 3, they would have replaced the next lowest team in the All-Ireland series - Kildare (fifth in Division 2).
Division 3 Down could also have knocked Kildare out had they turned over Armagh at Clones, but Kieran McGeeney’s side fired four goals in a comfortable win at Clones.
Had Offaly and Down both won they would have replaced Kildare and Cork in the All-Ireland series.
The first seeds for the All-Ireland round robin are the four provincial champions, with the beaten finalists the second seeds.
This won’t be confirmed until Sunday week with the Connacht and Munster football finals next weekend and the Ulster and Leinster decider the following weekend.
The identity of the third and fourth seeds are now known.
Meanwhile, the Tailteann Cup seedings are all confirmed and based on final league placings.
Wexford are the final third seed ahead of fourth seeded Leitrim by virtue of beating them in their Division 4 head to head meeting.
All-Ireland Round Robin Football Group Seedings:
Seeds 1 and 2 (TBC) - Kerry, Clare, Galway, Sligo, Derry, Armagh, Dublin, Louth
Seeds 3 - Mayo, Roscommon, Tyrone, Monaghan
Seeds 4 - Donegal, Cork, Kildare, Westmeath
Tailteann Cup Seedings:
Seeds 1 - Meath, Cavan, Fermanagh, Limerick
Seeds 2 - Down, Offaly, Antrim, Wicklow
Seeds 3 - Longford, Tipperary, Laois, Wexford
Seeds 4 - Leitrim, Carlow, Waterford, London
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