All-Ireland details to be confirmed this morning

Cavan likely to meet Monaghan in knock-out Ulster SFC

Months of uncertainty for the Cavan senior footballers will be ended this morning when the GAA announces its fixtures for the All-Ireland SFC at a press event in Croke Park.

Cavan are likely to meet Monaghan, a game originally scheduled for May, in their opening round.

County boards have been in the dark as the association has responded to government guidelines. With restrictions easing in recent weeks, the road map has changed on a couple of occasions.

The GPA had sought a back door system and had also stated its preference for a national open draw. However, it is believed that Croke Park are set to announce that the championship will be run on a straight knock-out system, starting with provincial championships, which would in effect be a return to the format used prior to the introduction of the All-Ireland qualifiers in 2001.

As of yesterday afternoon, Cavan county board had received no communication on the matter.

“It’s an ever-evolving situation and we won’t know until tomorrow what the plan is, the same as everyone else,” secretary Liam McCabe told The Anglo-Celt.

Cavan and Monaghan did not meet in championship football between 2001 and 2013 but this year’s clash will be the fourth Ulster meeting in eight seasons between the old rivals.

Meanwhile, the minor and U20 championships are also expected to proceed on a knockout basis and the details of those will also be confirmed this morning.

Cavan hurlers will know their fate tonight when the Lory Meagher Cup schedule is redrawn.