Tailteann Cup Preview: Group Stage Round 3

The final weekend of Group Stage action in the Tailteann Cup will certainly be full of drama, with the allure of Quarter Final security still up for grabs in all but one group.

Below is a run down of all the different groups and how they will work in terms of where the teams can finish, live score updates from all ties can be found here.

GROUP 1

Cavan v Offaly, Saturday June 3rd, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 3pm

This tie between Cavan and Offaly will determine which of the two teams tops the group and progresses directly to a home quarter-final.

However for the home side a draw would be enough for Cavan to take top spot but Offaly need the win to guarantee top spot.

Form is with Cavan so far as they have won both games in this competition, beating Laois by nine points and London by six points, an early favourite for this competition but forward James Smith won’t be available for the rest of the campaign due to work commitments, that is a crushing blow.

Offaly will need a better performance than their last tie against Laois if they have any hopes of topping the group, it was a tough battle but they managed to salvage a draw in the final few minutes of the game, this game really is make or break for their season.

Laois v London, Saturday June 3rd, Parnell Park, 3pm

Laois will most likely finish third in the group should they not suffer defeat, they however still have a chance to finish second but would need a big win here and for Cavan to defeat Offaly by a heavy margin, as they have an 18 point scoring difference to claw back.

Laois and Offaly can both finish on three points in this group, with scoring difference the deciding factor instead of the head to head rule. But London can also still qualify for the preliminary quarter-finals if they can get a first win of the calendar year.

It really can go down to the wire in thi tie, Laois are far from out of it but should they go through the third place route, then a win here is very much needed to put them in good shape in the seedings.

Group 2

Meath v Down, Saturday June 3rd, Parnell Park, 1pm

It is a straight shootout between Down and Meath in Group 2 to see who tops the table and progresses to a home quarter-final.

However a draw would be enough for Down as they have a superior scoring difference to Meath, so plenty of drama could be expected in this tie if Down are trailing.

Meath have had quite an interesting year, looking like a side in transition, they have blooded in a host of young stars who may just cause Down issues, if they can get the win here they may be a solid pick to go a long way in this competition, unbeaten thus far they need another win to see them home.

Tipperary v Waterford, Saturday June 3rd, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, 1pm

At the same time throw-in on Leeside between Munster adversaries Waterford and Tipperary will decide who takes third spot in the Group.

Again a draw is good enough for one team to advance as Waterford can finish third as they have a superior scoring difference, but a win is needed to ensure they are one of the three third best placed teams.

Tipp have struggled in this competition as their woes continue since the league began, they have suffered two defeats in the competition thus far, but when these two met in the Munster Championship Tipperary were victorious in a tight battle.

GROUP 3

Limerick v Wicklow, Sunday June 4th, Laois Hire O’Moore Park, 1pm

Limerick are already assured of top-spot in Group 3 and a home quarter-final, regardless of results elsewhere they will finish top on the head to head rule.

The Treaty County will want to make it three wins from three no doubt, as they look to turn a season on its head, that has seen relegation and an exit at the semi-final stage in their provincial championship

Wicklow really are just playing for pride in this tie, a win would see them still finish bottom on the head to head rule as Carlow and Longford have both toppled them.

Longford v Carlow, Sunday June 4th, Laois Hire O’Moore Park, 3pm

This tie is the game with all the marbles in this group, Longford and Carlow are both playing for second in the table and a home tie for the preliminary quarter-finals. 

A draw would be enough for Longford to move onwards in the competition, as they have a superior scoring difference, another team who suffered relegation in the league in the group, but are out to get a result in this championship.

Carlow’s only win is that of Wicklow, while they had a tougher time over Limerick than Longford, this game might be very hard to call as both look a strong pick to make it up, a draw might see Carlow be one of the three best third placed sides.

GROUP 4

Fermanagh v Antrim, Sunday June 4th, Box-It Athletic Grounds, 3pm

Fermanagh and Antrim both have the chance to top the group and have a home quarter-final on the horizon, but they will not have it easy.

These Ulster neighbours will be locked in a closely fought battle, with Antrim looking like the most  in-form team in the competition after two rounds, they have shone and if they can go three from three, they can easily cause a shock further down the line.

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Fermanagh however cannot be written off, they are experienced and well battled in the competition, coming off a strong league campaign too, they showed their ability beating Leitrim last time out, a win here is a must.

Wexford v Leitrim, Sunday June 4th, Parnell Park, 3pm

Wexford have a faint chance of finishing second and claiming a home preliminary quarter-final if they beat Leitrim and Antrim beat Fermanagh.

Those two results would see Fermanagh and Wexford finishing on three points, score difference rather than the head to head rule will separate them, but Wexford will need to get the job done.

Leitrim have zero points after two matches but they too have a chance of finishing third and advancing to an away preliminary quarter-final if they beat Wexford, but they might for the second time be cast aside by New York this year should they be the weakest third placed side.