Less than six weeks after Dublin defeated Tyrone in the All-Ireland football final, the draw for the 2019 All-Ireland football championship was completed this evening.
Broadcast live on RTÉ, in what will almost certainly be Micheal Lyster's penultimate GAA-related gig before the All-Stars next month, we have below all you need to know about the 2019 provincial draws, and what games you'll need to look out for ... in about 6 or 7 months.
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2019 All-Ireland Football Championship
Connacht Football Championship Draw:
With Mayo already scheduled to travel to New York and Galway heading to London, both of the Connacht giants have a chance of meeting in the 2019 provincial final.
In one semi-final, New York / Mayo will take on Leitrim / Roscommon. While in the alternate semi, London / Galway will take on Paul Taylor's Sligo.
It was a draw that left Leitrim's Emlyn Mulligan feeling particular grim about the year ahead for his county.
Leitrim's Emlyn Mulligan admits to being disappointed by his side's draw in the Connacht Football Championship #rtegaa pic.twitter.com/2lFendkVJN
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) October 11, 2018
Leinster Football Championship Draw:
Although looking a foregone conclusion even at this early stage, the Leinster football championship will continue on anyway.
Largely a process of avoiding Dublin for as long as possible, in all likelihood, one of Meath/Offaly, Carlow, Westmeath or Laois are likely to meet them in Croke Park on Leinster final day.
Carlow's Paul Broderick seemed content enough that they may not have to entertain thoughts of Jim Gavin's side until a potential final pairing.
Carlow's Paul Broderick is happy to be on the other side of the Leinster draw from Dublin, but stops short of targeting a final showdown with the All-Ireland champions #rtegaa. pic.twitter.com/6CoRnA82nH
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) October 11, 2018
Ulster Football Championship Draw:
By far the most intriguing of the provincial draws made tonight, Ulster has thrown up four different winners over the last decade.
An open draw, Tyrone will take on Derry in the preliminary round of the Ulster championship this time out. The holders Donegal will meet last year's beaten finalist Fermanagh in the quarter-final stage in 2019.
Ulster draw is a complete and utter minefield!! Potentially some crackers in there!!
— Steven Poacher (@Stevie_Poacher) October 11, 2018
Munster Football Championship Draw:
Peter Keane will be looking to make it 7-in-a-row in Munster this year, and if that is to be the case his Kerry side may well have to take on Cork once more in a provincial final - although after last year's final this may not fill the former minor manager with too much dread.
To get that far, Kerry will have to over come the winners of Clare vs Waterford. While on the other side of the draw, Cork will play the winner of Tipperary vs Limerick.
So, that's your 2019 All-Ireland football championship draw - dates, times etc will be forthcoming across the large chasm of time that separates tonight from the actual championship itself.
