Louth learn their championship fate as Sam Maguire grouping announced

While the Leinster Final is just around the corner, with the Wee County taking on Dublin in Croke Park, attentions this afternoon turned to the race for the Sam Maguire Cup.

The group stage draw took place at headquarters earlier this afternoon, with Louth, as provincial finalists, seeded in either pot 1 or 2, depending on if they win or lose the final.

Should they end their long wait for a Leinster title later this month, the reward is what looks on paper to be the more favourable group.

The champions from the East will be pitted against the Runners up in the Connacht Final (Galway vs Sligo), Roscommon and Kildare (a team Louth has already beaten twice this season) in Group 3.

However should they lose the final, a much tougher test awaits in Group 1. They will take on the Munster Champions (Kerry or Clare), Mayo (the reigning Division 1 champions) and Cork. The prospect of potentially taking on the All Ireland champions Kerry just giving more importance on landing the Leinster crown.

We have four provincial finals to deal with before the final pairings are known, but a breakdown of the draw can be found below. The CCC are set to announce the first round of games later this week.     

Sam Maguire Cup Groupings

Group 1: Munster Winners (Kerry/Clare), Leinster Runners Up (Louth/Dublin), Mayo, Cork

Group 2: Connacht Winners (Galway/Sligo), Ulster Runners Up (Derry/Armagh), Tyrone, Westmeath

Group 3: Leinster Winners (Dublin/Louth), Connacht Runner Up (Galway/Sligo), Roscommon, Kildare

Group 4: Ulster Winners (Armagh/Derry), Munster Runner Up (Kerry/Clare), Monaghan, Donegal