Advertisement League of Ireland Horse Racing TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture Rugby Weekly Extra Dive into all the news and analysis 3 times a week The Football Family Weekly insights from the week’s big talking points Advertisement More Stories KIldare's Ryan Burke and Louth's Ryan Burns in action when the sides met last year Bryan Keane/INPHO FreePermutations The Sam Maguire and Tailteann Cup state of play ahead of key Kildare-Louth game Next Sunday’s Leinster semi-final in Tullamore is a crucial fixture. 7.23pm, 21 Apr 2025 Share options THE OUTCOMES OF the six provincial football championship games played at the weekend across Connacht, Munster, and Ulster, makes the picture clearer as regards the 2025 Sam Maguire and Tailteann Cup races. And it leaves next Sunday’s Leinster semi-final between Kildare and Louth as the key game to decide the last place in this summer’s All-Ireland series. The winners will book their place at that top level as a result of qualifying for the Leinster final, and the losers will drop to the Tailteann Cup, with neither team protected by their league position. The weekend’s Connacht and Munster semi-final results confirmed that Kerry, Clare, Galway, and Mayo will all be part of the top two seeding brackets in the All-Ireland series. The Ulster semi-finals this weekend see Armagh play Tyrone on Saturday, while Donegal face Down on Sunday. Armagh, Tyrone, and Donegal are all guaranteed All-Ireland round-robin status even if they lose, while Down are also through as a result of being crowned Tailteann Cup champions last year. The losers of Sunday’s Leinster semi-final between Dublin and Meath are also assured of competing for the Sam Maguire, leaving the Kildare-Louth game in Tullamore as the main issue to be settled. Advertisement The Tailteann Cup seedings are all but confirmed as a result of the weekend’s action. The Sam Maguire action will commence on the weekend 17-18 May, while the Tailteann Cup starts a week earlier on 10-11 May. 2025 All-Ireland SFC First Seeds Provincial champions – Kerry/Clare; Galway/Mayo; Leinster winners; Ulster winners. Second Seeds Provincial runners-up – Kerry/Clare; Galway/Mayo; Leinster runner-up; Ulster runner-up. Third & Fourth Seeds (Next 8 highest-ranked teams at conclusion of the league, 2024 Tailteann Cup winners if not already qualified shall be eligible) Loser Armagh/Tyrone; loser Dublin/Meath; loser Down/Donegal Derry, Monaghan, Roscommon, Cavan, Cork. Schedule of games… 17/18 May (Games involving Connacht & Munster finalists) 24/25 May (Games involving Leinster & Ulster finalists) Seed 1 v Seed 3 Seed 2 v Seed 4 Seed 1 & 2 will have home venue Round 2 – (31 May/1 June) Seed 3 v Seed 2 Seed 4 v Seed 1 Seed 3 & 4 will have home venue Round 3 – (14/15 June) Seed 1 v Seed 2 Seed 3 v Seed 4 Games will be played at neutral venues 2025 Tailteann Cup First Seeds: Offaly, Kildare/Louth, Fermanagh, Westmeath. Second Seeds: Sligo, Laois, Limerick, Wexford. Third seeds: Antrim, Leitrim, Wicklow, Carlow. Fourth seeds: Tipperary, Longford, London, Waterford. Related Reads Galway reach 10th Connacht final in a row after nine-point win over Roscommon Kerry narrowly hold off Cork heroics to return to Munster final after extra-time battle Schedule of games… Round 1 – (10/11 May) Seed 1 v Seed 3 Seed 2 v Seed 4 Seed 1 & 2 will have home venue Round 2 - (17/18 May) Seed 3 v Seed 2 Seed 4 v Seed 1 Seed 3 & 4 will have home venue Round 3 – (31 May/1 June) Seed 1 v Seed 2 Seed 3 v Seed 4 Games will be played at neutral venues Fintan O'Toole Viewcomments Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “The Sam Maguire and Tailteann Cup state of play ahead of key Kildare-Louth game”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “The Sam Maguire and Tailteann Cup state of play ahead of key Kildare-Louth game”. Your Feedback Your Email (optional) Report a Comment Please select the reason for reporting this comment. Please give full details of the problem with the comment... This is YOUR comments community. 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Leave a commentcancel Access to the comments facility has been disabled for this user View our policy ⚠️ Duplicate comment Post Comment have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Gaelic Football Permutations Sam Maguire Cup Tailteann Cup News in 60 seconds AnalysisSurgery required Galway have lost faith in their hurlers and there's only one way to get them back Lawler says Munster have parked referee controversy as they focus on URC qualification 23 mins ago FreeDutch Defeat Troy Parrott scores 20th goal of the season but suffers disappointing cup final loss 31 mins ago FreeComeback Two late goals hand Cork City vital win in Munster derby against Waterford FreeSuper Leeds Four-goal Joel Piroe puts Leeds on the brink of promotion to the Premier League Freehonours even Stalemate again as Drogheda and St Pat's meet in top two battle FreeShare The Spoils Dyer brace helps Galway claim draw away to Shelbourne Irish Abroad 'Donnacha helps me a lot. ROG has been so open to me' Justin Thomas wins RBC Heritage after playoff as Lowry finishes with 70 Analysishonours even 5 talking points after Munster hurling day of draws and drama Fintan O'Toole AnalysisSurgery required Galway have lost faith in their hurlers and there's only one way to get them back more from us Investigates Daft.ie Property Magazine Allianz Home Magazine The 42 Sports Magazine Money Diaries The Journal TV Journal Media Advertise With Us About FactCheck Our Network FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition more from us TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Journal Media Advertise With Us Our Network The Journal FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition © 2025 Journal Media Ltd Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition Switch to Desktop Switch to Mobile The 42 supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. 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