Laois to Face London in Tailteann Cup Round 2
Laois’ reward for their free-scoring start to the Tailteann Cup is a journey across the Irish Sea. Justin McNulty’s side, fresh from a 1-23 to 0-19 win over Wicklow, will face a London outfit that ripped through Waterford with four first-half goals at the weekend.
McNulty got one over his former Armagh team-mate Oisín McConville in that Aughrim shootout, Laois pulling away with authority. Now they meet a London team brimming with confidence after a ruthless display in front of goal. It has the feel of a tie that could catch fire early.
Offaly wait on Down or Leitrim
Offaly, who impressed in seeing off Clare 1-17 to 1-14 in Ennis, have earned home advantage in Round 2A. They will host the winner of Down v Leitrim.
Conor Laverty’s Down welcome Leitrim, managed by fellow Mourne man Steven Poacher, to Newry on Saturday evening. There’s plenty on the line: victory brings a trip to Offaly; defeat still offers a lifeline in Round 2B, with a home clash against Carlow as consolation.
Goals galore for Antrim, test of nerve to come
Antrim rattled in a remarkable 6-17 against Carlow, yet still only scraped through by three points after extra-time. Mark Doran’s side showed both their attacking potential and their vulnerability in one breathless outing.
Their next assignment is Tipperary in Round 2A. Tipp had to withstand a late surge from Sligo to move on, closing out a game that threatened to slip away in the final stages. Antrim’s firepower against Tipperary’s resilience looks one of the standout contests of the round.
The remaining Round 2A fixture sends Division 3 finalists Wexford to Brewster Park to take on Fermanagh. Wexford arrive on the back of a heavy win over Limerick, while Fermanagh will relish home turf in a competition that already feels finely balanced.
Last-chance saloon in Round 2B
Round 2B carries a harsher edge. Lose, and you’re out.
Clare, beaten by Offaly in Ennis, stay at home and will try to reset quickly as they welcome Longford. It’s a test of how fast they can park that narrow defeat and find momentum again.
Wicklow, stung by that high-scoring loss to Laois, return to Aughrim needing a response when Limerick come calling. The Treaty men were well beaten by Wexford first time out, so both counties arrive with bruises and a season to salvage.
Waterford, dismantled by London’s goal rush, at least have home advantage as they face Sligo. Sligo ran out of road against Tipperary, their late rally falling just short. One of those sides will finally turn performance into progress; the other will see their campaign abruptly stopped.
The loser of Down v Leitrim will host Carlow in the final Round 2B tie, a quick turnaround from Newry’s drama to a do-or-die showdown.
All Round 2 fixtures are scheduled for 23 and 24 May, with the first-named teams at home. New York will step into the competition later, entering at the preliminary quarter-final stage.
By then, a lot of counties will already know if this Tailteann Cup run was a platform for growth or a story cut short.
