RTE confirm major change for All-Ireland draw after GAA manager’s criticism

THE All-Ireland football semi-final draw will take place live on The Sunday Game – should there be a need for one.

The Sam Maguire quarter-finals take place this weekend, with Armagh vs Roscommon and Dublin vs Galway taking place on Saturday.

Then, on Sunday, Donegal face Louth before Kerry meet Derry in the final game of the weekend.

On Saturday, RTE confirmed that the semi-final draw will take place live on The Sunday Game should the need arise.

A draw will be needed unless certain results occur whereby the winners cannot play each other due to having met earlier in the championship.

For instance, if Armagh, Dublin, Donegal, and Kerry win, the All-Ireland champions will face either the Orchard or Tir Chonaill as they had played each other in the Ulster final.

Meanwhile, if Armagh, Galway and Donegal all advance to the last four, a repeat pairing will be unavoidable and an open draw would be needed.

If Armagh, Donegal and Derry are victorious, it will be the same scenario.

Armagh can play Dublin, Louth, or Kerry in the semi-finals, while Derry can face Roscommon, the Sky Blues, or the Wee County.

Dessie Farrell’s men can meet Armagh, Donegal, Kerry, or Derry, while Louth can play the Orchard, Rossies, Galway, or Derry.

Jack O’Connor’s Kerry can play Armagh, Roscommon, Dublin, Galway, or Donegal.

The Rossies can be matched up against the Tribesmen, Donegal, Louth, the Kingdom, or Derry.

And Connacht champions Galway can face Roscommon, Louth, Donegal, or Kerry.

RTE’s move to hold the potential semi-final draw live on The Sunday Game will come as good news for Galway manager Padraic Joyce.

Up to now, the broadcaster has held the championship draws on Monday, which led to Joyce criticising his side possibly having to wait two days to find out their opponents.

Speaking after Galway beat Monaghan last time out, Joyce told told Off The Ball: “We won’t know for two days who we’re going to play.

“We can’t even plan tactically.”

“I don’t understand why the draw can’t be made tomorrow evening,”