AND THEN THERE were eight.
The complexion of the inaugural Super 8s — the new All-Ireland quarter-final structure — is a lot clearer this evening following the culmination of the final round of football qualifiers this weekend.
The four provincial champions — Kerry, Galway, Donegal and Dublin — were all already assured of their spots in the Super 8 phase, with the four final berths up for grabs over the last two days.
Kildare continued their impressive resurgence by beating Fermanagh on Saturday evening, while Tyrone stormed past Cork and Roscommon accounted for Armagh as they advanced in style.
And Monaghan became the final team to book their place in the Super 8s with victory over Laois in Navan this afternoon, thereby completing the line-up for the next phase of the 2018 championship.
Group 1
- Kerry
- Galway
- Kildare
- Monaghan
Group 2
- Donegal
- Dublin
- Tyrone
- Roscommon
And here’s how the programme of games will unfold over the next month or so, with the top two teams in each group advancing through to the All-Ireland semi-finals.
The GAA are due to announce venues, throw-in times and TV broadcast details tomorrow.
Super 8 Fixtures
14/15 July
(Croke Park fixtures)
Group 1: Kerry v Galway; Kildare v Monaghan.
Group 2: Dublin v Donegal; Tyrone v Roscommon.
21/22 July
(First named team at home)
Group 1: Kildare v Galway; Monaghan v Kerry.
Group 2: Tyrone v Dublin; Roscommon v Donegal.
4/5/6 August
(First named team at home)
Group 1: Kerry v Kildare; Galway v Monaghan.
Group 2: Donegal v Tyrone; Dublin v Roscommon.
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