Ulster champions Donegal will play Division 1 National League winners and close rivals Derry in the preliminary round next year, a repeat of their meeting in the provincial quarter-finals earlier this year when Jim McGuinness’ side won impressively.
The clash was the stand-out fixture from today’s provincial championships draw held live on RTÉ Radio 1, with All-Ireland champions Armagh set to begin next year’s championship campaign with a quarter-final tie against Antrim.
The Orchard County lost the last two Ulster finals in penalty shoot-outs and last won the province in 2008.
If they get past Antrim they will face the winners of the Tyrone v Cavan quarter final clash in the semi-finals. Monaghan await the winners of the Donegal-Derry tie in the quarter-finals, while Fermanagh and Down will also meet in the last eight.
Dublin, who will be looking to win a 15th Leinster championship title in a row in 2025, face a quarter-final outing against the winners of Wicklow and Longford, and could end up playing Meath in the semi-finals.
The Royals, now managed by Robbie Brennan, are drawn against Carlow in the first round but if they win there they will have to overcome Offaly to reach the last four.
Louth, Leinster finalists for the last two years, will have a quarter final meeting with the winners of Wexford and Laois.
Kerry, strong favourites to win an 86th provincial title next year, will face the winners of Cork and Limerick in Munster the semi-finals, while last year’s finalists Clare play the winners of Waterford and Tipperary in the other semi-final.
Galway, who are looking to win a fourth Connacht title in a row in 2025, travel to face New York at Gaelic Park in the quarter-finals, where victory will secure them a semi final place against the winners of the Roscommon v London quarter-final tie.
Mayo drew Sligo in the quarter-finals, with the winners facing Leitrim, currently without a manager, in the last four, leaving open the prospect of a Mayo v Galway decider.
SFC 2025 Provincial draws
Leinster SFC
Round 1: Wexford v Laois; Carlow v Meath; Wicklow v Longford; Westmeath bye.
Quarter-Finals: Offaly v Carlow/Meath; Dublin v Wicklow/Longford; Kildare v Westmeath; Louth v Wexford/Laois.
Semi-Finals: Offaly/Carlow/Meath v Dublin/Wicklow/Longford; Kildare/Westmeath v Louth/Longford/Laois
Connacht SFC
Quarter-Finals: New York v Galway; London v Roscommon; Mayo v Sligo; Leitrim bye.
Semi-Finals: Leitrim v Mayo or Sligo; New York or Galway v Roscommon or London
Munster SFC
Quarter-Finals: Waterford v Tipperary; Limerick v Cork
Semi-Finals: Kerry v Limerick/Cork; Clare v Waterford/Tipperary
Ulster SFC
Preliminary Round: Donegal v Derry
Quarter-Finals: Antrim v Armagh; Tyrone v Cavan; Fermanagh v Down; Monaghan v Donegal/Derry
Semi-Finals: Antrim/Armagh v Tyrone/Cavan; Fermanagh/Down v Monaghan/Donegal/Derry.