Westmeath in group of death as Rossies also learn fate

Both Westmeath and Roscommon footballers now know what they will face in the Sam Maguire Cup group stages after the draw was made this afternoon (Tuesday).

Westmeath have been handed a truly daunting challenge as they will face the Connacht winners (Mayo or Galway), Division 1 league champions Derry and the defeated Ulster finalists (Donegal/Armagh).

Lake County fans would have been hoping to land in the group containing the Munster runners-up (likely to be Clare) or the Leinster runners-up (almost certainly Louth).

And of the third seeds, Derry would have been the team everyone wanted to avoid.

Derry have been regarded by many observers as the strongest challengers to Dublin's All-Ireland crown and despite the manner of their recent defeat to Donegal, Mickey Harte's side will be expected to make a major impact.

In Roscommon's case, they will face Dublin (barring an absolutely sensational upset in the Leinster final), a meeting with a very familiar Connacht foe (Galway or Mayo) and Cavan.

The Rossies will fancy their chances of at least finishing ahead of Cavan, who operated in Division 2 this year, though the Breffni men defeated local rivals Monaghan and brought Tyrone to extra-time in this year's Ulster championship.

The Sam Maguire Cup groups are as follows, with fixtures to be confirmed at a later date.

Group 1:

Connacht winners (Mayo/Galway)

Ulster runners-up (Donegal/Armagh)

Derry

Westmeath

Group 2:

Leinster winners (Dublin/Louth)

Connacht runners-up (Galway/Mayo)

Roscommon

Cavan

Group 3:

Ulster winners (Armagh/Donegal)

Munster runners-up (Clare/Kerry)

Tyrone

Cork

Group 4:

Munster winners (Kerry/Clare)

Leinster runners-up (Louth/Dublin)

Monaghan

Meath