Roscommon learn fate in Sam Maguire Cup

Roscommon will play two Munster teams in this year's Sam Maguire Cup group stages.

The Rossies will definitely take on Cork who pushed Kerry very close in a thrilling Munster semi-final, with the Kingdom eventually prevailing after extra-time.

Cork and Roscommon last met in the All-Ireland championship two years ago, with the Rebels coming on top in an exciting game.

Davy Burke's side will also meet this year's Munster champions, widely expected to be Kerry, but Clare will hope to spring a surprise in this Sunday's final at Fitzgerald Stadium.

The remaining team in the group will be the defeated Leinster finalists, Meath or Louth. Meath pulled off a shock win over Dublin in Portlaoise last Sunday in what was the Dub's first Leinster SFC defeat since 2010.

Roscommon will travel to the Munster winners in their first game on the weekend of May 17/18. They will then host the Leinster runners-up, with the last game against Cork to be played at a neutral venue.

Despite suffering a nine-point defeat to Galway in their Connacht semi-final, Roscommon will fancy their chances of emerging from Group 2, with three teams to qualify for the knockout stages.

Last year, Roscommon reached the All-Ireland quarter-finals, claiming a notable over Tyrone en route, before bowing out at the hands of eventual champions Armagh.

All-Ireland SFC group stages

Group 1: Ulster winners (Armagh or Donegal), Connacht runners-up (Mayo or Galway), Tyrone, Cavan.

Group 2: Munster winners (Kerry or Clare), Leinster runners-up (Meath or Louth), Roscommon, Cork.

Group 3: Leinster winners (Louth or Meath), Munster runners-up (Clare or Kerry), Monaghan, Down.

Group 4: Connacht winners (Galway or Mayo), Ulster runners-up (Armagh or Donegal), Dublin, Derry.

Roscommon fixtures

May 17/18: Munster winners (Kerry or Clare, home) vs Roscommon.

May 31/June 1: Roscommon (home) vs Leinster runners-up (Meath or Louth).

June 14/15: Roscommon vs Cork (neutral venue).