Westmeath to face Monaghan for place in last eight

Westmeath have been drawn against Monaghan in the third round of the All-Ireland SFC.

Monaghan will have home advantage with the game set to be played at St Tiernach's Park, Clones next weekend, June 20/21. Fixture details have yet to be confirmed.

Westmeath lost to Galway by 3-21 to 2-21 in their round 2A game at Pearse Stadium yesterday, while Monaghan were emphatic winners over Roscommon in Clones the previous day.

Monaghan reached this year's Ulster final where they lost out to Armagh after extra-time, on the same day as Westmeath's Leinster final triumph over Dublin.

The last competitive meeting between Monaghan and Westmeath was a Division 2 league encounter last year, when the Farney men claimed a 2-29 to 2-21 victory at St Tiernach's Park.

Westmeath's other potential opponents in the draw were Kerry and Meath and while Monaghan, a Division 1 team this year, will present a difficult challenge, Lake County supporters will surely relish a trip to Clones.

Back in 2003, Westmeath met Monaghan in an All-Ireland qualifier at St Tiernach's Park, with the home side winning by 0-14 to 1-9. This match came shortly after Westmeath were beaten by Meath in a Leinster SFC quarter-final replay.

The other third round fixtures are Donegal vs Dublin, Mayo vs Meath and Kerry v Armagh, with the latter game a blockbuster clash of the last two All-Ireland champions.

The winners of the third round games will advance to the All-Ireland quarter-finals, where Galway, Cork, Louth and Tyrone lie in wait.

Meanwhile, the Tailteann Cup semi-finals will see Offaly play Wicklow and Down take on Fermanagh.

All-Ireland SFC third round (first named at home)

Monaghan v Westmeath

Donegal v Dublin

Mayo v Meath

Kerry v Armagh