Homecoming for Leitrim boss Poacher as Green & Gold set to face Down in Tailteann Cup

Steven Poacher won't have too far to travel for Leitrim's first game in the 2026 Tailteann Cup after it was confirmed that the Green & Gold will face his native Down in Newry's Pairc Esler on the weekend of May 16-17.

Leitrim were due to face one from Cavan, Down or Westmeath in the first round of the secondary championship after last week's draw but with Westmeath winning their way to the Leinster Final after a dramatic 2-21 to 0-23 victory over Kildare after extra-time in Tullamore, that left Down and Cavan as Leitrim's only possible opponents.

However, the Mournemen, who shocked Donegal just a week ago in the Ulster Quarter-Finals, endured a nightmare afternoon in Clones as Armagh producing a staggering display of scoring, winning 3-33 to 0-14, leaving Down in the Tailteann Cup.

Leitrim have faced Down twice before in All-Ireland Qualifiers, both in Newry, with the home team recording comfortable victories in both games. In  2011, Down prevailed 1-16 to 1-8 while three years later, the home side had a far more comfortable victory as they cruised to a 4-18 to 0-9 victory.

The counties were due to meet in the delayed Allianz NFL Division 3 campaign in 2020 but Down were awarded a walkover after Leitrim refused to travel due to concern over rising Covid numbers.