BY RONAN SCOTT

r.scott@gaeliclife.com

On Sunday night, the second round draw for the qualifiers takes place and former Derry corner back, Fergal P McCusker is hoping for an easy draw for his home county.

However, the All-Ireland winner has already written off the chances of last year's Ulster champions, Armagh.

McCusker said: "I would want them to avoid the Ulster teams, if possible. I think Monaghan can edge their game against Armagh. I mean who says Armagh are a good team. Okay, they reached a few Ulster finals, but they have lost a few players and I'm not sure how the replacements are doing."

McCusker believes Monaghan have a point to prove after the manner of their loss in Celtic Park. However the Maghera man believes Fermanagh are a different story.

"If we got Fermanagh then Damian Cassidy would always have the revenge card to play since Derry lost to them last year,"

"I don't think meeting Down would be a disaster either. I think they have one or two problems at the moment. Although people could say the same about Derry."

If Derry had to meet any of the Ulster teams, one suspects McCusker would prefer Donegal though. As they have hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons after Neil Gallagher and Ciaran Bonner have been dropped from the panel for indiscipline.

However, McCusker said that the easiest draw possible would be the best outcome for a Derry team crippled by injuries.

"If they can get all their men back it would be a big help. From what I hear Enda Muldoon will be back for the next game and that will be a big help. So too will Fergal Doherty. Say what you like, he is a big asset to the team," McCusker said.

"Derry's record in the back door has been good although it's not what we wanted. Derry were out to win an Ulster title this year. If we were to get an easier draw, maybe the likes of Leitrim, Longford, Louth or Tipperary, teams like that, then it would give Damian a chance to work on the systems that he spoke about."

The round two qualifier draw takes place live this Sunday evening on TV3. The eight winners from round one will then be drawn against one of the eight losing semi-finalists. There is no protection for teams that have already met. Home advantage will be decided by a toss of the coin, and the venues will be released by the GAA on Monday.

All-Ireland Championship football qualifiers draw

WHO'S IN THE BOWLS?

Bowl 1: Winners of round 1 draw

From:

Donegal/Carlow

Monaghan/Armagh

Meath/Waterford

Wicklow/Fermanagh

Wexford/Offaly

Louth/Tipperary

Down/London

Leitrim/Longford

Bowl 2: Semi-final losers

Derry

Cavan

Westmeath

Laois

Sligo

Roscommon

Kerry

Clare