The draw for the group stage will involve the provincial winners as seeds 1, the provincial runners-up as seeds 2, etc. with a draw of some kind giving 4 groups, each group consisting of a seed 1, a seed 2, a seed 3 and a seed 4. The GAA Master Calendar states that "SFC RR1 (Involving CSFC & MSFC Finalists)" takes place on May 20/21 and "SFC RR1 (Involving LSFC & USFC Finalists) takes place on May 27/28. All of which suggests that some element of seeding must take place in selecting the groups i.e. not an open draw. The whole thing seems to be shrouded in mystery.
Replying To Aibrean: "The draw for the group stage will involve the provincial winners as seeds 1, the provincial runners-up as seeds 2, etc. with a draw of some kind giving 4 groups, each group consisting of a seed 1, a seed 2, a seed 3 and a seed 4. The GAA Master Calendar states that "SFC RR1 (Involving CSFC & MSFC Finalists)" takes place on May 20/21 and "SFC RR1 (Involving LSFC & USFC Finalists) takes place on May 27/28. All of which suggests that some element of seeding must take place in selecting the groups i.e. not an open draw. The whole thing seems to be shrouded in mystery."
That Connacht/Munster thing is apparently contrary to what the Rules in TO lay down so it may in fact be an open draw apart from repeats of Provincial Finals. 3rd seeds will be Mayo Losers Ros/Galway 2 from Derry/Monaghan/Tyrone.
Replying To Aibrean: "The draw for the group stage will involve the provincial winners as seeds 1, the provincial runners-up as seeds 2, etc. with a draw of some kind giving 4 groups, each group consisting of a seed 1, a seed 2, a seed 3 and a seed 4. The GAA Master Calendar states that "SFC RR1 (Involving CSFC & MSFC Finalists)" takes place on May 20/21 and "SFC RR1 (Involving LSFC & USFC Finalists) takes place on May 27/28. All of which suggests that some element of seeding must take place in selecting the groups i.e. not an open draw. The whole thing seems to be shrouded in mystery."
To answer my own question. It now seems that it is an open draw. For example, Kerry (if they win Munster) will not automatically be paired with Sligo/NY (if they lose Connacht Final. The Master Calendar should have said 'Winners' instead of 'Finalists'.