AFTER struggling to capture the imagination since its introduction in 2023, the All-Ireland group-stage structure finally looks set to come good at the end.
The format has understandably been accused of lacking jeopardy.
But do not tell Pádraic Joyce or Dessie Farrell that as, with six of this season’s Division 1 teams facing the prospect of elimination from the Championship, there will be no shortage of jeopardy over the next two days.
Several Sam Maguire contenders have their seasons on the line — and it’s no exaggeration to say managerial reigns could be at risk too.
Knowing how competitive Kieran McGeeney is, it is no surprise that he has named such a strong Armagh team to face Galway.
Four weeks would have been an unnecessarily long gap if he had rested the architects of the win over Dublin until the quarter-finals.
McGeeney is the type of guy who would do everything in his power to win a game of noughts and crosses, never mind a match that could potentially eliminate a major rival from the Championship.
The idea that his side have nothing to gain from this game is one he is unlikely to agree with.
There are also some Armagh folk who feel they have not been given due credit for their All-Ireland win.
After going to Croke Park and beating the Dubs, this is another chance to make a statement to let the rest of the country know that perhaps the best is yet to come.
There is serious momentum behind Armagh at the moment and McGeeney will want to keep that going as they head into the last eight in a fortnight’s time.
Consistency remains an issue for Galway, who have only played in fits and starts since winning their fourth consecutive Connacht title.
With just one point accumulated from a possible four, they are in serious danger of going out of the Championship tonight.
And I will not be a bit surprised if that transpires.
After being a kick of a ball away from winning Sam last summer, such a scenario would have seemed unthinkable for Joyce.
They were unfortunate to be drawn in such a difficult group but this is possibly a do-or-die game for manager Joyce.
Six years into his tenure already, it would not be easy for him to summon the energy to go again in 2026 if his side fail to make the last 12.
Dublin’s Farrell is another gaffer who will be on tenterhooks.
If his men suffer their third defeat of the campaign and Galway do beat Armagh, the Dubs will be done for.
Question marks over Farrell’s side resurfaced in the wake of their loss to the Orchard. However, as they showed in Salthill last month, they are more than capable of coming up with the answers.
DERRY TO DREAM?
Derry produced their best performance of the season against Galway last time out. But the return of captain Con O’Callaghan is a game-changer for the Dubs.
Another heavyweight susceptible to a knockout blow this weekend is Donegal. The manner of their win over Cavan was resounding, though I am still not convinced by the Ulster champions.
Jim McGuinness’ team are not the finished article and there is mounting evidence to suggest that they have not worked out how to fit their defensive system around the new rules.
At Dr Hyde Park, a venue Mayo are extremely familiar with, their counter-attacking threat can cause Donegal major problems.
I can see them profiting tomorrow from the same Donegal frailties that were exposed by Tyrone.
Cavan were on the end of a backlash from Donegal in their last outing. And unfortunately for the Breffni, they look set to be hit by another one from Tyrone.
TAKE KERR
Now that Kerry seem somewhat vulnerable due to so many injuries, it may have seemed appealing to Meath gaffer Robbie Brennan to throw everything at overtaking the Kingdom in the hope of taking the direct route to the quarter-finals.
But with Mathew Costello carrying an injury as well, it is a wise decision not to risk him. In all likelihood, the Royals will be back in action next weekend and they will need him fully fit then.
Meath can give Kerry a good run for it, though it is still an extremely strong team named by Jack O’Connor.
They also seem to have unearthed a good midfield option in Mark O’Shea, who gets his first chance to start in the Championship after impressing off the bench against Cork.
As they showed against Dublin, Meath should not be written off entirely.
They are an improving team and confidence is building again following the Leinster final heartbreak. But Costello’s absence is a massive blow.
They will test the Munster champions, even though it might not be enough to pull off another upset.
Kerry were my tip as All-Ireland champions from the outset. They have probably slipped down to second or third in the pecking order based on form.
But as is so often the case, we only truly learn about Kerry when they get to Croke Park. They are a team who like to time their run.
CORK CONUNDRUM
In their own defeat to Kerry, Cork played some decent football after turning in their worst display of the year against Meath.
They simply need to be more clinical. And in a game that should go down to the wire, I can see the Rebels coming out on the right side against Roscommon.
For Louth, it is hard to dispute the theory that they have been affected by a Leinster final hangover. To be knocked out of the Championship so soon after that momentous day would be sobering.
Clare, who were very impressive in the first half against Monaghan, will not make it easy for the Wee County.
But regardless of what happens, this has been a proud year for Ger Brennan and his players and they are not done yet.
For Down, who have not contested an All-Ireland quarter-final since 2012, to be on the cusp of bridging that gap is a super feat.
But they will probably have to go again next week to get that far as Monaghan should prove too strong.
