This weekend, we kick off the group stages of the All-Ireland series, and while there's a lot of talk about meaningless games, every team competing is going to want to get off to a winning start.
The carrot is to get through to the quarter-finals directly and cut out that preliminary quarter-final game - and also gaining home advantage.
So there are incentives built into it, and that will mean these games will be competitive.
In Killarney, we've got Kerry versus Mayo. What a game to start us off. Kerry have been very clinical so far; Mayo were excellent through the league and have had a nice little break to work on a couple of things - like their offensive structure against the set defence.
I'm going to go with Kerry. They're really coming into things at the right time.
You wouldn't write off Mayo, but I just think Kerry will pip this one.
We also have a big game involving Galway and Tyrone. Tyrone were excellent against Monaghan in the first half - and indeed for a lot of that game at Healy Park.
Galway meanwhile have been excellent all season, really consistent. Their defensive structure is working, their forward organistaion is working. The one area I think Galway have to work on - and Tyrone have to go after - is kickouts.
Tyrone are very strong in midfield and if they can force them long, Conn Kilpatrick and Brian Kennedy will create some contests. I'm predicting a Galway win this time, but it will be really interesting to see how Tyrone respond to their break.
Next up we have Clare and Donegal. This is a huge game for both teams. Donegal are obviously having a very difficult season. Clare on the other hand have had a positive run of things.
Obviously, getting a tough beating from Kerry the last day out, it will be interesting to see how they respond, but the carrot here is the winner of this game will essentially go through.
So that is the interesting part of this game for me, and I think Clare just might have more hunger than Donegal for this one.
The final game in the group stages, we have Kildare and Sligo.
Sligo have done so well this season in the leagues and getting to a provincial final.
Kildare, on the other hand, are having a very topsy-turvy season so far, but we have seen a renaissance in their performance against Dublin, albeit that they came up short.
You saw a steel, an attitude and a defensive structure, more importantly, which I think will be too difficult to break down on this occasion, so I'm going to tip a Kildare win here.
Paul Flynn was speaking on RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland
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