Speaking on the latest RTÉ GAA Podcast, Ciarán Whelan, while accepting that provincial combat has lost its significance given the new championship structure, he did highlight some points of intrigue as action gets underway this weekend.
The former Dublin star assessed the lie of the land in each of the four provinces.
ULSTER
Derry's performance in the league final was top drawer; they have been building and developing. The expectation now has reached a very, very high level. They are back against Donegal in a couple of weeks.
For me there is a need in Armagh to win an Ulster championship. They are on the right side of the draw and you would fancy if they played to their potential they will reach an Ulster final.
On the other side of the draw you have Derry and Donegal, with Tyrone waiting; also Monaghan and Cavan.
I would expect Armagh to be in an Ulster final and there is an absolute urgency for them to win something. They have to go for it and they have to take risks. If they play with the conservative mindset we've seen them play with at times they'll be caught again.
Ultimately this is crunch time for Armagh. They would be my outside tip. Derry may have their eye on a bigger prize having won the league - and may be thinking a little bit down the track. Mickey Harte will want to win an Ulster Championship - complete the three in a row - but Armagh's need is a little bit more, to get that bit of silverware.
CONNACHT
I look at Connacht and I think it's important for Kevin [McStay] and Mayo to make a statement and get a bit of silverware in the cabinet. I firmly believe that.
Mayo definitely will have their eyes on winning a provincial title and taking a different route to last year.
Looking at Galway throughout the league, yes Pádraic [Joyce] got to blood a lot of new players and got a lot of game time into inexperienced players which will benefit them in the long run. And while you couldn't fault their work ethic and their spirit in a lot of games, games where they played defensively and you could see they had a bit of energy, they just didn't have the quality up front.
In missing the key players they have, that just dropped them down a notch or two. Whether they can get them back, get them fit, get them sharp and back on the field of play for the championship, is questionable.
I think Mayo are in a better position, they have a fully-fit squad. They [assuming they beat New York] are going to get a Roscommon game before the Connacht final.
Roscommon, on the other hand, struggled in the league and really had a definite gameplan, where they defended and played on the counter attack but once they fell behind they really struggled; their reliance on Enda Smith has gone too far and they need other fellas to step up. The wind seems to have gone out of their sails.
I would expect Mayo not to have too much issues this weekend and come back and beat Roscommon. I'm going with them to edge the Connacht final this year.
LEINSTER
Who wants to play Dublin in Croke Park and get well beaten?
The Dubs' average winning margin in Leinster finals is 15 points. It's very low-key and it's a long way from the noughties when Kildare were winning Leinster championships, when Laois, in 2003 were winning, and then Westmeath a year later. Croke Park was rocking and buzzing, that's gone now.
Issues around who may drop into the Tailteann Cup keeps some sort of interest here. Whether it would be a good thing for Kildare to go into the Sam Maguire is questionable, this after the way they've been going.
And then you have Westmeath not guaranteed their spot.
Westmeath had the best defensive record in the league this year but they are not putting up big scores. They are very structured in their approach and have made themselves very difficult to beat.
I was quite impressed with Louth during the league from the bits I saw of them. I think Ger Brennan has them moving very, very well and they have a couple of really good quality forwards. They are well organised and have a variety to their play in terms of their defensive set-up and pressing high up the field.
I would have it between Westmeath and Louth for a final spot. If Kildare come and do the same as they had done during the league, they'll have no chance.
I give Westmeath a narrow edge. Louth are already in the Sam Maguire; they have their position, so they could have one eye on that rather than going into another Leinster final against Dublin and suffering a tough day at the office like last year.
Westmeath have that need to secure their group position and will feel they are big enough and strong enough to be there. If Dessie Dolan gets the likes of Heslin [John], Wallace [Ronan] and Maguire [Kevin] back, I think they are the ones that will have the ambition to get to a final.
MUNSTER
Don't foresee any surprises... Think Cork will ask a few questions of Kerry but won't have enough and Clare will come through other side of draw. Limerick and Waterford don’t appear to be building any momentum and Clare have too much quality for either of them.
Kerry to win Munster.
Follow a live blog on Kilkenny v Clare in the Allianz Hurling League final on Saturday from 7.15pm on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live updates on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
Follow a live blog on New York v Mayo in the Connacht Football Championship on Sunday from 8pm on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app
