Sunday afternoon's game in Salthill could be a dress rehearsal for bigger days down the tracks.
The only downer is that bad weather is forecast in the west this weekend - surprise, surprise - so the infamous Atlantic gale at Pearse Stadium could exert a massive influence on the game.
For lessons in how to play against a stiff breeze, you could probably do worse than look at how Dublin approached things in the first half in Tralee. Though few would have been saying as much at half-time.
The Dubs were criticised for playing lateral, keep-ball football in the opening 35 minutes. By half-time, they had 67% possession and were trailing by 11 points. Scoring from anywhere beyond the 21m line seemed nigh-on impossible.
In retrospect, it made sense in the conditions. Playing against that gale, the clock was their friend in the first half. The longer they spent passing the ball this way and that on the 45m line, the more time it took out of Kerry's chance to run up a score.
Kerry were probably culpable in allowing them to do that. They didn't show enough urgency in pressuring the ball carrier. We saw in the second half that Dublin were far more proactive and aggressive out of possession and it bore fruit. Perhaps the simple fact of being so far behind on the scoreboard meant they understood they had to take that tack.
Even despite Dublin's shrewd keep-ball approach, you would have said that 11 points was a substantial enough lead. Kerry were efficient in attack and excitingly direct at times. 1-12 was a decent scoring haul off 33% of the ball. Their issue wasn't what they did with the ball, it was that they weren't anxious enough to get it.
But the second half showed us that even a double-digit advantage isn't safe in this new world. The two-point arc has forced us to recalibrate what constitutes a comfortable lead.
The flags didn't look to me to be blowing as strongly in Celtic Park earlier that evening, though clearly it must have been blustery because both sides found it much easier to score into the dressing room goal.
The second half surge from Derry demonstrated the importance of the middle third battle. Galway had been strong in that department in Castlebar but Derry hoovered up the breaks after half-time, the likes of Ciaran McFaul and Conor Glass continually picking up possession.
Galway had looked pretty comfortable in the first half, with Shane Walsh again in majestic form, with the socks pulled up to highlight his playmaker credentials. He swung over another couple of two-pointers in the first half, which he does with amazing ease.
With goalkeepers now functioning as roving link-men, we saw the potential downsides of not picking a specialist at the weekend. Neil McNicholl didn't cover himself in glory for Dylan McHugh's goal, which wasn't exactly tucked away into the corner. It almost looked like he dived out of the way of the ball.
At half-time, you would have said Galway were cantering away with the game. But they fell foul of a couple of the new rules - the three v three and the delay of the kick-out ones giving Derry two handy scores. The home side tore into things after the break and began winning the middle third tussle.
With goalkeepers now functioning as roving link-men, we saw the potential downsides of not picking a specialist at the weekend.
One of Lachlan Murray's points looked clearly wide of the near post from the TV angle but on the balance of play, Derry - who have been unlucky results-wise so far - deserved at least a draw.
Galway still have plenty of frontline attackers to supplement Walsh and co so they won't be unduly worried.
Their opponents this weekend have leap-frogged them in the All-Ireland odds.
Donegal are motoring so well at the moment. (I'm loath to tout on my own tipster credentials though if you revisit the column of 23 January...) The speed with which they transition from defence to attack is blistering, the best example being the move which finished with Paddy McBrearty drilling his shot for a goal just over the crossbar.
Despite the three-up top rule, they remain as committed to a running, hand-passing game as ever but they did it so well and so fluidly.
On top of everything, their GOAT returned to the fray having personally helped in changing the rules. He steadied the ship when things were wobbling, even if Aidan Forker's Zidane impression may have had something to do with it. It was one of those red cards that was compounded by the ridiculousness of the offence. He may have to live down 'Zizou' taunts for a wee while.
Last year's All-Ireland semi-final between Donegal and Galway was a tedious enough affair, very typical of 2024. Both sides monopolising possession from their own kickouts and trading score-for-score after methodical build-up play. The game ultimately decided by the trademark goal of the summer - the mishit point attempt.
Sunday's game will be another marker of how the game has changed over the winter. With Donegal having more of their A-list forward line in action, I'd give them the edge to make it four wins from four and put one foot in a league final.
The riproaring Donegal-Armagh game was a tonic after the turgid affair in Castlebar.
Wisely, I forsook MacHale Park in favour of the couch on Sunday. I had to crack open a bottle of Rockshore just to get me through the second half (other light beers are available).
Kevin McStay, who was coming under some pressure, won't care one way or the other. Mayo have been criticised for being slow in adjusting to the new rules - including in this column - and they're badly struggling from two-point range but they did manage the endgame pretty well on Sunday. They got their nose in front and ran down the clock until the hooter sounded.
That kind of game management isn't in the spirit of what the FRC were looking to create but given the situation Mayo were in, they won't care. They needed the points badly and it gives them a glimmer of hope of surviving in the division. Aidan O'Shea was introduced late on and his experience and ball-winning ability were critical down the stretch.
I struggle to see them digging out a result in the Athletic Grounds but they have a shot at staying in the top tier.
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