Mayo and Kerry have the top billing at GAA HQ on Sunday, but the first game down for decision at Croke Park is one of the most intriguing on finals weekend.
The Division 3 decider pits a Kildare side that topped the standings on scoring difference, their 10 points tally equalled by Offaly and Clare, with Mickey Harte's team, who took second and secured a national final in his first year in charge.
Aside from Wexford - with a 100% record in Division 4 – no county had a better scoring difference than Kildare, yet accusations of brittleness surfaced again in their two defeats, to the aforementioned Faithful County and the Banner.
Offaly, on the other hand, are on the crest of a wave. While their underage hurlers have caught the eye in recent years and the seniors gained promotion to hurling’s top tier this year - and themselves have a league final to look forward to - Harte has ensured that the enthusiasm from the small ball is now spilling over.
A fortnight on from claiming a first competitive win over Kildare since 2006, the sides lock horns again as they fine-tune their respective championship preparations.
Speaking on the RTÉ GAA podcast, Éamonn Fitzmaurice says Harte’s "magic dust" is all over the Offaly rejuvenation.
"Offaly is a great story," the former All-Ireland winning player and manager said. "The positivity that is there within the county now, for both hurling and football, in a small county population and club-wise, is great credit.
"Next year, if he’s still there, which I presume he will be, there will be three Mickey Harte derbies in Division 2 [with Tyrone and Louth]."
Former All-Ireland winner with Tyrone Enda McGinley, who won his three Celtic Crosses under the stewardship of Harte, says the 71-year-old will have shifted mindsets within the panel over what is possible.
"They are playing brilliant football, a young squad full of vigour," he said.
"Knowing Mickey and his mindset, he will be absolutely determined that they go out to Croke Park and win, to have that as the team’s development point.
"He doesn’t like anywhere becoming a hoodoo; some place that you go and shouldn’t expect to win.
"He builds that belief within a team, that we’re absolutely made for this level."
Fitzmaurice believes that while a win for Offaly would be a huge boon, Kildare’s greater need for a positive result could swing it in their favour.
McGinley agrees that the pressure is greater on Brian Flanagan’s side.
"That can play both ways," McGinley explained. "A loss for Kildare would be more damaging. Mikey Harte will be gunning for getting to Croke Park, get the win, get up the steps, building on that momentum.
"I think a loss for Offaly and they can still frame it as really positive and look towards doing something in the Leinster championship, but for Kildare [a defeat] would just reinforce the fragile confidence that they have got.
"A loss would take away a lot of the good work and momentum from the league. They will be looking for a statement performance and it is set up for a really good game."
Follow the Allianz Football League finals on Saturday and Sunday on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Watch Allianz League Sunday from 9.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Listen to updates on RTÉ Radio 1
