We've got three All-Ireland favourites in action. Kerry, Galway and Donegal have all serious ambitions of lifting Sam but first have to navigate their way through the provinces; they have tricky tasks ahead of them this weekend.
First up Cork welcome Kerry to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. On paper there is gulf in class between these two sides. Kerry are fresh off their National League triumph and looked every bit an All-Ireland contender at the end of that campaign.
Cork have a strong panel and I think they'll be setting up an ambush at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, looking for that big scalp against Kerry at home. It could be the highlight of their season, setting them up for provincial glory. I'm not sure it will fully derail Kerry's All-Ireland hopes but it would send shockwaves around the championship if we were to have an upset.
In Connacht we have Galway hosting Roscommon. If this game was in Dr Hyde Park I'd call it 50-50. Galway have been excellent at times this season but once again Pádraig Joyce has to deal without Shane Walsh on the pitch. That luxury of having Walsh and Damien Comer is not an option for Joyce; Comer is on the bench, so maybe we'll see action from him. Having both of them boys is really important for Pádraig Joyce.
That will make it tricky. Roscommon are no pushovers, with the form of the Murtaghs. They will relish the underdog tag, so it's a hard challenge for Galway.
For the third weekend in a row the game of the weekend is in Ulster. Donegal, under Jim McGuinness, are looking a formidable force again. They swept aside Derry, have pace and power coming from deep and domination in midfield, where Michael Murphy adds serious physicality. They have scoring threats all over the pitch, we've seen a lot from Donegal and we're going to see a lot more of them.
Monaghan are fresh off their promotion from Division 2 as champions. They won't be intimidated as Clones is a bit of fortress for them and Monaghan see themselves as a bit of a bogey team for McGuinness. This could be one that goes down to the wire.
We've got three favourites - Kerry, Galway and Donegal - they should win. On paper they are favourites but none of these games are without their challenges. Any hint of complacency or under performance will see them being punished. Hopefully we'll see some drama, passion, and maybe a shock on the cards this weekend, something for people to enjoy on this Easter weekend of football.
Paul Flynn was speaking on RTÉ Radio's Morning Ireland
Watch Roscommon v Galway in the Connacht Football Championship on Sunday from 3.45pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
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