After jumping the hurdle that was Tyrone in the opening round, Donegal now face another formidable obstacle in the shape of Armagh as they continue their quest to retain the Anglo Celt Cup.
Last August, both counties served up an intriguing clash in the All-Ireland quarter-final, with Donegal emerging victorious by a single point. Yet, Armagh made their exit with heads held high and pride restored.
Kieran McGeeney is now in charge of the Orchard County and Sunday's game at the Athletic Grounds in the Ulster quarter-final (2pm, live on RTÉ2) will tell us whether the momentum from last summer is now even more tangible with regard to challenging for the big prizes.
RTÉ analyst Kevin McStay, for one, is looking forward to the quarter-final clash.
"Donegal have the real game-changers" - Kevin McStay
"It's the game of the championship to date," he declared.
"In front of a full house, the game will have everything – controversy, skill and passion."
As to who is going to prevail, the Mayo native added: "When you look at the game in a bit of detail, it comes down to one thing – Donegal have the majority of the best players on show, they have the real game-changers. For me, it’s Donegal."
"I will put in one little caveat – Armagh are at home and it is the Ulster Championship. Anything can happen on a given day! The referee will a have a huge say. If tackling turns to frees then that’s where the game will be won.
"But for me it's Donegal by three or four points."
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McStay will be on duty in the commentary box at the Armagh City venue, but once the action is over his thoughts will no doubt turn to the meeting of Galway and Mayo in Salthill.
Looking ahead to the game, he said: "Galway played Leitrim where they rolled out a new defensive system. The loss of Shane Walsh [due to] a car accident is a big loss.
"Ultimately Galway are still in Division 2 and they weren’t able to get out of it this spring.
"Mayo are battle-hardened. They don’t know where they are exactly. Have they gone back a little or are they improving?
"Their physical conditioning that they they have is going to count. Their defence is a way better. I take Mayo to keep it going and move into a Connacht final."
Sunday afternoon sees the defending Munster and All-Ireland champions Kerry enter the championship race. They travel to Semple Stadium to take on Tipperary in the Munster semi-final and McStay believes if there is to be an upset on Sunday, then this is where it's going to happen.
"If there is a shock, it will be in the Tipperary v Kerry game. Tipperary are moving well and I think they'll get very close.
"Kerry have half the team on show that played in the All-Ireland final but the 'Gooch' is back and that's great news. I still think they'll have enough to get over the line.
"A win will set up a traditional Munster final as Cork should get over a Clare team who are short quite a few in the other semi."
Three games are down for decision in the Leinster football championship and McStay feels Laois will live to regret the fact that they did not seal the deal when they drew with Kildare last weekend. The sides meet again at O'Connor Park, Tullamore on Saturday evening.
"Laois were the better team in the drawn game - an enjoyable contest - but they let a three-point lead slip and so you have to take your hat off to Kildare.
"I think now that the greater scope for improvement is with Kildare and I’m going to give them the nod because of their superior fitness. Kildare to pip it and Laois will have regrets."
On Sunday, Meath host Wicklow at Páirc Tailteann and Westmeath welcome Wexford to Cusack Park in the remaining quarter-finals.
Reflecting on those games, our analyst said: "Meath have a lot of injuries but they’ll have way too much for Wicklow.
"As for Westmeath, the experience, and it’s not a great experience, for them playing in Division 1 & 2 will count and they’ll be too good for Wexford."
