Where to begin? It’s got to be the second game on Sunday as defending champions Armagh face Kerry in a repeat of last year’s semi-final.
That game required extra-time and nerves of steel, but the Orchardmen got there by two points on their way to claiming the big prize. As a result, Kerry will have revenge on their minds.
The Kingdom had 10 points to spare when they grabbed the league points in Tralee back in March, but both teams will have a different look on Sunday as success will only be measured for the year by the end of July.
Armagh may have came up short on Ulster final day for a third year running, but they bounced back in the All-Ireland group stage with wins over Derry and Dublin to see them through to the last eight with a game to spare and even in defeat to Galway two weeks ago, there were plusses despite Barry McCambridge and Paddy Burns called ashore early on after picking up knocks.
Kerry also lost the last of their group games, stunned by Meath in Tullamore, but unlike Armagh, this came with repercussions as they were forced into second and therefore had to return to action last week when they swatted Cavan aside with David Clifford netting a hat-trick of goals.
His form is central to Kerry hopes and Jack O’Connor will have been delighted to get Paudie Clifford back on the field, but they did lose Mike Breen and Diarmuid O’Connor prior to throw-in to add to their injury woes.
It came down to fine margins last year and it will undoubtedly be the same this time around with Kerry ravenous for an ambush, while Armagh is not ready to relinquish their title yet.