Nine big questions ahead of a blockbuster weekend of Sam Maguire Series drama
There are eight seismic fixtures taking place in the final round of the Sam Maguire group stages. It also signals the end of this current system.
The group phase will be abolished after this year with a new qualifier-style format in place next year. Several intercounty managers have criticised this move, which was voted on at Congress last February.
Was it the right call? This is just one of many big questions ahead of a blockbuster weekend.
Should we get rid of this format?
All-Ireland winning manager Kieran McGeeney is adamant that the GAA made the wrong move. Galway boss Pádraic Joyce and Wicklow's Oisín McConville have said similar.
'It is great this year,' agreed former Mayo manager James Horan on the Irish Examiner's Gaelic football podcast.
'Everything seems to be working right this year, with rules and everything else. It is all combining and working out ok. Should we get rid of it? If you take this year on its own, you would say no but what were we saying this time last year or the year before that? Too many games etc. Overall, the sample size of one year isn't enough to make a decision. Changing it might be the right play.'
Next year, the last 16 will play in a Round 1 with provincial finals and league positions still determining placings. They will then be divided into Round 2A and 2B.
Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney feels the GAA made the wrong move with the current format. File picture: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
The eight Round 1 winners will comprise Round 2A with the victors advancing to the All-Ireland quarter-finals. The losers will meet the winners of the losers' stage in Round 2B to fill the remain four places in the last eight.
'I would get rid of it,' agreed Paul Rouse on the Examiner podcast.
'I think it's worth trying the new one.'
How will Cork defend?
Roscommon's front six against Meath was frightening. Dylan Ruane, Ciaráin Murtagh, Enda Smith, Diarmuid Murtagh, Daire Cregg and Ben O'Carroll all started and scored. Cork must combat that threat.
Enda Smith didn't have a shot in his previous two games against Galway or Kerry but he caught fire in Dr Hyde Park, kicking three two-pointers from four attempts. Ben O'Carroll is their leading assister in championship as well as scoring 1-10 from play. They are the priority.
'Traditionally I was man-on-man everywhere; it evolved over time,' said Horan.
Cork will take on Roscommon in Round 3 of the All-Ireland SFC. File picture: Tom Beary/Sportsfile
'I haven't coached with the new rules yet but in games in the past we had very good man-markers to go specific on an influential player for the opposition. But players are so smart now, they go ahead of the ball, get their marker and pull him out past the ball to create little zones for players to run through.
'If I'm centre-half back and Ben O'Carroll is there, running out away from the ball where you know he isn't really a shooting risk even if he gets the play, I am not moving away from the direction of the ball. On those occasions, you let him go and hold strong.'
Do Kerry need to chase two-pointers?
After a league lacking in orange flags, Kerry kicked seven two-pointers last time out. Plenty of that was due to officiating and two-point frees. From play, they converted three of six attempts.
Meath consistently shoot from outside the arc, converting five against Roscommon. Don't expect Kerry to go chasing them, but they will create opportunities for David Clifford and Sean O'Shea.
Who is the leading contender for Player of the Year?
The current favourite remains David Clifford or his brother, Paudie. Michael Murphy is nearby. That says as much about their All-Ireland ambitions as it does their form. Right now, as we begin to move towards knockout football, who else has impressed?
'Conor Glass for the sheer majesty of his performance against Galway,' said Rouse.
Once again, Kingdom talisman David Clifford is one of the hot favourites to be crowned the Player of the Year. File picture: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
James Horan went for Armagh's Oisin Conaty: 'When did he get to this level? I think he has been absolutely amazing. That left footed point the last day, took the ball running away from goal and ran around a few, that is a serious level this guy is operating at now consistently.' Galway's Matthew Thompson is the current runaway favourite for Young Footballer of the Year.
Can a player survive in the new rules without pace?
'They will struggle,' according to Galway boss Joyce. 'That has been the case at intercounty over the last few years. Unless you have pace, you will struggle. Probably more so now.
'You are going away from the traditional positions on the pitch. It is three back, eight workhorses in the middle and three up top. When the ball goes up, you need your wing-backs and wing-forwards coming at pace up the pitch and being able to control the ball at high speed.'
Do you need height?
In a late blitz, Mayo made widespread late changes. Sean Morahan came in at full-back. Even without Donnacha McHugh, David McBrien was able to operate further out the pitch and let Morahan take Mark Bradley, with Jack Coyne on Darragh Canavan and Enda Hession on Darren McCurry.
Cathal McShane's departure has left Tyrone struggling for height in attack. File picture: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Tyrone's lack of height inside made it easier to defend against them. The news last month that Cathal McShane had stepped away from the panel has left a void.
Can Clare throw a spanner in the works?
Eight games without a win. Clare's history in this version of the All-Ireland SFC is not good. However, they now face Leinster champions Louth, who lost their last two since a historic outing in Croke Park.
Are Down the kickout innovators?
Ronan Burns has been in sensational form for Down. He made two point blank saves from Daire Ó Baoill and Aaron Doherty against Donegal. The 20-year-old has remarkable variety with his kickouts, getting a whole host of them off short despite the new limitation on the ball having to travel outside the arc.
'They are getting away a high percentage of kickouts for sure but the way I look at it, the press that was put on for some of those was watery at best,' said Horan.
'It would spur you on as an opposition. Maybe set a trap, let them have a few and go in for the smash. The kickouts, I don't think that much has happened yet. It is bog standard, an overload here and a run there. We are at the early stages.'
Can Mayo get after Donegal in the middle?
Colm Reape went long with every kickout against Tyrone. Donegal have shown a huge reliance on Michael Murphy for restarts and Shaun Patton's fitness is a live concern. Personnel will dictate so much on Sunday. Patton, Jason McGee, Donnacha McHugh and Diarmuid O'Connor are required for their respective teams.
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