GAA: Redemption is the theme of the weekend as Kerry, Galway and Offaly react to their provincial final defeats by restyling team line-ups. Change at this late stage is always risky but, in the main, a necessary evil with the last-chance saloon of the championship now upon us.
I expect the four favourites - Laois, Kerry, Galway and Donegal - to progress and here's why. Laois against Offaly is the most attractive tie of the fourth-round qualifiers in terms of local rivalry, crowd draw and the consequences that follow in defeat, although, from an Ulster perspective, Donegal and Fermanagh doesn't lag too far behind.
Laois need an impressive performance to reaffirm the pre-Dublin defeat tag as one of the four of five teams capable of lifting Sam Maguire. They must improve significantly from victories over a weakened Tyrone and rehabilitating Meath. They struggled to impose their short game with the build-up from deep stymied by half-decent defences. If not for Ross Munnelly's two-goal intervention against Meath, they might not have survived that particular dog-fight.
A lack of physicality has long been a stumbling block for Laois when they reach the business end of the season. Offaly may not be that intimidating but they still must bury that reputation if they are to progress further than an All-Ireland quarter-final.
One major advantage over Offaly is they have long since recovered from the heavy defeat to Dublin. The momentum Offaly generated through the Leinster championship stalled in the last quarter against Dublin after Alan McNamee was sent off. Crucially, the influential midfielder is absent tomorrow through injury. McNamee was such an important link to his brother Niall and Thomas Deehan. Other changes see Ciarán McManus move to centre forward with James Coughlan and Cathal Daly making up a new midfield, an area Dublin completely dominated.
Colm Quinn's return at half forward looks like the right option as he is capable of sharing the scoring duties with young McNamee and Deehan.
The Laois midfield has also been malfunctioning since Pádraic Clancy's shoulder went against Dublin.
Brendan Quigley has struggled to adjust to intercounty life after returning from Australian Rules while Noel Garvan must rediscover the confidence and fitness that saw him dominate opponents last summer.
Still, McNamee's absence should tilt the balance towards Laois, so long as they cut off a regular supply line to Offaly's inside duo. Also, dropping centre back Scott Brady at such a late stage of the championship, in contrast to the ever improving form of Tom Kelly, is yet another advantage for Laois.
Longford's trip to Killarney should be a free-flowing game but the result looks predestined. With all the poor form and rumours of discontent, it becomes easy to forget Kerry are the only county to win three All-Irelands in the last 10 years, even narrowly losing two finals in 2002 and 2005.
Granted, historic precedent ensures Kerry must be judged more harshly than other counties but the jolt of losing to Cork should kill or cure any lack of unity within the camp. Moving Kieran Donaghy to full forward is a throwback to when Eoin "Bomber" Liston used to patrol the square's edge. A natural ball winner inside, Donaghy seems a result of the damage Derry's Paddy Bradley caused Longford the last day.
Donaghy and the return of Mike Frank Russell also take some pressure off Colm Cooper. The Gooch has struggled recently but every quality forward eventually experiences a dip in form. If Cooper has been stung by recent criticism, Longford may pay dearly. Either way a mighty backlash is expected.
Credit must go to Luke Dempsey and Declan Rowley for introducing a panache and spirit to Longford football. If All Stars were being handed out now, Paul Barden, Liam Keenan and Brian Kavanagh would be in the shake-up. It's just unfortunate that, like Westmeath, they are forced to undergo such an intimidating journey.
I would expect a decent cameo from Ja Fallon in Pearse Stadium tonight. His return to Galway colours is a positive move and should be seamless considering he has trained with the panel all year as a selector.
The injuries to Seán Armstrong and Derek Savage make Fallon's return ever more apt. Fiachra Breathnach deserves to start but the Fallon option may prove priceless. Peter Ford appears to have made the right options with the six changes. The midfield is one area that needed shoring up, and Joe Bergin and Barry Cullinane are the men for the job.
Like Kerry, underperforming in the Connacht final against Mayo should focus the minds for this task, as will the prize of facing Dublin in Croke Park.
Considering their early-season problems, Westmeath have done well to reach this stage. They were fortunate, however, to get out of Sligo with an extra-time victory, especially considering the two Sligo red cards have since been overturned.
Fermanagh v Donegal? It may be in Enniskillen and Fermanagh may be the most consistent qualifier team - in fact, they have profited the most from the system - but they failed to impress against a Wexford team handicapped by the Matty Forde suspension.
While Longford may be this season's most improved qualifier team, Donegal have been the most impressive viewing of the provincial championship. Brian McIver's selection policy, which favours youth and athleticism over experience, has paid off so far. Defeat to Armagh in the Ulster final will not have knocked their confidence much either.
Despite the loss of Paddy Campbell, and probably Michael Doherty, I expect Donegal to build on the foundations laid by victories over Down and Derry.
