Even on a weekend so full of crucial matches, not just important in themselves but critical to the future of teams, tomorrow's Bank of Ireland Leinster football first round meeting of Kildare and Offaly stands out. It brings together the last two provincial champions and will lay out in stark terms which of them is heading back to the drawing board.

Offaly's success of two years ago was against the run of play. They emerged from the Leinster preliminary group after a winter in Division Four of the National League. Although there are still bright memories of their exuberant dismantling of Meath in that provincial final, the performance itself is not representative of their summer form against serious opposition.

For a start Meath were notably understrength. Secondly, with the exception of that result which was bluntly reversed by a full-strength Meath last year, Offaly haven't taken any other prime-quality scalps in the last two championships.

Kildare's situation reflects a diametrically-opposed experience. Having been knocking on the door for seven years, Mick O'Dwyer's team fairly kicked it off its hinges 10 months ago, beating Dublin and Meath and claiming their first Leinster title in 42 years.

The question for them to answer is whether they have sufficient hunger to build on the platform of that belated breakthrough notwithstanding the blow to morale suffered in the All-Ireland final defeat.

Like Mayo in Connacht, Kildare's overriding weakness has been the inability to convert possession into scores. A quick look at their attack indicates that there is little new stirring there. Cathal Sheridan is in with a shout for the vacancy at left corner forward, but his impact at this level can't be guaranteed. Padraig Gravin is the incumbent but faces a fitness test. Should he come through, his place-kicking will be efficient but unless there's been a change since last year, his general contribution less notable.

The loss of Niall Buckley is a hindrance although they coped well in the All-Ireland semi-final victory over Kerry in his absence. Presumably Dermot Early, who starred at midfield for Kildare last year, will move from the wing at some stage in a swap with Paul McCormack.

Offaly's checklist isn't as straightforward as that. It's not certain how robust their self-confidence is after last year's championship hammering and a listless league which culminated in relegation. Tommy Lyons and his selectors won't have lost sleep over the failure to defend their league title more vigorously but coaxing any sort of performance out of the team became a difficult task at times during this year's league campaign.

Central to Offaly's ambitions are not just the collective spirit and performance-level but the form of individual players who came virtually out of nowhere (for the purposes of top-class intercounty activity) but who have flagged in the last 12 months.

Peter Brady was a major loss in the championship last year and his return strengthens the team but can he recapture the form of 1997? The same concern extends to other members of the attack which dazzled everyone that August. Roy Malone hasn't recovered the pace and panache which got him two goals against Meath and is moved to the wing - a switch that is familiar enough to the team. Vinny Claffey extended his buccaneering form to the 1998 league but endured a chastening afternoon against Meath.

In short, there are a number of forwards who have to demonstrate whether 1997 was a flash-in-the-pan or not. They have to prove themselves against what was regarded as the best defence in the championship last year. Offaly's backs have a familiar look, with the championship-winning half-back line reunited. John Kenny and Tom Coffey are formidable wing backs on either side of Finbarr Cullen, and Cathal Daly has shown signs of his best form. The main question will hover over Barry Malone, who has struggled in the past at full back and looked to have relinquished the position to dual player John Ryan who is currently in between a row with management and a bad hip injury.

Both sides will be fluid enough around mid-field with Early the best fielder on either team.

There has to be a strong preference for Kildare. Over the last two years they have gradually raised their performances at Croke Park and last year were a settled and consistent team, albeit with attacking limitations.

Offaly have yet to find that rhythm and unless they do, look the more likely to finish up early for the second year running.

KILDARE - C Byrne; B Lacey, J Finn, K Doyle; D Maher, G Ryan, A Rainbow; P McCormack, W McCreery; E McCormack, D Kerrigan, D Earley; M Lynch, K O'Dwyer, AN Other.

OFFALY - P Kelly; C Daly, B Malone, D Foley; J Kenny, F Cullen, T Coffey; C McManus, J Grennan; C Quinn, J Stewart, R Malone; V Claffey, B O'Brien, P Brady.