Championship system is too good to get the chop

Roscommon.

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Avoid a heavy defeat by Kerry and they'll have a home preliminary quarter-final in Navan. Shock Kerry and they're straight through to the quarters.

In the other group, Down and Monaghan will battle it out for top spot and an All-Ireland quarter-final place. If the winner of this one gets the right draw, they could make a semi-final. That would be huge for both

Dublin losing to Meath in a Leinster semi-final and going in as a third seed has skewed the balance of the groups and added to the excitement this year.

That may not happen next year, but then again it could.

If Cork were to beat Kerry in a Munster semi-final next season, it would have a similar effect. But that's a long shot — the draw and the result — even though it almost happened this year, that it again highlights the malign influence the provincials have on the All-Ireland series.

For that link to retain any degree of credibility, strong Cork, Meath and Kildare sides are required — and even at that it's papering over some yawning historical cracks.

There was plenty of excitement in years one and two of the current system. In 2023 and 2024 Armagh and Galway battled it out for top spot in their group in humdingers.

In 2023 we had John Heslin with a late free for Westmeath to progress and knock Tyrone out of the Championship. The 2021 All-Ireland champions just about survived.

We also had Mayo becoming the first side to win a Championship game in Killarney in 29 years, sending Kerry to Cork fighting for their lives where they emerged by two points.

In the same group Louth only lost to Cork by two and Mayo by one.