Kerry can expect a step up in the pace when they meet Fermanagh in round three of the All-Ireland football qualifiers next Sunday. After hammering Wicklow 5-15 to 0-7 in Portlaoise yesterday, Kerry went into last night's draw in much better form and will be even more pleased to have avoided the the likes of Meath and Tyrone.
In the hurling equivalent, All-Ireland champions Tipperary will meet Offaly, while Galway will take on Cork.
The Kerry footballers will find Fermanagh far from a soft touch, especially after their round two win over Westmeath.
Refreshed from their late, late win over Louth in Navan on Saturday evening, Meath now take on fellow Leinster side Laois. For a long time on Saturday it seemed as if Meath's summer was over, but, having risen again, the prospect of playing Laois may spark further revival.
After their own narrow loss to Offaly in the Leinster championship, Laois have been experiencing a rejuvenation of their own. Their 1-19 to 1-6 win over Clare last week had all the marks of a team on the rise again and they will fancy their chances too.
The qualifiers have finally thrown up an all-Ulster affair - the trademark of last summer - with Tyrone now set to meet Derry. Still entertaining All-Ireland ambitions, Tyrone now face the greatest test of their character, having so far dismantled Wexford and Leitrim without any fuss.
Derry haven't exactly been setting the summer on fire, but their round two win over Longford, even if it was based largely on their second-half showing, did suggest a team still capable of having a significant say this summer.
The last round three game will involve Mayo and the winners of Offaly and Limerick, who meet in the Gaelic Grounds next Saturday. Mayo too appear to be on the up again, stealing past Roscommon after their disappointing show against Galway.
All the dates and venues have the games will be confirmed by the GAC later today, but bar the meeting of Mayo and Offaly/Limerick, all round three games are due to go ahead next Sunday.
Round three of the hurling qualifiers was always guaranteed to throw-up some interesting games. Having demolished Down in round one (and thus avoiding round two), Galway remain untested, albeit with All-Ireland ambitions. Cork, in contrast, were tested to the limit against Limerick in Thurles on Saturday evening, eventually winning out by a point.
After losing their Munster title to Waterford, Tipperary must now try to rise again to the Offaly challenge. Nicky English will know that Offaly can never be dismissed lightly, even if their Leinster semi-final against Kilkenny was ultimately disappointing.
Finally, Clare will meet the losers of next Sunday's Leinster final - the meeting of Kilkenny and Wexford.
All of the third round games are scheduled for the weekend of July 13/14, with venues once again to be confirmed.
Football Qualifiers Round Three: Fermanagh v Kerry; Meath v Laois; Derry v Tyrone; Mayo v Limerick/Offaly (games to be played next Sunday, except Mayo v Limerick/Offaly). Hurling Qualifiers Round Three: Cork v Galway; Offaly v Tipperary; Clare v Kilkenny/Wexford (games to played on July 13)
