The September road can be fairly straightforward if you stick to winning ways but what about the dusty, winding path of the qualifiers? Only one county from each code has found ultimate glory via the back door since its inception in hurling (1997) and football (2001).

(The qualifiers proper did not start in hurling until 2002 but the beaten finalists in the provinces of Leinster and Munster were given a second chance from 1997 on).

After losing to Kilkenny in the Leinster decider in 1998, Offaly recovered to make the semi-final, where they eventually beat Clare, after the infamous time-keeping gaffe that forced a third meeting.

They then gained revenge on Kilkenny in the final (2-16 to 1-13).

Roscommon beat Galway in the 2001 Connacht championship semi-final. It was the first year of the new football system and John O'Mahony's men duly embarked on the treacherous path via Wicklow, Armagh and Cork before gaining revenge over Roscommon in the quarter-finals. Thereafter, Derry and Meath were swept aside.

Then there have been those who fought through the rigours of the qualifiers only to fall short at the final hurdle. This was Tipperary's lot in 1997 when they met the Clare side built by Ger Loughnane.

Clare suffered a similar fate two years ago when they lost to Kilkenny after beating Munster champions Waterford in the semi-final.

Every year since football introduced the alternative route, the All-Ireland final has included a county from the qualifiers.

One thing the qualifiers practically guarantee is that the cream will rise to the top. Monaghan's surprise victory over Armagh in 2003 merely galvanised Joe Kernan's side and ensured no other team would catch them cold.

The qualifiers have had other values for the GAA, gate receipts being one obvious bonus. But they also enrich the summer for more people. Most fans don't see it as a road to September but merely a second chance. It may just be the road to August or even July but at least hope stays afloat longer.

The qualifiers have also played a huge role in bringing traditionally less successful footballing sides into national consciousness.

Without a second chance who would have seen the likes of Sligo in recent years or Luke Dempsey's Westmeath (or even Donegal)?

Sligo have long been the bridesmaids of Connacht but once they escaped their domestic squabbles they shone.

In 2002, they faced a stellar Tyrone side with whom they had no history and beat them.

The qualifiers have not been without snags. In 2001 three of the quarter-finals were reruns of earlier ties. Also the proximity of matches is a problem - at times allowing as little as six days to recover.

Nevertheless football has strengthened countrywide under the system. Unfortunately, hurling has not - none of the minnows has managed to rise above anonymity via the back door.

Football was crying out for the change but hurling requires much more. Next year's revamp is a start.

Web Watch

Site: Hoganstand.com

Focus: The best GAA website out there. Full of up-to-date news, results and general information. The main bonus being their individual county focus. Goes right through the whole roster of sports under the banner of the GAA with an easy-to-follow set-up. Although some functions (like the book review) lie dormant it covers the essential areas well.

Quote of the weekend: "Who remembers Laois having a long summer of hurling? It's like lads going to the Olympics - unless they have the times going, they know they are not at the races." - Laois manager Paudie Butler on the Laois hurling mentality.

Title odds

Leinster Hurling Championship

Kilkenny 1-6

Offaly 5-1

Wexford 10-1

Dublin 33-1

Westmeath 100-1