Analysis: If this afternoon's quarter-final comes close to what we got in Croke Park last Saturday then another intriguing and fascinating tussle should unfold.

Laois and Armagh, just like Dublin and Tyrone, are two teams of stark contrast - both in their physical make-up and in their style of play. That situation usually brings out the best in both teams.

Laois are by far the lighter and quicker team, who depend almost exclusively on the swift transfer of possession through the constant movement of man and ball. On several occasions this year we've seen them use the wide, open spaces of Croke Park to good effect, and I do think the key to playing in Croke Park at the moment is to combine good pace with a high level of skill.

Armagh, in contrast, are a far more physically endowed team. They are definitely the more experienced and have been through the mill at this high level for a number of years now. They are also more inclined to adopt that tactic of strangling a game because of their physical advantage, and I fully expect they'll go out to negate the more athletic Laois team.

So far this year we've also seen the Laois half-forward line successfully running through defences, especially in the Leinster championship, but they'll find it far more difficult this afternoon. Armagh are still the masters of blanket defence and quickly closing down players. And in any tight confrontations like that Armagh are excellent at winning ball, or just knocking it away and winning the man-to-man contests.

Like Dublin last week, I expect Laois will find the bar raised a lot higher this afternoon than they've experienced so far this season. And that means they'll definitely have to play at their absolute best for the full 70 minutes. A poor performance for half the game before turning on the style for the other half just won't be good enough. If they allow Armagh to dominate for long periods they'll pay a heavy price, with the likes of Steven McDonnell, Oisín McConville and Ronan Clarke all capable of punishing them heavily for any lapses in the defence.

And I would have some concerns about that Laois defence, especially the full-back line. Joe Higgins on McDonnell will be a key match-up, although I have been impressed with the work rate of Aidan Fennelly in the other corner. I also feel Darren Rooney is struggling a little at full back and faces a huge threat from Clarke. He tends to play in front of the goals, and can contest the long, high diagonal balls, while also being very good overhead - and that places a huge onus on Rooney.

There is a perception out there Armagh are an aging team, perhaps in decline. I expect we'll get another indication of how true that is this afternoon, but I wouldn't be so sure they are past their best. I certainly believe the hunger is still there, and that all these Armagh players feel they haven't won enough just yet, or at least as much as they deserve. They've contested so many close games over the years without always getting the reward they wanted.

There is a question about the pace of some of the older players such as Kieran McGeeney and Francie Bellow. But Joe Kernan has freshened up the team, with the likes of Andy and Brian Mallon, and, of course, his son, Aaron. I thought the pace was going out of their half-back line, but I've no fears now. They're keeping the older players on their toes, and I think there is a good mix in that team - exactly the mixture you want.

So most people are making Armagh favourites for this one, and I would have to go with that. Laois have an excellent midfield pairing in Pádraig Clancy and Noel Garvan. Yet the forward line revolves around the likes of Billy Sheehan, Ross Munnelly and Donie Brennan - certainly not the biggest of men, so they will rely on midfield for the primary possession, and to get supply into them.

For Laois to win they will need to run hard at Armagh, get into good scoring positions, and take every chance.

But Armagh are masters at not leaving one of their defenders isolated. They excel at backing each other up, bringing extra bodies back, and Laois goal opportunities will be few and far between.

Armagh haven't played since July 23rd and sometimes I feel that kind of break is too long, and they could be sluggish early in the game. If Laois come out all guns blazing they could take advantage of that, and in fact it's very important that they do. But how many times have we seen Armagh doing just enough to get over the line? They're so good at that. I feel Laois cannot afford to ease back at any stage, but crucially I feel it's Armagh that have the mental know-how to win close matches, particularly at this stage.

The one All-Ireland they've won is just not enough for them, especially the older players, and they'll want desperately to contest another All-Ireland this year. And I for one don't think their time is up yet.