1. Grudge match in store at Semple Stadium
Tipperary’s clash with Tyrone at Semple Stadium will rekindle memories of the All-Ireland U21 final clash between the sides.
Tipp cried foul at full-time, denying Tyrone boss Fergal Logan access to their dressing room at Parnell Park.
The fallout saw Tyrone accused of sledging their opponents but Saturday’s fixture presents the Tipp U21s who are senior panel members with the chance to exact revenge.
A bumper crowd was present at Semple Stadium for the Munster semi-final when Tipp lost by six points against Kerry.
And another big attendance is expected as the Premier County seek a big qualifier scalp.
2. The seven-day turnaround
The losers of Saturday’s Munster football final replay between Cork and Kerry must pick themselves up quickly for a showdown with Kildare in the qualifiers.
The recovery time is just seven days and that presents a problem for the losers of the weekend rematch as they prepare to face a rejuvenated Kildare.
The Lilywhites have recovered well from their Leinster championship mauling against Dublin to score impressive qualifier victories over Offaly and Longford.
And with a fortnight to get prepared for a showdown with Cork or Kerry at a neutral venue, boss Jason Ryan has time to plan a strategy to break down one of the Munster heavyweights.
3. Another Ulster opponent for Galway
Kevin Walsh’s Galway claimed a notable scalp at the Athletic Grounds on Sunday, dumping Kieran McGeeney’s Armagh out of the championship.
And now they’ve been drawn against Ulster opposition once again in the form of Derry, who took care of business at home to Wexford.
Derry were impressive in defeat against Donegal in the Ulster championship and their well-honed defensive system is difficult to break down.
Galway have Damien Comer in good attacking form but they’ll need other key forwards to step up to the mark if they’re to trouble the Oak Leafers.
4. Can Westmeath bounce back?
They might have lost yesterday’s Leinster final but Westmeath were far from disgraced at Croke Park.
A disastrous minute when they conceded two goals finally broke stout resistance as the Lake County sat deep in a damage limitation exercise against Dublin at GAA HQ.
A clash against Fermanagh presents Tom Cribbin’s side with the chance to claim a fourth victory in championship 2015.
It’s already been a stellar campaign for Westmeath but the challenge now is to pick themselves up and advance through the back door.
Fermanagh saw off Roscommon at the weekend and that was a fine victory in its own right against a team that will operate in Division 1 of next year’s Allianz League.
5. So who’ll emerge victorious?
There are four intriguing games in prospect over the next two weekends.
Home advantage for Tipperary and Galway is important in their ties with Tyrone and Derry.
Steven O’Brien’s absence through injury robs Tipp of one of their U21 stars and another, Colin O’Riordan, is facing the prospect of playing two matches in three days later this week.
O’Riordan is also a member of the Tipp U21 hurling squad for their clash with Limerick on Thursday before turning his attentions back to the big ball.
Tyrone have the greater know-how to get the job done in Thurles and Derry could prove too tough a nut to crack for Galway.
Kerry or Cork should prove too strong for Kildare and while the Westmeath-Fermanagh game could go either way, we give Westmeath a tentative nod.
Who do you think will win the Round 3B and 4A qualifiers? Leave your comments below…
