Seán Moran asseses the strengths and weaknesses of the teams competing in this year's championship and sees Tyrone joining some of the old reliables in the All-Ireland semis come September.
CONNACHT
Galway
Three years ago Galway's championship campaign illustrated all the pitfalls of defending an All-Ireland. Loss of appetite and form among key players led to lacklustre performances and a miserable defeat by Mayo.
The new qualifier system will be a help - as it was last year. The team is again strong with Kevin Walsh and Tomás Mannion persuaded to hold on for another year and Jarlath Fallon fit again. The stop-start nature of their displays last year caused John O'Mahony some discomfort but they managed to turn it on at the right time. Top class from centrefield up but at times a bit flamboyant in defence.
Leitrim
With 1994 growing ever more distant, Leitrim are back to a historically more familiar role. It's not all gloom though, as Declan Rowley is a fine manager and if the quality isn't abundant, they still look good for at least three matches.
Mayo
Surely there is more in Mayo than has been apparent in recent years. But then again, the perennial problem up front remains. Conor Mortimer is the latest great hope but there are still questions about how effectively the team can impose an attacking game on opponents. Although the stock of quality backs has been maintained, it's hard to see Mayo living with the heavyweights.
Roscommon
A team that has been performing to a higher percentage of its potential than virtually any other. John Tobin's Connacht miracle last year was unfortunately unadorned with a Croke Park outing but they'll again be a formidable challenge for Galway.
But there are doubts about how effectively the attack will function against the best teams and Cavan illustrated their vulnerability to quick ball and fast forwards in the NFL semi-final.
Another top-eight finish would be a fine achievement.
Sligo
Last year's heroics may have created pressure on Peter Ford's team to emulate that progress. The Connacht draw has been kind and they should be in the provincial final. A lively team with some quality in attack and Eamonn O'Hara's urgency around the middle. Will do well to take another big scalp.
LEINSTER
Carlow
A dire NFL campaign has been redeemed by recent improvements. Last year was Carlow's longest championship since the 1940s thanks to the qualifiers. Under Pat Roe they should be competitive again. But ultimately their season will depend on the qualifier draw.
Dublin
We should be able to disregard some not very impressive challenge results but Tommy Lyons is jumpy about unreasonable expectations. The team has yet to be tested in the real world but the new forwards looked promising in the league. Improvements will also be needed in defence. A more effective role for Ciarán Whelan is also required. Overall prospects aren't bad but you wouldn't want to rush things.
Kildare
There's a suspicion Kildare are on the slide although similar suspicions in 2000 were confounded. Leinster looks open enough this summer and that will hearten Micko Dwyer facing into his final year. Still don't look to have the forwards for the highest level.
Laois
If we accept that the threadbare win over Wicklow was a case of doing what had to be done a week after the Division Two final defeat by Kerry, there's potential in the team.
Longford
Should have done better last year when going down rather tamely to an under-strength Wicklow in the qualifiers. Whether they can improve on that is down to the draw.
Louth
After a few years knocking on the door Louth have slipped back, notwithstanding last summer's defeat of Offaly. They'll do well to emulate last year's progress to the third qualifier round.
Meath
Although the assumption is they've been flattened by last year's experience, you never know with Meath. John McDermott's conclusive departure weakens the team but he wasn't as integral to operations on his return last year as previously. The form of Trevor Giles, Ollie Murphy and Graham Geraghty would still appear to vital to the team although Giles has been operating at centre back where he would lend direction to the half-back line. Should be there or thereabouts again.
Offaly
Although Laois manager Colm Browne's assertion that Offaly are the best team in Leinster was presumably picked on the doorsteps where desperate politicians find improbable reassurance, Padraig Nolan's team will test the best but lack the firepower to take it further.
Westmeath
Crucial season for Luke Dempsey's team, as they try to build on last season's last-eight finish. The element of surprise won't be there but a good team remains. Quality forwards and a respected centrefield are the key assets and David Mitchell was also outstanding at full back. The primary question will be mental, the one area where they couldn't get the better of Meath last year.
Wexford
Another of the county's sorrowful mysteries unfolded in the final NFL match against Carlow. Blowing a first-ever promotion to Division One must have broken Ger Halligan's heart. Wexford always appear on the verge of a breakthrough but the nerve never seems quite up to it.
Wicklow
First team into the qualifier round, but for all their fighting spirit, they could be out of it quickly as well. John O'Leary has had to cope with the unavailability of the very players who had made Wicklow a vaguely tempting prospect in the first place.
MUNSTER
Clare
Solid and unspectacular, they find themselves on the other side of the draw to Cork and Kerry. Chance of a provincial final.
Cork
The qualifiers will liberate Cork from having their summer riding on the Kerry semi-final. After a disastrous start, the league gradually picked up. Major innovation centres on the O'Sullivans - Ciarán being used at full back and latest dual player Diarmuid on the other square. Cork could beat any of the top teams on their day but recent experience suggests they won't.
Kerry
Much of the championship build-up has been dominated by the retirement of Maurice Fitz. Páidí Ó Sé will welcome the absence of controversy, which used be generated by every team selection when Fitzgerald was available. Those stunning interventions from the bench may be missed however. Typically Kerry have unveiled another forward sensation in Colin Cooper but are also strengthened by Liam Hassett's return from injury. They look definite semi-finalists and after that it depends on the draw.
Limerick
Have made good progress under Liam Kearns but haven't been favoured by the draw. It is important for them to get a win under their belts at some stage. That challenge will come - despite the league win over Kerry - in the qualifiers.
Tipperary
The return of Declan Browne transforms Tipperary's prospects. If he's firing on all cylinders there is every chance they, rather than Clare, can make the Munster final.
Waterford
Denis Walsh has improved Waterford's lot but in his first year there's too much ground to be made up to catch even the more modest counties. A couple of good performances would boost morale.
ULSTER
Antrim
Things have stabilised after last year. Fast-moving style with a bit of cut in attack, they are cursed to have to play Derry for a fourth time in two years. The hope will be that the progress of two years ago can be resumed but that progress will have to be in the qualifiers.
Armagh
Can Joe Kernan revive Armagh's championship ambitions? Or have a couple of seasons in Division Two atrophied them. They haven't won a serious competitive match since defeating Derry in the 2000 Ulster final. Armagh could do with some fresh talent to supplement the quality already there. A stiff task for any side but questions remain about their ability to cross the Rubicon.
Cavan
We'll know tomorrow how much the NFL final humiliation took out of Matt Kerrigan's team. In the right circumstances their forwards can click to impressive effect but the defence, for all Anthony Forde's excellence, is suspect.
Derry
Hard to know what exactly is missing from Derry but something has been in recent times. They should have buried Galway in last year's All-Ireland semi-final but didn't, had every chance to take Armagh in the 2000 Ulster final but couldn't take it. This probably comes down to forwards who at times can be ruthless but are equally capable of shutting down for crucial periods. Nonetheless they'll be hard to beat and could well make the last four again.
Donegal
A strange championship last year ended on a high note with honourable defeat in a cracking qualifier round in Newbridge. Their signature, short game can be effective but can also run into trouble against more robust, traditional styles.
Down
Still in the early stages of reconstruction, Down have been in the championship doldrums for a couple of years. The emergence of some stylish players hasn't been complemented by the discovery of strong, influential footballers in the mould of Ross Carr and Barry Breen - to name but two of the previous generation.
Fermanagh
Would have been many people's bet to make an impact on the qualifiers last year but instead of giving them a crack at teams from other provinces, the draw paired them with a Donegal side they had just beaten in fractious circumstances.
Good forwards but not so solid at the back and a bit jittery on the big stage.
Monaghan
Despite faint hints at revival two years ago, Monaghan are still towards the back of the queue in Ulster. Some talented players but not a strong enough unit to impact in the championship. Fate in qualifiers depends on favourable draw.
Tyrone
New, improved favourites for the Ulster title, Tyrone romped the league and as defeated manager Matt Kerrigan said afterwards: "If you were giving out the Sam Maguire this evening, you'd give it to them but you're not."
Physically stronger than last year, they are wickedly fast and well co-ordinated. With Peter Canavan playing closer to goal and Stephen O'Neill in flying form, their scoring potential is considerable.
All of these assets will be properly tested in the claustrophobic weeks ahead, but Tyrone look a likely top-four team.
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