ALL-IRELAND SFC QUALIFIERS/DONEGAL v ROSCOMMON: Ian O'Riordanon how Brian McIver's men will be out to make up for their early exit in Ulster
FOR THE 16 teams parked on Qualifier Avenue for the past several weeks the journey is about to resume. Some have been waiting longer, some still plan on going further, and almost inevitably, some will see their season's journey ended before it really began.
Barring any draws, the eight teams successful tomorrow will play off next weekend, with those four winners progressing to meet the four beaten provincial football finalists on the August Bank Holiday weekend.
This truncated edition of the qualifiers will then be no more, as the 2009 version will revert to the original format where every team gets a second chance.
Eight years after being introduced, the qualifiers are still throwing up some novel pairings - and tomorrow, Donegal play Roscommon for the first time in championship history. Donegal have home advantage in Ballybofey, and given Roscommon's well-aired problems this season, it's a game the home team are widely expected to win.
It's seven weeks now since Donegal lost the Ulster quarter-final to Derry, who were then beaten by Fermanagh, and Donegal defender Karl Lacey still looks back on that game with strong regret.
"We certainly had not planned on losing to Derry in the first round of Ulster, more especially in Ballybofey," he says.
"I have to admit we were very disappointed with that game and the way it ended.
"We were three points ahead at half-time and it seemed to be going fine for us and a lot of the boys felt we had it. But it turned out a bit like Kerry, in Munster, I suppose. They thought they had it too, and in the second half Derry came back at us and took us."
In true qualifier spirit, Donegal didn't feel sorry for themselves for too long, and Lacey reckons they can still turn their season around, and at least get back in contention for a place in the quarter-finals at Croke Park.
"We had a short break after the Derry game, and since we returned to training things have been going well and everyone is ready to give this a real bash and try and make amends. I've sensed a real buzz in the camp, which is good because everyone could do with a lift. We felt we prepared well for the Derry game but on the day we did not measure up."
"Like last year, people were expecting high things from us but it did not happen. But you have to live with these set-backs and disappointments. But hopefully, we will give our supporters something to cheer about before the summer is out.
"And a home venue is a great incentive. We were looking for that home draw and it was not looking good for us there for a while when the draw was being made.
"We just still seem to be in that shell. Everyone is waiting for us to burst out of it and we just have not got that far yet.
"But definitely there is the makings of a good team there but it's a question of getting things together and play the type of football I feel is in the team."
Missing for tomorrow's game is fellow defender Barry Dunnion, who underwent a groin operation, with forward Christy Toye also troubled by a groin strain: "It looks as if Barry is gone for the season" admits Lacey.
"Christy Toye has also been diagnosed with a Gilmore's groin and we are not sure what his position will be for the weekend. He wants to play but probably needs an operation too but perhaps he might make it and will play through the pain, which is never easy."
