Sure, Dublin will win it. But we should have a few decent games along the way.
The football championship got underway with Roscommon getting shaken to their core in the Big Apple at the start of the month, but the domestic action starts in Leinster and Ulster this weekend.
The Leinster football championship with Louth playing Carlow and Laois facing Wicklow in a double header in O’Moore Park on Saturday, before Offaly taking on Longford Sunday.
Ahead of the start of the provincial series, we’ve had a look at six new players to look out in this year’s Leinster SFC.
Kildare – Â Kevin Feely
His red card probably swung the Allianz League Division 3 final in favour of Clare last month, but the gifted soccer player has been a huge addition to Kildare this season.
The former Newport man has added pace and a mix of the unknown to the Kildare team, which has excited Lilywhites fans hugely.
Massively skilful, Feely, along with Neil Flynn could be the key to how far Kildare progress in the Leinster series.
Impressive in the Sigerson Cup for DCU too, his presence at the edge of the square will cause serious bother for any defence.
Meath – James McEntee
The UCD player was a star of the Sigerson Cup campaign with glorious displays from the half-forward line.
He did feature for Meath last season, but he is coming into serious form as the championship begins, and Mick O’Dowd is likely to see him as a key weapon for the summer.
The breeding helps too, as he is a nephew of former Royals’ great Gerry.
Westmeath – Shane Dempsey
The league campaign may have been a bust for Westmeath again, but several of their players from last year’s panel have an extra year of experience under their belt, including the St Loman’s man.
He looks to have added little bit of muscle to his frame over the winter and if he can up his average scoring ratio per game from just one or two points to three or four, he could really add to what on paper looks to be a dangerous full-forward line with John Heslin and co.
Dublin – John Small
The Ballymun man is well poised to capitalise on the absence of Jack McCaffrey this season, and has already impressed in a second successive league campaign under Jim Gavin.
Squeezed out of the starting championship XV last year, Small has a golden opportunity to stake his claim for a regular place in the Dublin team.
He and Cian O’Sullivan are the two most intelligent defenders in the Dublin set-up, and his ability to play that sweeper role if O’Sullivan misses out for whatever reason makes Dublin even more difficult to beat.
If he adds some point scoring to his range of talents, he could be in line for a very productive summer.
Wexford – Simon Donohoe
Three-in-a-row for the Shelmaliers Simon Donohoe Wexford's Wexford's u21 Footballer of the Year. pic.twitter.com/bWim7F4S0v
— Shelmaliers GAA Club (@shelmaliers) March 4, 2016
The wing-back is one of the highest-rated prospects in the county, and David Power’s problem will be keeping him solely with the footballers.
The dual underage star has also spent some time with Liam Dunne’s hurlers, but his progress from Under-21 star to senior regular should see him continue to play big ball for a while longer.
He impressed in the league campaign as an attacking wing back who has lots of offer at both ends of the field and he may develop into a centre-back in years to come.
Free-taker Donal Shanley is also one to watch as he takes on the mantle of scorer in-chief .
Longford – Barry McKeon
The Midlanders may be heavily dependent on Mickey Quinn to lead them to glory, but McKeon has impressed during the league.
Scorer of 0-13 as Denis Connerton’s side retained their Division 3Â status, McKeon adds a different dimension to the Longford attack.
A prolific scorer at club level for Colmcille, if he can raise a green flag or two this summer, the back door route they will embark on could see them play well into July at least.
