Preview/Laois v Mayo: This All-Ireland football quarterfinal has its attractions but it also illuminates the unsatisfactory element of the qualifying system at this crucial, knockout stage. Already, Mayo's Connacht championship final win over Galway is a distant memory - not that the occasion did much to burn itself into the grey matter. Meanwhile, ever since discovering their inner beast in that rain-dance of a match against Tyrone in O'Moore Park, Laois have been breathing hot and heavy over the outcome of this championship.

There is absolutely no doubt Dublin, should they beat Westmeath this afternoon as expected, would rather see the Connacht boys in the semi-final than resume their acquaintance with a Laois team now fully charged by Mick O'Dwyer's rhapsodic encouragements.

The alchemy worked by the old Waterville wizard has been something to behold. Pádraic Clancy is a talented and big-boned midfielder with a howitzer boot on him, but his overall influence since returning to the Laois team has been telling. Equally important has been the iron focus of Billy Sheehan, a strong, marauding forward with a voracious appetite for work.

The fast progression of Brendan Quigley has allowed O'Dwyer to mischievously name Noel Garvan, a player he has insisted is the best midfielder in Ireland, at the edge of the Mayo square. From that perspective, the return of David Heaney to full back because of an injury to David O'Malley bodes well for Mayo. Heaney has the physical presence to at least break even with a player of Garvan's stature and talents.

It is critical, however, that Mayo's attack-minded half-back trio are diligent in shadowing the opportunistic Ross Munnelly and Barry McCormack, who will look to make hay from Laois's imposing inside-forward line.

The sheen of Mayo's provincial championship victory has been discoloured through no fault of their own. The best remedy for that is to win here.

The strengths and weaknesses of this team are not exactly a secret. They play nice football but need a big victory in Dublin to be considered heavyweight.

Ronan McGarritty will meet a more experienced customer in Clancy but the Ballina man has the stuff to make his presence felt. Alongside him, Pat Harte has managed to translate his club form to the big stage.

Mayo need a decent scoring return from their half-forward line, with the obligation on Ger Brady to kick-start Mayo with those cannonball runs of his.

And though Ciarán McDonald will run the show for Mayo, he cannot allow himself to drop too deep, particularly given that Tom Kelly loves the cut and thrust of the counter-attack.

Kevin O'Neill, a game and uncomplicated footballer, might yet have a big say on the outcome of this game and Conor Mortimer is on song.

Laois, coming like a juggernaut, will be the hot tip for this match. The golden generation seem to have awoken just in time to the fact that Mick O'Dwyer likes to turn up in Croke Park in September and this is their last chance with the legend. They are an exciting, emotive team and are hard to stop when they get up a head of steam.

Still, nagging doubts persist. Munnelly's goals came at blessed times against Meath and they managed only three points from play against Offaly, who looked a spent team in the last qualifying match. And they are stepping into unknown country, with the ever-expectant support convinced they can make it to a first All-Ireland semi-final for 50 years.

Mayo are an unpredictable force at the best of times but they arrive in Dublin with none of the usual trumpet sounds. If they have the composure to play their own game and not do anything daft, they could spring a minor surprise here.

Martin McElkennon has stepped down as manager of the Cavan footballers after a year in sole charge. He joined the county's backroom team as Eamonn Coleman's assistant for two years. McElkennon took over last season with Coleman having to step down because of illness.

Poised for promotion from Division Two of the league, Cavan lost sensationally to Waterford on the last day of the season and slipped to third place. They lost the first championship match of the season to Down in Casement Park and were eliminated from the qualifiers by Kildare and from the Tommy Murphy Cup by Antrim.