Draw provides intrigue but safety net needs to go

Although it was a week or so earlier than it needed to be, the draw for the All-Ireland group stage generated a nice bit of excitement and threw out some intriguing possibilities.

Personally, I still think it would have made more sense to hold it once all the provincial championships were settled, at least to clear up any confusion.

Not that I think any provincial finalist would be minded to take the foot of the gas in the next couple of weekends in order to avail of a possible easier route. That doesn't arise as the groups are much of a muchness in that respect.

In assessing the groups in any detail, you obviously run into the problem of assuming the outcome of the upcoming provincial deciders.

I'll be down in Limerick with the RTÉ panel for Sunday's provincial final double bill. I don't foresee any shocks this weekend. Or in the Leinster decider the following weekend. Ulster is the only provincial final around which there is major uncertainty.

Sligo football has been on an upward trajectory over the last few months, from Division 4 promotion, the U20 Connacht victory and now the seniors reaching a Connacht final. They're on the crest of a wave after a grim few years.

But it's a big step up from here, facing into four games against top opposition. The reality is that it will be a tough few weeks but from Tony McEntee's perspective, it's a question of what they can get out of it from a development standpoint.

I could see Galway pulling away while being able to rotate the squad, giving game-time to the likes of Cillian McDaid and others who've been out of action until now.

Galway's reward for winning the province would involve being thrown into the 'Group of Death', insofar as there is one.

In reality, the fact that three teams