Sam Maguire permutations: Which counties on cusp of Tailteann Cup

After this weekend, the 16 participants in the Sam Maguire Cup will be known, with Pots 3 and 4 in the round robin draw filled.

Ahead of the Leinster and Ulster semi-finals, there are a few counties facing up to a nervous weekend, Westmeath chief among them.

Dessie Dolan's Division 3 champions are currently in the Sam Maguire places, but should just one of Kildare, Down or Offaly (the latter possibly regarded as an extremely long shot) win their upcoming provincial semi, Westmeath will be playing in the Tailteann Cup.

If the Armagh-Down game goes to form on Saturday evening - aka, an Armagh win - then much will hinge on the Louth-Kildare semi-final in Croke Park.

With Dublin unbackable favourites in the second leg of Sunday's double-header, the Louth-Kildare game would, in that scenario, arguably have greater relevance to Westmeath than for Louth. A Kildare win would see them qualify for Sam in Pot 2, while Louth would enter Pot 4 alongside Cavan, Cork and Meath.

Ger Brennan's side have their fate in their own hands heading into the weekend. Victory over Kildare will give them a second successive Leinster final appearance and confirm the Lilywhites' place in the Tailteann Cup.

Should Glenn Ryan's side avenge their league defeat and gain entry into the Sam Maguire via Pot 2, then Louth will still earn a reprieve provided Armagh and Dublin win their respective provincial semis.

However, a Kildare win combined with a Down win - the least improbable one - then Louth will be in the Tailteann.

Technically, Cork could be playing Tailteann Cup football this year although the chances are impossibly remote.

John Cleary's side were in the deep hole midway through their Division 2 campaign but rallied well with seven points from their final