CAVAN and Roscommon will do battle for the third time this year, having already played twice in Division Three of the National Football League, writes Ryan McCann.
Roscommon were victorious in the League final at Croke Park in April, winning 1-17 to 0-18, while Cavan were unbeaten in their seven matches leading up to the decider. Under manager John Evans (right), Roscommon are an ever-improving team, who look capable of breaking Mayo's stranglehold on the Connacht SFC in the coming years after losing by a single point to their neighbours in the provincial semi-final this term.
The Rossies can also call on an emerging crop of young players, with U21 star Diarmuid Murtagh likely to be given a starting berth this evening after scoring three points from the bench in the Connacht semi-final.
In the absence of the injured Donie Shine, the bulk of the scoring burden will fall on the shoulders of Cathal Cregg and Senan Kilbride.
Cavan are yet to really find their stride this year. Injuries and panel drop-outs derailed their Ulster SFC preparations, but that is behind them now.
After their engine backfired against Armagh, the Breffnimen were glad to come through the Westmeath challenge in their first Qualifier test. Momentum is a valuable currency in the back door and Terry Hyland will need all of his forwards on song. Martin Dunne is ruled out, while Eugene Keating and Cian Mackey are yet to find the form of last year.
Niall McDermott, Jack Brady and the evergreen Mickey Lyng stepped up to the plate against Westmeath and similar performances will be required. Cavan will have to produce their most ferocious performance of the season to progress, and with a Breffni Park crowd behind them, they might be capable of it.