Although the emphasis switches to hurling this weekend, the new All-Ireland football championship format continues to generate excitement, with the last eight survivors contemplating a re-run of three early-season provincial ties.

While the Kerry-Dublin tie, the first between the famous foes since 1985, will be the most eagerly awaited match of the summer, the other games see the teams revisiting scenarios they believed they had left behind.

For the provincial winners Roscommon and Westmeath, the celebrities of this new system, it must feel as if they have spent a month wandering through a maze only to find themselves back at the original starting point. To draw Galway, the pre-season favourites for the Connacht title that they eventually won, has to be deemed as tough justice on Roscommon.

"Well, to be honest, we knew that at this stage there would be no easy games left. I think the big disappointment in the squad is that we have yet to have a game in Croke Park," said county PRO Dominic Connolly.

"I mean, we are the Connacht champions and we would have looked forward to playing on a big occasion there but now we will have to wait. Playing Galway is the way forward. They are a fine team but we beat them before and see no reason to fear them now."

John O'Mahony, Galway's manager, was also philosophical about finding himself preparing to face a team that left their anticipated passage through the championship in tatters. "It is a tough draw, definitely. But there is no easy route from here on in and after the way we have come through the championship, we can't really complain," he said.

Commenting on the general fall of Sunday night's draw, O'Mahony said that it was a bit unfortunate that three provincial pairings were matched again.

"They allowed for the possibility of the provincial finalists meeting again and I think when this system is fine-tuned, the possibility of extending that might also be examined. One of the reasons the format has been a success is that it gave us so many fresh games and obviously this draw hasn't really progressed on that."

In terms of motivation, the natural conclusion must be that those sides defeated in the earlier rounds will be at an advantage facing their rivals again. Derry's Eamonn Coleman ventured that he hoped his side would be drawn against Tyrone after they had beaten Cavan in Clones on Sunday. His wish was granted.

"I'm sure it is going to be a massive day in Clones," responded Derry PRO Gerry Donnelly. Our attitude was that it was something we couldn't control. We have played a lot of football since we last met Tyrone and I think we are improving the whole time.

"They have proved their worth in winning the Ulster title. For us, it is incredible to consider that we have already played six matches just to get to the quarter-final while other teams might win an All-Ireland final in just five games.

"But maybe that is not such a bad thing for us. We are delighted to be still here, in with a shout and we are looking forward to this. It will be a great occasion for Ulster football."

It is an unenviable situation for Tyrone and arguably a scant reward for coming through their province. Derry is a tough proposition even once a year; beating them twice would be a considerable feat.

Having prepared tactically and mentally for the Derry side already this summer, Tyrone have shown their hand to an extent and it will be fascinating to observe their approach to this second engagement.

Although the general consensus is that Meath essentially stole a famous win from Westmeath's grasp before going on to cruise to a Leinster title, the feeling is they will repeat the victory more convincingly this time around. However, Westmeath manager Luke Dempsey is far from dismayed by the draw.

"There was always going to be a chance in three, anyway so we were prepared for it. No, I'm delighted with the thought of facing Meath again, in Croke Park and in the All-Ireland quarter-final.

"It's great for us. The only drawback is that our hand is weakened by injury, with Derek Heavin out and now Fergal Wilson, who broke his arm against Mayo on Saturday night. He is a terrible loss because he had been having a fine season for us."

Acknowledging that Meath had rediscovered the old potency since the teams last met, Dempsey pointed out that his own side had also shown both stomach and skill on their progression to this stage, most notably against Mayo on Saturday evening.

That famous win leaves them at 5 to 2 to advance, with Meath at 1 to 3. Derry at 11 to 10 and Tyrone at 4 to 5. In the other two games, Kerry and Galway are at 4 to 6 while Dublin and Roscommon are at 5 to 4.