All-Ireland champions Armagh meet Leinster champions Laois in what will probably be labelled the marquee game of the Bank of Ireland football quarter-finals.

Joe Kernan's team managed to avoid last year's beaten finalists Kerry, and Galway, the two teams regarded as the most likely to end Armagh's reign.

However, the sideline battle between Kernan and the legendary Mick O'Dwyer adds an intriguing dimension to this game.

Roscommon were rewarded for Saturday night's dramatic win over Kildare with a glamour tie against Páidí Ó Sé's men. It represents a tricky game for the Munster champions, who will go in as hot-favourites against a team that has become accustomed to winning tough.

Although the venue will be officially announced today, it will most likely mean a return to Croke Park for former Dublin boss Tom Carr, who has enjoyed a fine summer with the Connacht team.

Last night's draw managed to avoid the only ineligible pairing of Galway and Roscommon, who already met in the Connacht championship. John O'Mahony's team drew Donegal, who coasted past Down in a muted game in Clones.

The counties have championship history, when Val Daly's late goal denied Donegal an All-Ireland final place back in 1983. Remarkably, Brian McEniff was manager of Donegal then also.

His current team faces a tough task, in what promises to be a free-flowing game, with Galway favoured to return to the semi-finals.

Tyrone, again favoured by many observers to win the championship, will probably be content with their match up against Fermanagh. From Dominic Corrigan's point of view, it is probably disappointing that their championship visit to Croke Park comes against local opposition.

It is the least novel of the quarter-final pairings. The teams have recent Croke Park history in that they met in the league semi-final in the spring, a game that Tyrone took comfortably.

Fermanagh have undoubtedly improved considerably since then.

Overall, the draw presents an appealing programme for next weekend. It is expected the games will be divided over two days at Croke Park.