The evenings are that bit brighter, all the hurt and disappointment of last year is long forgotten, hope is back in the hearts of supporters in every corner of the country. There is a road to some kind of glory for everyone. This could be the year.

Reigning Kildare champions Sarsfields were pushed all the way by last year’s IFC champions Monasterevan in Newbridge but eventually booked their place in the quarter-final by virtue of a 3-16 to 0-9 win.

Mickey Moran's Mayo chalked up win number two in NFL Division 1A thanks to a brilliant second-half performance in Castlebar.