James Horan: Fatigue will be a factor for some teams after group phase

The round-robin is a drum roll for the cut and thrust of knockout football in June.

OUT OF THE HAT: The teams drawn in Group 1 for the Sam Maguire Cup, Munster winner, Leinster runner-up, Mayo and Cork during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship and Tailteann Cup draws at Croke Park. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

THERE was a discernible sense of a pulse quickening with the groups now confirmed for the group stage of the All-Ireland football championships.

The draws for Sam Maguire and the Tailteann Cup have thrown up several interesting pairings and a tricky run of fixtures for several counties.