GAA Club Championships: Where the provincial championship stands
Michael Bolton
It is the business end of the club championship in football and hurling, as the celebrations of county final wins end and focus turns to the provincial championship.
A club championship full of shocks, there will likely be some unfamiliar faces in Croke Park in January.
With some big names unexpectedly gone, teams across the country will be quietly confident of a run to the All-Ireland.
Here is how things stand ahead of the provincial quarter-finals
Football
Leinster
After the conclusion of the county finals and Leinster first round last weekend, the quarter-final spots are now confirmed.
Athy, who were surprise winners in Kildare, will take on Meath's Summerhill.
Naomh Mairtin will take on Portlaoise, while Westmeath champions the Downs will face Offaly's Tullamore.
In the other quarter-final, Castletown Liam Mellows will face Dublin champions Ballyboden St Enda's.
Ulster
Arguably, the most competitive championship, with former All-Ireland champions and finalists exiting, had added to the excitement.
After their win over Dunloy in the preliminary round, Derry champions Newbridge face Cullyhanna/Madden from Armagh.
Cavan side Kingscourt face Derrygonnelly/Erne Gaels, while Scottown's dominance of Monaghan continued, as they take on Donegal champions Naomh Conaill.
Arguably the biggest quarter-final in the country, 2022 All-Ireland champions Kilcoo face Tyrone's Trillick/Loughmacrory.
Connacht
Following their dramatic comeback victory over Westport in the Mayo final, Ballina won its third straight county title.
In the Connacht quarter-finals, they will take on the London side, North London Shamrocks. Roscommon's St Brigid's await in the semi-finals for the winner.
Sligo Champions Shamrock Gaels, who won their first senior title since 1992, face Galway champions Moycullen.
Leitrim Gales will play the winners in the semi-finals.
Munster
Dingle are Kerry's representatives in the Munster championship, and they will face Mungret St Paul's after they won the Limerick county title last weekend.
In the quarter-finals. Cork's St Finbarr's will play the winners of the Tipperary final, where Clonmel Commercials face Kilsheelan Kilcash.
The other quarter-final will see Clare's Éire Óg Inis take on Waterford's Rathgormack.
Hurling
Leinster
All-Ireland champions Na Fianna will face Wexford's St Martins in the quarter-finals, with Kilkenny champions Ballyhale taking on Offaly's Kilcormac Killoughey.
Na Fianna and Ballyhale are kept apart until the final.
Carlow's Mount Leinster Rangers take on Naas, while Clough Ballacolla of Laois face Westmeath's Castletown Geoghegan.
Ulster
In the semi-finals, Derry's Sleacht Néill will face Portaferry/Ballygalget of Down.
Donegal's Setanta will play Antrim's St John's.
Munster
After defeating Na Piarsaigh last weekend, Ballygunner will be aiming for another All-Ireland title.
However, another blockbuster clash awaits them when they take on Cork's Sarsfields in two weeks' time. Both sides will have ambitions of lifting the All-Ireland in January.
In the other semi-final, Éire Óg, Inis of Clare will be hoping to continue their incredible season when they come up against Tipperary's Loughmore-Castleiney.