1. Armagh - Lost to Tyrone (1-10 to 2-10)

Peter McDonnell's side bear all the hallmarks of one set up for a decent run, having been far from disgraced against Tyrone. Their only major injury worry, Charlie Vernon, is back in light training and should be ready by early July. If that happens and they can keep funnelling ball to Ronan Clarke and Stevie McDonnell, they'll be dangerous. Certainly have a scalp in them, maybe more.

Need to have Vernon's ball-winning ability back in the middle

2. Monaghan, Lost to Derry (0-10 to 1-10)

Have built up a tasty enough siege mentality since the Derry game, with a little help from Joe Brolly. They'll need it too, along with any draw that doesn't include another Ulster team, because getting through even one game without Tommy Freeman will take a lot of doing. Time for Mark Downey or Ciarán Hanratty to see how the nettle feels.

Need to get Freeman's suspension halved

3. Meath, Lost to Dublin (0-12 to 0-14)

Before his retirement, Graham Geraghty spoke of how he hated the qualifiers. His fellow countymen showed they were no different in Limerick last year but Meath must remember what they achieved in 2007. To do that again they need to have Stephen Bray closer to goal, play Joe Sheridan, find a number six and get Mark Ward to do what a giant should around the middle. On top of all that they need more leadership from the line, in terms of tactics and substitutions.

Need to play with the freedom and purpose of two years ago

4. Fermanagh, Lost to Cavan (1-9 to 0-13)

Higher rank than perhaps they strictly deserve. Losing to Cavan knocked the stuffing out of them, as an Ulster title was the one light on their horizon. Mark Murphy came back from his travels for it having missed the league and promptly left again as soon as they were out. Barry Owens is getting fitter by the week but they're prime candidates to fizzle out.

Need to forget about the one(s) that got away

5. Donegal, Lost to Antrim (0-12 to 1-10)

Similar to Fermanagh in that they've spent the past week walking around like survivors of a bomb blast. Planned round of club championship games this weekend didn't go ahead and the county went back training on Thursday night having originally had the week off. John Joe Doherty brought a cloudburst of flak on top of himself for going with experience against Antrim; expect an infusion of youth from here on out. It's probably only the proximity of the qualifiers that has kept the panel intact.

Need to stop feeling sorry for themselves

6. Wexford, Lost to Kildare (1-11 to 2-12)

Let's have no more talk of one-hit wonders. Wexford have been banging on the door for much of this decade and have finally grown tired. The seven-point provincial defeat wasn't a true reflection of their efforts in the first half but can Ciarán Lyng and Redmond Barry do it alone in the forwards, can Eric Bradley offer 70 minutes worth of grit and determination and can they mask the fractures in the spine of their defence? This time around, probably not.

Need to get Matty Forde back

7. Down, Lost to Fermanagh (0-10 to 0-13)

No great news to speak of, save for the fact that they're guaranteed a home draw having played away in the first round last year. Still, won't want to draw another Ulster team to the Marshes. Lost a challenge match to Dublin a couple of weeks ago and by all accounts looked edgy and disjointed while doing so. Despite a plethora of decent forwards, it's a settled defence that Ross Carr is lacking just now.

Need to live up to the on-paper talent they have

8. Tipperary, Lost to Limerick (1-9 to 1-11)

For all he's done, John Evans is now 0-3 in summer time. That's no longer good enough for a side heading for Division Two with a revolution taking place at underage level. Everyone knows of the forward threat provided by Brian Coen and Barry Grogan, but against Limerick they were badly exposed elsewhere. Unless there's an improvement around midfield, it could go to 0-4.

Need to win a championship game by whatever means necessary

9. Wicklow, Beat Longford (2-12 to 1-13), Lost to Westmeath (1-10 to 0-16)

Confidence comes from a speech Mick O'Dwyer gave the Thursday before the Westmeath game when he spoke of continuing progress, even if it's via the qualifiers. But that's more than cancelled out by what happened last weekend. James Stafford, Thomas Walsh and Patrick McWalter have been immense but Tony Hannon, Leighton Glynn and Seánie Furlong were badly exposed in their defeat.

Need to get some luck in the draw, hope for a big name in Aughrim next day out.

10. Louth, Beat Carlow (1-13 to 1-11), Lost to Laois (1-11 to 1-15)

Not enough of the bigger names are living up to reputations. Perhaps a comfort zone has developed under Eamonn McEnaney. And if those big players produce big games, there is the need for a more positive, direct approach. Two defensive players in the half-forward line won't cut it in 2009.

Need to get a grudge match against Meath or Monaghan to spark some excitement

11. Leitrim, Lost to Roscommon (2-9 to 2-13)

Rotten run of injuries crippled them against the Rossies and although John Morrison has had some making up to do with the Leitrim public since Negativitygate, he wasn't entirely wrong either. One win isn't a total pipe dream.

Need to draw a middling Leinster side

12. Offaly, Lost to Kildare (1-10 to 1-16)

The Tuesday after their first-round mauling, the players sat down for a heart-to-heart and unlike some previous years, it was in a dressing room rather than a pub. In fact one panel member was let go for his alcohol-related antics. Problem is, while the mind may be willing, the body may not be good enough. Frail at the back, still need Ciarán McManus and will for a few years to come yet. No point in having a forward as good as Niall McNamee if you can't get him the ball.

Need to avoid an annihilation and take some confidence forward

13 Longford, Lost to Wicklow (1-13 to 2-12)

Being a hero in Kildare, it was easy for Glenn Ryan to inspire their under-21s. Not so in Longford. It wasn't the manager's fault Paul Barden and Brian Kavanagh failed to show up in their opener but his team looked uninspired for long spells and that comes from on high.

Need to coach the best out of their limited resources

14. Waterford, Lost to Cork (1-7 to 2-18)

It was decided during the week to cancel all senior club league matches this weekend. A step in the right direction, you'd think, cancelling club fixtures with the qualifiers in mind. But that wasn't why they were called off. No, it was because the hurlers had their replay against Limerick last night. 'Twill ever be thus.

Need to get the season over with

15. Carlow, Lost to Louth (1-11 to 1-13)

Would they even take London?

Need to allow Luke Dempsey do his job by laying the foundations and getting things right at club and county board level

16. London, Lost to Galway 1-7 to 1-18

No sign of a recession-led revival just yet. Need to get a home draw