Some teams have gone back and some forward but for me, it's still down to about eight.

The one thing that yesterday showed, is that the winner will be the group of players who want it the most. So what's new?

Yesterday for long periods it was like the Kerry and Cork of old as the All Ireland champions took Cork apart yet again. The second half had little to do with tactics...more desperation than inspiration as Cork just went out and played.

Last year they were humiliated in the All Ireland final and they incurred the wrath of so many GAA fans and pundits alike when they went on strike over the removal of their manager Billy Morgan. Eventually it was all settled with Conor Counihan in charge and yesterday was a day to remember by the banks of the Lee.

Kerry are still in the Championship but there are now question marks over their ability to win three in a row.

No matter what way you paint it, Kerry have now lost two finals this season. They couldn't put Derry away in the League decider and yesterday they were found wanting when Cork went at them.

I have always said there is a soft underbelly to this Kerry team and yesterday it showed itself once more.

Kerry still remain in the top four alongside Dublin and Armagh with perhaps Cork now moving in there to the exclusion of Mayo.

Fermanagh have already shown that this is the year of the upset but somehow I feel the upsets will be less and less as we move through July.

If those are the top four at present then you can add in the likes of Derry, Galway and maybe Westmeath. I think they may still have a chance this season if they can regroup in the qualifiers.

I think Wexford have done well but their season will finish shortly as far as I'm concerned. The only other team no-one will want to meet is Tyrone. They are indeed capable of going well in the qualifers and look like a team that could make it to the last eight but that's about it.

There are huge question marks, too, over Monaghan. They got the 'draw of death' in the qualifiers with the only positive point being the home venue.

Now the winners of that game will receive a huge boost in confidence but whether that will be enough to propel them to the All Ireland is a different question altogether. As for the rest of the counties, we can safely rule out all others in the quest for the Sam Maguire. Kerry have taken a huge blow but it remains to be seen if that will be fatal.

Cork, if they can push on from here, will be a test for anyone but the team who are still in pole postion for me hasn't changed. Dublin are still the team to beat despite a shaky enough defence.

Dublin can score even against defence-minded teams like Westmeath. They have many miles under their feet and they have the advanatge now at this stage of playing every game in Croke Park.

Dublin are the box office big boys and there is no way the GAA will take them out of headquarters when there are 80,000 seats to be filled. It's been a mediocre Championship so far, apart from a few Ulster games, but back in January I gave Dublin my vote and I have seen little to change my mind.