When the football qualifiers were introduced in 2011, many teams have had chances to play other counties for the first time. A prime example of that is this weekend's qualifier between Tyrone and Limerick as the teams play each other for the first time in the history of the Championship.
This weekend sees Armagh face Wicklow in a game that will be on Off the Ball on Saturday afternoon. It's a rivalry from the era of the qualifiers. They had never faced each other in the Championship until 2011. This weekend will be their fourth clash in the past year years.
The teams were drawn together for the first time in Round 2 of the 2011 Qualifiers. Wicklow had overcome Sligo in Round 1 and were drawn with an Armagh side who lost the Ulster semi final to Derry.
The game in Armagh turned out to be a classic as the home side denied Wicklow twice of a famous win, by scoring late points at the end of normal and of extra time to force a replay. Aaron Kernan scored three points for the Ulster side, including the last kick of the game to ensure a return fixture in Aughrim. Wicklow's Seanie Furlong scored 2-4 in Armagh, but it was not enough for the win, as the sides drew 0-19 to 2-13 after extra time.
Armagh's Brendan Donaghy battles Wicklow's Leighton Glynn. ©INPHO/Presseye/Jonathan Porter
Wicklow's chance had come and gone as Armagh went on to win the replay in Aughrim. Two goals from Jamie Clarke, coming either side of the break paved Armagh's path to Round 3 where they would lose to Tyrone.
The game in Aughrim was to be Mick O'Dwyer's last in charge of Wicklow. He confirmed earlier in the summer that he was to step down at the end of their campaign. The game finished 0-10 to 2-9 as Armagh won by five points.
Wicklow manager Mick O'Dwyer at the final whistle in Aughrim. ©INPHO/James Crombie
The two teams were to meet again in 2013. The Round 1 game of the qualifers saw Wicklow record the lowest score of any side in the Football Championship that summer.
The game in the Athletic Grounds finished 2-21 to 0-2. Armagh led by 18 points at the break as Wicklow failed to score in the second half. For the second game in a row between the sides, Jamie Clarke found the back of the net twice, including once from the penalty spot. Armagh went on to lose in Round 3 to Galway in Salthill.
Armagh's Jamie Clarke in action with Wicklow's Ciaran Hyland. ©INPHO/Presseye/Matt Mackey
Earlier this week, Oisin McConville spoke to Oisin Langan ahead of the game about what can be expected from Armagh this weekend and whether the Ulster side can have a long Championship campaign.
Wicklow will be looking to perform better this weekend in Armagh and look for their first win over the Ulster side. Commentator Dave McIntyre will by joined by Colm Parkinson and Anthony Moyles as Off the Ball will have live national coverage on Armagh v Wicklow this Saturday afternoon. Throw in is at 2.30pm.
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