The excitement surrounding The Railway Cup competition's return this week is starting build, and it isn't all just to see the new rules in action.
Of course the primary reason for these games is so viewers can see for themselves how Him Gavin's new proposed rules wil make the game more exciting to watch, and how they could change the face of the game forever if implemented.
However the news that some of the biggest names in the game have made themselves available to play for their provinces such as Stephen Cluxton, James McCarthy, Rian O'Neill, and Aidan O'Shea, already makes the prospect more entertaining.
All sports fans have that childish urge to draw up dream teams and fantasies a little about what it would be like if the best player from this county got to play alongside the best player of another.
The interprovincial competition satisfies that, and looking at the quality all four teams at the moment, you can't help but be a little curious on how they will all play together and indeed, which one is the best.
Speaking on the Irish Examiner Gaelic football podcast, Football Review Committee member and former Mayo manager James Horan, says he is not surprised that top players have jumped at this opportunity.
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“You are talking about playing for your province.
“The interpros are gone for a while now. Top players are ambitious and competitive. They want to play at the highest level they can and they want to win what they can.
"I’m not at all surprised the best players out there that are available want to play. I’m sure Connacht would love to win; Ulster would love to win another cup."
With the split season meaning that the inter-county season is over by July and that the vast majority of club football is finished by mid-October, having this competition to fill the gap makes perfect sense to a lot of people.
