Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI at Croke Park

The sun makes the colours pop around Croke Park. There's none of that today. It's overcast and there's a few drops of rain about the place, but there were was still an endless sea of colour out on Jones' Road less than an hour ago.

The usual orange crush of Armagh ones are already here, of course. They always plan their journeys well.

And it's good to see Hill 16 dressed up in green and maroon ahead of the first game.

Galway start as favourites, but predictions are a fool's game in this championship. Meath are the surprise package this year. If they're to extend their unlikely run, they'll have to emulate Tyrone and upset the odds.

Tyrone boss Malachy O'Rourke praises his side's defensively display in their 0-23 to 0-16 All-Ireland quarter-final win against Dublin.

The seven-point victory helped the Red Hands to a first All-Ireland semi-final since 2021 and a first championship victory over Dublin since 2008.

Just 12 months ago, not many would have given Meath a chance in this fixture never mind be talking up their chance of reaching the last four of the All-Ireland series for the first time since 2007.

Defeat in the Leinster final to Louth is the only blemish in a season where they have beaten Dublin and Kerry in the same championship season. Tyrone were the last team to do that back in 2008 and they went on to lift Sam.

Robbie Brennan's side were rampant in their 1-22 to 0-16 win over Kerry a fortnight ago to secure top seeding in their group and Brennan has made one change for today's last eight clash with Matthew Costello returning from injury to replace Cathal Hickey in the forward.

Galway have been something of the walking wounded throughout this championship and have survived by the skin of their teeth since lifting the Connacht title.

The Tribesmen were beaten by Galway, were lucky to draw with Derry and beat an already qualified Armagh with a score after the hooter.

Finishing third in the 'Group of Death' meant a trip to Newry last Sunday to face Down and they were given their full of it before securing a two-point win in the end.

Padraig Joyce has made three changes to the team but Shane Walsh who was forced off with a shoulder injury last week retains his place.

Conor Flaherty who had a shaky second half against Down is replaced in goals by Connor Gleeson, Jack Glynn replaces Paul Conroy in the middle and Peter Cooke replaces Cillian McDaid at half forward.

Joyce also has a strong bench with names like Paul Conroy, Cillian McDaid, Daniel O'Flaherty and Johnny Heaney amongst others.

Damian Comer is another of those in reserve but he hasn't played much despite a brief cameo against Derry over a month ago.

They say that goals win games and despite their struggles Galway have raised 10 green flags in the championship, that may have a huge say in today's outcome.

Meath: Billy Hogan; Seamus Lavin, Sean Rafferty, Ronan Ryan; Donal Keogan, Sean Coffey, Ciaran Caulfield; Bryan Menton, Adam O'Neill; Conor Duke, Ruairi Kinsella, Matthew Costello; Jordan Morris, Keith Curtis, Eoghan Frayne.

Subs: Sean Brennan, Brian O'Halloran, Eoin Harkin, James McEntee, Cian McBride, Conor Gray, Aaron Lynch, Daithi McGowan, Shane Walsh, Diarmuid Moriarity, Cathal Hickey.

Galway: Conor Flaherty; Johnny McGrath, Sean Fitzgerald, Liam Silke; Dylan McHugh, Sean Kelly, Cian Hernon; Jack Glynn, John Maher; Cein Darcy, Matthew Tierney, Cillian McDaid; Rob Finnerty, Shane Walsh, Matthew Thompson.

Subs: Connor Gleeson, Paul Conroy, Kieran Molloy, Sean Mulkerrin, Daniel O'Flaherty, John Daly, Cillian McDaid, Sam O'Neill, Tomo Culhane, Johnny Heaney, Damien Comer.

Referee: Martin McNally (Monaghan)

Image source, BBC Sport

Chrissy McKaigue
Former Derry captain

Sunday's first game features Galway - fresh off a thrilling win over Down - taking on surprise package Meath.

The Leinster title evaded the Royals with neighbours Louth making up for that 2010 final, but a win over Dublin highlighted their talent before they beat Kerry by nine points in the group stage to further enhance their giant-killing credentials.

Eoghan Freyne, Ruairi Kinsella and Conor Duke contributed 15 points between them two weeks ago as they moved straight into the last eight as group winners, but Galway are not lacking options in attack with Shane Walsh coming into his own over the past few games, scoring 1-7 against Down.

The Tribesmen are far from a one-man band, however, as Matthew Thompson and Rob Finnerty have been on song in attack, while Damien Comer may be ready to make his long-awaited return.

"The new rules really suit Meath," said former Derry defender, Chrissy McKaigue.

"They're so big and physical around the middle of the pitch that once they get domination of the kick-out - because the vast majority of kick-outs are going long - it's giving them an unbelievable foothold in the game.

"They have a range of forwards that can score from range also so the two-pointer comes into question for them. For Meath, they probably have exceeded expectations a fair bit even though they'll be sore about losing the Leinster final.

"I'd have to say Galway look to be in a position where they're more than comfortable of winning that. It's a shame for Damien Comer because if you have Comer in that team alongside Rob Finnerty, Shane Walsh, Matthew Thompson has come on splendidly this year, Cein Darcy, Matthew Tierney. Galway arguably have six or seven forwards that are the best in the competition."

Two quarter-finals down and two more to come this afternoon.

Yesterday at Croke Park, Donegal came from seven behind to power home against Monaghan, 1-26 to -1-20, while in the second game, Tyrone held their nerve for a seven-point victory against Dublin.

Today, we have the remaining last eight games, beginning with Meath taking on Galway at 13:45 BST.

The Royals dumped Dublin out of the Leinster Championship earlier this year and to prove that was no flash in the pan, they got the better of Kerry in their final group game to move directly into the quarter-finals.

Victory over Galway would be another scalp, but the Tribesmen appear to be hitting form at the right time as after a slow start to their group campaign, they got the better of Armagh to advance to the knockout stage and then went to Newry to defeat Down last week.

The main event today takes place at 16:00 BST as All-Ireland champions Armagh take on Kerry.

This game doesn't require the hard sell as it conjures memories of last year's gripping semi-final between the teams which went the way of Armagh after extra-time.

Despite suffering Ulster final heartache for a third-straight year, the Orchard have been impressive and many are tipping them to retain their crown.

But never write off Kerry as they have previous for labouring early in a season, only to explode into life at Croke Park and after last week's victory over Cavan, memories of that Meath defeat will have faded a little.

It promises to be an exciting afternoon and we will bring you live text commentary of both games, plus reports and reaction, so settle in and enjoy.

Image source, Inpho