Longford top of marginal counties

SINCE the advent of the All-Ireland quarter-finals in 2001, nine counties have failed to make it at least once to the last eight stage.

While the qualifiers provide a pathway to the last eight, despite varying degrees of success breaking through that glass ceiling has been beyond the reach of those counties, which would suggest that the Super 8s — which replace the quarter-final knock-out round next season — will be out of reach once more.

That said, some have been unluckier than others, not least Longford who boast, by a distance, the best qualifier record of those who are still waiting for their shot at the big time.