THE football Gods have belatedly come out of their winter slumber. The talk of formats, old and new, ends here. Quarter-final weekend is here, and it promises to be better than ever.
When the football eventually came alive, the systems and shadow-boxing evaporated. Mayo’s individualism can often be erratic and error-strewn. Against Galway, it threatened its chaotic best.
A titanic clash, and Galway ultimately sank. Apparently, they had built a squad this year, but the strength in depth wasn’t as strong as the injured elite.
For Kevin McStay’s men, it is a date with destiny. Dublin, in Croke Park. The memories are enough to inspire a nose bleed for supporters, although 2021 saw the beating of the unbeatable. On Saturday, Mayo have a chance to kickstart a new era of this rivalry. It’d take a ballsy man to back against them.
A recurring theme really. Kerry-Tyrone on Saturday sees us start as we mean to go on. There’ll be some early birds in Omagh, and Aughnacloy, and Dungannon, seeking to catch the worm, or in this case avoid the likely standstill on the M1.
The Red Hand impressed against Donegal, but today they need to be brave. Occupy Paul Murphy and Tadhg Morley and we’ll see what Kerry are made of.
Although be wary, David Clifford could win it on his own.
Monaghan and Armagh will host Croke Park’s Saturday Night Lights. The Farney will face their third match in as many weeks. Upset the odds and it’s been a help. Lose and it’s a hindrance.
Armagh will still be bouncing after that Galway victory. Perhaps their wishes to play that game at HQ rather than Carrick-on-Shannon were with a view to a return to Jones’ Road.
Armagh have played there more recently, Monaghan more often this past decade or so.
Rory Beggan and Ethan Rafferty’s showdown could even be decided by penalties. Surely even the cruellest of men above wouldn’t put the Orchard faithful through another one.
Surely?
Sunday’s opener between Derry and Cork has probably attracted the fewest headlines. Derry seem entirely unfazed given the managerial circumstances they have endured. Their riskier attacking play this year is reminiscent of the change in Donegal from 2011 to 2012. They will certainly hope their year ends that way.
And it’s 1-0 to the Ulster side after winning the toss on the jersey front, a decision which will surely aggravate John Cleary’s men as they tog out in their changed white strip. It will be interesting to see the Rebels fan base tomorrow. Is Cork football really back? Who knows?
After a predictable Championship early doors, this weekend all bets are off.
