ONE of the big lessons that teams took out of last year's football championship is the importance of avoiding the preliminary quarter-final, where possible. Obviously the teams that have already lost thrice will grab that lifeline with both hands. While one year's results isn’t a big enough sample to definitively declare that avoiding the extra match is a must, big picture wise, common sense dictates that a weekend off and avoiding the group winners, rather than three hard weekends in a row, is much more desirable.
It is why, finally, the championship should have that proper knockout feel to it this weekend. There should be an edge to proceedings, an edge conspicuous by its absence so far. Nowhere should this be more evident than in Dr Hyde Park where Mayo and Dublin will clash on Sunday.
Kevin McStay and co have to view this as an incredible opportunity to leave a dent on the all-conquering All-Ireland champions. It should make for a great occasion as the Dubs will travel. Those two games that Kerry played against them in Thurles in 2001 were outstanding occasions with an electric atmosphere that still stand out in my memory.
By my calculations, Dublin have played 64 championship matches across the 10 seasons from 2014 to 2023, with 54 of those in Croke Park. One of the amazing things about that Dublin group was their consistent performances at a high level over such a long period of time. A consistent routine is a significant part of consistency of performance.
Dublin hav.