ONE of the first intimations I got of this being a landmark year for Down football was a brief chat I had in Dingle in February with Maurice Hayes, former Down GAA secretary and man of vision when Down made their breakthrough in the 60’s.

THESE are interesting and enlightening times for serious students of modern day midfield play.

THOSE Limerick footballers in whom hope still survives and whose hearts have remained unwarped after a decade of tilting at the windmills are a redoubtable bunch.

RECONCILING the mediocrity of Meath football since 2001 with the fact that they’ve appeared in All-Ireland semi-finals in two of the last three championship seasons makes tomorrow’s joust with the Dubs all the more beguiling.

Munster SFC Semi-Final

ULSTER SFC (Quarter-final): Antrim v Tyrone (Casement Park, tomorrow 4pm)

MUNSTER SFC Quarter-Final

A COLLEAGUE of mine who has graduated in such matters has often been heard to utter the phrase “ní hionainn dul go dtí tigh an rí agus teacht as” — going to the king’s house and coming out of it is not the same thing.

WITH the start of championship only weeks away, this weekend’s Comhdháil Bhliantúil Cumann Lúthchleas Gael in Newcastle, Co Down remains a distant concern for many GAA people. There are, however, going to be certain decisions taken before close of business at 4pm today that may affect the mechanics of our games and our competitions for some time to come.

IT MAY have been missed in the debate ahead of tomorrow’s crunch National League tie in Killarney, but Jack O’Connor will be aware that the three years he delivered Sam Maguire in autumn (2004, 2006 & 2009) have also seen his teams win the league in spring.