'The Dubs' toilets are blocked and they are not happy. I’m sorry, everything was working perfectly earlier in the week. They will think we planned it. I’m so sorry'

The Kingdom are locked in a series of matches, of the damned-if-you- do and damned-if-you-don’t variety. Win well and the opposition are useless. Don’t blow them away and you are going bad.

As is stands it very hard to get knocked out of the All-Ireland football championship. It's not meant to be like that. A volte face is required. Courage and flexibility as opposed to stubbornness are necessary.

Football Championship Talking Points: Let's wait to see Jim McGuinness' side against one of the top teams in Croke Park before we move them from the capable of taking down a big gun to actual All-Ireland contenders

Salthill on Saturday will tell us a bunch about the Football Championship, about a resurgent Tribe, about Derry and about lessons to take into the knockouts

I’m anticipating really enjoying the Ulster final but there will be plenty who won’t.

In terms of winning the All-Ireland are they better off avoiding the bear pit that is the Ulster championship? Maybe.  Meanwhile, Mayo remain as enigmatic as ever.

It's a decade since Éamonn Fitzmaurice and the Kingdom struck one against the head. The 2014 campaign began with a stutter but with careful tending of burgeoning talents, they climbed the tallest and most demanding peaks through perseverance and sheer will. Here's how they did it in the words of their leader.

Dessie Farrell and his squad will use the provincial campaign as a tune-up for knockout football.

Dublin, Kerry, Derry: as the football championship kicks off, it's tough to see the All-Ireland champions coming from outside the big three. Where are they in their respective planning?