After Kilkenny’s first All-Ireland senior title under Brian Cody in 2000, the strength of his panel was lauded to such an extent that when the Cats cruised through Leinster the following year their second 15 were deemed the next best side in the country.

And so 82 National League fixtures shoehorned for five March weekends will be ramrodded into four.

Negativity, according to new GAA president John Horan, attracts more attention than positivity so it was with extra emphasis that he delivered a plea to Congress delegates on Saturday.

Only as good as your last game. That axiom, irrespective of how fair or true it is, sticks hard in elite Gaelic games, writes John Forgarty

March isn’t yet in, but the GAA has madness in abundance. John Fogarty sets out five examples of how some have recently been losing the run of themselves:

The strength of Kerry selector Mikey Sheehy’s commentary last month about the county’s paltry numbers at last August’s All-Ireland semi-final replay meant his remarks about cynical play went largely unnoticed, writes John Fogarty.

“Tipp v Clare...another turkey shoot. Goals are getting scarce. Sliothar has to be looked at. Travelling far too far. Points from distance. Boring.”

Fifteen years to the month since his late friend and team-mate attempted to do the same, Mikey Sheehy brought the sacred cows to the slaughterhouse.

At yesterday’s Allianz Football League launch, Kerry selector Mikey Sheehy sat down to discuss the county’s dismal All-Ireland semi-final replay defeat to Mayo last year and his hopes for the

Timing and tradition. Ask any opponent of the proposal for the GAA season being completed in the calendar year and they would be the two major objections.