As sure as night follows day, the opening of the championship prompts the usual suspect collection of talking points. The structure of the competition.

"They are decisions in the last year. If you look at it, we’re not getting them."

Spent five days in Donegal last week. Ahead of covering their clash with Tyrone in Ballybofey, it was an opportune time to take in the so-called Forgotten County although it’s Donegal’s understanding of what a kilometre is that’s just as much in need of refreshing.

Hell of a game that was on Saturday evening. 

Fittingly and expectedly, the centenary commemorations of the Gallipoli landings on Saturday encouraged several airings of “And The Band Played ‘Waltzing Matilda”, writes John Fogarty.

One thing you need to know about Ger Cunningham is that he’s not a man for the big show.

The outcome of Sunday’s full-times in Croke Park confirmed it will be at least eight seasons since an Ulster team last won a Division 1 title. No province has been more faithful to the competition but its top counties are learning the lessons of prolonged campaigns.

After a largely forgettable league, it’s time for some inconvenient truths. Ten’s a nice, round number:

This time last year, the champions of the black card were out in force. With good reason, too. Goals and points were being scored at a rate of knots. It was hailed as the answer to Gaelic football’s ills when in truth it was only a plaster.

Whoever said you can’t get too much of a good thing hasn’t spoken to the hurlers who have picked up hamstring injuries these last couple of weeks.