When a team concedes 3-18 in a senior inter-county Gaelic football match at this stage of the season, questions have to be asked.

Laois head to Croke Park next weekend for their clash with Dublin full of confidence and with a real pep in their step – I was going to say “momentum” – but it has now officially become the most overused word in the GAA lexicon during the qualifiers.

Three weeks ago I watched Dublin labour to an unimpressive four-point win over Wexford.

Let us avoid political correctness and call it as it is.

With all the hullabaloo and drama about Conor Mortimer’s acrimonious departure from the Mayo panel over the past few days, the focus has shifted considerably from any real analysis of the match itself.

Putting All-Ireland titles back to back is not an easy task.

A 14-point defeat is a bitter pill for any side to swallow.

Mayo supporters and managers have been down this path before.

Mayo will take a lot of belief from beating Kerry in Croke Park.

Hats off to both Crossmaglen and Garrycastle for providing such a riveting game of football on Saturday.