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.

The last time I spoke to Padraic Joyce was before Christmas when there was a ten year reunion of the 2001All-Ireland winning team in Galway city.

Despite the shocking scenes from last Sunday’s All-Ireland Club JFC semi-final between Kerry club Dromid Pearses and Tyrone’s Derrytresk, many people within the wider GAA community accept a ‘melee’ as part and parcel of our games, claims Ray Silke .

ANDY COEN was just two the last time Gort won the Galway senior hurling title, in 1983.

1. Allowing Dublin to get possession from every one of their kick-outs