This is a huge step forward for Shane and for Galway’s chances in the Super 8s, writes John Divilly.

Former Mayo forward John Casey is praying his county beat Galway on Sunday — but isn’t sure a third straight Connacht SFC defeat to their neighbours would effectively mean the end of their championship.

The afterglow from Roscommon’s first Connacht senior title in seven years will burn brightly through the darkest recesses of the winter to come but Ciarán Murtagh is adamant that they are far from done with their summer’s work.

Mayo fatigue is being experienced across the country but this team doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon. That belligerence has to be respected yet the question is, can they transform doughtiness into dominance? John Fogarty looks at the arguments for and against.

If there is one Sligo player who’ll see Sunday’s game against Mayo as a shot at redemption it will be the Connacht Senior finalists’ full-forward, Pat Hughes.

It was like the late 1990s in Elvery’s MacHale Park yesterday. Almost a full house, with well over 26,000 in attendance, glorious weather and Mayo and Galway going at it full-tilt for the Nestor Cup.

Before you say it, before you even think it, there is no conspiracy.

Paul Coggins insists his London side are undaunted by the prospect of facing Mayo on their home patch in Sunday’s Connacht final.

Mayo 0-21 Roscommon 0-9

Recently-crowned All-Ireland SFC champions Donegal have a tough route if they are to retain their Ulster crown in 2013, having been paired with Tyrone at the quarter-final stage.

NORMAL service has been restored in Connacht.

Roscommon manager Fergal O'Donnell has talked up Connacht final opponents Mayo, dubbing them 'one of the top five or six teams in the country.'

Manager Fergal O'Donnell has picked an unchanged Roscommon team for Sunday's Connacht SFC semi-final against Leitrim in Carrick-on-Shannon (throw-in 2pm).

THE theme emanating from Cork after Sunday’s All-Ireland quarter-final has been predictably respectful but Roscommon selector Declan Hoare came out yesterday and echoed the sentiments of the gaelic football world.

Roscommon manager Fergal O'Donnell compared yesterday's Connacht SFC final success to an All-Ireland win, when reflecting on what it means for the county's players and supporters.

Roscommon will field an unchanged team for Sunday afternoon's Connacht SFC final against Sligo in Castlebar (throw-in 4pm).

Sligo's goal-scoring forward David Kelly says that his side will not be affected by the hype gripping the county in the wake of last Saturday's Connacht SFC semi-final replay win over Galway.

ONE giant leap for Sligo fans – but just another small step for Kevin Walsh in his continued revamping of Sligo from plucky underdogs to serious contenders.

Sligo 1-14 Galway 0-16

ONE was a foot soldier and the other a commander-in-chief when Galway ruled the roost in Connacht and beyond but there was an inescapable sense of a baton being passed under Ben Bulben’s watchful eye on Saturday evening.

Galway 1-14 Mayo 2-12

The GAA have confirmed the times and venues for next weekend's Championship matches.

The Sligo team chosen for Sunday's Connacht SFC opener against London (Ruislip, throw-in 2.30pm) shows only two changes to the side that started last summer's historic Connacht final win.

Connacht champions Galway meet beaten Munster finalists Cork today for the first time in championship fare since 2001.

Sligo and Cavan, with five qualifier wins between them, are setting sights on the last eight of the All-Ireland championship.