RARELY in the long and storied history of this age-old rivalry has the result been so important at such a relatively early stage in the season.

DENIS WALSH has made two changes to the Cork team that annihilated Laois last week for Saturday’s All-Ireland second round qualifier against Offaly at Páirc Uí Chaoimh with Jerry O’Connor coming in for Tom Kenny at midfield while Cian McCarthy replaces Bill Cooper at centre-forward.

NEW Kerry U21 coach Eamonn Fitzmaurice has moved quickly to put an impressive back-room team in place for next season — including former Munster rugby forward John O’Sullivan as physical trainer.

In selecting his team to face Sligo in Saturday's Connacht SFC first round clash, Mayo manager John O'Mahony has made five changes to the side that disappointed against Cork in the NFL Division 1 final.

MAYO boss John O’Mahony has dropped full-forward Aidan O’Shea as he hands out four championship debuts and makes five changes in personnel from the NFL Division 1 final loss to Cork, for Saturday’s Connacht SFC quarter-final against Sligo in Markievicz Park.

Mayo 1-19 Dublin 0-14

BILLY JOE PADDEN has been named in Mayo’s football championship panel despite not featuring for John O’Mahony’s men throughout the National League campaign.

Cork 1-17 Mayo 0-12

Mayo 2-12 Monaghan 0-15

Meath 2-15 Mayo 1-15

Mayo injury doubt Barry Moran will be given every chance to prove his fitness ahead of Sunday's All-Ireland SFC quarter-final clash with Meath at Croke Park (throw-in 2pm).

MAYO manager John O’Mahony is to give injured full-forward Barry Moran every chance to be fit to line out in Sunday’s last All-Ireland football quarter-final clash with Meath.

Mayo manager John O'Mahony has named Ronan McGarrity in his starting line-up for Sunday's Connacht SFC final against neighbours Galway at Pearse Stadium (throw-in 4pm).

DESPITE receiving a broken cheekbone in a club game 11 days ago,Ronan McGarrity has been named on the Mayo team for Sunday’s Connacht SFC final against Galway in Pearse Stadium.

Mayo 3-18 Roscommon 0-07

SECOND quarter goals from Patrick Harte and debutant Aidan O’Shea were the catalyst for victory as Mayo withstood a determined New York start to earn an impressive 15-point win in the opening game of the 2009 GAA Connacht Senior Football Championship.

Mayo 2-19 New York 0-10

JOHN O’MAHONY has given championship debuts to three players for tomorrow’s clash at Gaelic Park.

STAR players Anthony Lynch, Graham Canty and James Masters return to the Cork team for Sunday’s Allianz NFL clash with Armagh at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

IN Mayo they might be inclined to call this a start, something to be going on with after a patchy, morale-sapping league campaign.

A fit-again Alan Dillon has been recalled to the Mayo team for Sunday's Connacht SFC final showdown with Galway (Castlebar, throw-in 2pm).

Mayo 3-11 Sligo 0-07

Laois 1-13 Mayo 1-13

Derry have enhanced their giant-killing reputation with a battling win over Mayo at Celtic Park.

Midfielder Pat Harte is straight back into the Mayo team for tomorrow's All-Ireland SFC qualifier clash with Derry after serving a suspension (Celtic Park, throw-in 3.30pm).

THE Leinster Council is to investigate the controversial transfer of Thomas Walsh from Carlow to Wicklow.

Billy Joe Padden, more recognised as a half-forward, will continue his deployment at the heart of Mayo's defence in Sunday's NFL Division 1A meeting with Kerry.

Mayo 0-12 Galway 1-8

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

Trevor Mortimer has returned to the Mayo line-up, replacing his younger brother Conor in the westerners' attack for Sunday's All-Ireland SFC quarter-final against Kerry.

Mayo's John Maughan has made three changes to his side as he seeks a sixth provincial title as a manager in Sunday's Connacht SFC final.

Mayo and Armagh battle out their rescheduled National Football League Division 1 semi-final today - with both sides bidding to advance to face Wexford in the decider.

Mayo flying forward Trevor Mortimer flies back from England for Sunday's rescheduled National Football League semi-final clash against Armagh at Croke Park.

Mayo boss John Maughan has named his side to face Armagh in Sunday's National Football League semi-final at Dr Hyde Park, Roscommon.

Tyrone 1-11 Mayo 0-16

Almost four months and 64 games after the first match this summer, Munster champions Kerry take on Connacht kingpins Mayo in today's Bank of Ireland All-Ireland senior football final.

Mayo boss John Maughan has made one change from the side that defeated Fermanagh for Sunday's All-Ireland football final against Kerry at Croke Park.

The Mayo selectors have revised the team to play Kerry in Sunday's All-Ireland football final at Croke Park.

Mayo have made two changes to the side that disposed of Fermanagh for Sunday's All-Ireland football final against Kerry at Croke Park.

Fermanagh - who marked their first ever appearance in an All-Ireland semi-final with a draw against favourites Mayo last Sunday - return to Croke Park today full of confidence.

Mayo boss John Maughan has named an unchanged side for tomorrow's All-Ireland SFC semi-final replay against Fermanagh at Croke Park.

Charlie Mugrew's Fermanagh take on Connacht champions Mayo at Croke Park today in the Erne County's first ever appearance in an All-Ireland football semi-final.

Mayo boss John Maughan has dropped his captain, Fergal Costello, for Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final encounter with Fermanagh at Croke Park.