Ed Coughlan: A proper rivalry has the capacity to bring out the best of both opponents

With one-point wins for Dublin in 2013, 2016, and 2017, as well as the drawn final of 2016, the champions and Mayo have recency to their rivalry like no other

DIFFERENT CLASS: Stephen Cluxton consoles Aidan O'Shea following the 2016 All-Ireland SFC final replay at Croke Park.  Picture: Cody Glenn/Sportsfile

A rivalry between two teams can be the vital ingredient needed to spice things up before a ball is even thrown in. In fact, if the rivalry is genuine and not something manufactured for a marketing campaign, almost every encounter produces something special.

Every sport has these special matchups that fire the imagination in advance. The protagonists themselves often mention the palpable difference when it is this one opponent over others.