Newbridge wasn’t made for this qualifier, but Portlaoise is

Not that long ago, but before TV3 let alone Sky Sports started covering the qualifiers and before the GAA was routinely accused of selling its soul, a team that had contested the previous year’s All-Ireland final was drawn away to a Leinster team with one of the worst and smallest stadiums in the country, just like Mayo were to Kildare last Monday morning.

On that occasion, Tyrone were the side who had played into September the previous year, and Louth the county with the capacity-challenged home ground.

Their subsequent clash turned out to be the most dramatic match of the 2006 qualifiers, a couple of Owen Mulligan goals saving Tyrone from elimination and earning them a 2-16 apiece draw after extra-time.