Kieran Shannon: The old league certainties no longer apply

Right now there are multiple teams that believe they can get in and win an All-Ireland. Mayo. Armagh. Galway. Tyrone. And tellingly, there’s almost as many contenders in Division Two

CONTENDERS: Derry’s Conor McCluskey battles Dublin’s Tom Lahiff in their Allianz League Division Two clash at the weekend. Both counties will feel that they are genuine All-Ireland contenders. Pic: INPHO/Evan Treacy

The last time a side from Division Two won the All Ireland, their opponents in the final were from Division Two as well.

In truth, even back then in 2002, there was something freakish about that pairing; not that they each made it to September but that they had been playing outside the top tier. Armagh and Kerry were never really Division Two sides (or Division Three sides as they essentially were by operating outside the top-16 for that one spring only).