Mayo fear losing it all in hyperspace

THEY, whoever they are, say no one can fight quite like family. “Stand between them when they’re at it,” the same ‘they’ say, “and see how quickly the worm can turn.”

The Mayos have been fighting this past week or so. And not just under the comfort of their own roof, but in the searing heat of the Twitter sun. It all started in the days after the victory over Cork. All-Ireland champions felled, the county suddenly found itself — quite unexpectedly — eyeing up the prospect of All-Ireland glory once again.

Now, if there’s one thing to trouble a county more than a sudden exit from the championship, it’s the even more sudden onset of an All-Ireland semi-final with a fresh gust of wind in the sails.