When September used to be enough to gladden Mayo hearts

Strange to say now, given Mayo have lost six All-Irelands in their last six appearances, but there was a time when the mere act of reaching September was enough to elicit outpourings of euphoria across the county.

As is the case tomorrow, it was Tyrone who blocked Mayo’s approach to the decider back in 1989. It was the first time the counties had met in the championship and the Connacht champions were under the tutelage of John O’Mahony.

Antrim sensationally beat Offaly in the All-Ireland hurling semi-final a week later and there were more than a few who expected Tyrone to feed off the ripples that flowed in the wake of such a standout result for Ulster.