League win warning for Mayo in  upcoming Championship 

Mayo's record in championship after winning the National Football League is not kind to them - can Kevin McStay and co change that. 

WARNING: Mayo's championship record after league wins does not bode well, can this side buck the trend.  Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

As a manager who has matched his four Division 1 successes with All-Ireland titles three or four months later, Jack O’Connor would likely vouch for the importance of the league. Jim Gavin the same. Four of his six All-Irelands with Dublin came in double-winning seasons.

But, lo, some small print. O’Connor’s Kerry were beaten twice in Munster having claimed the first silverware of the year, 2006 when Cork prevailed in a final replay and ‘09 as they again saw off Kerry at the second time of asking, this time in a provincial semi-final. Division 1 and provincial champions apart from Dublin and Kerry since 2003? Three – Tyrone (‘03), Armagh (‘05) and Cork (‘12). The last Connacht team to win a league and province in the same year? Roscommon in 1979.