Eight observations from the Gaelic football championship

Sligo's big dog, Kelly off the leash and Kerry's stat repository gets band-aid.

Leitrim players stand for Amhrán na bhFiann before the Connacht SFC quarter-final against Sligo. Picture: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

As news started to filter in about diminished attendances elsewhere, a quick scan of the stand in Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada before throw-in suggested Leitrim and Sligo were set for similar.

Carrick-On-Shannon is consistently one of the more enjoyable work environments, truth be told, even if the comfort of press hacks will understandably fall towards the bottom rung of anyone’s matchday priorities. On this occasion, seated in the press box during the game was a supportive steward.