Éamonn Fitzmaurice: Football quarter-finalists can sit back and watch sharks devour each other

When the All-Ireland series commenced, not too many people - maybe no-one - would have had Cork, Louth and Tyrone straight into the All-Ireland quarter-finals, with the invaluable weekend off

If a confident Cork don’t get ahead of themselves, they will fear absolutely no one in the All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals. Pic: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

SOMETIMES you just have to sit back, take a breath, reflect and appreciate the fantastic and crazy football championship that we are living through. Every weekend we are being rocked by shocks, treated to classics, and controversies. 

Ger Brennan returned to centre stage Sunday and it was far from being the biggest story of the weekend. Trying to actually nail down the biggest talking point is delightfully challenging. Armagh’s defeat in Inniskeen, because of their previous form and the last gasp nature of it probably just about edges it.

A short couple of years ago if we got one good match over a weekend we were relieved and sated. We were easily pleased. We were constantly looking forward. In hope. In desperation. The tactical stalemate that the game was locked in and the format guaranteed this. 

With only four teams eliminated after the group stages in Sam Maguire the consequences of defeat weren’t, well consequential. Yes, there was ramifications to losing a game, but not the ultimate one which of course is elimination. Previously, we couldn’t wait to get to Croke Park for the big guns to meet in a game of significance with everything on the line. And truthfully even at that we were often disappointed. 

We fast-forwarded through the summer to get to the punchline and then it was all over. We made the best of what we were being served up. We had to, as there was no alternative. As football people our love for the game overlooked the underwhelming. Now each weekend we are living the dream. The unpredictability of the championship, even from week to week, the complete unreliability of form lines is exhilarating. 

Calling games beforehand is a fool's errand. Kerry paste Cork in the Munster Final. Donegal hammer Kerry in Killarney. Cork fly up to Donegal to beat them in their own back-yard. Try and make logical sense of all of that, which is a microcosm of the championship as a whole.

There was a fear that the new rules would lead to more hammerings and to the strong getting stronger. Instead, thankfully, the reverse is happening. Coaches have been forced to find a way to win games, rather than not lose them. Remember when everyone was put behind the ball, played counter-attack football, chipped kickouts to the corner back who returned it to the goalkeeper to allow teams build slow attacks while the entire opposition retreated? 

The introduction of Darren McCurry was key to Tyrone's victory over Mayo. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Not alone was it possible to keep an eye on what was going on in the other matches it was possible to keep abreast of multiple sports at the same time. Not any more. When attending a match now, it is the only show in town. There is hardly time to check a statistic on your phone, never mind anything else. Coaches have empowered and improved their players instead of limiting them, in tactical straightjackets.

When the All-Ireland series commenced, not too many people (I would wager no-one) would have had Cork, Louth and Tyrone straight into the All-Ireland quarter-finals, with the invaluable weekend off. Galway maybe. Equally no-one would have had Kerry, Armagh and Donegal with their ears cocked anxiously to the wireless on Monday morning to see what lies ahead for them in round 3.

Regardless of the pairings, next weekend could be championship-defining. Big dogs will be out before they hit Croke Park. Only four out of the eight teams that were at home this weekend won - Galway, Monaghan, Louth and Tyrone. However, where home advantage will really count next week is for the teams that can actually win the All-Ireland. Teams that travelled long distances away from home and have to do that again next weekend will be challenging. Win Round 3 and you are on the road for three consecutive weekends. Cumulatively that will lead to fatigue ill-suited to taking on a rested team in Croke Park in the quarter-final. That is the price for losing though and all teams in these situations will just be happy to be still alive. 

An interesting quirk is the teams coming from 2B are all coming off the back of a good win, having lost previously. Inversely the losing teams from 2A are licking their wounds and looking for a reaction, and have a short week to generate it. For example, Donegal go from a great win in Killarney to wondering where the hell they are at now.

I was in Omagh to witness Tyrone continue on their journey of rediscovery. They are still far from perfect but they are building nicely at the right time. Darren McCurry’s introduction on 46th minute was the catalyst that really ignited them. He kicked six points (one of which looked questionable), three with his left and three with his right, including one peach from the famous Conor McManus patch of Healy Park, on his weaker foot. He had been struggling for form. He started, was kept scoreless and was substituted against Armagh in the Ulster preliminary encounter seven weeks ago. He now looks to be back to his very best. 

Tyrone goalkeeper Niall Morgan, right, celebrates with Michael McKernan after kicking the match winning score against Mayo. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Niall Morgan was also excellent. Barring the kickout that led to Darragh Beirne’s goal he was exceptional from the tee, with Tyrone retaining 83% of their own restarts. Considering Ethan Jordan is now their main free-taker it was a great sign of him to kick the 45 and the winning two-point free, in the defining moments of the game. Listening to him afterwards discussing how the last gasp missed 45 against Armagh came into his mind as he came forward was fascinating. 

A little advice from Jonny Sexton who he bumped into in Portugal on their training camp proved crucial in terms of taking his time and getting his breathing right. Composing himself. That advice was worth the trip alone. Others to impress were the strong running Ronan Cassidy, the incredible Brian Kennedy who lead by example from the front and Peter Teague. Teague blocked balls, won breaks, kicked two points and was defiant to the end. Of further significance was the support present at the game and on the pitch after. Their was an energy and unity about them that has been absent. A united and energised Tyrone is a dangerous animal.

A word on Cork. Sometimes the Cork football public think any analysis on them from the other side of the county bounds is cynical or patronising. Or both. Often, certainly in my case it is actually an appreciation of their potential. The potential that bafflingly is not delivered upon often enough. Objectively analysing them over the last three months or so, it's evident the second half in Killarney was the outlier rather than the true picture. They won in Ballybofey with a set gameplan that frustrated the life out of the home side. 

John Cleary and his management team deserve massive credit for cooking this plan and coaching their players to implement it in such a short period, considering the differences of the challenge presented by Meath and Donegal. They will now get to welcome back Colm O’Callaghan to strengthen them further in Croke Park. If a confident Cork don’t get ahead of themselves they will fear absolutely no one.

Three summers ago we are wishing our way through the championship. Now we want it to slow down. Brilliant.