The 2023 All Ireland Senior Football Championship (Sam Maguire Cup)

Yep!

Mayo learnt in the 2016 and 2017 final that the bench mattered.Glaway learnt that last year apparently and another lesson today.

The finals are the big games I’m afraid.

Hand wringing beginning in earnest I see

It won't always be in a Connaught Final,it won't always be in a first round championship game but Mayo will always beat Galway when it counts.

It's been that way for a generation or more.

I'd say the 2 defeats in the last 8 days has undone most if not all of the progress Galway made last season.

It now stands at 5 knockout wins for Mayo since 98.

Even away from the rival their record in knockout football since 2001 makes for grim reading.

Outside of 2022 they have faltered quite a bit the last 2 decades. Even 2018 they made the semi final but didn't win a knockout game.

Its a shame as they have it in them to condenters but they remain a vital step behind Mayo.

To be fair, they got a pretty handy draw in 2022. They faced Leitrim and Roscommon in Connacht, and Armagh and Derry in the All Ireland's, Derry who were a year behind where they are now and coming from League D3.

They beat what was in front of them, but maxed out in the final and still came up short. The questions were about could they improve on the squad depth, Nad it looks like they haven't really been able to do that. Comer looked to be moving OK today actually, but the support cast were way off what was required. The likes of Burke, Tierney, Cook, et al were rudderless and without Walsh shooting the lights out there was nothing. PJ has gotten an easy ride so far, will he fancy another year, a year when he has to answer real questions about his squad and make some really tough calls. Will Conroy fancy another year? Are they going to rely on the likes of Finnerty for another campaign? How does he use the talented McDaid, because it looks to me like he hasn't a clue what to do with him and he can't drip him ( a midfielder names at wing back and looked to be playing at wing forward, and didn't seem to know where he was or what role he was supposed to be playing.). They were rudderless today,aimless in possession and played Mayo's game.

Mayo need a good draw, they can't play Kerry I think? They need Armagh I think, I wouldn't fancy them against Derry if Derry show up, but maybe Dublin will get their juices going, one more time with feeling!

GAA really need to move out of Salthill, that is nowhere for a game BTW. Another game ruined by the wind tunnel, put houses in it or sell it to the IRFU for Connacht rugby, cause it's a nightmare between poor games and no parking and poor access around it. Move back to Tuam I say.

That ryan o Donoghue is a dirty wee fecker

At least TSG had the goulies to call up the nasty O Donoghue Stamp. Be interesting to see if anything comes of it....I'd say McStay will be having a sweat

Its not about their record. Its the two teams that were on the field today. Neither played well. Hence being referred to as poor.

Tyrone looked very impressive in there win over Donegal. They are starting to tick when it matters. Derry and Armagh have a fortnight off it will be interesting to see them next week.

The draw will tell a tale tomorrow morning at a guess

Dublin V Mayo or Cork

Kerry V Tyrone ( it's the tie Tyrone want)

Armagh V Monoghan

Derry V Cork/ Mayo.

Cork were more impressive yesterday than many think. Depending on how bad Hurley was injured it took guts by Cleary not to risk him. Playing Kelly and Comer backfired on Joyce

Cork are in bonus territory and will play with panache, they probably have as good a MF as is in the country. This week's game will have given players confidence that they can push on. If Hurley is back they will be hard to handle

Some score from Cillian O Connor, off his bad foot, away to local rivals , at a crucial stage in his first play back from a long term injury.In a game Mayo won by a single So glad The Sunday Game showed it ……:..

But sure it’s all in days work for a player like Cillian who has done it so consistently for so long. Doesn’t need highlighting. Long may he continue to just kick frees and easy scores

Not a great performance by Mayo today but as usual enough to beat Galway when it matters.

The Artane boys band hasn't been a worry for the Galway team in 25 years.

Much quieter on here tonight than expected after such a big shock ………