MAYBE it was written in the stars but you can feel the anticipation building already after Donegal were drawn with Kerry in the first round of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.
When Donegal hammered Kerry in the League Final, you just knew there was a strong possibility that the sides would meet again.
People probably thought it would have been much further down the line in an All-Ireland Final or semi.
However, there was always the chance they would meet earlier with the new format.
The defeat against Down was a blow to Donegal but I’m sure there will be a pep in the step at training this week.
They weren’t at the right level of intensity for that match against the Mourne county.
But a trip down to Killarney to face Kerry is sure to motivate the players.
Kerry will be gunning for them as well but they do have the Munster Final to deal with first on Sunday.
Cork are progressing and while I fancy Kerry to win this Sunday, I don’t think it will be easy.
I noted Jack O’Connor said earlier in the week that he would have preferred if the All-Ireland draw wasn’t made until after the Munster Final and you can see why.
He’s trying to get his players ready for a Munster Final but people will focus on a repeat of the All-Ireland Final in a few weeks.
If Donegal do win, it will be the third time they will have beaten Kerry this year and yet the Kingdom still will fight on.
That’s the way it is now and there is a safety net but neither side will want to lose that match.
Donegal have never played a championship match in Killarney and I expect a big crowd from the county to make their way down to it.
People have asked me this week if we want Cork to beat Kerry in the Munster Final or if it would be better if the Kingdom won easily.
The reality is from a Donegal perspective, I would say the management couldn’t care less.
They will analyse the game in depth you can guarantee that, but Donegal will need to get their own house in order and they have issues to correct from the Down match.
There will have been soul-searching needed but that draw will surely have focused the minds.
Draw
It was a good draw in general with some cracking games down for decision.
Tyrone will have a long wait and then they will take on Roscommon in the Hyde.
The Rossies beat Tyrone two years ago so they probably owe them one.
Roscommon are playing Galway in the Connacht Final this week and it will be interesting to see how they come through that.
I think Galway might win their fifth provincial championship on the spin and it might be tough for Roscommon to bounce back if that’s the case.
Tyrone are waiting in the long grass and they are never easy to beat.
One of Armagh or Derry will be in the losers section and it’s the same for Meath or Cork so there are highly-rated teams out there that will only play twice more this year.
I’m sure Westmeath and Cavan are delighted to be paired against each other.
They’ll both fancy their chances of winning that game.
Westmeath are in the Leinster Final and going really well.
Mark McHugh has done a great job and their win over Kildare was superb last week without Luke Loughlin. Mark’s stock is on the rise.
Cavan manager Dermot McCabe was in charge of Westmeath last season so that will be a big tie when it comes around.
Ulster
We were treated to incredible drama at the Athletic Grounds last Saturday as Monaghan edged out Derry after extra-time.
Even now a few days later, you’re still scratching the head because Derry bossed the game.
They played some good football and were ten points up at a stage.
However, Monaghan are a county that always shows great heart and they dug in.
It was quite similar to their defeat against Donegal in Clones last year as they landed some big two-pointers and then there was controversy at the death over a sideline ball.
On Saturday, it went their way. The referee Noel Mooney had blown his full-time whistle but the Monaghan players knew the rules.
I don’t think it was Rory Beggan who got Mooney to change his mind but the calm words of David Garland, and there’s probably a lesson in that.
There probably was no great pressure on Jack McCarron as he lined up the sideline as few would have expected him to land it.
But Jack is a great kicker and he fired the ball between the sticks.
Derry still should have seen the game out in extra-time and they won’t be happy with the free that they gave away late on.
The ball was in the air and there was no danger on but Diarmuid Baker fouled Conor McCarthy and Rory Beggan held his nerve to land the winner.
The other semi-final proved to be a real disappointment.
Armagh were awesome on the day and just blew Down away.
It was a completely different Down side to the one that beat Donegal.
They started reasonably well but just didn’t have the energy to match Armagh.
Blaine Hughes got all apart from one of his kick-outs away and he was excellent.
At the other end of the field, the Orchard side were able to disrupt Down’s restarts.
Armagh’s accuracy in front of the posts was excellent and they’ll start the Ulster Final as clear favourites while Down won’t be in the race for Sam.
Tailteann Cup
Down will play in the Tailteann Cup and my Fermanagh side are also in that.
It follows the same structure as the All-Ireland so there’s a second chance for anyone who slips up.
We host Longford this Sunday and that’s going to be a tough game.
Longford had a good Division 4 campaign, gaining promotion and were unlucky to lose out against Carlow in the final.
We are keen to get at it again after a disappointing showing against Armagh in Ulster and we will have to be more clinical this week.
Minors
Karl Lacey must be beginning to think this year’s crop of minors are cursed.
They have been competitive in all their games so far but haven’t had the wins they wanted while they have picked up a couple of injuries along the way.
The league was frustrating as was the first round championship defeat to Cavan.
There was pressure on heading into Donegal’s match with Down last Saturday but Lacey’s side were brilliant.
They raced ahead and were firmly in control as Down were reduced to 14 men.
However, the rain then had a big say and the match was called off after 47 minutes.
The Ulster CCC decided the game should be replayed so Down get another chance.
It will have been annoying for Donegal but they just have to get the focus back this week.
They showed that they are a good team last Saturday and they will aim to back that up this week.