Kildare v Armagh

8th successive year that Dublin are in the all-ireland semi-finals, 7th successive year for Mayo, 5th for Kerry and even Tyrone are in their third in 5 years. Since the current league structure came in to place at the start of the 2008 league, Kerry and Mayo have been in division 1 for all 10 seasons and Dublin for the last 9 seasons. The players are accustomed to the physicality and pace of top level matches year in year out and have a serious reservoir of endurance built up. Even if it meant harming our championship prospects next year, I'd consider it more important to stay in division 1 long-term. Yes we need to try to new players (particularly in defence) but division 1 football will be more attritional and more injuries will force Cian's hand on trying players in the league, whether he wants to or not anyway.

Mayo looked awesome at times but its hard to reconcile that with the Mayo team we saw for the rest of the championship. Needed extra-time to beat the worst Cork team since they poached Larry Tompkins. But they showed serious power yesterday, even playing for a third week in a row.

Interesting dynamic next year is the championship will start so close to the end of the league to get the all-ireland finals played in August. Potentially we could be playing a Leinster quarter on 13 or 20 May with a Leinster semi-final on the June bank holiday. Think playing at a higher level in the league will be more of an advantage with a shorter lead-in time to the championship. Only problem is the number of players in college sitting exams around the time of the first championship game, but nearly every county will be in the same boat.

Shergar wrote:

Even if it meant harming our championship prospects next year, I'd consider it more important to stay in division 1 long-term. .

There is serious truth to this, in the long term if you want to a be a proper championship force, Div 1 is absolutely essential, there's no way around it I'm afraid.

Shergar wrote:

Mayo looked awesome at times but its hard to reconcile that with the Mayo team we saw for the rest of the championship.

That's Mayo for you Shergar... They look vulnerable at times, more so than the other three, but they are always capable of big performances when it counts. Dublin have absolutely had to throw the kitchen sink at them over the past couple of years, both times only won after a replay, last year in particular by the absolute skin of their teeth.

They are genuinely the best team I've seen never to win the All Ireland. Not a legacy anyone wants but they are incredible competitors. Oh to have a team with that level of resolve. It's a level we need to get to.