Champions dethroned and can have no complaints
After Derry's comprehensive win over Tyrone in the Ulster quarter-final, there was still the view that the All-Ireland champions could resuscitate their season. Even against Armagh in the tight confines of the Athletic Grounds, we thought, that yes, the Red Hand would bounce back. Not to be. McGeeney's men ran out six-point winners.
A ten-point margin would not have flattered them; a side that rediscovered the pomp that made us sit up and watch in the early stages of the league. Tyrone, on the other hand, had a spring that mixed more of the bad with the good. Discipline was also an issue. Answers as to their no-show in 2022 will be sought over the next few months, says joint-manager Brian Dooher.
Seán Cavanagh thinks Armagh's six-point winning margin flatters his native Tyrone.
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The three-time All-Ireland winner told RTÉ Sport: "We couldn't get that form that we had last year and that momentum. We just didn't get it this year to build on it and we always seemed to be chasing games a bit too much. But we'll sit back now over the next weeks and months, look at it and see what we can do differently."
On the possibility that Tyrone did not have the same level of hunger having tasted success, Dooher suggested that was far from the case.
"A lot of people will say they know the answer and they have the answer," he added.
"I suppose I have a bunch of boys in there, they gave their all last year, gave everything and then played a long club season, so it's hard to know what it is.
"But we just couldn't hit the heights that we hit last year. That's evident. But we can't question the attitude of the fellas. They gave everything.
"They gave their heart and soul to Tyrone football. They did everything we asked of them, so we give credit to them. I can't fault them."
Next up for Armagh is a chance to avenge their earlier championship defeat to Donegal in round two of the qualifiers. The momentum from a third win this year over Tyrone should have them in a good place facing up to Declan Bonner's outfit, a collective whose confidence may still be brittle after their Ulster final loss.
MacHale Park grind
Mayo tend not to illuminate the footballing world with their treks through the back door. And so was the case again as they grinded out a four-point win over Monaghan - a performance that would not indicate that they are up there with Dublin and Kerry in the All-Ireland race. Only two of Mayo's starting six forwards scored; five of the unit were eventually substituted. Lee Keegan, not for the first time, and Paddy Durkan driving forward from defence to kick vital scores when needed.
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It was at the back where the Green and Red were more assured than they were against Galway, though a misplaced pass nearly put Monaghan's Conor Leonard in on goal. He went to ground under a challenge from Lee Keegan. It looked a penalty, but referee Barry Cassidy wasn't interested.
Mayo went down the field and Durcan kicked a point. Game over, controversy reigned supreme and Seamus McEnaney was about to articulate his county's frustration.
'Banty' told the waiting media afterwards: "I’m not going to sugar-coat things here. We are absolutely very disappointed. We think it was a stonewall penalty there at the end. We were robbed of a penalty, we were robbed of extra time, we were robbed of another opportunity. There’s no grey area.
Armagh v Donegal and Mayo v Kildare were the two standout ties from the qualifier draw, while the Tailteann Cup semi-final pairings were also confirmed.https://t.co/weZaYBkz51
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On the awarding of a Mayo penalty, converted by Cillian O'Connor, for a foot block, the Farney boss added: "The Mayo penalty was touch and go. I’m 20 years managing teams and 15 years managing Monaghan, off and on, and never in my lifetime did I complain about a referee in my lifetime, but today was disgraceful.
"These were huge margins. We can manage, we can build a backroom team, we can get the best players in Monaghan to play football but we cannot legislate for that type of stuff."
The manager was also irked by the black card awarded to Conor McManus early on for what seemed like an innocuous foul on Aidan O’Shea.
Monaghan would have been targeting an All-Ireland quarter-final spot - that is their level. They set up to frustrate Mayo, but didn't do enough in spite of Banty's frustrations, to win the game.
For Mayo, their journey continues. Talk about 'Newbridge or Nowhere' will be rekindled as they face the Lilies again next weekend.
Elsewhere, Cork and Clare advanced at the expense of Louth and Meath respectively. The Wee County set up to limit the Rebels' ambitions on Leeside. It never quite worked, though there was only four points between the sides at the finish. A Munster derby against Limerick is next up for Cork.
Clare are now one game away from repeating their 2016 feat of reaching the All-Ireland quarters. Late points from Keelan Sexton and Manus Doherty saw the Banner home against the Royals, though it should never have come to that, as Colm Collins' side were wasteful in front of the posts.
Andy McEntee's term as Royal boss would appear to be at an end now. Six years at the helm. Some progress, but not enough progress.
Thrills and spills and much more in Carrick
Perhaps the most entertaining game of the weekend was in Carrick-on-Shannon, where Sligo held their nerve in a penalty shootout to edge past Leitrim and reach the Tailteann Cup semi-finals.
The Yeats County are certainly paying homage to Harry Houdini by the manner in which they have emerged victorious against New York, London and Leitrim. Yet, they were the better team for most of the tussle against their neighbours, but a total of 17 wides will no doubt add to Tony McEntee's frustration after the 21 wides kicked against London.
Goalkeeper Aidan Devaney was Sligo's hero between the posts, saving two penalties. A tip of the hat also to Leitrim's Keith Beirne, who again showed his prowess, as he contributed 1-06 to his side's total.
And so the All Blacks are back in Croke Park for the first time since 2015. They'll face Tailteann Cup favourites Cavan in the semis. Westmeath and Offaly will lock horns in the other last-four clash. Both games will be live on RTÉ television.
