Who would have thought that this would come to pass? A question, no doubt asked by Galway and Mayo fans as they deal with the reality that the age-old rivals are to meet in a preliminary All-Ireland football quarter-final.
Pearse Stadium in Salthill on Sunday will be the next stop-off in their storied coming together. Not Croke Park in July for a semi-final, or indeed, a final.
The final day of the group phase produced outcomes that were a result of much see-sawing in play. Galway lost top spot in their section after going down by a point to Armagh. Mayo slipped from first to third after a late thrust from Cork that produced 1-06 without reply.
Sunday's winner by the seaside will be out again the following weekend. After one cauldron another pressure cooker of sorts awaits at GAAHQ.
For Galway and Mayo, their Sam Maguire odds have widened as a result of last weekend's reverses. The victor on Sunday will need a statement victory.
Matthew Tierney, a day on from that loss in Carrick-on-Shannon, faced the media as the All-Ireland series was luanched. His presence at the event in Howth was pencilled in before Galway's clash with Armagh.
"We went out to win that game but that's sport," was Tierney's phlegmatic response to RTÉ Sport after the events in Carrick.
"We're not out of it so we'll go again this Sunday."
As for meeting Mayo again, the Tribes attacker gave that familar line as to what to expect.
"There's a healthy rivalry there and we'll look forward to the challenge. It's do or die now and hopefully the Galway fans come out in force.
"It will be a great occasion to be involved in again. In the league final it didn't go our way but we're going back to the drawing board now this week at training and we have to focus. We have to get it right for Sunday.
"There's definitely an upping in the pressure. Our backs are against the wall, it's do or die, and we will try to give the fans something to cheer about."
There are still concerns over the fitness of Damien Comer and Dylan McHugh, while captain Seán Kelly went off injured against Armagh, but Tierney believes collectively that Galway remain "a force" in this year's race for Sam.
"We have tried to tighten up defensively; we've different weapons going forwards and we like to mix it up as much as we can. If it's direct ball or breaking down a mass defence you have to be able to do it all. We're trying our best at it.
"I'd like to think when we get it right we are good to watch. It's all about getting the right players on the ball and seeing what they can do. When we work as a unit we're a force."
For Tierney himself, he's been one of Galway's top performers in the championship. Equally adept at winning his own ball and setting up scores from his surging runs, the Oughterard clubman will be a key figure in Sunday's gathering of the last-chance saloon out west.
On his contribution so far this summer, he told the assembled media: "I suppose I've had a few good games. The Connacht final (where he scored 2-07 against Sligo) was probably my best game, they don’t come around too often but I’m trying to get them a little bit more consistent, if I can. I’m enjoying it at the moment."
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Watch the All-Ireland Hurling Championship quarter-finals, Dublin v Clare and Galway v Tipperary, on Saturday from 3.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app or listen to live updates on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
Watch Galway v Mayo in the All-Ireland Football Championship on Sunday from 3pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app or listen to live updates on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
Watch the Tailteann Cup semi-finals, Down v Laois and Meath v Antrim, on Sunday from 1.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app or listen to live updates on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
