The All-Ireland series began with a bang in Killarney - a bang on the eye to be precise.
The close-up of Ryan McHugh's bloodied face is the latest flashpoint in this simmering Donegal-Kerry rivalry, following on from the many, many slo-mo shots of Michael Murphy's box in the league final.
It's clear now that there's a growing hatred between the two teams. The type of needle between two All-Ireland contenders that we haven't had since Dublin-Mayo a decade ago.
There was a narkiness evident throughout the first half. David Clifford was obviously lucky to avoid sanction for throwing an elbow into Caolan McGonagle's face.
You got the definite sense that it was all going to kick off sooner or later. It was just heading that way.
The second - far more harmless - Clifford incident at the end of the first half set it off. Then all hell broke loose. Micheál Burns stepped way over the line and no one could begin to argue with the red card.
Understandably, there was huge focus on Murphy after his punch in the league final. He was a marked man and the crowd were on his case. He would have been braced for that.
And to be honest, it's nothing he's not had before. He's operated in the cauldron of Ulster for the guts of a decade and a half. I don't think much would intimidate him. If anything, he might relish that type of physicality.
For me, it was one of the principal reasons Kerry lost the game. They wasted too much emotional energy on macho stuff and settling scores and forgot about the business in hand.
They were probably whipped up with anger at what occurred in the league final - and may have been stung by the commentary about how Murphy was let away with his dig on Dylan Casey.
It's a surprising lapse for a county which are traditionally so good at maintaining composure and a cool head in big games.
Burns' madness at half-time was in keeping with all that. Oddly enough, Kerry had played reasonably well into the breeze in the first half and were in a reasonable position before the brawl. It was an impressive effort considering their absentees, with pivotal players like Seán O'Shea and Tom O'Sullivan still ruled out of action.
But the red card killed the game. Playing with a man down under the current rules is hard enough. Playing against Donegal with a numerical disadvantage under the current rules and it's pretty much lights out.
No team is better at controlling possession and methodically working scores against packed defences. Doing so against a rearguard that is down a man is meat and drink to them.
The second half was pretty much a write off and Kerry looked like they were waiting for the final whistle long before the end.
By full-time, it was clear that Donegal had put their hiccup against Down behind them. People might reasonably ask questions about how invested they were in the Ulster championship this year, though that would take away from a superb Down display on the day.
Either way, the hiatus probably did Donegal no harm and they're in strong shape heading into the rest of the All-Ireland series.
Even more so now that their manager is apparently not going to be banned. Jim McGuinness can count himself fairly lucky given the precedent that was supposedly set by the heavy suspension handed out to Ger Brennan.
The tetchy scenes at the press conference indicated that McGuinness was deeply worried that a ban might be coming. (The scene also left one wondering whether Off the Ball's Tommy Rooney was about to receive the Declan Bogue treatment going forward - though he asked a perfectly valid question.)
Brennan and the Dublin camp could be forgiven for being furious at how things have played out.
Another team coming to the boil nicely are Galway. Sure enough, the opposition was poor in Salthill on Saturday evening, but they still had to be put away and they were with some swagger.
Rob Finnerty was electric and their other big forwards - you don't need me to name them - look fit for a change. They probably left a few more goals on the table, in truth, but it was an accomplished display. The Connacht final loss was no doubt a setback, but they've been able to contextualise it pretty quickly.
We can definitely say Meath's stock has fallen. I thought their forward power would see them over the line against Cork, especially after the way the hosts had played in the league final.
But last Saturday's game showcased again the flaws in the Royals' make-up that have been flagged before. They don't defend well enough individually or collectively. And they bleed heavily when a team gets a run on them.
Steven Sherlock scored 0-14, a tally most of us wouldn't manage in three years. For all Meath's brilliantly entertaining football going forward, their issues at the back will always be a brake on their progress.
Mayo get chance to atone
Mayo have had five weeks to lick their wounds after the debacle in MacHale Park. The backlash was fairly intense after that performance and the inquest was unsparing. Andy Moran wisely released the players back to play a round of league games with the clubs.
It's all been very tight-lipped down here. Even the county players at Westport are keeping out of my way so they don't have to talk to me until the Monaghan game is over.
They did hammer Kildare in a challenge match the other week, though, as we know, there's a limit to what one can read into that.
It can go a couple of ways from here but I expect a strong response to the embarrassment of last month. They can hardly play as bad as they did in the Connacht semi-final.
I'd be fairly confident they'll get the win in Clones, their second of the year.
Monaghan are a very different outfit than they were when Mayo ran riot there in March. Their Ulster campaign was testament to their defiance and resolve, with two championship games going to extra-time.
I got the impression that Gabriel Bannigan's side really targeted Ulster. Now that that's done, I wonder will things sag slightly again.
Mayo need to atone after all the heat they took down here. Rob Hennelly has been a great servant though I wouldn't be surprised to see Jack Livingstone start in goal this weekend.
There was some bemusement at how Darragh Beirne didn't get a look-in against Roscommon, given how he performed in the league. I think he should come in. And David McBrien needs to return to full-back.
Speeding through the other games. Both provincial champions lost last weekend, though I expect the reverse this time.
Armagh have a tricky assignment against Derry but I think they're functioning too well as a machine to slip up in that.
Some of their difficulty of getting over Monaghan in the Ulster final could be attributed to nerves given their length of time without a provincial title. Now, this generation have their provincial medal to go with their Celtic Cross and I expect them to play with more freedom than ever.
Westmeath have naturally had a wild celebration and you wouldn't be surprised to see them put in a ropey first quarter in front of their adoring sell-out crowd. Cavan's form this year however has given little indication that they can pull off an upset here.
Louth get another crack at Dublin after their demoralising no-show in the Leinster semi-final. I expect them to make a better fist of it this time but they'll have to play with less conservatism and hesitancy in attack.
The Dubs are a shaky enough outfit these days but I'll give them the nod to get the job done. Though none of the winners will fear them in the next round.
Watch Mayo v Monaghan in the All-Ireland Football Championship first round on Sunday from 3.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app and listen to Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
Watch The Saturday Game from 9.50pm and The Sunday Game from 9.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on all matches on the RTÉ News app and on rte.ie/sport
