Could Dublin or Derry buck the trend in 2023?
Croke Park’s double-header on Sunday afternoon provides a rare instance where there is virtually no gulf in class between the Division 1 and Division 2 finals of the Allianz Football League.
Connacht rivals Mayo and Galway face off in the top tier decider at 4pm, with Dublin taking on Derry in the curtain-raiser at 1:45pm.
All four teams are genuine All-Ireland contenders in most people’s eyes, with 2023 promising to be one of the most open races for the Sam Maguire Cup in recent memory.
With Dessie Farrell and Rory Gallagher hoping to lead their respective teams to national glory this summer, they will know the odds are stacked against them.
The modern format of the National League dictates that Division 1 is a dog-eat-dog affair, and the country’s top teams warm up for the championship with full-blooded clashes against each other. The chasing pack are not exposed to such high levels, and as such may be disadvantaged come the summer.
Not since 2002 has a Division 2 county won the All-Ireland title. Armagh’s maiden triumph is now 21 years ago, and Sam has been claimed by a Division 1 county in each of the intervening 20 seasons.
The Sky Blues and the Oak Leaf County will be hoping for that run to end in 2023. It will be interesting to see if either team can use a springtime away from the limelight as a launchpad for a successful summer.
Watch the Our Game preview of the weekend’s action, and Shane Stapleton and Michael Verney catch up with Michael Lyster, Cyril Farrell and Tomás Mulchay to reminisce about their Sunday Game days here.
