As Corofin and Castlebar Mitchels prepared for extra time in last month’s Connacht club final, the result of the Munster final was announced over the loudspeaker in Tuam Stadium. Nemo Rangers’ five-point victory against Dr Crokes was greeted with a loud cheer. The lingering tension of trying to win a Connacht title was still palpable but, for a brief moment, both sets of supporters were clearly thinking of the bigger picture. The sacking of the reigning All-Ireland champions is always going to draw a response — it’s human nature — but the anorak Corofin and Castlebar supporters were also doing the sums. With St Vincent’s gone, and with the Connacht winners already having what was perceived as the most favourable draw, the removal of another warm favourite…

Source: The Times December 11, 2017 00:33 UTC