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Lisa Regan predicts that if Galway prosper on Sunday and eclipse that 23 year that a dearh of positivity will radiate through the county. “If Galway won, it would put hurling back on the map and make it cool again. I’ve seen a newfound interest in our own club already. We’ve had eight to 10 new kids requesting to join so hopefully a revival will follow. I love all sports in general but in a county like Galway, particularly in the city, other sports often get more attention but if we won on Sunday I think things would change.”

It’s semi-final time in the Westmeath senior football championship with two very interesting games down for decision this Sunday in Cusack Park. Holders Garrycastle take on surprise packet Maryland at 2.30pm followed by the all-Mullingar clash of St Loman’s and Shamrocks at 4pm.

I was doing co-commentary on the Kerry v Clare qualifier match last Saturday at the Limerick Gaelic Grounds. I definitely got the short straw on this one as, at times, during the game it was hard to comprehend that this was in fact a championship encounter, such was the feeble challenge from the Banner men. There was a great deal of anticipation and excitement amongst the press boys as they waited for the live draw to see who would be playing who this weekend. Irrespective of the pairings, this weekend was always going to throw up one of the most eagerly anticipated set of quarter-finals in the twelve years of the back door format and, with, it the most open All-Ireland race in living memory. The sense of excitement is created by the possibility of shocks and also by the novelty of matches between teams that have sometimes never played in championship, as with next Sunday when Kerry play Donegal in one of the most eagerly awaited quarter-finals ever. We also have the unique pairing of Mayo v Down which has undoubtedly created its own excitement locally. I remarked to one of the RTE sound men sitting beside me when the draw paired Mayo with Down, that it was a great draw for Mayo. His response was that it was a great draw for Down too. And I suppose we were both right. But let us not confuse the issue here. I believe Down appear to be the easier of the four options that were available, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it is a handy game for Mayo. Down will also think they have a mighty chance of beating Mayo. The Mourne men are certainly no world beaters and I will be surprised if we don’t progress to a semi-final on September 2. The standard of the Ulster championship isn’t what it used to be, so Ulster teams, with perhaps the exception of Donegal, appear to be ordinary enough. Yes, Down are probably a better team when they come to Croke Park, but Mayo too will relish the opportunity of playing at HQ. With everything at stake and the threat of possible elimination I think the Mayo lads will really be inspired to rediscover something close to their real potential. We definitely didn’t see the best of Mayo in what was a rather dull Connacht championship, but we have come to expect a little bit of magic a couple of times a year from Mayo. And now is the time to deliver a performance that will lift the confidence of both players and supporters. I have been getting mixed responses on the street, with many unsure of the capabilities of this Mayo side. But these players are smart enough to realise that the standard of football required to win championship encounters in Croke Park will most definitely have to be miles ahead of the standard we have witnessed to date this year in the Hyde or McHale Park. I think Mayo will prevail if they are a lot tighter in defence as Down are a side capable of punching holes in a rear guard that isn’t on top of its game. I flagged it here two weeks ago that our half back line in particular must stay at home and mind the house. Donal Vaughan is due a big game but he has shown us, particularly last year, that he thrives in Croke Park. I expect a big game from our centre back, one which will give the team enormous momentum if he can get those knees pumping! With the return of Aidan O’Shea to Mayo’s midfield, ( I would be shocked if the big Breaffy man wasn’t there for the throw in on Saturday evening) Mayo possess two outstanding ball winners in this crucial sector as Barry Moran is playing with huge confidence at the moment. It is important, therefore, to have these two competing for primary possession in and around midfield. To ensure this happens, Mayo must not allow any short kick outs to a free Down man. Mayo’s pair can be potential match winners if Down areforced to go long with kick outs. Mayo will have to be incisive and smart in moving the ball into the scoring zone. Our forwards haven’t sparkled in the two matches played in the championship so far and must deliver a better performance tomorrow if Mayo are to have any chance. With they type of forwards Mayo possess, they must get early fast ball into the inside line where I hope Cillian O'Connor is deployed, if they are to do any damage. And finally, nice football doesn’t get you too far these days. Mayo will need to get stuck in from the throw in and get the game on their terms because there’s so much at stake here! Our minors are really up against when they take to the field against the All- Ireland champions, Tipperary. I hope they play to their potential and enjoy what is a fantastic occasion for these young men.

I thought the Mayo team looked a little bit spooked last Sunday in Hyde Park and I really do not know why they appeared that way. Some might suggest that Conor Mortimer’s surprise departure from the squad placed a difficult burden on Mayo. I don’t believe it did. On the other hand I bumped into the Mayo manager in Castlebar last Saturday and could see he had the weary look of a man that had a belly-full of the Mortimer issue over the previous few days. I am sure he is sleeping a little more soundly since Sunday as his squad did just about enough to get over the line against a typically sticky Sligo challenge. As I stood to watch the presentation of the Nestor Cup, I engaged with a few Mayo supporters who were just as relieved that Mayo won the match. And I have to agree with their view which was that winning is the most important thing.

That most important element which even the best prepared and most successful teams need, a sprinkling of luck, was the only thing missing from Westmeath’s performance against Louth in Pairc Tailteann, Navan last Sunday.

Confusion reigns as far as this columnist is concerned in trying to predict the outcome of Sunday’s league final. It is eerily quiet about the place, for many reasons, which has meant the build up to this final has been quite different. There is also a wintry sting in the air these past few days which does not help create an exciting atmosphere for a big game. The reality for the downbeat mood could also have something to do with the fact that that we just do not really know what to expect on Sunday. But I felt that way too for the semi-final, when so few from the participating counties took an interest in proceedings. Very few I met or spoke to prior to the game gave Mayo much of a chance of reaching the league final. Most thought that Kerry had played tricks with the Mayo players’ minds during the final round of the league one week earlier in Tralee. Kerry played with the kind of arrogant cocky swagger which is their wont for most of the afternoon in Croke Park without displaying an ounce of panic until the game had practically slipped away from them. On this occasion there were no big guns on the subs bench to rescue the situation… they were all on the field of play. They played poorly and fitness levels were questionable. They were also missing two of their big stars in Declan O’Sullivan and Tomás Ó Sé, and a combination of these factors meant that they could not stop a more energetic Mayo side once they got a sniff of victory. In times past when Kerry felt any level of threat, they simply put the foot back on the pedal and drove on. Not so on this occasion and after Pat Harte’s brilliantly executed penalty Mayo looked re-energised, fitter, fresher, and stronger as they recorded another famous victory over the Kingdom. The handful of loyal supporters that travelled were not found wanting when assisting their team over the finishing line.

Galway made it five wins in a row in the Ladies National Football League as they hit another high tally to dispose of Tipperary at Pearse Stadium on Sunday.

St Kieran’s College put their Provincial and All-Ireland titles on the line as they square up to north Dublin College on Saturday.

Garrycastle face a tough test when they take on Kildare champions Athy in Newbridge on Sunday. Athy can be described as an up and coming team with as many as nine of their starting team under 21. Having reached the provincial decider in 2009 and the semi-final last year, Anthony Cunningham’s men have a definite edge in terms of experience and at this stage of this particular competition that could prove crucial to the outcome.