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But it's been a theme of the championship where pre-match favourites are falling like flies. Donegal losing to Down and Monaghan stunning Derry in Ulster; Mayo and Galway coming unstuck against the Rossies in Connacht; and Westmeath flooring both the Royals and Dublin in Leinster. The All-Ireland series is continuing that trend and leaving the formbook torn to pieces.

Donegal wiping out Kerry in Killarney was a huge shock, followed by Louth turning the tables on Dublin. Last weekend took the biscuit altogether. That same Donegal team being turned over by a resurgent Cork in Ballybofey; while Louth continued their renaissance with a last-gasp win – thanks to Ethan Raftery's mistake – over that same Donegal outfit. Roscommon losing to Monaghan was also a surprise.

Amid all the madness, however, Galway have regrouped well after their Connacht Final setback. Beating Kildare in Salthill was no great challenge, but they stepped up considerably on that form when hosting Leinster champions Westmeath in front of a full-house at Pearse Stadium last Sunday. There may have been only three points in it at the finish but that 3-21 to 2-21 scoreline flattered the........

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