Mayo footballers, management and backroom team look on during the penalty shoot-out that concluded in defeat Derry at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar. Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
For the winners over the weekend, there was the euphoria, Ger Brennan’s word, the sense of anticipation of listening to yesterday’s draw, the first training session of the week (Saturday’s winners may have met on Sunday) as everyone gets together again and just the general satisfaction of being part of the biggest football weekend in a few days’ time.
Whatever other goal has been set, being one of the last eight always ticks a box.