Best team performance…

It’s hard to look past Mayo’s demolition job of Galway in Salthill yesterday.

As opening statements of intent go, this was a significant one by Mayo. They crushed their opponents by 17 points, got big names like Alan Dillon and Andy Moran back on the pitch after recent injuries and chalked up 4-16 in the process.

After last year’s All-Ireland final defeat, James Horan will be pleased with the start his team have made to the 2012 campaign.

Best player display…

Making your senior championship debut in attack on the notoriously difficult Ulster stage can be tricky. Trying to engineer the space against tight defences is a challenge. But it was one that Cavan’s Martin Dunne lived up to yesterday against Armagh.

He weighed in with 0-9 from full-forward and remarkably struck eight of those points from play. His appearance and style of play are not too dissimilar to former Breffni forward Seanie Johnston and the Cavan Gaels club man shone with his quality movement and kicking.

YouTube: KilkennyFootball

Fan pic of the weekend…

Take a bow young Michael McDonnell from Erriff, Westport who is captured here celebrating Mayo’s third goal yesterday.

Pic: INPHO/James Crombie

Best point…

He spent most of the league being used as an impact substitute but when parachuted in from the start yesterday in Mullingar, Westmeath’s Dessie Dolan showed that he still has the ability to thrive up front. His lofted point from the right wing in the second-half of the match was a superb score.

Best goal…

Can’t argue with Cian Mackey’s first-half effort for Cavan in Kingspan Breffni Park yesterday. He ran from deep through the centre of the Armagh defence and finished with a delightful drop-kick to the net.

YouTube: KilkennyFootball

Standout defensive display…

The performance of the Cavan defence in holding a sharpshooter like Armagh’s Jamie Clarke scoreless was a huge achievement in yesterday’s Ulster preliminary round clash.

Heart-warming moment…

It’s a tie on this occasion between the sight of Andy Moran euphorically celebrating scoring Mayo’s fourth goal yesterday as he marked his return from cruciate ligaement damage….

Pic: INPHO/James Crombie

And the great campaign that Carlow GAA have launched to highlight suicide awareness

Pic: INPHO/Donall Farmer

Talking Points…

• The return of the Laois hurlers to winning ways against Antrim on Saturday night in Portlaoise after they had suffered defeats to Dublin by 22 points and Limerick by 32 points in last summer’s championship.
• The first signs that Cavan’s three consecutive Ulster U21 titles can reap a dividend at senior level as they got the better of Armagh yesterday in Kingspan Breffni Park.
• Mayo banishing any question marks about their attacking capabilities as they racked up 4-16 in Salthill yesterday.
• Where to now for the 2001 All-Ireland champions Galway and the 2002 All-Ireland champions Armagh after yesterday’s opening round setbacks?

Tweets of the weekend…

Monaghan footballer Colin Walshe

Kildare footballer Emmet Bolton

Stat of the weekend…

Mayo recorded their biggest championship win over Galway since 1907 with yesterday’s 17 point success in Pearse Stadium

Best quote…

You both picked Galway. Sweet mother of all the Brollys’.

Joe Brolly admonishing Colm O’Rourke and Pat Spillane at half-time of the Connacht championship game for their pre-match prediction on The Sunday Game.

Action shot of the weekend…

Galway’s Danny Cummins trips Donal Vaughan of Mayo.

Pic: INPHO/James Crombie

It was the weekend when….

Mayo sparkled, Galway were humbled, Cavan got a boost, London made their Leinster debut and The Sunday Game returned with a bang.

3 reasons why Mayo can be cheerful and Galway can be fearful

Your ‘Mayo And Toulon Players Hanging Out’ Pic Of The Day