THE LAST TIME Eoin Cadogan and Keith Higgins crossed paths in Croke Park, it was in an All-Ireland senior football quarter-final.
That August 2014 clash swung the way of Mayo after a frenetic finale as they staved off the challenge of Cork to win by 1-19 to 2-15.
The duo are currently preparing for provincial football semi-finals, Cadogan with Cork against Tipperary in Munster on 12 June and Higgins with Mayo against Galway in Connacht on 18 June.
But before that there is the matter of a hurling final with Cadogan and Higgins set to be in opposing camps in next Saturday’s Nicky Rackard Cup decider in Croke Park.
Cadogan is a strength and conditioning coach with the Armagh hurlers while Higgins is part of the Mayo senior hurling side.
Cadogan is back involved with the Armagh senior squad after last year’s final where they lost out 2-12 to 1-14 to Roscommon, shipping a last-gasp goal that resulted in a deflating defeat.
Higgins is best known for his Mayo senior football exploits, lining out at corner-back in their opening provincial victory over London last Sunday.
But despite being based in the English capital this week as part of Mayo’s senior football training camp, Higgins will return to line out for the county’s hurlers on Saturday.
The three-time football Allstar featured in all of Mayo’s Nicky Rackard Cup games to date this season as they defeated Tyrone, Armagh and Donegal.
And when Mayo last played a hurling match in Croke Park, Higgins bagged 0-5 in the 2004 All-Ireland senior B football final against Kildare.
The Ballyhaunis man will be hoping for a nice pre-football championship fillip with hurling success on Sunday.
But Cadogan will be aiming for a similar prize.
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