Division 1: Kerry to edge old rivals Dublin in slow bicycle race

"League is league, but championship is championship". One of the many hackneyed lines trotted out each year in the GAA world, primarily by a side that has a middling-to-positive start to the year ahead of the championship, but looking to dial things down before the important business begins.

Supporters of the view that league form - especially those with promising campaigns under their respective belts - is no indicator of what will follow will point to last year's enthralling Division 1 final as a case in point.

Taking over a side on the back of successive All-Ireland semi-final defeats, Mickey Harte led Derry to a statement victory over Dublin on penalties. It proved to be one of the most entertaining games of the year and the dial seemed to be pointing towards the Oak Leaf County replicating the exploits of 1993. It also suggested that Dessie Farrell's side were in no mood to relinquish Sam Maguire.

What unfolded was significantly different.

Derry quickly ran out of steam after putting so much stock into the first part of the year. Another shootout success, against Mayo in the qualifiers, kept their season on life support, but four defeats from six saw Harte leave his post with a bloodied nose.

The Dubs also exited at the quarter-final stage, defeat to Galway proving to be a swansong for James McCarthy and Brian Fenton, and possibly more to follow.

Twelve months previous and a similar fate to Harte befell Mayo boss Kevin McStay, who also marked his first season in charge with a Division 1 title, only to bow meekly out of the All-Ireland race at the quarter-final stage.

Dublin in their pomp never seemed to treat the competition as a poor relation, racking up three titles and another final appearance during the six-in-a-row