Right, today’s the day and what a day too, as the county has – for what must be the first time ever – three separate teams contesting All-Ireland series matches on the same day.

All eyes will be on Croke Park later on but the first Mayo team to take the field today will be the juniors who square up to Lancashire in their All-Ireland semi-final over in Manchester, with that one starting at 2.30pm. Then, a half an hour later, the minors will be taking on defending All-Ireland champions Tipperary in their All-Ireland quarter-final, with the seniors following suit against Down two hours after that.

It’s very difficult to know how the day will go for James Horan and the lads. We’re favourites going into it but that doesn’t mean we’ll still be standing coming out of it and we all know that a misfiring performance is likely to end our interest in this year’s championship. We equally know that if the team plays like it can then a place in the semi-final beckons. That’s not a very profound piece of analysis, I know, but with the throw-in now only hours away, the time for such rumination is well over.

If the poll that’s been running here on the site is correct – 85% of you think we’ll do it – then we could have a day to enjoy (heavy downpours and, possibly, the odd thunderclap or two notwithstanding) at HQ. Here’s hoping that this is the case and that the lads do the business in style.

Indeed, there’s no point in half measures at this stage so let’s get out there and win all three of today’s contests. Best of luck to all involved. Up Mayo!