The Monaghan team stand together before last year’s All-Ireland SFC semi-final, a game they might have missed if a ‘Swiss Model’ championship format was in operation. Photo: Daire Brennan/Sportsfile
It has taken a few empty terraces and a lot of steam let off over the absence of ‘jeopardy’ along the way, but the final round of All-Ireland SFC group games on the weekend after next have done exactly as they were designed to – they’ve kept everyone in touch with something to play for.
Even Clare, who were cut adrift before the last game in 2023, have a chance should they beat Donegal in Castlebar and Tyrone beat Cork in the other game. Otherwise, a three-way play-off in that group would likely short-change them on score difference.