With the football leagues over and Mayo and Dublin capturing the Division 1 and Division 2 titles, this week’s Throw-In ranks the contenders heading into the Championship.

Conor McKeon and Dick Clerkin join Will Slattery and Michael Verney as they focus on the big five and discuss why winning your province could also be a disadvantage.

But, says Dick Clerkin, if Mayo want to prove their All-Ireland credentials, they need a big performance against Roscommon in their Connacht opener next week.

Join the Throw-In every Monday for all your weekend GAA reaction and analysis from the Irish Independent sports team.

If you want to get in touch with the show, send your comments and questions on Twitter at @slatterywill and @mlverney.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mayo's statement of intent, Derry's shortcomings and the disadvantage of winning your province

Some of the biggest names in GAA in Ireland discuss the major talking points of the week – on and off the pitch. Michael Verney and Will Slattery among others delve into the best stories with former players like John Mullane, Dick Clerkin, Eddie Brennan and Philly McMahon analysing the games and other All-Stars like Pat Spillane and Joe Brolly dropping in along the way.

Sports

On this week’s Throw-In football show, Dick Clerkin and Donnchadh Boyle join Will Slattery to break down Galway’s bounce back into form over a Derry team still reeling from a bruising Ulster campaign.

Donnchadh explains why he believes that despite their loss, the body of work put in by Mickey Harte’s men does not rule them out of the running.

Elsewhere, Kerry - despite having what Dick said was a ‘quiet’ David Clifford ‘ made light work of Monaghan in the first of their All-Ireland round-robin clashes.

Meanwhile, we look ahead to some of next weekend’s All-Ireland clashes, where the team give their thoughts on where Donegal and Tyrone sit among the challengers for Sam Maguire.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Football: Galway back in All-Ireland picture; Donegal aren’t as good as they think

Controversy reigned in Clare’s one-point win over Waterford, but it sets up a thrilling final weekend. 
 
John Mullane and Eddie Brennan join Michael Verney to break down the weekend’s action. John states his case for more referees being involved in senior games as ‘players deserve the best’, while Eddie believes that with Hawk-Eye, it should be ‘everywhere or nowhere’.
 
In terms of the runners and riders, Cork have hit the type of form that could get Leesiders dreaming again, while Waterford are poised to threaten Limerick’s drive for five. 
 
And in Leinster, Kilkenny and Wexford prepare for a game set for both sides to throw the kitchen sink - the only difference is that Wexford are coming in off the back of a ruthless victory, where Kilkenny could barely defeat the Dubs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hurling: Anger over Clare’s 65 does not cloud belief that Waterford could stop Limerick’s drive for five

On this week’s Throw-In football show, Colm Keys and Frank Roche join Will Slattery to break down Donegal’s triumph in the Ulster final after what was a supremely difficult route to the decider. 

Armagh were the latest victim to Jim McGuinness’s tactical nous, but Colm suspects that Kieran McGeeney’s side got too comfortable when they got four points ahead despite a high-quality showing in the first half. 

Meanwhile, Dublin won another Leinster title, but they were not without challenge as Louth pushed them all the way. The team outline why Con O’Callaghan is now the front-runner to be player of the year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Football: Kieran McGeeney’s Armagh get ‘too comfortable’ in Ulster final defeat

The magic of the Munster championship served up one of the greatest hurling clashes in history as Cork pipped Limerick - John Mullane and Eddie Brennan join Michael Verney to break down the weekend’s action. 
 
The excitement is evident after the entertainment in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, where Cork got their tactics right but now face the risk of being drained for the next game against Tipperary on Sunday. But the GAAGO controversy was a negative around the ‘epic’, and John makes his passionate case for more free-to-air games. 
 
Meanwhile, Kilkenny are in jeopardy after a surprising draw at Carlow, one the Barrowsiders fully deserved. So ahead of their trip to Dublin this weekend, Eddie warns that the men from the capital will be a huge challenge for Derek Lyng’s men.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hurling: Cork's joy in one of the best games ever - if only we could watch it

Galway’s dramatic win over Mayo for their third Connacht title in a row was a huge win for Padraic Joyce’s team but does it show their true potential and are they really potential All-Ireland contenders?
Dick Clerkin and Colm Keys join Will Slattery on this week’s Throw-In Football show to discuss the big talking points from the weekend action.
Plus, where does this leave Mayo? Dick and Colm believe that Kevin McStay’s side haven’t progressed since last year, though they do have an arguably easier round-robin path than Galway.
And just why was the round-robin draw made in advance of the provincial finals?
In Munster, Kerry won another title overcoming Clare but there’s still question marks around their form. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mayo's statement of intent, Derry's shortcomings and the disadvantage of winning your province

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