It might not be the All-Ireland Final as we know it but the GAA's showpiece football event still has the power to stir emotions in us all.
On Saturday, Dublin and Mayo will square off in an empty Croke Park for the right to be crowned the 2020 All-Ireland Football Champions and the motivation for each county will be on completely opposite ends of the spectrum. In the blue corner, Dublin will be looking to win a record-extending sixth Sam Maguire in a row. Mayo, meanwhile, just want to win their first since 1951 and their fourth overall.
There's no doubt that the emotion will be felt far beyond Dublin and Mayo and that is conveyed perfectly in this Sky Sports promo. At the end of a hugely successful 2020 for himself, Normal People actor Paul Mescal has found the time to narrate the powerful clip. In it, he reflects on a GAA Championship like no other, played out in empty stadiums and in front of massive TV audiences.
"During these dark, winter nights, people have gone to extraordinary lengths to make this a Championship to remember," Mescal tells us. He goes on to say that "in this Championship, we’ve seen shocks and surprises like never before. Historic commemorations to honour our fallen members," as the viewer sees footage of that historic November 22 afternoon when Tipperary and Cavan pulled off heroics in the midst of the 100th anniversary of Bloody Sunday.
"And now we're down to the final two," Paul adds. "Mayo versus Dublin. A recent rivalry renewed once more." The promo does a great job of setting the scene for Saturday evening and will have Dublin and Mayo fans running through walls ahead of the big game. As for the rest of Ireland, just sit back and enjoy.
Throw-in for the All Ireland Final is 5pm on Saturday and coverage begins on Sky Sports Mix at 4pm. Check out the goosebump-inducing promo below.
https://twitter.com/SkySportsGAA/status/1339879337986822144
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