Hi °C | Lo °C Ulster's last chance of active involvement in the Bank of Ireland All Ireland Football Final disappeared when Monaghan were just pipped by Kerry in a thrilling semi-final.
But now there is the strong prospect that the province might yet have a representative on the field of play when Kerry face Cork in an all-Munster decider on September 16.
Pat McEnaney, generally regarded as the best referee in the country, would appear to be in pole position to take charge of the contest which will be a repeat of the Munster final won by Kerry.
McEnaney's calm authority and sensible application of the playing laws have helped to put him head and shoulders above his peers and this is expected to be formally endorsed by the GAA authorities when they name the man in the middle for the decider.
Last year another Ulster referee, Cavan's Brian Crowe, took charge of the All Ireland final between Kerry and Mayo when the Kingdom emerged easy winners.
They are now bidding to retain the Sam Maguire Cup, something that has not been achieved since 1989/90 when Cork landed the trophy.
Kerry manager Pat O'Shea has already admitted that retaining the trophy would give special satisfaction to his team.
"Obviously it's something that has not been done for seventeen years and we are very keen to achieve this," said O'Shea who watched his side end Dublin's dreams of glory on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Derry manager Niall Conway has urged his players to adopt the mantra of total concentration when they face Laois in the All Ireland Minor Football Final replay at Navan on Saturday.
Conway was perturbed at the manner in which Derry allowed an eight-point lead to slip away in the closing stages of last Sunday's drawn game at Croke Park "Perhaps our lads thought that we were in the final already when we went those eight points up," said Conway.
And while Derry hope their young guns can flourish on Saturday, they will have to brace themselves for an even bigger challenge should they win.
Waiting in the wings to meet the winners of Saturday's semi-final in the All Ireland final is a supremely talented Galway side who turned in an outstanding display to overcome Kerry in the first semi-final.
