There were four games in the All Ireland SFC this weekend as the first round of fixtures in the group stages are completed.
With Cork and Armagh getting wins while Derry v Monaghan and Dublin v Roscommon ended in draws, here are some statistical takeaways from the weekend.
Difference in approach from Monaghan
In the Farney Army's 0-14 apiece draw with Derry, it was a particularly impressive showing for Monaghan.
More so because this was the same Derry team that beat them 1-21 to 2-10 in the Ulster SFC earlier this month.
The turnovers was a key stat to look at in this game compared to the other encounter.
In the Ulster championship game, Derry won the turnover battle 15 to 9.
On Saturday, Monaghan won it 10 to 8.
Clearly, Vinny Corey had been doing a lot of work in analysing Derry to put more pressure on them and it worked.
Watch the Full-Time Highlights of Derry v Monaghan in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship here on #GAANOW pic.twitter.com/oC1TZxseV3
— The GAA (@officialgaa) May 27, 2023
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Cork's long kickouts
It was a crucial win for John Cleary's Cork as they beat Louth 1-19 to 1-17.
One aspect of Cork's play that has been questionable in previous years is their kickouts and while a short kickout malfunction led to Louth's goal, their long ones worked a treat.
21 were kicked long to Ian Maguire, Colm O'Callaghan and Ruairi Deane with 15 won, an impressive return and a platform for the Rebels to build from.
Their turnovers were good to, beating Louth on that department 16 to 11.
Westmeath waste their chance
Dessie Dolan's Westmeath played admirably but there will be kicking themselves after coming out with a defeat to Armagh, 1-13 to 1-12.
The Lakesiders had more shots, 25 to 22 and had 7 wides.
It may not seem a big amount but those are the small margins between winning and losing.
With Tyrone and Galway to come, the Tailteann Cup victors will feel this was two points dropped.
Peter Canavan believes that Dessie Dolan will be immensely proud of the way Westmeath played but that they’ll look back on their defeat to Armagh and view it as a game that got away from them. #SaturdayGame pic.twitter.com/RSTMxYevJq
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 27, 2023
Patient Roscommon
It was ultimately a draw for Roscommon against Dublin in Croke Park, 0-14 to 1-11 but they were probably the better team.
Their keep ball tactics was particularly interesting in this match but to keep the ball for four minutes before getting a score was quite sensational.
Ciaran Murtagh was the man who finished the patient play off, a move very rare when facing Dublin.
Davy Burke's men could be a force in the Championship yet.
So disciplined and mature from the Rossies as they deservedly lead Dublin by 0-9 to 0-5 at half time. Last score from Ciarain Murtagh, after Roscommon kept the ball for around four mins, potentially a huge moment. Can they keep this going? #GAA
— Ian Cooney (@cooney_ian) May 28, 2023
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