The football championship seemed to properly ignite last Saturday evening as Galway shocked Mayo in Castlebar.
On the surface, it appeared that Galway's chances of beating their historical rivals had never been more remote. They entered the match with six championship debutantes, three of whom were in the full back line.
Their full back Declan Kyne was incredibly impressive and was among the nominees for footballer of the week.
However, victory was scooped this week by a more experienced soldier in the Galway ranks. A star in Galway's All-Ireland minor victory in 2007, Paul Conroy had the misfortune to arrive on scene during the lean era for Galway football, when interest dimmed and other teams have steamed ahead.
In years past, most especially after the harrowing 2013 loss in Salthill, he was criticised for failing to show leadership at a time when Galway had parachuted in so many young players.
That all changed on Saturday. He delivered an outstanding performance, winning acres of possession and kicking long range points. He delivered on oodles of potential.
He won this week's poll handsomely, pulling in 42% of the vote. Landslide time. No Irish political has registered these sorts of numbers since Bertie Ahern was in his pomp.
In runner-up spot was Tyrone's magnificent midfielder/sweeper Colm Cavanagh, who earned more plaudits on Sunday and was blameless in the concession of three goals, all of which pointed, if anything, to frailties in the full back line.
Cavan's gangly full forward David Giveney, who nabbed two goals in Clones, garnered 20% of the vote.
