While a toxic conflict continues to engulf the inter-county scene, today's county final between two teams who were way outside the odds at the outset of the championship, presents a welcomed reprieve for all in Galway.
Amazingly, neither team features any of the players who capitulated in the second half of this year's All-Ireland final, which adds further colour to the fixture.
Sarsfields's latest recollection of a county final appearance still retains a certain amount of freshness, having last taken to the stage in the '02, while for Craughwell, you need to delve further into the archives to locate their most recent involvement.
Best Of Luck to Craughwell in the county final today bring the cup back with ye boys ðŸ‘🼠pic.twitter.com/feDyhLfIQB
— Alain Cawley (@AlainCawley) November 8, 2015
And when you consider the number of times they featured in a county semi-final over the last number of years, as well as their resilience to regenerate after shipping a 10 point defeat in the first group game this year, Craughwell's place in the final is justified.
Their followers will be looking to former county underage star Niall Healy today, a player whose talent flowered until he reached the minor grade, but a series of injuries prevented him from really flourishing at senior level. Meanwhile, Sarsfields will be relying on Kerril Wade, a player who also enjoyed a progressive career as a minor but subsequently failed to penetrate the senior ranks.
Best of luck to Sarsfields in today's Leinster Q/F v Portlaoise. Hon the sash pic.twitter.com/9BcmYea8Iw
— sashgaa (@sashproshea) November 8, 2015
Sources in Galway believe that the outcome of today's decider will be hinged on the performances of these players.
