Kernan is measured

Round-up: Early projections for next month's All-Ireland final are cautious but the consensus is that Kerry's favouritism can't be taken as a definitive indicator.

Joe Kernan knows what it's like to bring underdogs to victory in an All-Ireland final and he isn't jumping to conclusions.

"Mayo will be hungry, Kerry will be hungry and it'll be decided on the day. You can't play perfect football every day and if this All-Ireland final isn't a great one, whoever wins will still be delighted.

"Everyone seems to feel that Kerry have this All-Ireland won but a lot can happen in a month. What happened yesterday won't necessarily happen tomorrow.

"We're prime examples of that. In the Ulster final here in Croke Park we set a standard for the year and unfortunately we didn't reach that standard the next day."

Armagh's sensational downfall in the quarter-final meant a first semi-final place for Fermanagh and also the remarkable statistic that as well as providing both finalists last year - the first time any province had managed this feat - Ulster have provided five different semi-finalists in the past two years even if neither Fermanagh or Derry were successful.

Kernan is sceptical about the suggestion that Ulster has pulled away from the rest of the country either through coaching or structures and believes that periods of regional success are cyclical.

"No. I think it's our time. I keep telling people that I played for 17 years and got to Croke Park two or three times in an All-Ireland semi-final (replayed) and one final.

"You get a chance, you get a turn and there's a time for dominance.

"I was talking about the early '90s when four All-Irelands were won in four years by Ulster teams but then there's nothing for eight years after that. If you're good enough you get those chances but it doesn't last forever."

Meanwhile, it has been announced that the Hong Kong GAA will host the 2004 IrishAbroad.com Asian Gaelic Football Sevens on the weekend of 9th-11th October.

Over 32 teams from 10 Asian countries will be participating in what will be the largest Irish gathering in Asia.

The qualifying rounds will be played at three locations on Saturday before the action shifts to the Aberdeen Stadium for the knock-out semi finals and finals on Sunday.

• A five-man committee has been set up by the Limerick County Board to examine all aspects of hurling within the county. Written submissions are being sought from all interested parties.

Meanwhile, Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has invited the entire Limerick senior hurling panel and selectors to Parkhead in October to watch a Scottish Premier League game.