As if the natural disparity isn’t already sufficiently imposing, the London champions are further disadvantaged by having to face a side that has played, between county and provincial competition, once a week for months whereas their county final win against Kingdom Kerry Gaels was two months ago.

There is the possibility of fatigue undermining the Kerry champions and in interviews this week Colm Cooper did appear fairly weary after his club’s intensely busy period. But Crokes look, if anything, a stronger collective than last season and their remorseless dismissal of Castlehaven – all forwards scoring from play – in the Munster final suggested a team on a mission.

TCG are also improved due to the growing numbers of émigrés at their disposal and some of the score-taking in the London final was excellent and the team is averaging around 20 points a match.

But this will be such a step up in class that Crokes have to be the hottest of favourites, even with conditions being such a leveller at this time of the year. In future, the GAA might consider putting the London champions into Connacht, as happens in the intercounty championship.