"Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more..." Mayo's quest for the Sam Maguire must once again traverse the scenic route as James Horan's outfit were felled in the Connacht semi-final by a relentless Roscommon.
Horan admitted the better team won post-match with all the enthusiasm of a man keenly aware of the inevitable post-mortem forthcoming.
Step forward, Joe Brolly.
"It's more enthralling watching Mayo lose than any other team won, including the Dubs," declared Brolly on the Sunday Game.
It is interesting since the coup in 2015 in the Breaffy clubrooms, saying replacement is a very sugary word for what actually happened. It was a very hurtful thing and the players were making a big statement. Since that coup, this Mayo have won three championship games in Connacht. Against Sligo, New York or London. They really needed a run in Connacht this year.
"The nation's favourite tragic comedy unfolding again. It is more enthralling watching Mayo losing, than watching any other team winning, including the Dubs..." - Joe Brolly on Mayo's defeat to Roscommon pic.twitter.com/99L6ubF9G0
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 26, 2019
For Mayo, it is now for years without a Connacht title. The road to Croke Park will be a long one.