The chairmen of the Tyrone and Armagh county boards have played down talk of rivalry boiling over to spoil this weekend's All-Ireland Final despite the frenzy in both counties yesterday.
Both Joe Jordan, the Armagh chairman, and Liam Nelis, of Tyrone, insisted both sides respected each other, and that the intensity of the competition between the teams was based more on friendship than anything else.
Their views were echoed on the streets of Dungannon, with no one giving any credence to what are seen as scare stories originating south of the Border. The village of Moy on the Tyrone-Armagh border has seen nothing but good-natured rivalry between supporters of the teams.
One member of the Tyrone panel, speaking off-the-record, said the opposition from a neighbouring county made no impact whatsoever on his team's preparations.
The Irish Times was told that the five-week gap since the semi-final had been a long one. However, the team's mentors would make sure that players had sufficient opportunity to relax and focus themselves after they left for Dublin this morning.
He said the panel will be based in a Killiney hotel, and the players will engage in light training and team talks.
Some Tyrone supporters yesterday insisted they had deliberately been allocated tickets for the upper levels in stands at Croke Park. This was to ensure there would be no pitch invasion in the event of a Tyrone victory.
Everyone discounts Tyrone's previous All-Ireland Final defeats in 1986 and 1995, claiming they will have no bearing on tomorrow's game.
However, a former manager said last night he was relieved rather than envious of the job faced by Mickey Harte, the current manager.
Art McRory said he feared "his throat might be slit up some dark alley" if his county fell to a third senior final defeat under his leadership.
Up to 40,000 fans are expected to head to Dublin today and tomorrow. Extra trains have been scheduled by Northern Ireland Rail, and all seats have been sold. However the majority are expected to travel by road. As a once-off concession, the toll plaza on the M1 will accept a toll of £1.50 sterling or the usual €1.50.
Supporters travelling south are being advised by the Garda of three alternative routes to take to Croke Park in light of work on the Port Tunnel at Whitehall.
Fans are advised to turn off the M1 onto the Ballymun Road, the Finglas Road or the Malahide Road. Two car parks will be available near Croke Park: St Joseph's School for the visually impaired on Gracepark Road, and Clonliffe College, just off the Drumcondra Road.