PHILLY MCMAHON SAID that Dublin cannot be distracted by the daunting prospect of facing Aidan O’Shea.
The Mayo star has been terrorising defences since his move to full-forward and turned in another towering performance in the quarter-final win over Donegal.
His goal was a frightening blend of power and precision — but McMahon hasn’t seen the Breaffy beast in action yet this season.
“It’s hard enough playing football every week and the pressures on your wives and girlfriends,” the All-Ireland winning defender said.
“When you have a day off, you try to spend it with them.
“So no, I didn’t get a chance to watch (Mayo v Donegal). I went out and did a bit of shopping that day with the girlfriend.
I haven’t seen Aidan O’Shea playing this year. You’ll have to send me those clips on!
O’Shea also had a field day in the Connacht final against Sligo, scoring 3-4, and has marked himself out as a leading contender for Footballer of the Year.
But McMahon wants Dublin to focus on their own game ahead of the semi-final clash on 30 August.
“We just have to look after ourselves,” he added.
“We’re confident in the footballers we have in our own full-back line, me being one of them. I’d like to think I’m competent to mark whoever I can in Ireland.
We look after ourselves and whatever we do in terms of our preparation and we look at all the different ways and systems that we’ll be coming up against. That’s all we can do. If we start looking at anyone else, we lose our own focus.
“The next couple of weeks will be about what can I do personally and what will I possibly come up against.”
Philly has wives and girlfriends? No wonder he’s so busy.
Well spotted!
You’ll see him in a couple of weeks time!
Oh Philly stop being so cocky! Dublin’s defence is shaky and has yet to be challenged this year. While everyone goes on about Dublin’s attack no one pays attention to our frailties at the back.
I’m sure philly never watched Donegal play last year and we all see how well that turned out.
like any other Dublin footballer…when they have a “day off”.they go to a “launch” of some sort or a photo shoot. If its not Bernard Brogan it’s MDMA or any other Dublin footballer.
Yeah unlike country GAA players who NEVER hawk products…ever
That’s what happens when you’re part of the best looking team in the country Keith.
dublin in ways are like England! majority want to see them loose, I wonder why
I suspect it’s demographic rather than aesthetic Aideen.
I was being humorous not serious Donall.
Well how’s abut you tell us Shane? Have Dublin people oppressed you in some way?
just a general consumption of what I see and hear people say! I myself am friends with dub gaa pages on fb and they’re one county whose supporters cannot take a lighthearted shagging or when a player does something incriminous they still defend him to the 9′s
shagging lol slagging
plus it’s always someone else’s fault when something goes wrong
plus always in the media, needing wanting spotlight! it’s like a look at us/me attitude
For someone who dislikes Dublin Gaa Shane you seem to spend a lot of your time talking about them, following them on Facebook etc.
I follow gaa pages on fb, lots! I love gaa
So basically Dublin GAA supporters have no sense of humour and are blind, partizan, attention seeking, narcissists?
You love Gaa – just not Dublin Gaa. Got it.
I call it as I see it! simple as that
Fair enough. Thankfully I’m not the type of person to tar one county’s supporters with the same brush based on a small % of them that I may encounter on line.
and what county are you from Shane McDonnell?
If it’s the same Shane McDonnell that i think it is he’s from Tipp.
Philly must not have a smartphone because clips of the OSe goal have been shown non stop since.
Mind games then is it Philly… find it hard to believe that he wouldn’t have watched the Galway, Sligo or Donegal game. I’m sure he will soon see this lad in 2 weeks when he is looking up at him! :D
pull the other wan Philip !
Neil McGee could barely handle him and he’s one of the best defenders in the country, have my doubts that McMahon will handle him
If O’Shea is playing full forward it’ll be Rory O’[Carroll that’s marking him.
He won’t be marking him, rory o Carroll will. Dublins defenders are as good as any but unlike neil mcgee dublins full back line don’t have ten other players inside the 45 protecting them. That’s the way dublin play. Not knocking mcgee, great defender, just stating facts. Facts usually garner red thumbs on here of course
o Carroll won’t be able to handle him! JG will need a plan
A feeble attempt at “cute hoor” tactics! You can bet your last dollar that Gavin has already analyzed Dublins first viable opponent and has conveyed this to his team. Really asking for trouble if he hasn’t…
Hahaha Philly keep it going nice one
I wouldn’t have Aidan O’Shea as the leading contender for player of the year.
Well thankfully for the players involved in the Championship your opinion doesn’t count.
he was favorite for POY in 2013 up to the 3rd sunday in september. remember all the silly social media stuff about him being superman that year .then he didnt get a kick against the dubs in the final .lets see how he gets on this year.
When he goes by you many times and Gavin gives you the bent finger you will know then who he is. Your a fool if you think we’re gonna believe that.
Did he say he didn’t know who he is??
Calm down people he’s only having a laugh
I’m having a great laugh reading all the comments from mayo fans who are actually offended by this! lol
John, can’t see anyone offended here. Just calling bullsh!te!
umm, I’m not a Mayo fan and all I can see is BS from Philly and a few Dublin lads getting worried. And rightly so, they will give you a bloody hard game.
Mayo might have shown there hand to soon but we’ll know soon enough
I hope jim Gavin doesn’t put all his efforts on worrying to much on o’shea I think o’carrol will do a half descent job there is weakness in that mayo defence I would start Alan brogan instead of Andrews to mix it up abit hit them hard from the off
Cluxton needs to get the kickouts spot on
It will be a close game I can’t call this one