FOUR OR FIVE years ago, people wouldn’t have thought twice when trying to forecast a Kerry-Mayo match. Kerry had a sort of a hex over Mayo and you could trust them to find a way to win.
It’s a different scenario before tomorrow. Mayo are a stronger, wiser and tougher team these days. You look at how they beat Roscommon and Cork and you know they’re battle-hardened now.
It’s a good thing to win games like that. Last year Mayo were rolling over teams and their confidence was sky high. You can lose a bit of focus that way and feel you’re invincible. Now Mayo feel they can push on a bit and everyone is going to have been driving each other in training to achieve that.
Starting XV
The Kerry team selection on Sunday is interesting. Is it a dummy team? Kerry haven’t done that this season so you have to believe in it. Declan O’Sullivan not playing is a big one. He’s a massive loss as a guy who makes Kerry tick and is such an intelligent footballer in how he uses the ball. His knees have been bandaged lately, maybe there’s an injury problem there? Killian Young is gone from centre-back and that’s another loss of experience.
I’d trust Eamon Fitzmaurice in his decisions. You get the impression that he thinks hugely about the game and is very calculated in his approach. He’ll have analysed this match in depth when it came to selecting his team.
He has an incredibly strong bench to call upon. It can be risky business to plan to still be in the game with 20 minutes left and then spring the lads from the bench to win the game. Sometimes you can be holding too many players in reserve. But Kerry definitely have the firepower in their subs that that could be vital towards the finish.
You have to give Kerry huge credit for where they’ve come from. They lost Paul Galvin, Tomás Ó Sé, Eoin Brosnan and Colm Cooper since last summer. Household names that won’t be replaced overnight. Yet they’re in an All-Ireland semi-final now and in with a huge chance of getting to the final.
Admire
I’ve huge admiration for Mayo as well. They keep getting knocked down but keep coming back. With Kildare we’d a few years there where we lost quarter-finals and then the semi-final in 2010. We kept on going but Mayo’s recovery has been even more impressive. They keep winning Connacht titles and keep getting to All-Ireland finals.
It’s tough when you’re beaten in big games. You’re questioned by others and start questioning yourself as to whether you can solve this problem. When the door bangs shut in front of you after a season, it can be tough to drive yourself on for another year. You need huge motivation and a strong will to win. Mayo’s persistence makes me think that they have that.
I’ve a lot of times for their older lads like Keith Higgins, Alan Dillon and Andy Moran who have been through a lot of bad days. I got to know a few of the other players like Lee Keegan, Colm Boyle, Aidan O’Shea and Kevin McLoughlin last year when we played together for the Irish International Rules squad.
They were good characters, real down to earth guys who went quietly about their business. They worked hard, conducted themselves and stood out as very good technical footballers. Outside of Kerry, Dublin and Donegal, I reckon the rest of the country would be backing Mayo to finally become the bride this year after years spent as bridesmaids.
Star Forward
First up they have to win tomorrow and they’ll need to stop James O’Donoghue to do that. He’s come on hugely this year. He’s a no nonsense forward and the goal is like a magnet for him. O’Donoghue is brilliant to watch and ticks all the boxes that you need as a forward. He’s having the summer of his life and has shown that he thrives in the pressure without the Gooch.
I’m still giving a hesitant vote for Mayo tomorrow. It’s a really tight call but they’ve been semi-final specialists over the last couple of years. You go back to 2004 when they beat Fermanagh after a replay, the classic win over Dublin in 2006 and the wins over Dublin and Tyrone in the last two years.
The pressure on Mayo before a semi-final doesn’t seem to be as severe as when they get to the final. They can cope and then get the job done. I think they’re a little stronger around the middle eight and can win enough ball there to beat Kerry.
They’re criticised for not having a Bernard Brogan or a Colm Cooper in their attack but they’ve a spread of scorers. Cillian O’Connor will kick five or six points while Kevin McLoughlin and Alan Dillon are usually good to row in with a few points apiece as well.
There’s balance there, if one player doesn’t show up, another will come in and take the game to Kerry. I see that as a strength. Kerry had a hex over Mayo but they’re more streetwise now. That can take them back to another final.
Up mayo
It’ll be close but Mayo by 2/3 points.
Kerry to help Mayo tomorrow – ie beating them so that they wont be in a position to lose 3 finals in a row
Yeah seriously. Mayo won’t be Dublin and it would be awful to lose three finals in a row. They’re actually better off losing tomorrow! lol
That’s right Petr – Kerry won’t fear Dublin one iota. They were extremely unlucky to lose the final 3 years ago and were leading by a point in the 69th minute of last year’s semi.
Yup. Kerry certainly won’t fear Dublin. That said, last year Dublin beat Kerry by seven points. That was the final score whatever way you slice or dice it. This Dublin team is something we haven’t seen before I think.
The current Dublin team doesn’t bear comparison with the Kerry team of the late 70s/early 80s, not yet anyway. To be considered a truly great team they will need to win at least 2 more all Ireland’s. The Tyrone team of 2003-2008 and Kerry between 2004- 2009 were superior units. Medals and trophies are what matters and Dublin still have a lot to achieve.
Yes I agree with that. What I’m saying is, I think they’re only getting going. None of those previous teams were putting teams away by 15 point margins. Well, let’s wait and see. Some great matches to come. :)
All those teams were putting teams away by 15 point margins. Dublin have been hugely impressive this season but let’s maintain perspective – Monaghan, Meath etc are very poor teams and it’s safe to assume that Dublin won’t be winning a semi or a final (assuming they are there) by such huge margins.
You lads are forgetting that this ‘great’ Dublin team only beat mayo by a point last year…
It’s a 70 min game you dope… They were also the first to score… If the ref blew it u then they would have won… How’s that for logic ???
“All those teams were putting teams away by 15 point margins.”
Eh, actually they weren’t.
Hope Mayo bate the shit out of them
Hope away!
I wonder who Mayo will be playing in the Final??????
There are related articles which are covering tomorrow’s Minor Semi final – so maybe you should check that out.
Come on Kerry best of luck.
Hon Mayo, Gooch is a massive loss, Mayo to win by a minimum of 3 points…
I have a feeling Kerry will be their usual snake in the grass selves and pull away with a 2/3 point win. Would love to see a Kerry Dublin final!
Kerry have come to this point very quietly. I think Mayo are not as strong as last year and they know it too. I think the doubt will kill them tomorrow.
Interesting the winning 2006 semi with Dublin is mentioned but not the total disaster the final was for them versus Kerry.
Kerry to win.
And maybe Donegal to beat Dublin….?
I hope your right jonny boy, I hope your right
Have a nice day at home pulling your plum, while we’re in Croke Park donal :)