Game, occasion and atmosphere of the year thus far. That’s Mayo v Donegal.
This will outdo anything we’ve seen to date. It’s winner takes all - a pivotal moment for both sides.
A win here changes everything. It’s colossal, and more than likely sets up an All-lreland semi-final against the Dubs.
There’s probably more pressure on Donegal than Mayo. Donegal are most people’s favourites - while Mayo are past it in the eyes of those same people.
It’s quite bizarre how the red and green have been so disrespectfully flung onto the scrap heap..
It’s where Mayo are at their most dangerous - and the fortnight break is a massive help to them.
Mayo are here because they got so much wrong against Roscommon 10 weeks ago. With proper team selection, astute tactical awareness and a steely focus, they’ve a chance to right those wrongs.
Mayo must get their match-ups perfect on the three main Musketeers - Michael Murphy, Paddy McBrearty and Ryan McHugh.
And they must keep a very close eye on Jamie Brennan, as Tom O’Sullivan did two weeks ago.
If Mayo don’t nullify that quartet then they’ll lose.
My match-ups would be Lee Keegan on Murphy - Keegan could be key if he can do what no man or team has done this year, and hold Murphy.
Paddy Durkin is who l’d deploy to shackle McHugh. Durkin is a tight, mean defender with a stunning engine. He’s brought a physicality that was previously missing from his game.
I’d have McBrearty marshalled by Brendan Harrison. He’s strong, good in the air - a man for the big occasion on the big names.
David Clarke’s kick-outs against Kerry and Meath weren’t good enough. That must be sorted out for Mayo to have a chance.
Furthermore, Mayo have started poorly in a lot of big games and must seize the initiative from the throw-in.
James Horan will know that the quick long ball poses problems for Donegal. Getting in behind them early with direct ball is the best option because Donegal’s defence is their weakest link.
So Mayo must be brave and play a high line from the start. It’s game over for them if they go five or six points behind.
Donegal will chew them up and spit them out if they go with a slow, ponderous build-up. They must play at a very high tempo.
A few weeks ago l wouldn’t have given Mayo a chance but as underdogs, with a few big players back in a sudden death scenario, I’m going to go against the grain to predict a Mayo victory in front of their amazing supporters.
Donegal beware.
I wonder what Rochford has up his sleeve
What a unique occasion for Stephen Rochford, the former Mayo manager now plotting the downfall of his former players.
It’s a really unusual scenario - a wonderful opportunity to maybe settle a few old scores.
He won’t say it publicly, but he couldn’t have been happy with the way things finished up. It looked like there was a glaring lack of support for him from the players at a crucial juncture.
Allegedly he wasn’t happy packing his bags but it’s wonderful to see him back in coaching at the top level and having such a great impact with Donegal.
He’s been known to come up with a left-field tactics in big games and l wonder what he may have up his sleeve for Mayo.
It’s a big advantage for Donegal to have him in their corner - but the flip side is it will focus and motivate the Mayo players.
in fact it probably adds more pressure on Donegal, who are big favourites to win - a status that hasn’t settled well on their shoulders over the years.
Momentum the prize in Healy Park
Tyrone v Dublin in Omagh is big, it’s important and will be physical. A win here is big for momentum.
I was there last year for a very intriguing, tactical and cagey game, and l expect the same tomorrow.
Only two points separated the teams 12 months ago, with James McCarthy’s goal after a marauding run proving to be the difference.
It was one of the few times Dublin panicked near the end of a big game with poor shot selection and poor turnovers.
Will both teams go all out with an All-Ireland semi-final the following week? Will there be some shadow boxing?
Will we see Diarmuid Connolly? Somehow I don’t think so.
Will Mickey Harte rest some players and bow to Dublin at home? There are so many imponderables. It’s a fascinating tie for so many reasons.
Injuries is the only real worry but sometimes if you’re too cautious, injuries can occur.
We know that Jim Gavin has never done shadow boxing in the Dublin hot-seat and l see his team winning by four or five points -with their pace and physical strength too much for Tyrone to handle.
Need far greater in Kingdom
It’s a big game for Meath at home but one that Kerry must win .
Kerry will be the better for the mighty battle with Donegal but conceding 1-20 is a worry. But getting David Moran back is even more important.
Meath have lost both of their two Super 8 games by nine points. Competing and not getting hammered is their only priority.
They must try to see it out for 70-plus minutes, to break the 60 minute mark hoodoo. It’s a step they need to climb having battled well, only to implode down the stretch.
It’s great for Meath fans to have the class of Moran, Stephen O’Brien, Sean O’Se and David Clifford in Pairc Tailteann, but it’s about how they finish the season.
A win is beyond them but a bad hammering will leave a bad taste. If Meath keep it to single digits it’ll be a moral victory.
Just the one dead rubber match
The only dead rubber game is Cork and Roscommon but both teams need a victory so badly - it would do wonders facing into next year.
I expect Cork to have more positivity. They’re in a much better place after their display against Tyrone.
I worry for Roscommon. They may be scarred badly after Dublin.
So Cork to finish on a high with a home win, and then as a group they must make a pact to get promoted to Division 2 next year to develop this squad to it’s full potential.
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