Diarmuid Connolly reckons Brian Fenton will have Mayo midfielders 'shaking in their boots' in tomorrow's All-Ireland final.
Connolly believes Fenton is one of Dublin's all-time greats and says James Horan must come up with a plan to shackle the Raheny man if Mayo are to have a chance of pulling off a shock.
The 33-year-old told Boylesports' Leon Blanche: “It’s a very strong Mayo midfield but an inexperienced one for me.
"Anyone coming up against Brian Fenton will be shaking in their boots coming into their first All-Ireland SFC final.
"Matthew Ruane will probably pick him up unless they start one of their old stalwarts to rough him up a bit.
"Fenton the last day was phenomenal. When he gets the ball his turn of pace is second to none and his balance, both feet and both hands.
"He is probably one of Dublin’s best all-time players, especially in the middle of the field.
"Unless Mayo get this one right and don’t double-team him or even triple-team him and curtail his influence, then they could be in for a long day.”
Con O'Callaghan was Dublin's two-goal hero in last year's semi-final win over Mayo but has yet to raise a green flag this season. Connolly fancies his former team-mate to hit the net and end his mini-drought tomorrow at Croke Park.
"Dublin came out after half-time last year and scored 2-6 in 12 minutes." Connolly recalled.
"They went in two points down and after twelve minutes they were eight points up. It was phenomenal stuff.
"Con was playing inside that day and Lee Keegan picked him up and he rolled him twice for two goals, I can see that happening again.
"If Mayo don’t play with a sweeper and Dublin can get early balls into Con or even Paddy Small, with the power that these guys have they can take a couple of goals off this Mayo team.
"Con came into the team a few seasons ago and was probably stronger than most of us ever expected this kid to be.
"I remember he ran into James McCarthy one day, and James is no mean man to knock down, but McCarthy came down with the ball around the middle of the field and Con hit him square on the shoulder and put him on his arse.
"I’ve been on the brunt of a couple of them myself. He is so powerful and his work ethic to get himself into that shape has been phenomenal. He came in as a man and now he is a monster.”
