According to the stats, Kevin McLoughlin is a better sweeper than Cian O’Sullivan

And all Kevin McLoughlin has been doing is taking abuse all year.

Stephen Rochford’s decision to employ the energetic half forward as a free man in defence took criticism from all corners of the island.

The three fundamentals of sweeping are:

• Covering the space to stop the early ball into the full forward line.
• Doubling up on the man with the ball when it does come in.
• Breaking out when the ball is turned over.

Kevin McLoughlin was said to be ineffectual at all three.

Mayo playing Kevin McLoughlin as a permanent sweeper in front of Galway full forward line! Cagey start! #TheToughest pic.twitter.com/2cN3UOKKSN

— AIB_GAA (@AIB_GAA) June 18, 2016

But the management persisted.

https://twitter.com/Goobledygook29/status/751787366105358336

Not that anyone was being convinced at all otherwise.

https://twitter.com/Ci019/status/751802546759536640

And we’re not ones to hold Pat Spillane’s words as much authority but the Kerry man’s description of McLoughlin’s effect in that role was quite funny.

“The poor man, he was about as useful as a lighthouse in a desert,” Spillane said.

Against Tyrone, as Rochford sprung a few surprises, McLoughlin found himself in more orthodox positions once more and he’s been in and out of half forward since. Still, he goes marauding back and, still, he’s finding himself free in the Mayo backline, picking up space and breaking out with possession.

In the final against Dublin, he didn’t play in the forward line. He was roaming around defence again and even picked up as a half back too.

The stigma’s there now though, it’s an easy thing for people to nitpick at despite his obvious improvement. And, actually, his improvement has been so much so that he rates better than Cian O’Sullivan, according to the stats.

His deeper role wearing the number 10 jersey in the decider two weeks ago freed the Dublin centre back up once more to do his usual job of manning the defence with no forward to mark. But, head to head, the stats from Sure, the official statistics partner of the GAA, would suggest that it is the Mayo sweeper who’s playing the most effective football, even if he has played two more games than his counterpart.

Possessions: Kevin McLoughlin has gotten on the ball over 78% more times than Cian O’Sullivan.

Interceptions: McLoughlin has intercepted the ball twice more than O’Sullivan.

Turnovers: O’Sullivan has only forced one to McLoughlin’s five.

Passes: The Mayo man’s hand and kick passes are way ahead too.

• Mayo (8) have however played two more games than Dublin (6) so far in the championship.
• Dublin have dominated games a lot more than Mayo.
• Dublin’s attacks are generally quicker and more direct than Mayo’s.
• Mayo rely much more on runners from the back.
• O’Sullivan has played in the number six role consistently. McLoughlin has moved around the pitch.

For most of the stats, McLoughlin would still be ahead (according to the pattern) even if Dublin caught up with two extra games. But there are other factors to a football game and systems and teams that should be considered and stats are there to be taken as you like.

The GAA Hour podcast is out every Monday and Thursday.Subscribe here on iTunes or listen on Soundcloud (if you want to).

The FootballJOE quiz: Were you paying attention? – episode 10