Neither man performed at the supreme levels they are so often capable of in the drawn final.
The bones have been just about sucked dry of a pulsating yer error-strewn All-Ireland final.
What can we conclude about that game is that Dublin can do so much better. But, as Mayo have been telling everyone, so can they.
Dublin remain the betting favourites for this Saturday’s replay but Mayo will be more confident than ever of ending their long, tortuous wait for the Sam Maguire.
The form of forwards Aidan O’Shea [Mayo] and Bernard Brogan [Dublin] may be crucial in settling this burgeoning county rivalry. Looking at numbers collected by Sure’s Summer of Statistics, both men had days to forget on September 18.
Brogan had only 12 possessions throughout the entire game – the least of any Dublin outfielder that started the game [black-carded James McCarthy had 11 before his game was ended on 24 minutes].
The four-time All Star was turned over once in possession and was unsuccessful with each of his four shots – one wide, one dropped short and two were blocked. The only highlight was that each of his seven passes found a blue shirt.
O’Shea was much more involved [23 possessions] and won his team four frees. Passing out of hand was flawless but three of his five kick passes went astray. He made one ‘positive interception’, lost two balls in the tackle and did not win any turnover ball for his team.
The Breaffy man had three pops at the posts but did not register a point. Two efforts were wide and the other was blocked.
Brogan’s scoring return has been down this year while the more roving O’Shea is averaging less than a point a game in the championship. Both men, though, have match-winning performances within them. History proves that.
One Saturday, with extra time available if needed, history should record the redemption of one of modern football’s great forwards.
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