It’s almost time.
This evening at 5pm all will be revealed as Mayo and Dublin get set for arguably the biggest game of the year. At least since last weekend.
No matter what happens later this month, the talking points from the All-Ireland semi-final are likely to carry on well into the winter for the losers.
Ahead of the game we’ve taken a look at five players we’re expecting major performances from at Croke Park.
Stephen Cluxton
We’ve already written this week that how feel the Dublin captain should be left alone to do his duty between the sticks. The confidence of the whole Dublin team is dictated by the performance of their goalkeeper.
When Cluxton missed the frees last week, you could almost see the swagger seep from the Dublin players as Mayo launched attack after attack.
Cluxton himself will know he had a poor day in the Dublin jersey, but only in the final 15 minutes.
Up until then he ordered his defenders around, he got in tangle with Aidan O’Shea and didn’t back down, and he was good under the aerial bombs being dropped on the edge of his square.
More of that, as well as his usual pin-point passing, and Dublin’s confidence will soar.
Lee Keegan
Even with Diarmuid Connolly to annoy and mark on Saturday, Keegan needs to play his own game that little bit more.
Spoiling is only so good if it works to your team’s benefit, but Keegan sails close too the wind on too many occasions for Mayo fans good.
The wing-back got the opening score of the game last week and for the rest of the match he did his best to keep the Connolly out of the game as much as possible. It worked as the St Vincents man only scored one point from play.
Keegan is an under-valued leader in the Mayo set-up and their raids from half-back were largely stemmed by Dublin last week.
If they are to win on Saturday they will need his pace and power to break the lines.
Michael Darragh McAuley
He was unfortunate to have been black-carded last week, but the former footballer of the year must know that he, along with his teammates, should never have given up a seven point lead.
A player as competitive as MDMA will relish the chance to get back against Mayo and set the record right. Also, a game like that can only sharpen an edge in the Dublin side that has been dulled by a poor Leinster championship.
His trademark runs set up a number of scores while he was not offered the opportunity to grab any ball from the sky by both sides tactics.
He must show the leadership and confidence that Cluxton can aim ball out around the middle or go long and be sure it will be picked up by a Dublin player. A point or two would also help.
Jason Doherty
One of a number of forwards last Sunday who failed to get a single score from play, Doherty was having an impressive season up to the drawn game. It almost seemed as if the occasion had got to him at times and the Burrishoole man needs to demand the ball more.
Probably not helped by the lack of action around the key midfield area and Dublin’s at time manic defending, he was not alone in being swamped by players wearing blue every time in possession.
Alan Freeman made an immediate impact as his replacement in the 62nd minute, and Doherty needs to make more of the second chance afforded to him by management.
If he has failed to score by the 55th minute he can expect to be called ashore
Aidan O’Shea
As the leader of the attack, and a man that so much was expected of last week, O’Shea needs to bawl his teammates out if he doesn’t get the required support on Saturday.
The Breaffy man has to get himself into the game as either the focal point, or as the man who will sacrifice his own game to allow more space for Cillian O’Connor or Kevin McLoughlin.
The shenanigans with Philly McMahon may have unnerved him, but the beast of Breaffy is very mentally tough and he knows what to expect from Dublin now.
No score at all from a contender for Player of the Year coming into the All-Ireland semi last week, O’Shea, and Mayo expect, and demand, much better come 5pm Saturday.
