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12th September 2017
12:44pm BST

2. Kevin McLoughlin v Kildare
Played in the sweeper role where he'd spend a lot of that summer from there on and Kildare didn't really know how to pick him up. Broke lines from deep, laid in team mates and, crucially, when big Aidan O'Shea followed Kevin Feely back to the edge of the square, McLoughlin was the one there to pick up breaks and double up.
3. Alan Dillon v Tyrone
Surprise inclusion in the starting team, raised eyebrows like a lot of Rochford's gambles do but this completely threw Tyrone. Dillon pushed up and played on the 45' and, for a lot of the initial exchanges, he was left completely isolated because the Ulster champions hadn't legislated for the extra man in the Mayo attack.
Their plan was to play Justin McMahon and Colm Cavanagh on their own 13 metre line but Dillon was causing havoc so McMahon had to push out and vacate the space before he was whipped off after 22 minutes. A masterstroke from Stephen Rochford and, in a game that was won by one point, it was pivotal.
4. Donal Vaughan v Dublin
Named at full back for the first game but picked up Paul Flynn and destroyed the four-time All Star.
Mayo knew that the Dublin wing forward would roam around the middle third and into defence as necessary but Vaughan ate up the yards around that area like nothing normal. He kicked two points that day, penetrated the champions something fierce and was deadly beneath the kickout.
To be honest, everything Mayo did that day was perfect. The two own goals just... ah f**k it.
7. Jason Doherty v Cork
Hadn't started a qualifier match up until this game and looked to be out of favour until he was sprang against Cork. Won hard, dirty ball on the 45' and became the platform for Mayo to attack. Subsequently became the blueprint to undo Kerry's backline and completely annihilate Mark Griffin.
8. Lee Keegan v Roscommon
Enda Smith had been running riot for the Rossies, Lee Keegan licked his lips.
Kevin McStay admitted that they had no idea Mayo would make that positional switch of throwing Keegan into midfield but the Westport man not only spoiled Roscommon's biggest threat, but he scored 1-3 himself at the other end. Another very clever plan which no-one anticipated.
9. Aidan O'Shea v Kerry (replay)
Whilst the decision to play him at full back was much-maligned the first day, deploying O'Shea at number 6 was genius. This way, Mayo got the best out of him. He could still drop back under high balls that were launched on top of Donaghy and offer more brute strength there when needed but he was also free to rampage forward through the middle too.
It was a perfect concoction which freed up Keegan to occupy Kerry backs at the other end, it helped nullify the aerial threat and still allowed O'Shea to impact the game with his driving power.Explore more on these topics: