They couldn’t be separated over 80 minutes of football. They are undoubtedly well-matched, even the bookies are looking at Mayo in a new light. Saturday evening’s replay promises to be epic.
The winners will be rightly and fairly declared the best football team in Ireland. The only one that could certainly beat them would be a Mayo-Dublin All-Star team.
Who are the best 15 players on show tomorrow and how do you fit them into one team? Well, in the spirit of enlightenment, we have had a go.
So, here goes.
Goalkeeper
Stephen Cluxton is, without doubt, one of the most influential Gaelic footballers of his generation. His laser-guided kick-outs became one of the most-feared, most-revolutionary, tactics in the game… until he gave up doing them. Now we are left with a fine shot-stopper, prone to anger, who predictably kicks the ball to a corner-back EVERY time. David Clarke is the most in-form goalkeeper in the country – a superb shot-stopper, aggressive and decisive in the air, plus an unpredictable (sometimes to his detriment) distributor of the ball. Made two wonderful stops in drawn game.
Full-back line
All credit to Brendan Harrison, Patrick Durcan and Davy Byrne, but they are not on the same level as this trio. Jonny Cooper is developing into one of the most dogged defenders in the game – even if he has lost a little of that attacking verve he was showing last year. Maybe it is a sign of the times, but neither Philly McMahon or Keith Higgins are breaking forward as much as they did, but their unbridled aggression and speed across the ground makes them potential game-breakers. Don’t get too hung up on the positions, these lads are a fluid trio.
Half-back line
If James McCarthy had stayed on the field in the drawn game, would it have been a drawn game? We’ll never know. While Paddy Andrews came in and kicked two points, the ball carrying ability of the Ballymun star was lost – he is developing into one of the best defenders around. Cian O’Sullivan may not have had his most influential game the last time out but the stylish son of a gun is still a vital cog in the Dublin machine and you could just imagine the influence he could bring to bear on a game if he had human limpet Lee Keegan alongside him. Keegan is a destroyer extraordinaire, but he showed against Tyrone that he has the ability to stop the likes of Sean Cavanagh in his tracks and kick vital points. This line would give you nightmares.
Midfield
Look at these long, tall streaks of grace. Try kicking a ball long into the middle third with these two sky captains around. Tom Parsons has been proving he was right to persevere with his intercounty career even after he was dropped and took a job in Wales. On top of his aerial power, he is a tough tackler and quick across the turf. Much like his dream team midfield partner, Brian Fenton. Should the Dubs prevail tomorrow he will be a decent shout for Footballer of the Year – his speed, his defensive work, his go-go-gadget arms and his ability to run from deep. We might not be talking about this replay if he had not been denied brilliantly by Clarke, but he has proven all year that he is an attacking threat.
Half-forward line
Before you say it, Diarmuid O’Connor‘s performance against Kildare is still very fresh in our minds. The fact he has been putting in adequate performances when patently not fully fit makes us optimistic he is going to BLOW OUR AFOREMENTIONED MINDS on Saturday. The guy is poetry in motion when moving freely and a scoring threat from every angle on a protractor. Aidan O’Shea was not at his best in the drawn game, but he was still winning ball, effecting turnovers and occupying the minds of Dublin defenders. He can be a force of nature, like that man on his other wing, Diarmuid Connolly. The best passer in the game, off either foot. The best shooter in the game, off either foot. And a dedicated tackler to boot.
Full-forward line
Dean Rock, take your frees and contribute two or three points from play and what manager wouldn’t want you? Should have had a goal the last day but has been a picture of consistency all year. Veteran Andy Moran is enjoying a vindaloo-hot Indian Summer. Is there a forward in the country with better movement? You could make a case for Bernard Brogan, but his form is a step below the always moving, always thinking Moran. Cillian O’Connor has balls of steel, as demonstrated with that last gasp equaliser. He is the captain of this combined 15 because he clearly thrives on responsibility.
While we’re sure you all agree wholeheartedly with our decisions, don’t hesitate to let us know if you would make any changes.
Will it be Mayo (or the Dubs) 4 Sam? Wooly, Paul Galvin and Conán Doherty preview Saturday’s All-Ireland final replay.
