FORMER MAYO ATTACKER Kevin O’Neill believes it is worth the gamble to start Cillian O’Connor in next Sunday’s All-Ireland decider.
O’Connor has been an injury doubt ever since he damaged his shoulder for the third time in less than a year, in last month’s All-Ireland semi-final against Tyrone.
But O’Connor, who bagged hat-tricks against London and Donegal in successive games this season, can get himself ‘mentally right’ for the challenge, according to O’Neill.
“I honestly don’t know the medical situation but there will definitely be a question mark over his fitness levels.
“But if any player can get himself mentally right I’d say Cillian O’Connor, in terms of his preparation, he’d be 100% on the money at that.
“From a management perspective it is a big risk to start him. But for his free-kicks alone and his general play, I think it’s worthwhile taking that gamble too.
“A lot of people mightn’t see some of the other things that he does but he’s a very smart player with the ball in his hands. He doesn’t tend to lose possession that quickly.
“Come Sunday I’m sure he’s thinking about nothing else except putting his body on the line.”
Pic: INPHO/Donall Farmer
O’Neill has suffered the pain of All-Ireland final defeat before with Mayo, coming on as a sub in the 1996 final draw against Meath and starting in 2006 against Kerry.
In that 1996 decider he came on for current senior boss James Horan. The Knockmore man admits that Horan may not always have been earmarked for inter-county management but he did regard him as a figure who thought deeply about Gaelic football.
“Probably not as obvious (to become manager) as some of the more vocal players that we’d on the squad at the time but I always felt that James thought a lot about his own game.
“While he might not have been as extrovert or talkative as some of the more senior players on the squad, he was a very smart footballer himself.
“What better way then to stay involved in the game afterwards. He got involved in his club and was very successful there and he built on that and I think he was the logical choice for Mayo as a young manager.”
Defensive start
O’Neill admits that avoiding the concession of an early goal is imperative for Mayo as it is an occurrence that has haunted them in past deciders.
“They really have to be aware of that. The first couple of minutes the next day are absolutely critical. The last couple of All-Irelands that Mayo have played they have been caught out really in the first 10 or 15 minutes.
“It might not be the more open expansive game that has taken place in the last two semi-finals and it could be quite a battle of attrition for the first 10 or 15 minutes.”
