IN MAYO’S SEARCH for Sam Maguire, Liam McHale has emerged as a central character.
He lost as a player in finals in 1996 and 1997 before standing on the sideline as a selector in the 2004 meltdown against Kerry.
Next Sunday he will be an observer in Croke Park as the latest attempt takes place by a Mayo team to end their long famine.
McHale hasn’t lost touch with modern Gaelic football. A recent stint coaching the Clare senior footballers preceded his role in steering St Brigid’s to All-Ireland glory last St Patrick’s Day.
Last weekend he was helping guide St Brigid’s to a narrow Roscommon semi-final win over Clann na nGael.
But this week he’s focusing on next Sunday and is considering the key questions concerning Mayo and Dublin just like everyone else. Here are his answers.
1. Is this Mayo’s best chance of lifting Sam?
“I thought last year was a great chance. I figured last year that the favourites tag on Donegal would weigh heavily on them. And it did, they didn’t play well in the All-Ireland final compared to how they played in the semi and the quarters.
“I don’t think this year represents a better chance. I still think they have a chance and I’d be reasonably confident. The unfortunate thing for us is that Bernard Brogan appears to be picking up his form, and Diarmuid Connolly is starting to play well. So it’s going to take a really top-class performance from Mayo.”
2. To start or not to start Cillian O’Connor?
“You can’t carry him. I believe he played an A v B in Johnstown House at the weekend and he came through that. You’re as well to start him. If you don’t start him and he comes on and goes off again in five minutes, you’re after losing two subs.”
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Mayo’s Cillian O’Connor
Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
3. Where does Andy Moran’s form stand?
“Andy struggling to get back fit after the knee operation is a big concern. Andy is way off what he was last year and the year before. Andy is flying in training, nobody trains harder than him. I hope he hasn’t done too much now and hasn’t over-cooked himself.”
4. How crucial is the start to the game for Mayo?
“I’d like to think we’ll be a little defensively minded. The game has to be tight at half-time. We can’t afford to concede early goals. There’s been talk there might be a sweeper employed.
“It’s all speculation. We just can’t play a sweeper role with that kind of high line we’ve been using all season. We need to be careful, make sure our six backs do their job defensively, leave no gaps.”
5. What’s the best way to threaten the Dublin defence?
“In Mayo, no disrespect to Ger Brennan, but we’d prefer if Ger Brennan started centre back because we can match up Alan Dillon with him.
“If Cian O’Sullivan goes centre back and Denis Bastick goes into midfield, in my opinion, we have to put Dillon into the full forward line.
“Because those three guys will kill him athletically and we don’t want our best ball player running around chasing fellas in our own back line.”
Dublin’s Ger Brennan
Pic: INPHO/Ryan Byrne
6. Where is the best place to deploy Keith Higgins?
“The Keith Higgins thing, I don’t know if he should be playing in the forwards. Keith Higgins is the most experienced back. Considering the forwards Dublin have I think he should be matching up with (Paul) Mannion or Bernard Brogan.
“I’d have no issue bringing in Mickey Conroy or Cathal Carolan, with Keith in the backs as I don’t know if he gives us a whole lot in the forwards. I don’t think he’ll do it though.”
7. Can Alan Freeman step into the attacking void if Cillian O’Connor is absent?
“Alan’s a good player, he’s a clever player. He’s deceptively big. He’s deceptively quick. He’s lovely skills.
“He has been the real talking point this year in Mayo and we’re delighted. Kind of like James O’Donoghue in Kerry, we’ve been waiting a long time for him to come through and reach his potential.”
8. What is the mood like in Mayo?
“It’s not too bad. We’ve been in eight finals, if you include the drawn match (in 1996), since 1989. There is a nervousness to it because of all these games we’ve lost.
“Everybody’s going crazy looking for tickets because the allocation has got smaller than last year with the minors in it.
“The supporters would be nervous, I would be nervous. But the most important thing is what’s coming out of the camp and the vibe seems to be good.”
Mayo fans Jack Rowland and Shane Hegarty from Castlebar before the semi-final against Tyrone
Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Well looks like we all agree on something then because here in Dublin we’d like Ger Brennan to start at centre back too. 1 not so great game against possibly the best player of the past decade does not take away from the great season he’s had and lets face it, it’s not like Alan Dillon is going to be as tough as the Gooch!
He’s still not going to be as tough an opponent as the Gooch was regardless of the fact he got MOTM against Dublin last year AND 7 years ago so my point still stands.
That’s a rash comment from mc hale, Brennan had a torrid time against cooper who wouldn’t he is the best footballer of his generation and no one has ever coped with gooch.
Mayo have no one near as good as him.
Alan Dillon has been man of the match the last two times Mayo played Dublin in the championship. 2012 and 2006. He is the most consistent player I have ever seen playing for mayo, ever present since 2003, and I expect him to deliver a massive performance on Sunday, especially after his disappointing final display last year. On form, there is only a handful of players in the country who compare to him when he is on the ball. Doesn’t matter who is marking him.
McHale should keep his mouth shut until the game is over mayo have too many ex players talking shite in the media.
Ya just gotta love it when your County is playing in the AIF. Both us and Mayo should embrace the banter, the slagging and the craic. The best team will win on the day, and by far the best two teams in the Country are competing for sammy. Look at the amount of money Kildare have spent under McGeeney and they reached 1 AI semi in 6 years. Between us an Mayo this will be the 2nd final in 3 years for both teams. With Kerry and Cork facing a transitional period, and Tyrone relying too heavily on their blanket system, the Dubs, Mayo and Donegal could be fighting it out for Sam for the next few years!. #COYBIB
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I’m sure ger Brennan will give the whole of mayo his answer on Sunday. I hope he starts and have no doubt he will
I’m sure Andy Moran will do the same along with Cillian O’connor.
I’m sure everyone hopes they do. Don’t like to see anyone miss out on an all Ireland final. They don’t come around very often
Ger Brennan is a top defender. Mad for the Christianity, but thats his own business.
“With no disrespect to Ger Brennan, the headline alone is total disrespect, hang that up somewhere ger and come out and roast him on Sunday.
He did
Well looks like we all agree on something then because here in Dublin we’d like Ger Brennan to start at centre back too. 1 not so great game against possibly the best player of the past decade does not take away from the great season he’s had and lets face it, it’s not like Alan Dillon is going to be as tough as the Gooch!
You must have forgotten his man of the match awards against Dublin, in 2012 AND 2006.
He’s still not going to be as tough an opponent as the Gooch was regardless of the fact he got MOTM against Dublin last year AND 7 years ago so my point still stands.
You need the best players from both sides, hopefully at the top of their game. Roll on Sunday, Up The Dubs!
That’s a rash comment from mc hale, Brennan had a torrid time against cooper who wouldn’t he is the best footballer of his generation and no one has ever coped with gooch.
Mayo have no one near as good as him.
Mc Hale should b talking Dublin up and thus reinforcing Mayos underdog tag foolish man, hope Brennan gets a chance to prove him wrong
Alan Dillon has been man of the match the last two times Mayo played Dublin in the championship. 2012 and 2006. He is the most consistent player I have ever seen playing for mayo, ever present since 2003, and I expect him to deliver a massive performance on Sunday, especially after his disappointing final display last year. On form, there is only a handful of players in the country who compare to him when he is on the ball. Doesn’t matter who is marking him.
McHale should keep his mouth shut until the game is over mayo have too many ex players talking shite in the media.
Mayo 3-12 Dublin 2-8 MAYO 4 Sam lads .
Dreaming! COYBIB
Ya just gotta love it when your County is playing in the AIF. Both us and Mayo should embrace the banter, the slagging and the craic. The best team will win on the day, and by far the best two teams in the Country are competing for sammy. Look at the amount of money Kildare have spent under McGeeney and they reached 1 AI semi in 6 years. Between us an Mayo this will be the 2nd final in 3 years for both teams. With Kerry and Cork facing a transitional period, and Tyrone relying too heavily on their blanket system, the Dubs, Mayo and Donegal could be fighting it out for Sam for the next few years!. #COYBIB