1. Cillian O’Connor’s scoring power
Mayo’s eye-catching destruction of Donegal yesterday was founded on some sparkling attacking play. 13 different players got their names on the scoresheet yet only one player struck more than 0-3.
Cillian O’Connor was the chief destroyer of Donegal as he amassed 3-4 with a scintillating performance. Getting a hat-trick was all the more impressive as he had done just that in his last outing against London as well.
When Mayo were struggling against London to be clinical in front of goal, O’Connor was introduced and did the damage. He showed his poacher instincts from the start yesterday in giving them the early fillip with that first goal and then putting the match to bed with a brace after the break.
For a player who has battled shoulder injuries this year, O’Connor’s performances have been stunning. He needs to be watched by opponents for the rest of the season.
2. Injuries and exhaustion hit Donegal
Getting their key men on the field in a fit state and in flying form this year has been troublesome for Donegal. Karl Lacey and Mark McHugh, two totemic figures in their team, have been high-profile examples of players whose seasons have been interrupted.
But it’s also been a difficult season for Anthony Thompson, Neil Gallagher and Paddy McGrath in battling ailments. Yesterday all that caught up with Donegal. They looked a jaded and exhausted outfit in Croke Park against a rampant Mayo outfit.
Was their punishing training regime of the last couple of years bound to catch up with them eventually? Certainly they lacked their typical intensity and drive yesterday.
Pic INPHO/James Crombie
3. Aidan O’Shea’s midfield dominance
There was a brief period before Mayo’s second goal when Donegal got a grip on midfield and controlled the ball from Mayo’s kickouts. But apart from that, they were wiped out in the middle third and particularly by Aidan O’Shea.
The Breaffy club man was in awesome form yesterday. He may have seen red before the final whistle when he was booked for a second time but that cannot overshadow how good he was during the match. He made some fabulous catches, showed great athleticism around the pitch and drove Mayo on.
Tyrone possess a great midfielder in Sean Cavanagh but they will need him in top form on August 25th to disrupt O’Shea’s dominance.
4. Road back for Donegal is difficult
Just like Cork and Dublin before them, Donegal have discovered that trying to retain the All-Ireland title is extremely difficult for a county who have ended a long spell without silverware. Donegal put a huge amount into claiming victory against Tyrone in their Ulster quarter-final this year but their form dipped since then and they hit a wall yesterday before bowing out.
Bouncing back now represents a considerable challenge for them. Donegal’s lack of depth has been spoken about this season and clearly yesterday they did not have sufficient replacements to bolster their challenge. With only one Ulster minor title since 1996 and one Ulster U21 title since 1995, there does not seem to be a conveyor belt of talent coming through.
Trying to get their key man back fit for 2014 is imperative. But will Jim McGuinness be there to guide them at the helm again? That remains to be seen.
Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
5. Mayo’s lack of tests not a problem for them
Having breezed through Connacht, the pre-match chat surrounding Mayo yesterday was would their lack of a real test in their home province count against them? Instead they maintained the trend of inflicting serious beatings on their opponents.
Yesterday’s was the most impressive to date given the stature of Donegal and Mayo’s average championship winning margin for 2013 is now 16.25 points. It has been a series of remarkable statements of intent.
They look an extremely powerful side who have enhanced their setup from 2012 and head to the semi-final stage in a positive condition.
