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Final countdown: Meet the Mayo team hoping to end All-Ireland drought

Dublin loom large next Sunday in Croke Park.

* (Based on team which started in the semi-final against Tyrone)

1. Robert Hennelly (Breaffy)

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Pic: INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan

An unlikely figure between the posts given that he only entered the fray midway through the season. A fine netminder who has seized his chance.

2. Tom Cunniffe (Castlebar Mitchels)

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Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan

Did not feature in the 2012 All-Ireland decider but has added to the defence this year with his physicality and aggression.

3. Ger Cafferkey (Ballina)

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Pic: INPHO/Morgan Treacy

One of several players from the 2006 All-Ireland U21 winning side and has grown in stature to command the edge of the square.

4. Chris Barrett (Belmullet)

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Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan

Has burst into the starting outfit this year in impressive style. Was the surprising source of scores when Mayo were in trouble against Tyrone.

5. Lee Keegan (Westport)

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Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan

Firmly established now as a key component in the Mayo side, the Westport club man was another to point the way early against Tyrone.

6. Donal Vaughan (Ballinrobe)

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The incisive runs of Vaughan have been a plank of Mayo’s attacking play in 2013, notching goals against Galway and Donegal.

7. Colm Boyle (Davitts)

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INPHO/Cathal Noonan

His strength and tenacity will be vital ingredients for Mayo as they seek to combat Dublin’s powerful half-forward line.

8. Aidan O’Shea (Breaffy)

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Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan

A strong contender for Footballer of the Year, the younger O’Shea has been magnificent and is a huge imposing presence in the middle.

9. Seamus O’Shea (Breaffy)

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INPHO/Cathal Noonan

The elder O’Shea has been really influential at midfield, emerging after a few seasons where injuries lead to him being on the periphery.

10. Kevin McLoughlin (Knockmore)

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Pic: INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan

Has developed impressively with his link play important to Mayo’s cause. Needs to be sharp on frees after that poor early miss against Tyrone.

11. Keith Higgins (Ballyhaunis)

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Pic: INPHO/James Crombie

The relocation of Higgins has been one of James Horan’s shrewdest moves. Offers energy and dash to the Mayo forward line.

12. Alan Dillon (Ballintubber)

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INPHO/Cathal Noonan

Endured injury problems early in the year but has worked his way back into form. Still a big figure in this Mayo team.

13. Cillian O’Connor (Ballintubber)

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Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan

The big injury concern before this final and Mayo’s anxiety about him is a reflection of his free scoring form and offensive leadership in 2013.

14. Alan Freeman (Aghamore)

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Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan

Stepped up against Tyrone to post his best Mayo display since his debut against Sligo in 2010. Will have major role if O’Connor is absent.

15. Andy Moran (Ballaghaderreen)

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Pic: INPHO/James Crombie

Missed last year’s final through injury and will relish this occasion. Form has dipped this year but remains the heartbeat of this Mayo outfit.

GAA remain hopeful of bringing an NFL game to Croke Park

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46 Comments
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    Mute Donal Flynn
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    Sep 16th 2013, 1:02 PM

    31 counties behind yee, hon mayo!

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    Mute Gambling Ireland
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    Sep 16th 2013, 4:52 PM

    It’s it 30 other counties providing Mayo will be supporting themselves??

    I wouldn’t expect a muck savage to be able to count to that high of a number

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    Mute pauljohnson
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    Sep 16th 2013, 4:56 PM

    No Jack I am from London. I just decided to start supporting and wearing jerseys of a place that has nothing to do with me. Kinda like every single fan of Manchester u.

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    Mute Sabrina Hogan
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    Sep 16th 2013, 5:28 PM

    Still 31 counties shouting for Mayo ya half British Jackeen

    45
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    Mute Sabrina Hogan
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    Sep 16th 2013, 5:37 PM

    Nope, thought of it it all by myself :) aren’t I brill x x

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    Mute Gambling Ireland
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    Sep 16th 2013, 6:01 PM

    No your a backward culchie muck muncher…

    I bet you drink pints & play darts?? I wouldn’t touch a country girl with a burning stick of shite

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    Mute Sabrina Hogan
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    Sep 16th 2013, 6:09 PM

    You’d better bring a burning stick with ya, cause she’d prob wanna set herself alight if she was with you.

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    Mute Gambling Ireland
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    Sep 16th 2013, 6:14 PM

    Well you wouldn’t be pissed on if you were on fire anyway!!!

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    Mute Paul Lennox
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    Sep 16th 2013, 7:11 PM

    Only when they’re counting sheep!!!!

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    Mute TheBlackMouse
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    Sep 16th 2013, 9:21 PM

    Thought Fingal was now a county in Dublin – Sunshine !!!!

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    Mute Catriona O'Neill
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    Sep 16th 2013, 10:25 PM

    What age are u?? Five?? Seriously go take your tablets and attend that follow up with your psychiatrist

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    Mute Emmett McNamara
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    Sep 16th 2013, 12:35 PM

    let the buildup begin!!!

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    Mute pauljohnson
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    Sep 16th 2013, 12:43 PM

    Up Kerry

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    Mute wongstie
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    Sep 16th 2013, 2:04 PM

    We hammered every team so far. The dubs will get a hammering too.

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    Mute Gambling Ireland
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    Sep 16th 2013, 2:18 PM

    You will in your brown…. Dublin all day long my pedigree chum

    Capital & All Ireland Champions, God I love being a Dub

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    Mute TheBlackMouse
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    Sep 16th 2013, 3:32 PM

    It’s no wonder the other 31 counties will be shouting for mayo when you read that kind of unadulterated sh1te!!

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    Mute Jack Strong
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    Sep 16th 2013, 4:30 PM

    Kerry aren’t in the final Paul? Or is that just a reflex to shout on September with the amount ye feckers have been there?

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    Mute Gambling Ireland
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    Sep 16th 2013, 4:50 PM

    Jack Strong??….. I’m re-naming you Jack Reach-around

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    Mute Jack Strong
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    Sep 16th 2013, 5:30 PM

    Jack Reach-Around….Was Jack Weak too much of an intelligent play on words for you? Forgive me if I won’t take too much hurt from a lad too afraid to put up his real name and photo.

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    Mute Niall Quinlan
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    Sep 16th 2013, 6:50 PM

    @ pauljohnson : Up Everton, told you months ago that it was a big mistake for Jose to go back, Skankford Bridge is a strikers graveyard :-)

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    Mute David Beattie
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    Sep 16th 2013, 1:46 PM

    Going to be very good game. As for those thinking Mayo will bottle it.
    NOT A CHANCE

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    Mute Paulie Martin
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    Sep 16th 2013, 1:24 PM

    Going to be one hell of a tight game, arse is doing buttons already

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    Mute MrMagoo
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    Sep 16th 2013, 1:09 PM

    The bottlers will never win. Dubs all the way !!

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    Mute Chopstix
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    Sep 16th 2013, 1:08 PM

    No match for the Dubs

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    Mute Billy Ward
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    Sep 16th 2013, 8:59 PM

    Like mayo dublin can choke to so lads u can not get to teams more alike I just feel 13 is for mayo as u say mayo are cursed so the year 2013 all curses can be broke so this is I time I believe in it bet what u have mayo will win trust me no disrespect to dublin great team but the mayo. Curse just passed on to dublin check it out in a the year 13 u can pass a curse on so be in castlebar for Sam

    12
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    Mute Jack Strong
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    Sep 16th 2013, 4:28 PM

    Andy Moran can’t and won’t start based on his Tyrone performance, it’s a toss-up between Micky C and Carolan. Moran will be brought on as a physiological boost with 10-15 mins left. And for the love of God pray for Cillian’s shoulder lads!! Enda Varley is far too inconsistent with his point taking

    41
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    Mute Eimear Ní Threasaigh
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    Sep 16th 2013, 1:30 PM

    C’MON THE DUBS. The Mayo curse will happen again!!

    36
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    Mute Steve501
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    Sep 16th 2013, 7:58 PM

    As a Mayo person I find the chockers comments a bit amusing. A team chocking would to me mean a team that was excepted to win, loose. None of the previous 6 finals we have played in, were we favourites. The better team won.

    I would think a county that has suffered such heartbreak that keeps coming back and back again to be very resilient. I hope that Sunday at last is our day for this team and our fans. If its not then we will be back cause that is what we do.

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    Mute Tom Tucker
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    Sep 16th 2013, 4:12 PM

    I hope the Dubs wipe the floor with them for one reason and one reason only…Enda “The Cabbage” Kenny!

    28
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    Mute Jack Strong
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    Sep 16th 2013, 4:25 PM

    The dubs have given us great leaders sure, good aul Bertie!

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    Mute Tom Tucker
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    Sep 16th 2013, 4:36 PM

    No comparison…Bertie was an out and out gangster but there was still something likable about him. Cabbage Kenny likes for everybody to think he’s a goody two shoes, devout catholic when all he actually is is a lying, corrupt, back stabbing runt with the intellect and charisma of a slug!

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    Mute Jack Strong
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    Sep 16th 2013, 4:46 PM

    Bertie is a proven liar by Mr. Justice Mahon, if you like him or not is up to you.
    Devout Catholic??? You clearly don’t keep up with your current affairs. The man gave the most important speech in our social history DENOUNCING the Catholic Church and calling for the separation of Church-State, the first Taoiseach ever to do that, while Bertie ignored all the child-sex rumours bubbling in the backround in his tenure. Call Enda Kenny whatever the hell you want, but the man who’s described himself as “the Taoiseach who happens to be Catholic, not the Catholic Taoiseach” a Devout Catholic is 100% wrong. I’m not getting into a FF vs. FG on a sports page, but to judge a county by Enda is pretty fecking stupid now isn’t it?

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    Mute Niall H
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    Sep 16th 2013, 4:52 PM

    Wrong thread lads. Please don’t ruin the build up :(

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    Mute Jack Strong
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    Sep 16th 2013, 5:28 PM

    Seconded Niall.

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    Mute Tom Tucker
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    Sep 16th 2013, 5:32 PM

    @Jack…the man was reading from a script prepared by his over paid advisers. And it was a bit rich coming from a career politician when you consider that church and state were so intertwined that politicians were as much to blame as priests for the cover up. Anyway, like Niall says, not the time and place for this conversation. But just to reiterate my first post. Cabbage Kenny is the one and only reason why I hope to God Mayo don’t win on Sunday. Dublin abú!

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    Mute Patrick Doyle
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    Sep 16th 2013, 1:58 PM

    Dublin have too much strenght in Depth for them. Dublin to pull away in the last 15 and win handsomely

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    Mute TheBlackMouse
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    Sep 16th 2013, 2:06 PM

    And have biters and eye gougers etc!!

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    Mute John Drennan
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    Sep 16th 2013, 3:10 PM

    Theirs a confidence about both teams that makes you think that all year they both expected to be here and both play football the right way.
    Could be a classic and I just hope it’s not decided by a bad decision or a cynical foul.
    Couldn’t call it but hoping the dubs take it by one

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    Mute Rocky Dennis
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    Sep 16th 2013, 1:42 PM

    Mayo are the Jimmy White of GAA, final chokers. Record winning margin for the Dubs! Any spare tickets? :)

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    Mute Haver Cassidee
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    Sep 16th 2013, 9:09 PM

    Have great regard for Dubs and supporters, a few luadramáns aside. This is ours. Up Mayo

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    Mute Peter Branigan
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    Sep 17th 2013, 11:25 AM

    No luadramáns in Maigh Eo, of course…!

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    Mute Gambling Ireland
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    Sep 16th 2013, 1:51 PM

    Dublin 4-6 points easy money

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    Mute wongstie
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    Sep 16th 2013, 9:32 PM

    To lose by 4 to 6

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    Mute frank mullen
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    Sep 16th 2013, 1:46 PM

    With a fit Cillian o Connor possibly, without him no chance simple as that me thinks

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    Mute Lou Brennan
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    Sep 17th 2013, 1:24 AM

    Even Dubliners are shouting for Mayo. That’s how stupid they are ;)

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    Mute Ray o'Brien
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    Sep 17th 2013, 12:01 AM

    Anybody got a ticket utube

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