The odds are stacked against us, and not many outside of Mayo will give us a chance and rightly so. On all known form, we shouldn't be winning this game. But something about our performance in Omagh tells me we might have turned a corner. There was fight, structure, and a level of leadership I haven’t seen in a Mayo team for quite some time. That said, it could have been a flash in the pan performance based on emotion and an under performing Tyrone. If we are to lose and get knocked out, I could live with it because as the article points out, unless we top the group, we’re likely to just stumble on and be gone in a week or two. The one positive is that this game doesn’t allow for conservatism we need to throw off the shackles and play the only way Mayo know how.

@williejoe. Pedantic I know but I don't think it's right when you say Donegal can't top the group. If I'm right a Donegal and cavan (less likely i know) win would see Donegal top, cavan 2nd and mayo 3rd.

In recent years our record in the Hyde and our record against Donegal has been great. Expecting a Mayo win on Sunday. Just don't believe the hype with Donegal. McBrearty in his pomp rarely caused us problems and an ageing Murphy is not remotely close to the player that he was way back in 2012.

Voted for a mayo win but I really don’t know what to expect.we have had more poor performances than good ones and if there was any element of surprise for Tyrone then that is well gone now but not entirely sure how good this Donegal team is either

I’m going for a Mayo win. I too think Donegal are overrated. Only for Murphy and Langan v Tyrone they would be destroyed. Only one starting forward scored a point from play. McBrearty got a two pointer as a sub. We were slated for one forward scoring a point and Aidan’s goal and we didn’t even leave the dressing room . Donegal didn’t get as much heat from the press as we did.

@Nephin

Fully agree !

I'm going for a Mayo win to .

We have to win otherwise I just think it's to many games for us if we draw .

We are written off for this by many outside of the county but sure what's new there !

I think having Paddy Durcan is such a big boost for us . He's such a leader and it showed v Tyrone .

Mayo by 3

In a fit of uncharacteristic optimism I'm going for the draw

Same again lads will be grand. And no more injuries please!!!!!!

No doubt - not pedantic enough: read what I said more closely! I noted that Donegal could top the group if Cavan win or draw.

Oops sorry . I mistook a comma for a full stop. Back to school for me.

No worries, No Doubt! Not as bad as poor old Roger Casement who, it was said, was hanged by a comma. Story on that is here: https://www.irishlegal.com/articles/irish-legal-heritage-hanged-by-a-comma

A draw for me !

Donegal are one of the favourites to win the AI while we are not even mapped.
They may have lost v Tyrone but the way they demolished Cavan would suggest they are much further down the road the us.
Like us v Cavan, where we completely underestimate them, Tyrone as well as being flat following their win the previous week were also guilty of the same thing with us.
We can take it Jimmy won't be taking us for granted and I can see only a Donegal victory.
Cavan to beat Tyrone...not a chance in hell!

On paper Donegal have a stronger squad, lets be under no illusions.
If we want to win this one we need to win the midfield battle, its absolutely crucial. And cut out any soft goals. I would expect to go early and go long and try and suck the life out of us before we build up ahead of steam.

For me, Jordan Flynn comes in at the expense of an excellent Conal Dawson. Let Dawson come on when things open up, Faloon is the ref and will let a lot go. Its a day for physicality.

Any update on Eoghan Mcloughlin, Diarmuid, or Tommy?? Would be some boost to see 2/3 of them off the bench.

*Expect Donegal to go early and long and often*

@John + McHale

Lots of people saying ' Tyrone ' were flat v us .

Maybe so but maybe we just threw off the shackles and gave it our best?

Donegal are overated . Murphy being back for them has boosted them alot .

Cavan are not a bad team either you never know Tyrone .

Still think Sam will go to Armagh again .

I heard John Haran on ah ref pod mention the bit of bad blood between Mayo and Donegal after 2013 quarter final. I've mentioned here before how many separate Donegal people have mentioned the behavior of our fans that day to me. They by and large don't like us now which is a shame, as counties there's a lot in common. Hopefully there's good passionate and respectful support from both sides on Sunday

I’m going for a win for this against everything we know. I just think it could happen. Donegal haven’t proven enough for me to make them dead certs. And we have residual experience (and cute know how) in our veins from years of trying. This is year 3 for this team with near misses in recent years. We learn from our mistakes in life we hope and therefore in year 3, I’d be hoping the lads are determined they want to progress. No more missing out by a point like last year versus Dublin (missed the win).
Funny enough it is conceivable that Donegal might have too much for us but I believe in our bloody mindedness and in that instance, I back us to snatch a draw.
I’m going for the win, and if not, a draw.

Win.

@willie joe, has there ever been a time when a draw was the highest percentage vote?

What I like about this is we are coming in as underdogs but with the confidence boost of that great win over Tyrone under our belts. We are a dangerous animal to have to face and McGuinness and co knows it. If the lads go out and perform (and run at them for 80 mins) we'll soon see whether they are contenders or pretenders. Our need is greater (lose and we're out), Rochford knows their players intimately, we are playing in a venue we know much better than Donegal and we'll have huge support. Like the last day I think we'll have a right cut at them - it's our DNA - and I wouldn't be surprised if we come out with the win.

Our need is greater than Donegals and I think we'll do it. A draw with both teams realizing that a draw suited them and playing it out softly with 5 mins left would be nerve wracking to watch and very funny thereafter. Hard to get that communication onto a GAA field however

Whether to start Neary or not feels like the biggest selection decision. If Conroy can play a part id start Neary. If he can't then id hold him back to have someone for that pace and impact late on

I'm confident of a Mayo win here, we perform better when our backs are to the wall.
Donegal being over rated or not is of little concern, however Langan is, he's class and can take 2 pointer's all day long, we are still a loss here. If they play forward attacking football and stay out of the wing corner's we're all set.
Again Tyrone like ourselves are going no where without a huge performance and I think write Cavan off at your peril. Look at their forwards coaches for a start, one Stevie O'Neill head's the posse and of course our own Jimmy Bourke is there in the mix.
It will be a day for earphone's and nerve's of steel in The Hyde.
Foireann MaighEo Go Deo. Béir Bua.

Natural enough I am hoping for a win, but have we got a hope, going on some of the performances this season it's only a hope, however we have to go direct in our attacks, and dominate in center field ,we should get enough possession and turn it into scores then we have a chance, Hon Mayo,

I doubt there ever has been, Plunkett!

There are a few elements in the cocktail of this Round 3 tie for me, one being the tone which Rochford addressed the media after the Omagh fixture. I haven't heard him speak like that often, if ever. Not getting caught up in starters, injuries etc but I get the sense of 'no stone unturned', he understands its last chance saloon, not just for the season but for the collective full stop. For that reason combined with my belief that if we shut down what makes them tick, it brings us a long way towards achieving the end result. BJP said it on one of the pods before a Mayo/Dublin tie in 2016, possibly the replay, not 100% that look, its impossible to shut down each and every player, target their three main stakeholders, and take them out of the game, for me, that's Michael Murphy, Shane O'Donnell, Conor O'Donnell (1-15 v Cavan). No team tackles harder than Mayo, they won't match our intensity... if, we are at it.

Donegal are a good but not a great team. They must be delighted to be playing a team outside of Ulster for a change having had to play 4 of them in their provincial championship and two more in the round robin. They had little to spare v Monaghan, only beat Armagh in extra time and were shocked by Tyrone. In contrast before we shocked Tyrone we stumbled over Sligo and Leitrim, lost v Galway before being humbled by Cavan. So no doubt which is the form team hence the odds from the bookies. Whether we like to accept it or not Tyrone were very flat against us after the high of beating Donegal the previous week. And I think they would have beaten Tyrone only for they were missing their excellent goalie Patton .I genuinely thought Donegal had a fantastic chance of winning the All Ireland earlier this year but I am not so sure now. 4 games in Ulster championship including extra time v Armagh, a very attritional game v Tyrone, hopefully a tough game against us then preliminary quarter final before they even make the proper quarters so lots of difficult games as distinct from the likes of Kerry. Also the style they play is a hard running game which requires supreme fitness. Jimmy is a top class manager and would have never factored losing to Tyrone which will seemingly add a game to their heavy schedule. Jimmy didn’t want to get to league final so when safety was assured he took it easy in the league. What gives us hope in Mayo. We have an excellent record in The Hyde . Our record v Donegal is pretty good and we turned in one of our best performances for years two weeks ago. Having said that I would still expect Donegal to be too good for us and that bloody loss to Cavan will haunt us. Anyway I hope the lads give it a right good rattle and that they are well supported. It was a bit disappointing to see how Offaly vastly outnumbered us in The Hyde yesterday. Mayo football seems to be on a bit of a downer at the moment with a lot of the public unwilling to go out and back them. But remember we got to AI SF at u 20 and u17 this year and our senior team did ok in the league and were very good v Tyrone two weeks ago so all is far from lost.

Will it be a toss of a coin to see who gets to wear their 'home' jersey ?

@Stephenite, I’ve picked up on that a bit too. I know a lad from Dgal, decent fella, but ahead of the Tyrone final he was reluctantly siding with Mayo only cos we were playing Tyrone and he ‘disliked them more’. I rem ahead of the 12 final in Dublin coming across some dgal fans who were fairly obnoxious. I don’t recall anything after the 13QF but I know we have some clowns too (all counties have) but if Dgal want to point the finger at us for that, then from a personal perspective I can easily point to the year before. It’s a pity. I’ve always liked Donegal a lot. I instinctively still do, but I’d not for one second accept a shred of ‘Mayo started it’. They can get off that flippin high horse, I’ll tell ya.

I am not making any prediction, as I regard it as a futile exercise. What I hope to see is a similar performance as against Tyrone, maybe with a little bit extra.,without being on the end of poor referee decisions and we'll take a rub of the green. If that is enough, well and good, if not, so be it. I hope we just put it up to them and rattle them, at least.

Donegal are better than some think. Whilst they didn't perform against Tyrone, they cut loose in the second half versus Cavan. Admittedly, they're beatable, as are most others this campaign, but I don't get this newfounded swagger that has emerged from the ether. It'll be a ferocious battle. Keeping 15 on the field is a prerequisite.

If the Mayo that turned up in Omagh is again present then anything is possible, but if the version that took the field v Cavan is on show we can forget it. Quite simple really.

Thing change quick in GAA, last May Armagh were 14 to 1 to win Sam, won it. Now second favs to win it this year. They were thought off as, not good enough to win tight matches, losing on penalties, extra time etc over the previous years.
We lost a lot of tight games ourself over last two years. I'd make argument should have won last two Connaught, one by ref, and one by throwing it away. And Dublin in group stages.
Don't think we win Sunday, but if we do bring our A game. We more than capable of winning this.
Mayo outside the All Ireland final, have beaten all the contenders multiple time, team believes, and hopefully they start well and get fans to believe as well. Let bring chaos

Mayo have the greater jeopardy I feel so they need to start like a house on fire. Manage Langan, Murphy and Gallen well will go a long way to winning this game. Also what if we are a couple of points up at half time and Tyrone are well up against Cavan - does the narrative for the 2nd half change. A huge prize for us to win this game so expect a few Rochford rabbits once again

Thedarkyfinn, “Rochford rabbits” - this has just brightened my day considerably.

Hearing it could be a full house Sunday. Hoping every Mayo die hard snaps up the most of the tickets and we create a great carnival atmosphere. Let’s get behind them and drive them over the line.

A lot of blind faith here I hope yer right. I just don’t see it happening. People are voting with their hearts. ONE good peformance (and it was not a great one) against Tyrone does not change our form all year or indeed going back 2/3 years now

New pod up on Patreon - Rob and Mike with Colm Boyle and Cahair O'Kane previewing the Donegal game.

For those on the lookout for tickets for Sunday, note that we're running a competition for club members for two free tickets to the game. This is courtesy of podcast sponsors EBS who have generously provided us with free tickets we've been making available in this way to club members all year. If you're signed up with us on Patreon you'll already have received details on how to enter this competition.

@Mayonaze: Indeed. Had one or two unfortunate experiences myself after the 2012 final, in which a Donegal fan (whom I hadn't spoken to) laughed at us and told me that we'd never win anything. Also another fan who sat next to me during the match, asking me how many we'd lost at that stage. For that reason, I'm not too interested in taking any lectures about sportsmanship or fan etiquette from that quarter.

That said, I've generally found the Tír Conaill people decent sorts, but every fanbase has their luadars, us included.

The longer I live, the more convinced I am that the Internet has been a net negative for humankind, and certainly in the GAA context, there's all sorts of nastiness being stirred up that didn't exist 25 years ago. It seems like after every big match now, clips fly round of young fellas from the competing counties getting into fights, or some bellend abusing players.

I tend to agree it means nothing.... people feel entitled to propound all sorts of crap on social media as they deem themselves to be at a safe distance. Younger family members remind me I'm getting old when I mention it...

It Means Nothing To Me: it's not the internet that has been a negative, it's the humans using it, but particularly the people who own social media companies. I believe social media is , on balance taking the good with the bad, the worst thing to ever happen humankind.

Also aware of the irony however that this site is a social network of sorts, and is a net positive for Mayo humankind, but that's mostly down to the owner. Zuckerberg and Musk could learn a thing or two!

Great win by the Minors. Looking forward to Sunday. Any word on Tommy Conroy, wondering would he be chanced considering this may be our final game of the year.

I say, chances of Tommy playing any part on Sunday, slim. He not a guy imagine you throw in from a long injury. He a real confidents player, and cant see Donegal at weekend been a place you would be searching for confidents. But be great to see him back in green and red Jersey sooner rather than later

@mayotillidie: Big difference between sitting on the bench, or off it not making a 26, for long periods (confidence would be on the floor - as it would be for a few of our forward options you'd fear) and being out injured for a long period (game confidence could be through the roof knowing the impact you might have made in the games watched over that period). The only 'confidence' that would be questioned here is the physical confidence in the knee (and/or hamstring) and how that's feeling.

If the body feels right, if the medical team says he ready, and (most importantly) if he believes he's ready, I don't think there's any question but you'd throw him in for the last 15 or so. All big 'ifs'.

He opens up a whole new option for outballs with the separation he can generate. creates serious goal and point scoring opportunities from (frequently) burning his man (often scored by others where he either lays it off or more commonly gets fouled) and the boost seeing him gives to the crowd and teammates shouldn't be underestimated.

Tommy one my favourite players, and hope your right @TsuDhoNim

In the dressing room before the game, Rochford should be telling the lads, look we have one player here who suffered the defeat by Donegal in 12. The rest of you were young lads, either in CP with your parents or watching on tv. Remember how it felt and how heartbroken ye were listening to Jimmy’s winning matches. Are ye going to let the same Jimmy and Murphy dump ye out of the championship this year. It’s time to deal with that hurt.

@Tsu
The last 20 minutes of the 2023 league final against Galway being the perfect example.
The game was in the melting pot when Tommy came on. He got us up the pitch and Galway had no answer but to keep fouling him for frees from which Ryan duly obliged. 3 frees if i remember right to get us over the line.

We saw the other week the boost the group got from Paddy returning. The new rules will suit Tommy down to the ground. Be great to see him back out there if he makes it. If not, hopefully he is back for the quarter finals!

Mayo by 1.

@Anne-Marie: I guess it’s kinda a chicken-and-the-egg situation: is social (antisocial?) media responsible for worsening human behaviour, or is it merely the facilitator? The medium being the message.

Personally I don’t think that humans are much different than they were 30 years ago, but now everyone has a voice, but maybe some voices are best left unheard. But I suppose it’s an imponderable…

Would agree that the moderation is crucial, and that Willie Joe and company do a good job in that regard. But I fear that I’ve dragged us into an altogether parallel discussion…

Hard to see us having the firepower to beat Donegal at the weekend, given that they tend to rack up more goals and two pointers than we do. But make the Hyde a cauldron, a home from home for ourselves and see how far it takes us.

Whatever happens, I would be hopeful that next year, with new management we can hopefully see a clearing of the decks, maybe integrating a few younger players into the squad and getting a few older hands back on board. With a full deck I think we can put it up to anybody, but we must play with controlled fury, driving at teams, rather than the slow, lateral, constipated football we have seen at senior and U20 in recent years, and especially in the club championship. Just my two cents.

If they’ve been holding Tommy back and unleash him on Sunday , I’ll never complain about been kept up to date with injuries again in my life .

@It Means Nothing to Me: Neither of these sides outstanding for goals, with Donegal scoring slightly less than us (1.17/game for them & 1.20/game for us) on average in Championship this year (though playing a higher avg opponent, so swings & roundabouts there). For comparison, Kerry (running at 2.75/game) & Galway (at 2.20/game) scoring nearly twice as many per game so far.

They've been better at preventing goals than us (they're conceding 0.67/game to our 1.00/game - though they've given up a much larger number of goal scoring opportunities than their conceded numbers suggests so more swings & roundabouts there) & much better on the 2s (their 3.00/game vs our 0.60/game) though, so huge work to be done for sure stopping them racking up a big total - just wouldn't be focused on goals (to date).

I am still laughing (I believe I said 'howling') at the comment by a fellow poster a few days ago that Jim McGuinness would have problems preparing for Mayo's style of play because we don't even know our game plan or best team ourselves.

I wonder what Jim will be preparing for, what he has seen with Mayo. He was at the Cavan game in MacHale Park. He will know that we are vulnerable if we are not 'at it'. He will know that if a team gets on top of us, we might find it hard to turn the tide. However, in that game, we didn't have Paddy, who has a knack of turning things for us with a small action or two, God bless him.
He'll know Aidan is a big influence for us as regards the ball he handles. He will know that Ryan will need to be shackled. He'll know Davitt Neary is an absolute menace. He won't want to see the Mayo crowd get behind the team like a roiling wave out at sea. Who'd want to be in the middle of that cauldron as Galway, Roscommon and Dublin know at different times?
They'll try to test out Colm Reape's mettle. They'll try to prevent us from scoring.
(I think we will try to score goals).

It Means Nothing to Be, whatever about the rights and wrongs of either humans or social media, "constipated football" is the best turn of phrase I've seen on here in a very long time!

Predicted Team for Donegal:

Reape
Coyne Brickenden Hession
Durcan McBrien Coen
McHugh Ruane
McHale Boland Touhy
Ryan O'Donoghue O'Shea Irwin

Three changes I think.
McHugh for Murphy.
Boland to track McHugh
Irwin to bring something different while freeing Aidan and Ryan to drop deep.

Dawson and Morahan had great games the last day, but do we need to be putting pressure on two young lads like that to immediately perform game after game? No more than Neary the last day, it might be no harm those lads come into the game feeling they have a point to prove.

Don’t see us winning on Sunday but I didn’t think we would beat Tyrone either.

If play at the same level as we did in Omagh we’ll lose. We’ll need to step it up again to compete with Donegal.

It’s not impossible but we’re asking for a big improvement over a short period of time.

Jim McGuinness will believe he can win possession from going long with kickouts. I expect he'll put Reape under pressure to go long.
He will also be aware of our inability to score two pointers. He can set his defensive wall inside the arc, making it more difficult for us to break it down.
Maybe we can surprise. Mayo's performance against Tyrone stands for something. There is an uncertainty about us. A lot at stake, it's a game that will go to the wire. Maybe we have a bit of strength in depth, enough to shade it.

Donegal will go for early burst of scores , maybe a goal or two in first 10 minutes. If Mayo keep them from scoring goals especially early on them I would expect us to win if we are withen a few points with 10 minutes to go .

@frostT
Respectfully that call to start Boland to tag Ryan McHugh is absolutely bonkers,in fact I cant think of anyone more ill suited than fergal for that role. His strengths lie elsewhere.

I suspect Morahan will get another start, also suspect Flynn will start again also after getting his kick up the arse the last day he will be chomping at the bit. Paddy Durcan to do a similar number on Ryan mchugh he did in Castlebar 22

@Mayonaze the problem is they very much do contend that we "started it"

I think it was somewhat down to circumstance. We were ahead by a mountain and game over early that day and started some "whaaaay" every time a ball was passed that seems to annoy people so much. Plenty of comments at people leaving also. The term "bad winners" was thrown about. Unfortunately I don't think this is in isolation as 2013 v Galway is also often brought up by them as a turning point in the relationship. Our yahoos were out in full force that year

Now on the other hand I concur that there was the odd few Donegal one clearly with too much to drink that were lairy to put it mildly in 2012. I felt that also. I feel Donegal has a very bandwagon element in 2012.

I think people can accept the odd drunken or over emotional eejit. Chorus of bad sportsmanship from the stands is something most can't though. We definitely fell on the wrong side of that in 2013. I think it's been better in recent years

I have to confess, Stephenite, that I find that line of reasoning odd. Personally, the ONLY regret I’d have about us in 2013 is that we didn’t finish the job, as it’s arguably the only year in that period that we were the best team in the country. I have to admit that I loved every minute of the batterings we gave to Galway and Donegal that year - what Mayo supporter wouldn’t?

Stephenite,I live in Galway,and let me tell you,that 2013 WAS a turning point in the relationship between the two counties-but not for the reasons you suggest.Personally,I believe that the hammering that we gave them that day still rankles today with a lot of sunshine Galway supporters(of which there are many)-FFS they were even whinging about Andy celebrating a goal that was his comeback after his horrendous injury against Down in 2012!!.
I have had personal experience of the vitriol and spite from so called Galway supporters,and d'ya know what- I'ts water off a very thick skinned duck.I want Mayo to win and everyone else doesn't matter.

On the one hand I completely agree WJ. 2013 was by far and and away our best year imo. We hammered everyone up to that final. We went into that final as 11/10 co favorites. Every other final bar 21 we were significant underdogs. It was a magical year and our team was at our height

What I'm relaying about fans has nothing to do with the team itself. Indeed it has nothing to do with any of us personally id imagine. It's opposing fanbases reaction to the bad behavior of a small segment of our fanbase. This is a fanbase in Donegal that we'd a good relationship with, and one in Galway that we had a reasonably good relationship with (good in the olden days, bad in the modern).

I dont think it's a big point. But we used to be Irelands second team no question. Now numerous counties, not least Donegal and Kerry, seem to have big issues with us. I think it's important to note the reasons why

Do u know what, who gives a fuck what anyone outside mayo thinks of us. We seem to be hung up on it and seem to want people to like us. To hell with it..the only people we should be thinking about is ourselves, putting the best versions of ourselves out there in every facet of life and into our football team. As supporters lets be gracious in victory and defeat and 'stay humble' as the saying goes and the day when we do win Sam, which we will happen, celebrate it the best way we know how

I'm in moderation for what???

Mayo outran Tyrone and played with vigor and purpose. Finally threw the shackles off the past few games and went for it. We finally played the game that bests suit these new rules and our style of play. They mixed it with more of a direct kicking style something which was lacking in previous championship games. These new rules are designed to favor the more skillful fast attacking forward. The best way to beat Donegal this weekend is to simply drive at them hard and fast. Play fast quick ball and make multiple penetrating direct runs off the shoulder. Alternate Aidan at full forward and Midfield. When we lose position defend with intensity from the full forward line back the whole starting 15. Play a high press from start. Don’t give them inch or time to breathe on the ball. Everyman is a defender when not in possession. Make it as torturous as possible for them to play their game style. And hit them hard fast and direct from the break. Our lads have speed to burn. People may not agree with me but we were super poor in the league final and this hangover resulted in poor performances against Sligo, Leitrim and Galway. I don’t believe Galway are that much better than us and we left it behind us in McHale Park. I do think there is more in this side if we can continue on where we left off. About Donegal Murphy and McBrearty great players but have lost a ton of speed. Gallen is a great player that needs watched. They have some good scoring forwards but this Donegal side still have the remnants of a team who we destroyed 3-4 years ago in a league game. I really think this could be super close game and is anyone’s to win. We just need to go for it as underdogs, outrun them and actually have the playing attitude of wanting it more like we did in Tyrone. I believe it will be super close game, and hate saying it but extra time or penalties, could be a possibility. Please God I hope not!!

No extra time , it’s a league structure competition we are currently in ,knockout games are different where you can have extra time and penalties, league competition simply means a draw gives you a point each .

Here’s my panel for Sunday:

1. Reape
2. Coyne
3. McHugh
4. Morahan
5. Durcan
6. McBrien
7. Hession
8. Coen
9. Ruane
10. Carney
11. McHale
12. Thornton
13. O’Shea
14. Irwin
15. O’Donoghue

16. Phillips
17. Brickenden
18. Kelly
19. Callinan
20. Tuohy
21. Neary
22. Flynn
23. Dawson
24. Towey
25. Reid
26. Boland

Standby

O’Connor
MacLoughlin
Conroy
Akram

With a strong possibility that the first three on the standby list could make the panel. Vulnerable on the panel would be Towey, Boland, and Callinan

Moyside - that was for use of the bad f word! It's one of the triggers for routing comments automatically into moderation. I extracted that comment from there when I saw it this morning.

Apologies wj!!!

No worries, Moyside, no need for apologies. That's just one of the tools used to help keep the debate here on an even keel.

Aye, that and a lot of patience.

Think Patton's fitness is key to Sundays result. If he is 100% fit and plays we are up against it. Would not be shocked if we do something left field like drop Reape for Phillips or put Aido in Midfield for the duration. RODs performance is key for this match but the lads need to step up around him. Would love to see Conroy appear off the bench but am happy to see Paddy D back to his best.
Up Maigheo

I have to say, compared to Dublin in subsequent years, the Donegals were a dream to endure in 2012. Even Tyrone supporters in 2021 couldn't have been sounder, but I do think that was laced with pity - I'd nearly take the sneers of the Dubs over that. And I'd nearly take Dublin over Galway which says it all really!

There has been needle with Galway since we beat them in the rain in 1999, but 2013 really, really annoyed them. That was a great day. I remember one of the newspapers (the Examiner, I think) the following day had a picture of a celebrating Andy with the caption 'Dial M for Murder'. I did briefly contemplate framing it for the wall.

Mayo fans didn't cover ourselves in glory in the stands in 2019 in fairness. It has been brought up several times by Donegal pals since and that marked the real turning point in relations IMO. Even Michael Murphy was spotted responding to jibes from the stand, the only time I ever recall that happening, and he above any of his teammates was magnificent that day, I have never seen a solo display of hard work and doggedness like it.

But it's the only time I ever remember McHale Park really, really rocking, so there's that.

I think I only started to take a bit of a dislike to Donegal this year - the apparent assumption that McGuinness' return would guarantee glory started to annoy me in January. I'd enjoy very much putting a halt to that gallop.

I think this kind of rivalry and bad feeling really escalated once social media became a thing. And I fear if we did eventually get over the line, we'd be dreadful winners. I don't think any of us will need to lose sleep over that this year, though. But for the most part, I think the majority of people do prefer civility and a bit of craic with opposition fans over anything else.

I would agree that Patton is key, he picks the passes out on a sixpence. The main reason they lost against Tyrone was his absence. Donegal have the ammunition to hit long range two pointers so I feel to win that Mayo will need goals. Its really down to the players on the day to deliver the same performance or a bit more than against Tyrone and hope its enough to beat Donegal. Durkans return is a huge plus for Mayo and also playing in the Hyde is an advantage to Mayo. I expect it will be a tight match and my head says Donegal will have too many attacking options for ye but my heart says that Mayo will bring an intensity to it that may unsettle Donegal. I expect they will target Reapes kickouts so Rochford will need a plan B and C should things go pear shaped and Mayo are pinned into their half. Good luck to ye and to Roscommon who on paper have the best chance of the three Connacht sides heading into this weekend. As for us, we will see how much Armagh want to win it and if its another battle we may come unstuck as Derry are capable of beating Dublin if they can bring same intensity as they did up in Derry, only thing for them is that they put a fair effort into our match and may struggle to match it against Dublin.

@Chesneychet, will be an interesting weekend all around. Hard to know will Armagh field a weaker outfit with QF place assured or try and ensure ye are not around later in the year to spoil to the party. They will have a 4 week break going by the latest Pod so they may want to stretch their legs. Derry V Dubs, think Dublin will have too much for them but hoping I am wrong. Best of luck with the Orchard.

Anyone know what the weather is meant to be like for Sunday? There used to be a great account on Twitter called Louis Gunnigan who put u accurate weather forecasts a few days before a big game.

@Deel River: It's on a knife edge. I'd say the best answer is "nobody knows" for now.

Latest from Alan O'Reilly (Carlow Weather) was for the nasty thunderstorms to be hanging around until Saturday and, fingers crossed, clearing up for Sunday. They're predicted to be hitting the east coast more than the west, with all counties outside the very west coast currently under yellow rain/lightning warnings across tonight through to Saturday.

The worst in Roscommon is expected on Thursday, but nearly impossible to predict thunderstorms like these with much accuracy so take all of that with a healthy pinch of salt & expect it to be fairly dynamic over the coming days (I wouldn't trust Sunday morning telling me what Sunday afternoon might do).

https://x.com/CarlowWeather/status/1932756411152294245

why do some people think that mayo has an advantage playing in hyde park , maybe the supporters has a slight advantage getting there . but the two teames will be playing on the same size pitch and the same goalposts etc. i dont get it.

@patrick hayes: The advantage for supporters (should, at least - doesn't always pan out that way) means more support for the players which is hopefully helpful, more familiarity with the playing surface and goals (little nuances like how the wind normally behaves there), less travel time (can be big for energy) and the confidence of playing on a pitch where they'd have had victories saved in memories over the years are small helpful nudges (most psychological but some physical) that should help ever so slightly.

On the flip side Donegal (or us if we were heading up to Clones) will be saying:
- These boys think they're playing at home and laughing at youse having to travel down
- They're bragging about their record and how they're unbeatable
- The fans are laughing and cheering that it gives them a huge advantage
etc etc to create the siege mentality and try to flip a few psychological levers of their own.

You'd always prefer a shorter journey than a longer one (assuming the same dimensions & quality of pitch at the end of it), but other than that it's mostly small stuff that could end up going either way on the day. It's not a big deal as you've mentioned, it won't be the winning or losing of the game at all, but in a 2-week buildup with little else to chat about it'll be a topic getting plenty of chat.

Thankfully, it's a great playing surface and they've done a great job with the rework. Imagine both sides will enjoy the battle there.

There was a story after the 2012 final that there was bad blood between the Mayo and Donegal players after the match in the tunnel and around the dressing rooms. Jim McGuinness also failed to come into the Mayo dressing room to commiserate with the losing team which always happens.

People may recall in 2013 that Rory Gallagher, McGuinness' selector at the time, accused Mayo and Monaghan (who beat Donegal in the Ulster Final) of colluding and sharing information on how to beat Donegal.

I was at the 2013 match and you could feel the hunger from every Mayo person at that game, and the players were so up for it. We probably did over celebrate that day but IMO Donegal had it coming after the year before. I found them very condescending afterwards for a county that in the grand scheme of things have done very little.

@Deel River. Fame at last! I've sort of given up on Twitter. Too many angry people there these days.
Weatherwise, Sunday isn't looking like a jersey day. 16° C, 20% chance of rain, moderate wind from the town end with gusts up to 40kph. That sort of weather brings a game of two halves into prospect

And potentially a game of two-pointers ...

Back to the match in front of us on Sunday.

I’ve listened to most of the various pods screening the games this weekend, and can’t recall anyone giving us any kind of a chance.

Rock.
That’s ok. The experts know as much or as little as ourselves.

Just hoping Mayo can pull it off on Sunday
because the championship will not be the
same without you ,Up Mayo

@Rock, the vast majority of those pundits complain about the split season not allowing enough time to talk about the games, then spend more than half the podcast talking about the split season and pushing the AI back by a month. Drives me daft, full weekend of games, talk about them. Leave the structure talk until the season is done. It's lazy but doesn't need any prep time. Easier to whittle away the time on that crap than sitting down and analysing games and giving actual analysis. In fairness to the lads on the Mayo Football Podcast, they do the work, know the players and systems and provide excellent analysis

Louis, I always used to go on your page a couple of days before a game to see what the weather forecast would be! Hopefully the weather won't be too bad, I always feel a strong breeze ruins a game!