Gosh it's really turning into annihilation for Mayo. No one realistically gives us a shout...not even Kerry pundits. You'd surely think they'd be talking us up ..but maybe they realise it'll make no difference.
I'm wishing and hoping and scarcely believing that we can toss the apple cart on the road and make a real game of it.
But the old meejia isn't giving me much to tie my ship to.
Am I nuts to believe? Tell me the truth....
Maigheo abú, go deo!!

Galway simply did not match Limerick for physicality last Sunday, they were outfought by a more talented team that wanted it more. People were saying this is a Limerick team on its last hora and has been around a long time and Galways youth and exuberance would see them over the line. There are no certainties in finals. But for the life of me what the hell does this have to do with Mayo and Kerry.
This is football lads, and a foreboding mentality because of another sports team frailties gets you nowhere.
For me looking ahead to next weekend, analyzing this game from Jack O’Connor’s point of view, reveals exactly what makes this Kerry team click, how dangerous they are, and what they must do to beat a Mayo side at peak final level performance.
Kerry knows Mayo will bring insane, bone-crunching tackles early and will test their metal and resolve for the entire game. But this Kerry team has seen it all before. They are reigning all Ireland champions going for back to back all Irelands, and their 40th title. And it’s Mayo.. the perennial chokers. Who retreat within their shell when they see the green and gold jersey. That’s what they believe or is it that what they hope will happen.

Kerry’s Attacking Blueprint for Sunday
1. Structural Mismatches
Kerry's primary strategy will revolve around creating structural mismatches to bypass Mayo's physical rearguard, just as they did to beat Dublin and Tyrone.
By pulling Mayo’s aggressive markers out of their defensive zones, Kerry generates open space behind to feed pinpoint, early ball to David Clifford, Paul and Dylan Geaney, and Dublin actually defended them very well with a zonal system the last day, but for me I felt it stifled their attacking platform going forward as it was too slow to really bother the Kerry defense who controlled the entire game. Dublin committed one too many men back to defend their D and it killed them going forward slowing down their attack playing into Kerry’s hands
2. Deconstruction of the Mayos Full-Back Line
To counter Mayos heavy-hitting, smothering defensive approach, Kerry's inside line regularly loops out to the wings or pulls beyond the 45-meter line. This forces Mayo's full-back line to either follow them out into open territory or hold the center and risk being outnumbered.
3. Circumventing Midfield Congestion
Mayo will try to crowd out the midfield area on kick-outs, overpower Seánie O’Shea, and choke the supply lines. Kerry will respond by using athletic half-backs like Gavin White as hard-carrying launchpads, driving the ball rapidly through the center to bypass the traffic and deny Mayo a structured defensive platform.
4. Early Diagonal Ball to the Corners
When central supply routes are tight, Kerry relies on low, diagonal deliveries into the corners rather than high, contested balls into the square. This gets the ball to Geaney and Clifford before Mayo's physical sweepers can actually double-team them.
5. Layered Attacking Runners
To prevent Mayo from isolating David Clifford, Kerry will utilize layered attacking runners to keep the Mayo defense guessing. When Seánie O’Shea or Paudie Clifford are on the ball, they will look to feed runners breaking through the lines, creating immediate scoring opportunities—including threats via the two-point arc.
6. Controlled Kick-outs
To prevent Mayo from pushing up and dictating the tempo, Shane Ryan will rely on quick, short kick-outs, not allowing us to get set.
7. Test out Mayos high press game
If Mayo commits to a high press, Kerry GK will go long or aim and hit sharp, fast runners into the wings to retain possession and control the pace.
I can also see early on in the game, players like Gavin white trying to see if the can run through it, these Kerry defenders are lightening fast, strong and can use the quick kick pass over the top to break our press and kill us on the break.
8. Exploiting Man-Markers
If Mayo assigns dedicated tailbacks to Paudie Clifford and Seánie O’Shea all afternoon, Jack O’Connor will use this to his advantage. Pulling those markers away from the play opens up attacking lanes through the middle and sidelines for other Kerry half-backs to join their attack.
9. Route One long ball in on top of our square. How many times have Kerry done this to us, and made hay. They haven’t done it too much this year but it will be in their game plan the next day you can be sure of that. Mayo historically has been notoriously bad under the high ball, it creates utter panic for us. Kerry have height in that full forward line to kill us quick and early here, and the Geaney’s and David Clifford ore not small men. We have to be ready and glued tight to their jumpers. Our keeper needs to show authority in the air, catch or punch these away from waiting Kerry forwards. We need to be smart about how we attack as you can be shore when our play breaks down, they absolutely will nail us with the high ball in.
10.The is going to be a war,
Kerry are not soft they outplayed, out fought, and out battered an extremely physical Donegal team last year. They hit those Donegal stars hard. Most Donegal stars folded in response. And Murphy couldn’t do it all on his own. Jack O Connor will task his men to go after our young lads and stars early and throughout entire game. And he will ingrain in them to not stand back and allow our big hitters in the middle to win the physicality stakes. The will go out to out muscle us all over the field, particularly in our defense. The hits are going to be unreal. Clifford is a beast and a killer through the core, he won’t care who gets hurt in the fire. They will want crucify us most where it hurts in our backline, and use their physicality to try and push us out of the way early. If they succeed in outmuscling us, that’s the game over as far i’m concerned. Kerry will sense blood and go for goal and the jugular early. We can’t allow that to happen. We have to do something and if that means backing each other up, doubling up and taking out one of their bullies then it needs to be done. We have to send a message. And we all know who we need to be targeting for severe treatment. Is it right, no it’s not, it’s not in our DNA so much, is it in Kerry’s?? you can bet your ass if it means winning this game whatever it takes. No quarter given we need to be vicious. We need to send a direct hard message, remember the controversial hit by Dublin defender John Small on Mayo’s Eoghan McLaughlin that occurred during the 2021 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship semi-final that sent him to hospital……. Our lads need to be smart too in the dark arts of making it look worse than it is. These are the grains of rice that will tip the scales. Mayo’s Defensive Counter-Strategy
To effectively shut down this Kerry blueprint:
Mayo must execute a disciplined, high-octane hard hitting defensive game plan that clogs the central scoring zone and systematically neutralizes Kerry's primary playmakers. Sounds easy right!!!
1. Crowding the "D" and tracking Runners.
Mayo cannot afford to leave their full-back line isolated in one-on-one scenarios against David Clifford or Paul or Dylan Geaney.
Drop Midfielders Deep: As Kerry transitions into the attacking third, at least one Mayo midfielder must immediately drop into the "D" to act as a screen.
Mayo's half-backs must pinch inward to tighten up the central channel, and force Kerry's ball-carriers out toward the sidelines.
Packing the central midfield zone and defensive zone allows Mayo to swarm Kerry's inside forwards the moment they try to turn, triggering turnovers through collective pressure.
2.Constant insane in your face aggression in regards the Kerry’s front three and half forward line, from start to finish. Clifford has a temper when he doesn’t get his way, let our lads bring it out.
3. Isolating and Smothering Paudie Clifford. Clifford is the vital link-man connecting Kerry's midfield to their inside forward line. Disrupting him derails Kerry's rhythm.
Assign a Dedicated Shadower: Mayo needs a highly disciplined, athletic half-back or tracking midfielder to man-mark Paudie tightly, denying him space to loop and receive short hand-passes.
I feel a player like Sam Callinan is perfect for this role and he needs to be glued to him from the start, however he also needs to be positionally aware and careful not to get sucked out too far, leaving space behind him.
Another thought I had is Kerry’s marauding halfbacks will exploit the lanes left open. This is where The likes of Flynn and the rest of Mayos half forwards need to be fully aware and track back and help nullify such breaks. Clifford is a master of creating space. He is also telepathically linked and zeroed in on his brother’s position throughout the field, it is just delightful to watch. What Calinan needs to be watching for is that early kick pass into his brother. Not an easy assignment. Hampered further by Kerry’s quality tackling and screens allowing him the space to do so. And in regards to Paudi, when he gives off a hand or kick pass, his marker must stay glued to him to prevent the "one-two" return combination used to breach Mayo’s defensive lines. The marauding Kerry runners need to checked and hit hard and not allowed to slice through the middle in space. A hard shoulder jersey tug whatever it takes. We need to be aware of the space left open and don’t make it easy for them by giving up on a play
Our whole Midfield and defense must be willing to try and Bump Paudie off his stride early on in the game which will limit his ability to orchestrate Kerry's layered attacking runs.
Depending on what happens and the situation, Im predicting Calinan gets tired out around the 50-55th minute. This is where I see someone with experience coming in, and tracking a tired Paudie Clifford who I do not believe will be fully at 100% considering all the injuries this year, and as of yet has not really experienced a proper intense game of this nature so far this year. I feel like this is where someone like Diarmuid O Connor can come in and finish off the job. I know people will say on here he hasn’t the legs for this anymore, or not any real football time played, but for say twenty minutes should Calinan tire you can bet your ass he won’t back down from the task. He is also is a game wrecker which could have the added effect of disrupting Kerry’s marauding half back line. We must also be aware of Kerry subs the likes of Cillian Spillane when he comes on. This is where Diarmuid can be useful. He has proven for me in the past that he has that never say die attitude. And we need leaders with his experience in these final closing minutes. I don’t buy he is done and past it the lad has an engine and can inspire belief in the lads around him
3. Cutting the Supply to David Clifford requires stopping the ball kickers before it ever reaches him. Aggressive pressure on the Kicker: Mayo’s half-forwards and midfielders must pressure Kerry’s playmakers, like Seánie O’Shea, the split-second they look up to kick. We need to Pack the middle third, tackle like men possessed, and fight like ravenous dogs for the breaking ball and then break forward with speed and purpose.
Denying the Diagonal Line: By crowding the "D," Mayo's deep defenders can stand in the passing lanes, forcing Kerry to hit low-percentage, high-hanging balls that are easier to intercept.
Lastly as for a defense strategy, Dublin did well the last day going with a zonal style of defense and crowding the arc. However because Dublin relied heavily on flooding numbers back toward their defensive lines, and choking the central scoring zone, Kerry eventually were able to systematically break them down and engineered a masterclass in exploiting the systemic vulnerabilities of this setup. It’s great when it works but this is not basketball. Furthermore they never committed to pushing enough men forward when breaking forward. 13 costly wides over the 70 minutes. In a game decided by a mere four points, leaving that many scores on the pitch completely deflated their offensive momentum. While Kerry made smart, high-percentage decisions at critical junctures, Dublin routinely settled for low-percentage shots under heavy physical duress. I mean it was a killer for the Dubs, they never gave themselves a right chance, Kerry always seemed to the numbers back to defend their goal, Dublin also had their goal chances and didn’t take them. The fact that Dublin kept them to within 4 points d could have one should be applauded. I do feel we’re a different animal, much more direct, long ball attacking side now, and have at the moment a lot more weapons than this depleted Dublin side. I expect us to go for goals early, particularly into the Hill were it is harder to score with the wind at the open end.
That’s the next point, if the regular wind gods stay true, winning the coin toss and playing into the hill in the first will be a big win for us.
Kerry were tested the last day, and but for those Dublin 3 Goal situation instances/game calls….., and Tyrone really putting it up to them the week before.
Ultimately I feel it will come down to a mixture of man on man and flooding the middle for kickouts and protecting the arc with the required numbers when Kerry have the ball attacking that area of the field. Mayo will look at this and try and come up with a mixed style system that compliments their hard tackling, fast attacking direct style of play. Kerry so far this year apart from the game against Armagh. Kerry really havn’t impressed me enough this year to say they and are completed full article yet like they were against Donegal in last year’s final.
That’ what makes them dangerous there is always a good performance in them come the final. That’s a motivating factor for them one complete performance. We need to do the same

Mayo attacking strategies
We must Punish Kerry and score on the Counter-Attack and make it count.
The best way to loosen Kerry’s attacking grip is to make them defend. Make sure they are given no other option but to bring the ball into contact and hit them hard but fairly.
Exploit the Vacated Space: When Mayo turns the ball over in the crowded "D," or winning the breaking ball in midfield. Our speedy half-backs and midfielders must immediately launch rapid, driving runs forward. I’d prefer if we kick direct ball in early to catch their defense off guard. We have ball winners in there and serious goal threats inside, it’s time to use them.
Test Kerry's Backline: Forcing Kerry’s half-forwards to sprint back toward their own goal will sap their energy and reduce their effectiveness when they win their ball back.
Play Kerry’s own attacking game: I’m not convinced on this Kerry’s full back line, and we have a serious full forward line and can move the ball with speed and very intricately when needed. We are also a serious threat from two pointers. So running at them and stoping hard on the needle, passing it back out to open supporting 2 point scorers will be key to our success. We need to make sure that these chances are nailed when we get them. I’d rather a ball go wide than drop short, so when we get our chance drive it high enough over the upright please. We need to keep them moving and wear them down. We need all three forwards rotating looping around Kerry’s entire backline, make it entirely gut wrenching for the Kerry backs to keep up. Keep them guessing. Make them commit more resources to defense. Drag them out following our lads, make space inside for Beirne and O Donoghue. Our lads should have tons of running in them, I say drive hard directly towards goal and don’t be afraid to go for the jugular. We will need at least two goals if we have any chance. Possibly three. And If we lose possession in attack let’s not drop the head, we need to react fast, our forwards needs to track back and try reclaiming possession, act like they are defending our goal, defend like they are the last man back in the tackle, just like they did against Louth. Double team the Kerryman in possession. Every Mayo forward players must fully track back their own man. At least a simple tactical foul to slow down their breaks. We have to implement the standard just pure undying effort and no break of intensity placed on the Kerry’s defense. There is no ifs or buts, they will be tested full throttle the entire 70 mins. As Micko would say your an attacker with the ball in possession a defender without it.
We need to stifle their early kick out. Our players need to wrestle with their opponent, give them no quarter. Make Kerry panic. Get in their face do whatever it takes. It needs to be at a higher level than the Louth game. Just ply on an insane level controlled aggression on your opponent and the man in possession. Make them earn every blade of grass.
Time to pressure their keeper. He’s been there a long time waiting for his shot, let’s find out why he wasn’t the number one choice. Test him under a high ball. I see visions of Kobe launching himself 20ft into the air Aussie Rules style, landing down and planting a cracker into the top corner.
Let’s make their keeper think long and hard about the kick out, it is something we do well. Be ready for the pass out to the sideline. This is what our forwards have to do and this needs to be the philosophy all over the field.
Use Kobe smartly, have him move out to Midfield area for some kick outs.
A player with fielding abilities like Kobe can help balance out that famous Kerry Midfield unit, particularly those kick-outs to the sideline. He’d be perfect to challenge those sideline balls, and has the ability to drive forward if he catches a clean pass.
Our forwards need to be ready for a battering from the Kerry backline, I have no doubt Kerry are going to do whatever it takes, engage the dark arts and hit our lads hard with gray level-legal hits anyway they can to put them off their game. These lads of ours are 17, 18 and are incredibly strong for such a young age. But they have never been tested like this before. I’m sure they already know this, it needs to be instilled in them that it is they who need to do the bullying, and make that apparent from the off. They need to be ready to go and understand it’s going to hurt like hell, but to keep going. The reward will be worth it. As the phrase goes “embrace the pain”. I hope last week’s training was at the physicality level necessary to have them ready for such a battering.
These lads of ours can’t afford to lose the rag either. A sending off for either team is suicide. This is going to be a fight of epic proportions. And it will be all hands on deck. Our whole midfield and half forward unit Jordan and Mattie will need to back these lads up and give it back as smartly as Kerry will lay it on.
Our backs will need to do the same with Kerry forwards in particular David Clifford and Dylan Geaney. It’s not nice but it is the AIF and every grain of rice…..

The importance of our sub bench which I rate just as highly as Kerry’s. With Kerry physically tiring after 55-60 mins we need to send on the fast men to kill the game off, going full throttle to the final whistle. James Carr could destroy a Kerry backline which is exhausted and Kerry defensive subs in my opinion are not of the same quality as what they have starting with.
What has killed Mayo in previous finals is when we have teams on the rack we gas out, our opponents could smell it, we just simply didn’t have enough in the tank to complete the job and sustain the pressure at the level required to take those final scores and to kill the game. I truly think this year we have enough of a scoring threat and pace off the bench to get the job done.
It’s time for lads like Hession Callinan, Durcan, Ruane, Carney, Flynn, Carr, Loftus, Conroy, Diarmuid O Connor to shine and bring speed and total cutthroat attitude. But our ultimate success will hinge on whether our full forward line Kobe, Beirne and O Donoghue, show up and preform at their highest level possible. It will be a monumental task to pull it off, an insane to do list, but not the long shot like some of these posters on here believe. We beat a decent Louth side by 17 points and looked like we could go on another 30mins. Thats insane and deserves credit. Andy is right we need to play the perfect collective game.

What is Kerry going to do? Who are they going to bring on what effect will it have on the game? Paul Geaney coming back from an injury, Jack has a lot to think about. Kerry will also up it considerably in the second half. I see them using their substitutes to implement a more counter-attacking game style.
Holding back veteran leadership like Geaney and Paul Murphy alongside raw pace like Evans, O Beaglaoich what an engine, and the scoring prowess of Spillane.
The Mayo defense will have to up their game considerably no doubt. We know they also have serious talent on the bench. These replacements will ensure that Kerry's efficiency will actually increase in the final quarter—right when they hope Mayo’s high-octane pressing system is most likely to run out of gas… or will it. Time will tell on this, This is where the likes of Durcan in defense, DOC and Ruane to shore up the core of the team, tied with the explosive speed of James Carr, Conroy and Loftus, makes this a more even playing field. If these lads perform to their abilities, this game will be so finely balanced it will turn it into a complete coin toss. Or a replay, that’s were my money is.
I mentioned before during the Louth game about the whole country and experts writing us off, and if I’m honest yes maybe it was a little disrespectful if not entirely/maybe deserved. Our defense was a mess against Meath in the first half. But the last two games it seems like we have figured it out. I don’t believe we are the total underdogs that some people and experts claim we are. But lads make no mistake the performance on Sunday will need to be 10-15% better than the last day to take down the kingdom.
I hate the whole I wouldn’t begrudge Mayo an All Ireland thing. Mayo are great fans etc……, lord they deserve it, no!!! It needs to be earned. Andy needs to use whatever fuel he can to keep the fire burning inside them lads. And that’s what will help us moving forward, that, and we are still an unknown. Who knows what we will bring. As a Mayo fan I would not be looking for praise our confirmation that we can do it. Instead I’d ear on the side of let’s just suck it up and put on the same “f..k y.. , I’ll show you attitude as we did against Louth and then some. Kerry has it coming for a long time.
The best analogy I could use is we need to go at this kerry team as Andy says collectively, like a f……g school of piranhas after a pod of killer whales. Take them down to the bare bones, devour then wear them down and tear them apart.
However be of no doubt Kerry will be ready and will have no trepidation about gutting us like lambs to the slaughter if given half a chance. They revel in it. Don’t be fooled anyone who thinks Kerry will not be fully ready to be put to the pin of their collar again this year, they will bring it and bring it hard.
We need to also bring the heat, the physicality and the sheer determination, die for the cause attitude, that we seem to have no problem doing in semi finals. Kerry could easily go up 12 points after 20 mins what do we do then, do we lay down, No. How should we go at it? Should we go at it from the off full hammer and tongs. No I feel a much better way is to pace ourselves, try to control the game and tempo on our terms if we can. Keep them at arms length. It needs to be fast paced but controlled and steady early on, no early goals or stupid mistakes, keep them at arms length just like Louth, and then in the final 30 mins go for it like our lives depended on it.
It’s a time for new leaders to emerge and take this game by the scruff of the neck. It’s what you dream about as a young lad. It’s a time for some veterans on this team to draw a line in the sand and lead the team forward. Forget nerves, forget Sam McGuire, forget past trangeessions, forget history, forget the prize, it’s all guns blazing and it’s time to butcher these lads from the kingdom. That is all we should think about. This is a matter of redemption now for this team, to rewrite history for themselves and finally get this monkey of our back that has been a tremendous weight for so long in finals. Time will tell but I do believe we are well and truly good enough to give this one hell of a shot and put the yerra’s in their place. Whatever happens may the best team win, as I have mentioned before it has all the ingredients to be absolute classic and I really hope it is a day to remember.

I don’t know how long it took to write that post but I ran out of steam half way through it

Thats seriously detailed analysis Pittsburgh. Hopefully Jack O Connor doesnt read the blog. You might have given him a few pointers.

Are Kerry really that more physical than us?I kept hearing it been mentioned? With the way everyone is talking we should privileged that Kerry are even agreeing to play us on Sunday.

Very important we get match ups right for the Clifford brothers and Seanie O Shea. They will be hoping to thrive on one to ones with our defenders. We were turned too easily v Louth, so we have to see improvement.
Not to be overun in the first quarter and I agree against the wind in first half. A poster said the predicted wind is across field though it's always swirling a bit in croke park.
Our forward line is our trump card and Kerry know it but I'm not sure what they can do about it.
Strength on the bench, we have to go for it

@Pullhard, the shite im hearing this past few days on Irish media is in line with the RTE media this year and last year.
Last year they made Armagh out to be the best, and up until a few weeks ago it was Donegal.

And not its the "4 big men that Kerry have in the midfield area"
Its usually the smaller hardy guys thst nip in and win the breaking ball.

On one hand I think the Kerry pundits may be going overboard in saying how great this Kerry team are, maybe as a tactic to frighten the shite out of Mayo and beat them before a ball is kicked.

Maybe there is a fear there somewhere in the background that this Kerry team will be found out, think of both the Tyrone and Dublin games in the past few weeks, it was poor referees decisions that helped them along the way.

And very important, will the Kerry players know what may happen to their player / players that may intentionally target Mayo's young forwards in a late / unofficial tackle or challenge at anytime during the game.

I think this is worth noting.

Whatever tiny bit of hope I had of us winning has completely evaporated after reading Pittsburghs post. But it wouldnt suprise me one bit if Mayo win because they win when you least expect and deep down no one gives them a chance

That's some piece Pittsburgh - well done.

@Pittsburgh. That sure is a brillant post and is a candidate for posting of the year.

Andy Moran routinely picks Stephen Coen (or Stevie as AM calls him) because of his leadership and game intelligence it seems even though he's quite slow. I notice that Pittsburgh hasn't included Coen in his blueprint for success. To his credit Coen has been a great servant for us. btw see “Where the All-Ireland football final will be won and lost - The Sunday Game Extra - Eamonn Fitzmaurice and Enda McGinley.

Lord God above Pittsburgh, I've read shorter books than that. No offence to ya..its very detailed but after point 10 I thought you'd finished.

Yes John Martin..i like both Fitzmaurice and Mcginley..intelligent analysis always and fair. People may find fitzmaurice boring or droll but he's top class on rte co commentary..he has to put up with Ger Canning who is atrocious.

I think some of the pundits who are saying they can only see Kerry winning are doing so to try and break the Mayo confidence before the ball even throws in. It's Yerra unleaded.

Let's not forget, Kerry are lucky to be even in this final. They have some neck almost proclaiming that they have it already won. Had the refereeing been on cue they would have been out after the Dublin game.

We will get our chance on Sunday for some people to see another outcome other than a Kerry win.

@ Winston Yes Fitzmaurice is outstanding and I actually have grown to like his accent. He's good forf] the game and played a big part in the new rules. No "yerra" either that sickens my ... Maigh Eo Abú!

@ Revellino. Forgot to write - Kerry are lucky to be in this final. Both Tyrone and Dublin should have beaten them and Donegal powered past Kerry 2-20 to 0-16 in Killarney in May.

The reality is if Louth had beaten us, pundits would be giving a Louth a better chance. That’s the way national media has gone this year, take no heed of it. It’s publicity for them.

We finished 3rd in division 1 this year. We’re a top top team. We are in a final with Kerry because no other team was good enough to be there instead of us.

Enjoy this build up. Win lose or draw we’re competitive again and that’s massive going forward.

Huge pressure on an untested Murphy’s kick outs with plenty of piggery on the breaks, bring more physicality to this game as we have tough and hardy players who have legs for Croke Park and our key men having good games will have us in the mix on the run in.

Up mayo.

Its a big if,in actual fact a huge one....but if we were to do the impossible would a pitch invasion be stopped? I doubt it!

@pullhard I doubt it too!

Its a big if. But if we win. Id hope that Mayo fans would stick to the rules like everyone else at the end of the game. Its been a great rule change to stop the pitch invasion. The players get to celebrate with their fellow players and management teams and being their families out on the pitch to share in the moment. The fans can celebrate in the stand and the homecoming and the many pints had afterwards for the weeks afterwards. And knowing Mayos luck thered be people injured in the pitch invasion and would tarnish the victory and Joe Brolly would be typing up his Mayo bashing article on the way down the stairs out of Croke Park. Just follow the rules like every other county.

I didn't even look for a ticket.
Glad to pull the blinds and watch it on TV.
I was at the 67 semi final and now living in Meath.
Typical Mayo to win when least expected.
Andy did a good job diverting the hype.
Nothing to lose.
In the head for football and in the legs for dancing.

The winning is in the details Winston. And As for Coen he’s a great man to start in the first half, his positional sense is excellent, he does seem to be a good leader in the sense of keeping things organized. Let’s see how he does. My only worry is he was never the fastest player, does he slow us down is he going to get burned for pace in the second half when we need to go full throttle. We just don’t know. I really hope he proves me wrong. There a couple of ye obviously who don’t like to read. I’m entitled to my opinion and that’s simply it isn’t this what’s this Blog is about!!!

Ah no was sitting in Davin and while Coen was blocking center there just compare to get out quick enough to close down
And it was only Grimes he was going out to , if were Diarmuid O Conor , White or Joe O Conor , we have conceed lorry load of goals

I had a ticket but didn't take it up.

My two kids are at the age where I'd rather be with them if we were to win. Memories and all of that.

Also, I have not been to as many games as I should have been over the last 3 years so happy to let someone else get there.

Pitch invasion it is for me, I was on the pitch in 2004 & 2006 and it was fine. There isn't a true Gaa fan who could begrudge us if truth be told. It would be like the ending of "Escape to Victory" so Victoire Mayo !

A pitch invasion is simply not going to happen folks, people should just enjoy the winning moment if it happens rather than trying to force one. You'll likely hurt yourself and a volunteer steward trying to do their job by attempting to get on the pitch.

I agree with outside of the boot, couldn't believe what I was watching from the cusack stand side in the first half, Grimes had the freedom of the park, Coen trotting over trying to stop him one on one, he's too slow and he'll be a gateway to our goal if he starts on Sunday.

Sometimes you just have to move with the times Fadge. 2004 is 22 years ago.

We've scored 1-14 from our bench in 7 games so far, 2.4 per game......

Excellent interview with Kevin o'neill on the Ah Ref pod. He'd start Tommy outfield, even from a half back position! No team can stop him attacking. I agree, we need him central, he's the missing bit of magic on this Mayo team.

I really can't see how Andy can leave him on the bench at 3.30pm on Sunday. It'd be a huge mistake.

Listening to all the pundits, it's likely Kerry will try high ball into the Mayo square. I'm sure Andy will plan for it. McBrien and Coen need to mind the house.

Murphy has been excellent for Kerry this year in goal.
I'm almost certain that in 2017 replay, he was in goal. We had him well rattled.....he even took a kickout & put it our for a 45 to us! So he's not infallible.

A long time ago of course. But he'll be tested on Sunday

Obviously some lads here know better than Andy and reckon Coen shouldn’t start. Think our management team have done a good job getting us to the final this year so I will support whatever decision they make. But let’s be honest playing Kerry in a final is a whole different ball game than playing Louth in a semi or Cork in a quarter. While we dealt quite well with those mediocre teams Kerry were pushed hard by dogged performances by Tyrone and Dublin. And why anybody is upset by the media tipping Kerry is beyond me. After beating Tyrone and Dublin , Kerry should be far hotter favourites to beat us. All logic points to a Kerry win and that logic is not based on the annihilations of 2004 and 2006, it’s based on the here and now. We talk up our full forward line, who have been brilliant in the last few games, but look at what Kerry have in their front 3. Dylan Geaney who hit 17 scores from 17 shots prior to the semi final. David Clifford 1 5 v Dublin on a relatively quit day for him and something around 1 9 or 1 10 v Tyrone when he had an ‘ok” performance and possibly the experienced senior Geaney thrown in for good measure. When I hear Yerra Jack heaping praise on our full forward line I get especially worried- that’s the precursor for the attempt to totally nullify them as he praised Mortimer and K Mac in 2006. So let’s just hope we can go out and bravely compete and see what happens. If we are still in it at half time, brilliant, still there after 55 minutes, fantastic and then drive on. I have no doubt our lads will give of their best but it is a massive ask and I would be surprised if any media outside of our county gave us any chance on Sunday and that’s absolutely fine by me. By the way the analysis from Pittsburg above is fantastically detailed.

@Rusty Bridges, it was Brian Kelly in goals for Kerry in 2017.

Related to talk of getting at Murphy, Smaller Fish had a good podcast with Michael McKernan and Chris Og Jones, two top players who have both played against Mayo and Kerry this year. They had tonnes of interesting insight on the strength of both teams, but the main nugget I took away was a point they made about how Murphy shuts down goal chances by rushing off his line to close the space so quickly. On the one hand they were complimenting his speed and effectiveness in doing it, but were also flagging that it leaves him vulnerable to a forward rounding him with a dummy, and they mentioned Ryan in particular as someone who could do it...

If we went by the comments here McGreal wouldn't be playing because according to some he looked too light for senior football after playing for 15 mins in janurary. That one still makes me chuckle. As well would people stop talking about pitch invasions, we haven't won anything

Wow Pittsburgh, thank God I like to read but I doubt I’ll ever sleep now!! The detail. I’m wound up now. Brilliant but scary how much to do. I’ll sum it up in a few words for 70 mins give or take Kill the F__k__s. I hope we do.

Thanks GlasRed. Back to the drawing board for me so! Haha

Holy sweet mother of Divine intervention. It's only half way through the week. I'll be an auld man by Sunday.

I'm thinking of changing my name to Liston or Sheehy and having about 200 children. Sure at least 20 of them would have to be good footballers.

And I might become a sports journalist for the rest of the week and write articles on how there's no way that I can see any other outcome, other than a Mayo win.

Big long paragraphs about all the weaknesses in the Kerry team. The high mileage on the Kerry clocks and their inability to grasp the new rules.

And I could claim as well that they paid off referees and umpires and linesmen with butter vouchers.

Kerry are a nice team and have done well this year to get to the final (Butter Voucher decisions and all), but this is a step up from what they are used to. A big step up.

After measured analysis.

Verdict: Mayo (By 7+).

Well done Pittsburgh. Trying to summarise your contribution is hard given the detail. But my takeaway is you give us hope. It will require hard work and a coordinated effort using all the skills at our disposable. The one detail I would add is the pyschological disposition of the Mayo team. Andy has the lads in a great place. They will give it their all. They are enjoying their football. They will die for one another. They are a great bunch of lads with a great general and great leaders on the field. They will leave everything out on the field. That is not computed in the bookies or pundits forecasts. This team is improving every game. We can be that 10% to 15% better than the last game. I was a bit down earlier in the week given all the predictions of lambs to the slaughter. Now I have a better outlook and this blog has helped enormously. So come on all you wonderful Mayo people. Let us believe in this Mayo team. It will be hard but we can do it.

I think everyone is too consumed with how to contain some of the Kerry players.
For Mayo to win its really just to play yo their strengths and even maybe spring a few surprises from the bench.

The first 10 or 15 minutes is vital, maybe introduce the faster players when Mayo are settled into the game, does this mean that one or two of Ruane, D O Connor or A o Shea start the game rather than come in when its to late?

I hope this was under the old Rules, but the final scoreline in the 20 and 21 finals were identical.

Mayo got 15 points but the winners got 2 -14,
It will need to be at least 26 or 27 points to win in this final, possibly 30.

Ahh the emotion and chest thumping is only fan speak.

At the end of the day i said on Sunday its about conversion.

Mayo averaging 24 points per game this summer.

Kerry averaging 26.

The winner will likely need 30.

Kerry team will be named tonight.

Looks like a dry afternoon on Sunday.

Bring on the biggest day of the year.

Well done @Pittsburgh with the detailed analysis. How to win takes thought and football brain knowledge. It’s easier to say why we won’t win, Coen’s pace will be targeted for sure but if he’s named or operating at centre half forward, Mike Breen is not the best CB Kerry ever had and it might be to our advantage in this case. Kerry v Mayo in the league. Everything went right for Kerry on the day, not even a wide (maybe 1 if I remember) and Mayo team was different and inexperienced young lads at the time. We’ll certainly need goals to win this one and Kerry’s full back line is not the greatest either. If we can rack up scores it will give our defence a break in case of any mishaps. Not thinking about pitch invasion- I remember being in the upper Cossack for the 1996 v Meath. 5 points up near the end and there I was trying to figure out how quickly to get down on the pitch- we know how that went. Also still wearing the same custom Mayo cap since at games- giving up the ghost and wearing a completely different cap this time. Journey ends this Sunday.

Sorry John, I hope it's OK to post this here. Looking to swap 2 X Upper Davin Tickets for 2 or 3 Hill 16 Tickets. Genuine supporters looking to get on the Hill for this game. Have been on the Hill for all of the games in Croke Park this Summer. If anyone would be interested, please email on mayoisc2016@gmail.com Cheers.

So glad Lee Keegan mentioned the screening that the Kerry midfield done all year. Not saying we dont try the same, but important to get as many ex players in media, put pressure on aspects of Kerry game, remember before, Dublin ex player going to every paper/ tv station complaining about Lee, and that team in 2016/2017, how we were fouling etc. Were too nice in Mayo, need to use every bit of dark arts, to get that extra 1%.

Mayotillidie,

Screening is not against the rules.

@WestKerry
But blocking is!!
A well know Louth coach had clips all over twitter of Mayo's blocking/screening against Cork before the semi final and bang in the first few kickouts a Mayo player gets pinged for blocking by the ref.
Lee is just doing the same as was done to us.
Its all part of the jigs and reels when trying to win the big one!!

Create Boom,

Body checks are illegal but blocking/Screening is borderline if done correctly.

Do you think a back doesn't try a block the run of a forward.

Screening happens in lots of sports to create space and get key players on the ball jn good positions.

Theres no obligation on the attacking team to get out of the way so to speak.

The inches that will win this arent by getting at the officials.

WestKerry frankly I'm surprised you don’t know the rules of the game.

The key distinction is whether a player is legally holding their position or deliberately moving into an opponent to block or impede them. A player cannot use their body to unfairly obstruct an opponent, particularly through an intentional off-the-ball body check.

So, in simple terms:

* Standing your ground / incidental contact: generally allowed.
* Moving into an opponent to block their path or prevent them tackling a teammate: can be a foul.
* Deliberate body-checking or obstruction away from the ball: can be penalised.

As Lee Keegan and even Eamonn fitzmaurice and Enda mcginley detailed in their piece, Kerry are illegally screening/blocking opponents on the kickout giving them an unfair advantage in the possession stakes. Hopefully the ref is alert to this on Sunday and enforces the rules of our game.

Andy seems to be focusing more on getting the best out of our lads than dealing with every single threat Kerry pose and that seems sensible as lads have enough to think about. Too much can be paralysis by analysis.
Jack OC also spoke about not overdoing things and keeping Kerry lads fresh. It’s only a 2 week turnaround so there’s only so much an amateur team can do in that time. I’d say containment of Kerry’s best players (DC, White, SOS, Paudie and Dylan Geaney)bus the best we can hope for. Don’t give Paudie time for 4/5 solos like other teams have and target other players with the press. Forget this hammer the hammer stuff, leave that to Jack. From a Kerry perspective the hammer to stop is Ryan meaning he needs to be smart and pass the ball on. They will of course look at Dara and Kobe but will also ext the occasion may get to them. A settling score for each would be useful early on. Joe OC is a powerful runner but sometimes without full control of the ball, very lucky to win a penalty the last day albeit a smaller player than O Coffaigh Byrne might be bounced by Joe. I’d say take our chances on him and O Sullivan who might bag a few points. I’d say 24 to 26 points is the target in a tight game where the marking from both teams is good. If Kerry get a run on us at any point then yes maybe 30 needed but would hope the defensive intensity is there and can limit the number of Kerry attacks and force a few wides.Getting 50% possession or close is key and hope we can beat them on turnover stats.

Our time has come,

I certainly do know the rules and thus debate is not on rules but rather this perception that Kerry break them.

Firstly Eamonn Fitz and McGinley didn't say that.

You can 100% block a run of a player provided you dont bodychevk or physically prevent the player in his run.

If I step across your run and you run into me thats not a free. I am not obliged to get put of your way.

As I said it can be borderline and a ref may take a certain view of it if its too blatant or if it appears a bodycheck.

I think you are reaching here for issues or excuses before a ball has been kicked.

Says he knows the rules, then proceeds to describe a body check as legal.

Here’s the rulebook westkerry. Have a look at points 5.12 & 5.13 on page 60 and maybe show it to Jack while you’re at it:

https://www.gaa.ie/api/images/image/upload/t_q-best/prd/xi4oyuttzqpaqr2vfhbn.pdf

Kerry have put a lot of thought into the finer details of the game. Screening is now a skill of the game which Kerry have perfected. Generally, it needs to be done at a safe distance from opposition player to avoid being penalised. However, Paudie and David Clifford exercised the close screen v Dublin - when nothing seemed on, Paudie soloed towards David and as David looped outside him, Paudie legitimately soloed high, which David collected on. I'm not too sure if he got the shot off on that occasion though. Imho, Mayo haven't got remotely to this level of detail yet. Their best bet might be to forget the over-analysis. Let the defenders leave their dentures at the butt of the goalposts and let fly. As Mike Tyson once said "everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face".
Kerry 3-22 Mayo 1-15

In fairness to @West Kerry, how could he know the actual rules when his county is refereed different to every other county...

Our time has come,

Read what I wrote again but slowly this time.

I said body checks are illegal but blocking a run isint.

All thd best teams have been screening for years.

The Dubs were famous for it.

You can quote any rule you want but that is the reality.

MayoMayo51

Every team gets breaks on games thats the nature of it.

If you are complaing about Refs already it sounds like you are making excuses before a ball is kicked.

When you look back over all the finals from recent times the concession of goals (usually early ones) in finals has been such a gut punch to us.
While I know goals aren't the currency they were with the 2ptr wiping them out quickly they still strike the same psychological impact.

So many examples....
Con Callaghan strolling through for a goal in opening minutes of 2017.

James McCarthy unforgivably being allowed to catch the throw up and run the length of the pitch to tee up a goal in opening seconds in 2020. Unforgivable from an u14 team never mind a county senior team.

The 2 early donegal goals in 2012 when we still hadn't sorted out our fullback line.

The 2 killer tyrone goals either side of a missed penalty

Etc etc
Let them clip away at 1ptrs because as James O'Donoghue is always saying a goal is worth so much more then 3pts in a final

Not fully correct @ West Kerry, a good referee may interpret certain aspects or type of screening as a tactical foul.

Pepsi,

I said that in first post that its open to interpretation.

They can be borderline.

But all top teams Mayo included use it.

Its absolutely nieve to think they dont.

Lovely vibe around our wonderful county town of Castlebar today. Not manic and no hype, but a certain buzz for sure.

Plenty Yerra all round from Kerry, are they panicking a little?! Bring it on.

I'd expect Clifford to be held scoreless from play and paudie and seanie off by 50th minute as mayo run riot after kerry surprised by o'shea starting .mayo to run out easy winners in the end..ye might as well read this because it has as much impact on the game as any pundits or podcasts

Don't think screening does have any impact on the result

I was talking to a Kerryman of their plans for croke park and when the subject of screening came up, he said he'll have no problem on the day, as he uses factor 50 Nivea.

Time we exposed Clifford for his fore- arm elbow striking of players, if the shoe was on the other foot, Kerry/Dublin media and managers would have to plenty to say on social media about our players

If I remember correctly, the media and pundits wrote us off before the Cork and Louth games as well.

Would anyone be able to sell me a match programme for the London v Mayo game in Ruislip last April.

Johnc_65@hotmail.co.uk

Not sure he uses the elbow or that would be deemed a violent foul by the ref (and yellow/red) but he definitely pushes the markers often very blatantly before shooting and never gets pulled for it. A push is a free whether you have the ball or not and refs don’t seem to think the same. Rule 5.8 says to push an opponent with the hand(s), a very clear rule without any nuances. He’s not the only forward around doing it but definitely the most blatant in the Country. I’ve had the same gripe with TJ Reid in the hurling often running 10 steps and never getting pulled for it. Both great players but they shouldn’t be getting star treatment from officials.

Ps Tomas OS has been doing us and other teams favours all year telling us how to beat Kerry. If we win he won’t be thanked down there. He told us to move it quicker, we did so vs Louth and won handily. I thought that was a super footballing performance with lovely balls kicked up the wings most of which we won. That’s not saying Kerry corner and wing backs won’t be tighter than Louth’s and White in particular has a lot of pace going forward which is useful in recovering back as well. I don’t think their corner backs are strong positions for them but I’m sure they’ll be well primed. It could be a good game to play Tommy C from the start. He gets robbed the odd time but once he has the ball he’s awful hard to stop. It would also mean White could be tracked for any runs. I would mostly avoid the central ball because Foley is quite dominant in that channel. All our 3 inside men are very 2 footed so the can run all over the place and Tommy C likes the outside in channel often punching over if the goal chance gets closed off. Nearly goaled off the left last time so hopefully he gets the same chance and succeeds on Sunday.