I don't agree that Dublin have the range of improvement in them to beat this Mayo team as easy as people suggest. They were 4 or 5 points the worse team today, but for 2 very lucky goals. Mayo are very good and well structured defensively and how many would have said that a year ago. There was nothing between them last year with ROC and McCaffery on board, and their absence would weaken any team. There is a question mark over them defending the high ball which Mayo have to exploit more in the replay. Their half forward line have flattered to deceive all year (except for Connolly).
The replay will be tight and if Mayo improve on certain areas tactically they will win it

mhunicean_abu (Monaghan) - Posts: 1044 - 18/09/2016 21:57:11    1915923

Reality is that Connolly made a huge error in going for a score from the sideline. He basically pulled the ball out of Ciaran Kilkenny s hand and went for glory. With time almost up he could easily have ran down the clock instead of giving mayo a kick out which led to the equalizer

townbuck (Leitrim) - Posts: 197 - 18/09/2016 22:12:32    1915929

Some of Mayo's big players didn't perform yet again.
Andy Moran was very average. Aidan O'Shea was luck to stay on because of his persistent fouling. His reckless kick near the end summed up his game. I was impressed with their defence and they were unlucky with the own goals. However Dublin won't play as bad again and will win the reply with a bit to spare.

Cavan_Slasher (Cavan) - Posts: 10253 - 18/09/2016 22:13:23    1915931

Almost all the time you get just one chance to take down the favourites, Mayo had the chance today & didn't take it. However they did brilliantly to claw back 3 points at the death when it looked like the Dubs were going to steal it.
So for me it's honours even regarding the replay.
How would I call it, Heart says Mayo but head says Dublin. My Head is usually right in these arguments.

corkcelt (Cork) - Posts: 4388 - 18/09/2016 22:18:56    1915936

arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4897 - 18/09/2016 22:25:01    1915941

It was a game Mayo should have won by 5+ points as they were the better team by a country mile. They were the classier footballers and only bad luck prevented them winning that match. You have to give Dublin credit for not capitulating when others would have done so and they certainly won't play as bad as they did today. The game showed that when teams match Dublin in fitness, heart and fight they can compete with them. Dublin are a very good side but, take Connolly and Brogan out, I still believe they are not overly gifted footballers but just very, very good athletes who are efficiently organised and who wear down the opposition eventually and I have ALWAYS said that. Mayo looked the better, more capable, more skillful, natural footballers today and they must feel very disappointed tonight. They have shown today that they can match Dublin in the physical and mental stakes, they should now let their better footballing ability take over.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9703 - 18/09/2016 23:40:34    1915961

Congrats to everyone on here who has posted pure rubbish in the last couple of weeks. Great game today with two great teams. Yes 2 I said. We heard all the rubbish in the build up about how Mayo wouldn't match them. How Dublin might be the best team we have ever seen. Then after the game what do I hear? Ah well Dublin didn't play well. Ah sure Rock missed a few frees. Ifs buts and bullsh*ts is all I have been hearing on here from people who have zero clue about the game. It's a 50/50 game now in 2 weeks and that is a fact. I haven't even read all the other threads that hard no doubt been set up about different things that happened today but let me say one thing, I am immensely proud of that team after what happened today. And lastly, all the rubbish I read on here about a Connolly being footballer of the year and the best player in the country by a mile etc etc. bad that point which was class no doubt, Keegan has him in his pocket again, as he always does. Maybe time to start recognising just how good Keegan is.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 7902 - 19/09/2016 00:56:41    1915973

Arock I agree. We had 55% possesion, our forwards were pitiful, we conceded a 3 point lead with minutes to go but yet we are still champions. I think any other team would have put us aeay. We've seen the blank defence, we've seen the reliance on AOS. I fully expect a diffetent Dublin the next day.

Joxer (Dublin) - Posts: 4700 - 19/09/2016 02:06:40    1915981

Hard to know what to think following yesterday's game. IMO we were the better side for the majority of the game but some freakishly bad luck and poor decision making kept Dublin not only afloat but ahead for most of the game.

Dublin will definitely be better in the replay but I'd like to think there's more to come from Mayo too, especially given that we handed them seven or eight points today.

I'd like to think yesterday would give some Dublin posters here pause given some of the rubbish that was posted here in the lead up to the final. But then, seeing Joe Brolly's disgraceful piece in the Sindo, perhaps the virus has spread.

How is Paddy Andrews not starting for Dublin?

Incidentally, it was nice to see the mutual respect between the two sets of fans on the Hill, made for an electric atmosphere at the start of the game.

Gleebo (Mayo) - Posts: 2208 - 19/09/2016 07:38:50    1915994

CroiGorm (Dublin) - Posts: 1547 - 19/09/2016 08:27:38    1916002

CroiGorm (Dublin) - Posts: 1547 - 19/09/2016 08:33:07    1916004

Its funny but before the game there was defintely a case of Dublin just turning up on the day.

Yet here we are again and it seems the general consensus is "its a case of Dublin just turning up the next day" I find that interesting, i mean the Sunday game "analysis" and i use that term loosely could be summed up in couple of sentences "Mayo were very good Dublin werent great, so they just need to show up the next day"

The Dublin forwards didnt perfomr on the day and the general consenus is they will turn up the next day and that will be enough yet there seems to be no reference that the Mayo forwards didnt exactly turn up with their A game yesetrday either. Ive defintely seen Dublin play better, an awful lot better, ive also seen Mayo play better too though, something which doesnt seem to be ackowledged at all.

It was the freakiest game ive ever seen in terms of luck and bad luck, 2 x own goals, blatant black card not given, blatant red card not given, even when a black was given the sub that came on was arguably Dublins best forward, at one stage Cluxton even fly kicked a clearance under pressure which could have went anywhere yet landed in the arms of a Dublin player which resulted in a score for Dublin.

I was little worried about the Mayo reaction after the draw, would they pat themselves on the back and go off delighted with the draw or will they go back to the west seeting, seething at the fact they still seem to be written off, still a case of "ah sure Dublin didnt play well", if they do go back west with a sense of injustice rather than relief then i believe they will win it the next day, providing they dont end up with the same ref who absoloutely destroyed their chances in the replay in Limerick against Kerry.

Just a side note on Jim Gavin, what an class act of a manager he really is. His interview straight after the match was as classy as it comes, readily acknowledging the fact they didnt deserve the win on the day, other managers etc could take nore of how he hadles himself, a class act.

tearintom (Wexford) - Posts: 1342 - 19/09/2016 08:54:43    1916011

Well done Mayo on putting in a great performance today, drawing a game where lady luck gifted the opposition 2 goals is impressive. I was expecting Mayo to put in a big performance but it will be harder for them the next day. Psychologically everything was in Mayo's advantage going into this game, Mayo are a very good team but due to low expectations had little or no pressure on them while Dublin found it hard to get up for the game being such favourites. Its flipped around for the next day, psychologically Dublin should be in a good place to get a big performance out of themselves in the replay (they and their supporters know they have a serious team standing in their way and to prove that they are better than they performed yesterday) while Mayo will be burdened with more expectation than for yesterdays game (and the pressure this brings). Favourites rarely lose replays.

bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 1354 - 19/09/2016 09:58:46    1916052

Strangest game of football I have ever seen. While Dublin were poor. Mayo never looked like winning the game. They appeared to be playing 'not to lose it'. There is definitely something in the mind set of Mayo players that inhibits them from getting over the line. Don't see how Mayo have any momentum for the next day but would like to see them win it.

Glensboy (Antrim) - Posts: 290 - 19/09/2016 10:10:13    1916064

The first half was one of the most bizarre halfs of football I think I've ever seen. Mayo had their match-ups spot on, their intensity was superb and Dublin were struggling to get to grips with the game. And yet somehow, Mayo found themselves 5 points down at half time. Extraordinary stuff. Lesser teams would have started feeling sorry for themselves and possibly lost heart and discipline. Not this Mayo team however - they simply regrouped at halftime, rolled the sleeves up and reeled in Dublin's lead. Even when it looked like Dublin had turned the screw again, Mayo were able to salvage a deserved draw.

Dublin's forwards were well handled I thought. I think it really is time Paul Flynn and possibly even Bernard Brogan were dropped. That's 3 iffy performances in a row now from both. I would think that their introduction from the bench would invigorate and inspire more now, than what either are currently offering by starting. Mannion and Andrews should surely start the next day?

For Mayo, I think a wee bit more composure would have won them this match. Exhibit A - Aiden O'Shea. Yes he is fouled a lot but he brings a lot of it on himself. He needs to box way more clever than he currently does. In the first half he burst clear and the obvious ball was to the overlapping Durcan. Instead he hesitated and delayed the pass to him, meaning Durcan's eventual goal effort was easily smothered by Cluxton. He tries too hard to be the hero, evidenced by his inexplicable hail Mary effort late on when Mayo needed a score.

It wasn't just O'Shea though. At different times when they were chasing the lead they panicked, forcing shots or kicking aimless ball inside instead of keeping possession and getting their shooters on the ball.

Dublin can and will improve the next day but they better not fall into the trap of underestimating Mayo. Mayo match up with them very evenly and I think if they can be a wee bit more cute and ruthless they can beat them.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9138 - 19/09/2016 10:39:52    1916092

mhunicean_abu (Monaghan) - Posts: 1044 - 19/09/2016 11:40:35    1916132

Got out of jail , mayo's defence is so good made our forwards look very average. Jim will make changes for the replay and I pray we are not that bad again but I'd say Mayo fans will think Mayo can't be as bad either. Some big calls on both lines for the next Paul Flynn n Bernard Brogan are in serious trouble for a start and I'd say Seamie O Shea could be in trouble for Mayo. Mayo will be without Dillon n Regan for the next day two big losses for impact off the bench. People were saying it was a terrible game but when it's your county you don't notice this your on the edge of your seat all day. Please god it's dry the next day were shocking in the rain , poor excuse I know but that's all we have right now.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 19/09/2016 12:00:37    1916148

Llaw_Gyffes (Mayo) - Posts: 1113 - 19/09/2016 12:21:58    1916180

Llaw_Gyffes (Mayo) - Posts: 1113 - 19/09/2016 12:29:48    1916189

Gleebo (Mayo) - Posts: 2208 - 19/09/2016 15:35:54    1916375