Former Mayo defender Keith Higgins reckons the Connacht champions need a fast start this evening if they are to overcome Dublin at Croke Park (throw-in 6pm).

In what is a repeat of last year’s All-Ireland SFC final, Mayo will be looking for their first championship victory over the Dubs since 2012 to bring a halt to their bid for a seventh Sam Maguire Cup triumph in-a-row.

Speaking to RTE Sport, Higgins feels his county’s chances of victory largely come down to the start that they make against the capital men.

"I think they really have to have a good start the next day and have a really good first half and probably be ahead at half-time and leading into that third quarter because like we've seen with this Dublin team down through the years, they will just control the game if they get ahead at all.

"(Dublin) will kill any momentum that teams have. They're happy to hold onto the ball for 2-3 minutes to build a score and drain the life out of teams.

"So, with a Mayo hat on, you'd have to say they've a chance but I suppose the one area where you might see them struggling is wondering where they'll get enough scores to beat Dublin.

"People are talking about Dublin being on the demise and if you lose the likes of a Jack McCaffrey, Stephen Cluxton and some of these guys, obviously you don't have the same type of panel.

"But at the same time, I think they're still averaging 1-19 a game in the championship so far. So, to get 18 or 19 scores against Dublin is going to be a tough task I think."

Tweet

Most Read Stories