brendan devenney mentioned Kilkenny was in on thursday on championship matters so i'd definitely take that with a pinch of salt....

finally finally finally the game is here! The way I see this game is since that day in castlebar, when Mayo exposed a weakness in Dublin and ruthlessly put them to the sword - all Gilroy has done since then is to tinker with the team to counter that weakness.

Cluxtons kickouts are key and Mayos tactics of pushing up to negate them worked a treat - Dublin answer in short is Eamon Fennell. This doesn't fill me with confidence, although i realise there's more to it than that. Obviously the game wont be a repeat of the league encounter but one things for sure Dublin will not have met a team as well conditioned and drilled since last september and equally Mayo will not have experienced the intensity Dublin bring (hopefully). in my mind it's about 55% to 45% in Dublin favour

Floops (Dublin) - Posts: 1623 - 01/09/2012 12:26:47    1256671

Think Mayo will win. Credit to this Dublin group who put in a massive effort since Gilroy took over. Every one knows the intensity of the regime and the boot camp existence of the players under Gilroy. They are human,and the totality of their efforts has caught up with them this year. The fire isnt in their bellies and the legs are running on empty. Mayo can win without a great inside line cos the half forwrd line and midfield will kick them home in the last 10. Alan Brogan wont last the 70 and will be withdrawn before the end[ you read it first here] My erudite comments on how to beat Donegal[not impossible,cos their not unbeatable] can wait till next week. Enjoy the game everybody.

Brinsley Swartz (Mayo) - Posts: 2225 - 01/09/2012 13:14:29    1256689

My heart says Mayo but my head says Dublin will just shade it
if they get past Mayo they will beat Donegal they wiil mirror Donegal
and they have the more skilful players to win revenge for 92

wfkerry (USA) - Posts: 933 - 01/09/2012 13:31:55    1256699

My heart says Mayo, my head says Mayo but my stomach says i can't go on the beer tonight, i'm in a right dilemma.

51longago (Mayo) - Posts: 2981 - 01/09/2012 13:45:13    1256707

im not sure about this one, i think it really depends on how dublin play. mayo will be well up for this game and will have no fear of dublin at all. dublin will obviously up their performance for this one but will they have the hunger to want it as much as mayo do. if they do really want it and put in a very good performance then i think they will win with abit to spare. but if dublin dont show what they did last year then mayo might want it that bit more and could shade it. mayo have the players and ive been impressed with them this year but i think like alot of people, were all still wondering will dublin finally show this big performance we have been waiting for all year or have all these 'off days' just been the true reflection of dublin this year.

meathalltheway (Meath) - Posts: 789 - 01/09/2012 14:01:05    1256717

Looking like it will be a full house people. 2006 match was electric atmoshphere. I expect the same tomorrow. Safe journey to and from for all. Up the Dubs :-)

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 01/09/2012 14:01:35    1256719

What about off-the-field factors?
What is the forecast for tomorrow? Will the weather be a factor?

Will there be more Mayo than Dublin fans? Does Dublin have home field advantage because it is in Croke Park?

mikeyjoe (USA) - Posts: 415 - 01/09/2012 14:21:07    1256723

Mayo to win, since the Dubs helping hand, has beed blown open to the rest of the country by Mr James Horan.

Mayo dont fear the Dubs, Go on Mayo.

kerryrowz (Kerry) - Posts: 833 - 01/09/2012 14:53:46    1256739

Not too many nerves evident amongst Dubs posters..?

______

You're right. Sure there is no point. If you just get worked up and nervous you don't enjoy the build up and experience as much. We have no control over tomorrow yet. We aren't playing so there is no pressure on anyone and the players themselves will be well used to it. just enjoy it.

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13655 - 01/09/2012 14:58:51    1256743

Still whinging about last year kerry :-)


Make a few quid tomorrow on the minors. Dubs - 10 at evens is not overly generous :-)

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 01/09/2012 15:02:49    1256745

Karma!

Mayo to win.

kerryrowz (Kerry) - Posts: 833 - 01/09/2012 15:22:35    1256756

Karma my bottom kerryrowz :-) Bitter oul begrudgery. You only like teams counties that roll over for you :-)

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 01/09/2012 15:31:30    1256766

cant see that Mayo forward line scoring enough to win game, they need about 20 pts, that wont happen without moran and mort.

culmore (None) - Posts: 1398 - 01/09/2012 15:52:48    1256772

That thing that happened after the Laois game will be in the paper tomorrow. Not right but this is the world we live in now.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 01/09/2012 15:58:21    1256775

Lets hope Alan Brogan can stay injury free tom, would be a massive blow for the Dubs if his groin blows out.

kerryrowz (Kerry) - Posts: 833 - 01/09/2012 16:13:38    1256783

Mayo beat us far and square in the League this year, with Alan Brogans injury, the Dubs will struggle, Mayo to win by one. Aidan Walsh at full foward will cause havoc.

kerryrowz (Kerry) - Posts: 833 - 01/09/2012 16:16:58    1256785

What thing clondub?

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 01/09/2012 16:19:50    1256788

Lets hope Alan Brogan can stay injury free tom, would be a massive blow for the Dubs if his groin blows out.

__________

He wont be risked tomorrow

Silly in my view , If he is fit enough for a sub role he is fit enough to start, Never understand this rubbish of players coming on from the bench who have been injured cause its too much of a "risk" to start him.. Either he is fit and well and starts the game , Or he isn't involved in the match day squad, its one or the other. No point bringing him on if we're chasing the game , much better off getting a lead then maybe take him off with a few minutes to go. But sure look whatever.. Gilroy is the man i presume he knows what he is doing..

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13655 - 01/09/2012 16:47:52    1256798

Early on in week i thought mayo might win now i think dub with alan brogan back tomorrow ill probably think a draw. It's that type of game, dub are not playing well and mayo really haven't been tested. All in all hard to call. But unless there is a tremendous performance from the victorious ,team,I can't see either bothering Donegal

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 01/09/2012 17:26:37    1256824

We have being waiting a long time for this team to arrive,they will not let us down tomorrow Dublin by 5

And for our western fans coming up in hope enjoy the day and safe travel

D5dub (Dublin) - Posts: 283 - 01/09/2012 17:42:17    1256837