From Dublin, Mayo and Kerry, the two teams that DONT win it will have failed, simple. Tyrone on the other hand are in bonus territory!

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8811 - 11/08/2015 18:04:17    1768293

The Master after attacking our Jimbo all last week your coming out with this bs.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 11/08/2015 18:09:24    1768299

Dubs by 8.

:)

believe..

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13655 - 11/08/2015 19:02:12    1768322

Was looking forward to this game anyway but after seeing clondalkindubs player match-ups it's impossible not to be excited about what could be in store. Some incredibly talented footballers on both sides, Keegan v Connolly and Higgins v Brogan are the type of battles football should be all about.

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 11/08/2015 20:31:28    1768380

I hate that this game is 3 weeks away. I can't call it and am intrigued to see how it plays out. I think we are stronger in midfield but Dublin won't play with an orthodox midfield. I can see Cluxton kicking short and out the wings if they can get the time or drag our midfielders short and try and hit Flynn and Connolly behind them. I'm more confident with Seamie and Parsons in there now as Aidan didn't have the pace or the legs to keep up last time.

It's hard to know if we will use Barry as the sweeper again even though he did a good job. I don't think he'll see much action from kickouts and I'd expect more low fast balls into the forward line which wouldn't suit him. I still wouldn't object to him or someone else playing there though. I don't think O'Carroll can handle O'Shea on his own. If Mayo play a sweeper I expect McMahon to provide the cover and just not go forward as much as he's used to. They could bring in Small too and drop O'Sullivan back but I can't see Gavin dropping any forwards to allow it as they can do serious damage at the other end.

It'll be interesting to see who's marking who in our half back line as well. Keegan managed to keep McNiallais quiet and still bomb forward but that won't be so easy with Connolly

wee_yo (Mayo) - Posts: 63 - 11/08/2015 21:34:54    1768422

Both teams look unbeatable. Could be decided after extra-time in a replay.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8999 - 11/08/2015 21:48:18    1768429

tough to know how this will go...i presume dublin will have a plan in place to counter aidan o shea.....have to fancy the dubs though...lee keegan seems back to his best..taught he hadnt a great year by his standards last year

fabio8 (USA) - Posts: 2182 - 11/08/2015 21:55:55    1768441

Looking forward to it but I can't see past Dublin even with the blue tinted glasses off. I don't buy the theory that the Dublin midfield will be completely cleaned out and even if they get 40% I think it will be enough.

Goals will decide the game to put it simply, yes A'O Shea is a man mountain and will take watching but in my opinion his strengths are also his greatest weaknesses I think the Dublin backs will get free for kickouts from Cluxton. I also think the Dublin backs will create overlaps when they bomb forward, I think the Dublin pace is being greatly underestimated this year in the aftermath of the Donegal defeat last year.

Mayo are a fantastic side and one which will be difficult to overcome but if Dublin show up I think the scoring potential is there to keep that Mayo backline that can devastating going forward well pinned back.

Bluewave (Dublin) - Posts: 552 - 12/08/2015 09:05:43    1768458

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/darragh-%C3%B3-s%C3%A9-mayo-must-make-the-most-of-aidan-o-shea-1.2313845

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 12/08/2015 10:11:55    1768513

I suppose the good thing about this semi final is both Mayo and Dublin know they will need to improve from their quarter final performance to win the semi. Dublin were flat for large parts of the Fermanagh game without looking like ever been in trouble. Mayo kicking 15/29 scores against Donegal and the second half performance as Connelly said would not be good enough to beat Dublin. Mayo though never looked like loosing their quarter against a tired looking Donegal.

Both teams will need to play better and know they have much more in them. It could be some game on the 30th. (That said a boring terrible game in which we win will do me fine).

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11684 - 12/08/2015 10:45:20    1768580

Let's be honest here, to say that Mayo will have reached their potential if they exit at semi-final stage is a nonsense and here is why;
all the top 4 teams have the capability of beating each other on any given day, history over the past 4 years proves this with the exception of Mayo beating Kerry (but extra time in a replay says that's not unthinkable either) All teams have reached 2 AL finals, 3 of the 4 teams have lifted Sam, Some say Mayo were Unlucky some say naive maybe a bit of both not to lift Sam. one thing is for certain to say they have reached their potential by reaching a semi-final is rubbish.

To have 4 teams consistently at that level over a 4 year period is unusual in the AL series, in that sense Mayo are unlucky as 90's or 00's didn't have that, it was predominately 2 teams in the 00's and a complete mixture of teams in the 90's

Looking forward to the semi-final, like I said above any given day any of these teams can beat the other

2winjustonce (Mayo) - Posts: 65 - 12/08/2015 10:53:47    1768593

I promise you Dublin will go man on man unless of course Mayo don't , if Mayo play a sweeper then our free man will mind the house but we will go out to play man on man I guarantee you that, he's done it for two years now and we've won everything so he won't change now.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 12/08/2015 11:31:42    1768644

I agree Clondalkin.. fairly confident Mayo won't go man for man though

AthCliath87 (Dublin) - Posts: 345 - 12/08/2015 13:08:59    1768749

Can't wait for this game, living in Dublin so the build up should be good craic. Tough one to call, man to man I feel would suit Dublin better, they're a serious outfit when running at pace, as are Mayo and Kerry but Dublin can kill teams off quicker in Croker I think. Hard to compare this game to the final of 13 as finals are cagey affairs, whereas semis tend to produce better games, as a footbal game the final in 13 wasn't a great spectacle. The match ups are very intriguing as all 30 players who start appear to cancel each other out, bar Connolly who think is in the form of his life. Flynn has been a wee bit subdued the last 12 months but when called upon he rarely makes mistakes. Midfield is key of course but I feel the full back lines have a huge role in this one. Hard to see Mayostarting with a sweeper, both management teams will have their work cut out and whoever comes out on top will have earned it! Here's hoping it's Mayo!

Padden89 (Mayo) - Posts: 12 - 12/08/2015 13:19:55    1768761

clondalkindub, Id agree with a lot of what dara o'se says about the mcgees. Although I would also point out that every word of it applies to ger cafferkey v donaghy last year also - and there was only one of him in that battle. People are too quick to get on their backs.

TheMaster (Mayo) - Posts: 16187 - 12/08/2015 14:38:21    1768831

Mayo are looking a lot stronger this year than they were the last few years. I fancy Mayo to beat the Dubs by a point or 2

aidan64 (Kerry) - Posts: 668 - 12/08/2015 17:24:14    1769003

Joe McQuillan is the ref, well done Mayo enjoy your all Ireland final.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 13/08/2015 11:08:15    1769308

clondalkindub
County: Dublin
Posts: 6531

1769308
Joe McQuillan is the ref, well done Mayo enjoy your all Ireland final.

Interesting that most people would see that the other way around. I don't like to blame refs full stop.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8458 - 13/08/2015 11:22:33    1769315

Joe "Ref Dubs A v B games" McQuillan.

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13655 - 13/08/2015 11:26:54    1769322

He had a shocker in 2012. After Horan insinuated he was reffing Dublins in house games he didnt give Dublin a sniff of a decision.

The free count has been hugely in favour of Mayo in the last two championship meetings.

Mayo certainly will be given every chance to beat Dublin based on the biased refereeing the Dubs are likely to encounter.

JayP (Dublin) - Posts: 1772 - 13/08/2015 11:32:04    1769323