Fatigue’s not an issue: Rochford

million dollar question for Rochford is whether he should now go on the offensive with the Breaffy man. Should he stick, or twist? Maybe the fact that it took Paddy Durcan’s 73rd minute point to salvage a replay will compel Rochford to put O’shea – and his team – on the front foot on Saturday.

Mayo will be glad to have another shot at it after Kerry sub Bryan Sheehan failed to find the range from a 50 yard free with the last play.

But, yet again, they couldn’t close the deal when the opportunity was there.

What Mayo have done is shown that they can carve open this vulnerable Kerry back line, although they conceded two goals themselves as the greasy conditions made life tough for defences.

Despite O’shea’s presence, Donaghy still provided the assist for Kerry’s first goal at what was a crucial time.

Mayo had been on top early on, with man of the match Andy Moran scoring a fine fifth minute goal to add to the confidence his side had built up from their quarter-final replay rout of Roscommon.

Donaghy had the intelligence to come deeper to look for the ball and when he received it, O’shea was nowhere near as the Kerry man laid off to Stephen O’brien and he hit the net. Mayo looked threatening when they managed to get beyond Kerry’s midfield three, but all too often their good work in attack was undone by a poor kick-out strategy.

David Clarke struggled again to find a free man and David Moran lapped up high ball in midfield.

Mayo exposed that Kerry full-back line again when Colm Boyle waltzed his way past two challenges to beat Brian Kelly 20 minutes in.

Fitzmaurice took action by replacing Michael Geaney with Jack Savage, but Cillian O’connor and Moran contrived to miss another goal chance for their side.

That proved a momentum shifter as Kerry picked up the next four points and the sides were level at the break.

Kerry’s second goal, in the 46th minute, was traced back to O’shea moving to the left flank and failing to stop a mis-placed pass going for sideline ball.

He was out of position as Moran advanced and shot – and though Clarke saved, Johnny Buckley was there to net on the rebound.

It was nip and tuck all the way and it would be foolish to expect any different in five days time back at Headquarters.

FEAST OF STEPHEN Kerry’s Stephen O’brien scores goal and, far left, Bryan Sheehan misses free to win it right at the death STEPHEN ROCHFORD insisted Mayo’s marathon men will be ready for their ninth Championship game of the summer on Saturday after...