Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
So much more than just points at stake tonight..
DUBLIN versus Mayo is a fascinating fixture tonight.
Both teams are hunting down their own slice of immortality in 2019 by winning the All-lreland.
That brings pressure on an unreal level.
Mayo have the opportunity to knock Dublin out of League contention with three games remaining, then drive on and win a long overdue national title – to become the bride at last, instead of always the bridesmaid.
As a top team over the last six or seven years, Mayo haven’t prioritised the Division 1 title enough – hindering their ability to close out winning positions in All-ireland finals.
Mayo have a lot more work done than Dublin, so why not go for broke on Saturday night?
A seriously ruthless display could inflict a sizable wound in the Dubs’ confidence. No matter how good you are, in any sport, losing on a regular basis affects belief.
This encounter will tell a lot about Mayo. Are they the real deal, or are they a bunch of very good footballers living with regrets about missed opportunities?
As for the Dubs, three defeats in four would be new territory under Jim Gavin.
It’s difficult to overstate the immense respect I have for what Dublin have achieved under Gavin’s brilliant management.
But there are a few things going on with them that are not what we’ve come to expect.
Never before has a Dublin team managed by Gavin made excuses over how unfit they are as a group or how little work they’ve done.
Yet these lines have been trotted out time and again in this League campaign. Even Jim himself seems to have mellowed quite a bit – he’s friendlier to the outside world, which again is strange.
Subconsciously, things like this may happen when going for the five-in-a-row. I’m just fascinated to see how they navigate themselves towards that history-making Allireland crown.
No matter what Gavin, his spin department or any Dublin player tells us, this is not a normal year.
This is different. Every move will be scrutinised – and that’s just the way it’s going to be for the rest of the year.
In saying that, it’s an incredible position Dublin have created for themselves, albeit with plenty of help from Mayo along the way.
It’s utterly remarkable to do four-in-a-row.
Yet every match and every performance is relevant when you’re on the verge of achieving something never done before.
Another defeat for the Dubs would be a definite hitch. But equally, a poor performance from Mayo against a half-fit Dublin would be a major setback to James Horan and his players.
For that reason tonight’s game is so intriguing.
But I expect Dublin to rise to the challenge and inflict pain on Mayo in Croke Park once again.