It could be an epic but the Dubs have a winning look
IT’S 56 weeks since a titanic TG4 All-Ireland 2016 SFC semi-final, and Dublin and Mayo are ready for championship battle again. On that occasion, at Kingspan Breffni Park, Dublin emerged one-point winners, Sinéad Aherne shooting the winner from a free.
Speaking after Mayo booked their place in the final last month, manager Frank Browne referenced the hurt the team had carried for a year – and how anxious they were to atone for that loss. But now they have the chance to gain revenge on the Sky Blues and capture a first All-Ireland senior title since 2003.
They’re back in the final for the first time in 10 years and Browne was also in charge back then, when Cork claimed a five-point victory.
The wheel has also come full circle for Dublin manager Mick Bohan, who is enjoying his second stint in charge.
In 2003, he was at the helm when Dublin lost out to Mayo in the Brendan Martin Cup decider but 14 years on, he has the chance to made amends.
There are so many sub-plots associated with this final, as Mayo go in search of their fifth title, with Dublin looking to annex a second. Dublin were champions for the one and only time in 2010 but they’ve lost the last three finals – all against Cork.
Under Bohan, however, they look a better team. The Dubs beat Laois and Westmeath by 28 and 19 points respectively in Leinster, before comfortably accounting for Munster finalists Waterford and Kerry in the All-Ireland series.
The fear is that they may have not have been adequately tested to date – and Mayo are sure to provide stiff opposition.
Their turnaround since losing the Connacht final to Galway in July has been nothing short of remarkable with victories over Kildare, Donegal and last year’s winners Cork securing a final place.
The final pits two of the game’s finest forwards in opposition – Dublin’s Aherne and Mayo star Cora Staunton. And with both teams so well matched, we could be in for a contest like the epic men’s final a week ago.