Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Dominant Dubs reaching new heights in 2017
FOR all the memorable meetings of Dublin and Mayo in recent years, they haven’t tended to stand out for the quality of the football.
Although engrossing encounters given physicality, neither side hit their straps in last year’s drawn or replayed final and the same was true of their drawn game at the semi-final stage in 2015, though the replay was of a higher standard.
The 2013 final was largely forgettable and arguably the last clash that married quality of football and excitement throughout was the 2012 semi-final, Mayo’s last victory over Dublin, who have been unbeaten against them in 11 meetings since.
Moreover, Dublin haven’t managed to play particularly well in an All-ireland final since 1977, when they cruised past an outclassed Armagh.
After their demolition of an overrated Tyrone team in the semi-final, putting on a show in September is the only box left for this Dublin side to tick. They look well placed to do it.
Given how close they teetered to the brink at the back end of last year’s Championship, it was obvious Jim Gavin (above) needed to revitalise the side somewhat.
In doing so, fears that they could be vulnerable this year seemed well placed but, even allowing for the sub-standard opposition, the transition has been seamless.
Con O’callaghan has been a revelation in the attack, which has also been freshened up by Paul Mannion’s re-emergence while Niall Scully and Eric Lowndes have made real contributions at stages.
Jack Mccaffrey’s return effectively gives Dublin an auxiliary extra forward and James Mccarthy is Brian Fenton’s most stable midfield partner yet. It all adds up to Dublin being a more potent force than they were 12 months ago.
The same is true of Mayo, however. After sleepwalking through the summer, they’ve been superb from the quarterfinal replay on and, with good weather conditions likely, this is poised to be as good a contest as these two have served up yet. Mayo’s recovery has been partly driven by a pair of thirtysomethings, Keith Higgins and Andy Moran, who are playing the best football of their careers.
It’s the ultimate test for them and Mayo tomorrow, however, particularly in Moran’s case as he’ll be facing the least sympathetic defence of them all.
Ultimately, while Mayo’s current formline would probably have been good enough to beat Dublin 12 months ago, the champions have moved to a higher plane and look poised to break the three-point spread and seal a historic three-ina-row.