Mayo are very good at running football and have the keys to unlock tyrone's blanket defense. Mayos problems will start if Tyrone go man to man. Mayo still have a dodgy full back line and a sweeper who cannot mark anyone.

Question is, have Tyrone the balls to push up on Mayo? I don't think so.

If they don't there only hope is Mayo relax once they get ahead and then panic as Tyrone are forced to come at them.

It will be a close finish regardless as Mayo are not ruthless enough when on top and Tyrone are too cagey to go for it.

tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1126 - 31/07/2016 07:42:21    1892646

Mayo and/or Donegal reaching the semi-finals can't be ruled out.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7873 - 31/07/2016 09:48:21    1892662

Lads there should tickets still available on Ticketmaster.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7363 - 31/07/2016 10:22:02    1892674

From what I have seen this year: If Mayo play to their potential and Tyrone do the same then Tyrone will win. Mayo this year have had their bit of luck beating Fermanagh in their own backyard with a couple of dubious ref decisions and then getting a pretty handy draw since. Tyrone had a more difficult route which should stand to them. I would not like to wager much either way though

browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 31/07/2016 10:46:16    1892688

How did Mayo lose to these Galway gumbeans?

sam2008 (Tyrone) - Posts: 797 - 31/07/2016 17:06:38    1892892

IrishGael3 (USA) - Posts: 1092 - 31/07/2016 17:32:12    1892921

liner (Mayo) - Posts: 756 - 31/07/2016 17:53:19    1892949

I was talking to a Tipp friend of mine this morning who did not give them much chance hence he did not travel. I told him otherwise and that the Connaught form had more holes in it than 18 hole golf course. This was proven today and previously by the demise of the Rossies to Clare.

Back to this game from what I have seen Mayo are going to have to find something I just do not think is there. Beaten by Galway, then while deserving winners in the end against Fermanagh it took a big helping hand from the rest. The games against Kildare and Westmeath followed a very similar path in that Mayo had their purple patches for a small period which got them over the line. I felt Kildare were the better side for long periods but were left chasing after the concession of 2 quick fire goals the second of which was far too soft. Again the main difference in yesterday's game was that awful concession of a pen from the Westmeath keeper. Take that out and if Westmeath had finished that sitter before HT it would have been a different game.

Tyrone are a totally different beast to any of these teams. There will be no concession of soft goals. Andy Moran who has been a standout performer for Mayo will get nothing. Mayo really need Diarmuid O'Connor fit or they are in real trouble. I just do not see how or where Mayo are going to find the improvement that they need. I don't think they are anywhere near their 2014 form which is when this team was at its peak. It is going to take that form to beat this Tyrone team. Tyrone on the other hand are not flawless. Donegal are my team but I do not agree with the consensus of some that Donegal left the Ulster title behind them. Yes that was the case of 2015 but not this time. Tyrone won it by grabbing the game by the neck when they needed too. The game itself got alot of criticism from the usual suspects but being at the game both sides put on a defensive masterclass and the point scoring from both sides was of the highest standard. Tyrone weakness is their full forward line. They definitely showed alot of nerves against Donegal and it took the old dog Sean Cavanagh to get them over the line. I just feel Mayo have to find too much form to beat this Tyrone team. Yes they have the players and pedigree but like the league it is just not clicking and I don't see it happening next week. Tyrone by 2-4 points.

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2782 - 31/07/2016 18:03:27    1892966

I agree the Connaught form book is all over the place, if this was a horse race Tyrone would be big favourites, but I think Mayo have the experience and the players to hit form again and they could well make the final this year and maybe even win it, in the year everybody is writing them off,
no matter who gets to the semi I'll be supporting Tipp though, be great to see them reach the final.

TirChonaillabu2 (Donegal) - Posts: 344 - 31/07/2016 18:17:14    1893003

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2782 - 31/07/2016 18:59:40    1893048

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2782 - 31/07/2016 19:02:37    1893051

Douglas_Hyde (Roscommon) - Posts: 90 - 31/07/2016 19:47:18    1893081

The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 2088 - 31/07/2016 20:59:04    1893173

Anyone critisising Killian o Connors free taking really hasn't watched football for the past few years. He is consistently the best free taker in Ireland bar none. Check out https://dontfoul.wordpress.com/2016/06/17/the-best-free-taker/. He had a off day on Saturday when it didn't count. He'll be back to his best again the next day.

tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1126 - 01/08/2016 11:38:41    1893408

Tyrone '15 were similar to Mayo '11. Plotting an upward trajectory and the signs are there in semi-final defeat that they'll be challenging for the next few All-Irelands. Mayo didn't deliver. Tyrone know what it takes to deliver. My expectation after the Ulster final was both Tyrone and Donegal to be All-Ireland contenders.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7873 - 01/08/2016 12:11:31    1893434

This is too close to call. Tyrone may be the hungrier of the two and they have a manager who could likely outwit any manager in the country, a manager the team seem to wholeheartedly buy into and believe in. On the other hand, I think Mayo have better individuals and Diarmuid O'Connor in particular is going to take some shackling. Mayo also have far more experience on the big stage and won't have any fear of this Tyrone team. I'd still have some questions about how good Tyrone really are and what their mental fortitude is like. They cracked against Kerry in the latter stages last year and they were very nervy in the Ulster final, playing almost the entire match on Donegal's terms until finally throwing the shackles off in the last 10 minutes just because they had to at that point. Mayo have been rather out of form all year though and while it's possible there's still a big match in them, I don't know if it's possible to turn it on and off.

I think Tyrone should go in as favourites based on the fact that they've won a provincial title this year and have probably had tougher matches that will have brought them on. That said, I'd be wary of a written off Mayo team. Could be a kick there yet.

ZeitChrist (UK) - Posts: 154 - 01/08/2016 12:16:02    1893437

I really like Tyrone. Super manger who has built a new team around the brilliant Sean Cavanagh. Strong favourites and should beat us. That's going on what we have seen so far. I am hoping Mayo can put in a 70 min performance. If we do...who knows maybe?

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11236 - 01/08/2016 13:21:20    1893480

Cant see anything other than a comfortable Tyrone win

joeteor (Donegal) - Posts: 218 - 01/08/2016 13:40:50    1893488

Mayo love a good ambush. Could this be the weekend?

MourneArmy (Down) - Posts: 1787 - 01/08/2016 13:54:50    1893495

'ambush', 'comfortable win' etc etc...sweet lord, Mayo will beat Tyrone on Sat by 3/4 points. The hype surrounding Tyrone is crazy (almost as crazy as the Galway hype!) and the confidence of their fans is off the charts. Looking forward to a great double header this Sat

Seamy_Hendrix (Derry) - Posts: 47 - 01/08/2016 14:03:27    1893504