National Forum

Neutrals - Who do you think will win?

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There is a reason why retaining All Ireland football titles is so hard to do, and that is because teams are analysed to death year on year.

Dublin have an edge, they have taken full advantage of their larger pool of players, by being able to start 6 or 7 players who are very comfortable taking scores, and backing them up with another few excellent attacking players from the bench. They back this up with players with exceptional pace and athleticism, who are clearly well educated in what their role is and what to do when faced with a number of scenario's. But like Donegal in 2012 or Dublin in 2013, teams will study them to death until the crack the code.

So far this season, Donegal failed to tactically test Dublin, and Dublin probably should have won that game by a larger margin. This was tactical incompetence by the Donegal management, Dublin passed through unhindered. Kerry gave Dublin a tougher game, but with lack of recent video material of tactical testing of Dublin's setup, they were maybe limited in knowing before the game what would or would not work against Dublin, due to nobody else putting it up to them.

Mayo however have now got a proper look at Dublin, they are well placed to learn from Kerry's and Donegal's probing and using those learning's ask Dublin even more serious questions. Mayo have nipped past Tyrone, then underwhelmed in beating Tipperary and in my opinion are coming into this game exceptionally quietly. They have the players and the tactical awareness to beat Dublin, and I think this is their year.

VERDICT: Mayo

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 06/09/2016 20:06:42    1910944

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I believe that Mayo will win, simple reason, destiny.

Mayo need to win for the good of the game, just back from a week at home and theres a lot of love in Tyrone for this Mayo team.

brendtheredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 10897 - 06/09/2016 20:22:12    1910947

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Replying To MesAmis:  "Mayo are better than both imo.

That's if they can get back to last year's level."
Agree Mayo are better than both. Looking at their record over the last 5 years, they've been the second best team despite not actually winning.

I'm not sure their form has been as bad as some make out.

Galway was a wake up call, they were caught in that game, they were comfortable and the goal changed.

They were in danger against Fermanagh but they'd a serious wind against them in the first half and then we're all over them in the second.

They were very comfortable against Kildare and Tipp, I know Tipp got a little rally on them but was at the game and Mayo always had that little bit extra.

Tyrone was a disciplined controlled performance. Bar the goal chance their defence was really excellent. Tyrone hit a lot wide but credit has to go to Mayo and the pressure they put them under.

I still think Dublin are most likely to win but it's no gimme. If they do it they'll have won well from the quarters on, beating all 3 of their recent strongest challengers.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4226 - 06/09/2016 20:50:15    1910960

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Last year (Dublin v Mayo semi-final) I said I wanted Mayo to win and thought they would win.

This year, I would still like to see Mayo win, but think Dublin will win with a bit to spare. I'd love to be proved wrong.

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2474 - 06/09/2016 21:19:49    1910975

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I think it will be close enough. Mayo should have no fear of Dublin after last year. I would worry that Dublin have more options to score from long range in a tight match though. I don't dislike Dublin but c'mon Mayo ye owe it to yourselves

mhunicean_abu (Monaghan) - Posts: 1044 - 06/09/2016 22:15:47    1910993

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Dublin are a class apart. I think that Mayo will struggle to stay with them this time.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 06/09/2016 22:41:28    1911007

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Replying To MesAmis:  "Mayo are better than both imo.

That's if they can get back to last year's level."
I'd agree if we were rating Mayo on last years performance levels. But I'm rating them on how they have played this year. They have to improve too much IMO to beat Dublin. They've had too many 25 min lapses in matches this season and even if they improve enough so that they only have a 10 minute lapse that still might be enough to leave Dublin out of sight.

Mobot (Donegal) - Posts: 459 - 07/09/2016 10:42:25    1911137

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