Former Dublin midfielder Ciaran Whelan feels Mayo’s two young corner-forwards have “added that X-factor” for the Westerners this summer.

Kobe McDonald and Darragh Beirne were in excellent form for Andy Moran’s men in their All-Ireland SFC quarter-final win over Cork, with Beirne delivering a ‘Man of the Match’ display that helped them to get over the line against the Rebels at Croke Park.

Speaking on the RTE GAA podcast this week, Whelan says the duo will need to be on-song against on Saturday week against what is an in-form Louth side.

"The two lads, Darragh Beirne and Kobe [McDonald] have added that X-factor. Jack Carney is in good form, Jordan Flynn is in good form. They need to get Matty Ruane back on the field,” he said.

"You look at that area of midfield and Dara McDonnell's dominance [against Monaghan] and Louth got a lot of scores off first phase from winning ball in midfield.

"And Mayo's midfielders are going well enough so they can definitely compete in that area. So if they can stifle Louth a small bit and win their fair share of possession to get it into the two lads [McDonald and Beirne] that'll definitely help them."

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