"Mayo probably do have the squad to win an All-Ireland" - Keegan

June 29, 2023

Mayo's Ryan O'Donoghue and Aidan O'Shea before the game at Pearse Stadium ©INPHO/James Crombie

Lee Keegan believes Mayo have the right ingredients within their squad to land the All-Ireland senior football championship title this year.

After upsetting Galway with a second-half comeback in Salthill last weekend, the Westerners are set to face Dublin at Croke Park on Sunday (4pm) for a place in the last four.

Speaking to BoyleSports ahead of this weekend’s crunch quarter-final clashes, Mayo legend Keegan said players making an impact off the bench will be key for Kevin McStay’s side.

“Mayo probably do have the squad to win an All-Ireland based on what we saw against Galway,” said the Westport clubman.

“I thought Kevin McStay made some pretty ballsy calls, Mattie Ruane being the biggest one. It’s a positive for Kevin he can make those changes and the guys who came in actually made an impact – we’ve played enough years when we probably didn’t have that impact from the subs, but they have it now and they are going to need that, they’re not going to win an All-Ireland otherwise.”

On Sunday’s showdown against the Dubs, the five-time All-Star has called for Mayo to bring “chaos” in their bid to upset the capital men at headquarters.

 “The worry for Mayo is they’re coming up against a bit of an unknown in Dublin,” said Keegan.

“I’ve said it from day one and I haven’t changed – it’s Dublin’s All-Ireland for me, I’ve backed them all year. I think they’re bored - they’re looking for this test on Sunday to get them hyped up and a win will kick-start them into the latter stages.

“Division Two was a matter of ticking a box and there wasn’t much competition in Leinster. So now we’ll see the real Dublin and that should bring out the best in both teams.

“They’ll get a lot of hard questions from Mayo, but the problem is that Dublin stay patient and structured and that will negate Mayo if they stay away from chaos. If they can avoid the chaos then I can see them winning by two or three points. But if it gets chaotic, then Mayo could run riot, that’s where Mayo want to get it to.”


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