"The hope for Mayo is that Dublin don't return to themselves"
August 12, 2021
Dublin's Ciaran Kilkenny and Mayo's Aidan O'Shea after the 2020 All-Ireland SFC final ©INPHO/Tommy Dickson
Ciaran Whelan expects Dublin to up their game for Saturday’s All-Ireland SFC semi-final clash against rivals Mayo.
Last year saw the Dubs’ average winning margin in the Leinster championship at 18 points but that number has dropped seven this summer, leaving many to speculate whether or not they are still the same force to be reckoned with.
Speaking on the RTE GAA podcast, former Dublin captain Whelan says he’s confident of an improved showing from Dessie Farrell’s men this weekend.
"The hope for Mayo is that Dublin don’t return to themselves," he said. "Some of the players Mayo introduced last year have got better. They’ve lost (David) Clarke, (Chris) Barrett and Cillian O’Connor but you feel they’re improving and still on an upward curve.
"They’re extremely fit and have a lot of credentials coming into the match. But the personnel will be largely the same as the All-Ireland final only eight months ago.
"You look at that and the psychological battle between the two teams. The hate that’s there, I equate it to Dublin v Meath in the 90s to a certain degree. It’s a brilliant rivalry.”
"You have to expect Dublin will up it for Mayo.”
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