New champions, new rules for the grand old game

There’s only one thing more likely than the progress of a side with a navvy’s appetite for work to the All-Ireland final to change the shape of football. And that’s a second team with similar attributes.

Donegal and Mayo won’t be an unusual final, it’ll be a unique one. And not just because they’ve never met in a September showdown before. Both have overcome prejudice and perception this year and last, with two young managers managing in that short period to redefine how we all think about the game. Including those charged with beating them now.

James Horan reminded his inquisitors after yesterday’s remarkable 35-point scorefest in Croke Park that Mayo have been averaging 2-17 in the Championship to date. He needn’t have bothered. Scoring has never been a difficulty for Mayo. But when you lack graft, grunt and guile, concessions at the other end tend to debilitate.