Where the game will be won and lost
Although Vaughan is picked to start at centre back, I expect him to move to the wing to pick up Flynn as he did in the league earlier this year.
In the head-to-head battle, Flynn might have a slight physical edge but Vaughan (right) matches up very well in relation to stamina and speed.
While Jim Gavin’s attacking style of play has released Flynn from some of his defensive duties he would have had under Pat Gilroy, he is still the most likely Dublin forward to be found working behind his midfield and offering options for Stephen Cluxton’s kick-outs. In the situation of kick-outs, look for Vaughan to track Flynn’s (left) crossfield runs or on occasion look for him to check his opponent to stop him making the run in the first place. Both men like to push the pace and force their markers to play on the back foot, Vaughan loves to go forward and can time his runs down the blindside to perfection.
If he forces Flynn to spend more time chasing him he’ll have made a huge dent into Dublin’s attacking drive. Whoever gets the front foot in this battle will have secured a crucial victory for their team.
There has been a lot of talk about Aidan O’Shea and Michael Darragh MacAuley potentially matching up against each other. It’s a mouth watering prospect of the pair — both the top contenders for Footballer of the Year — going toe to toe for 70 minutes.
However it would be remiss to talk about the vital roles their midfield partners have to play. Seamie O’Shea and Cian O’Sullivan mightn’t get the same plaudits as their illustrious comrades but have both delivered huge performances for their teams this year.
Seamie was the best midfielder on show in the semi-final against Tyrone, covering a huge amount of ground and keeping Sean Cavanagh very quiet.
He was able to limit Cavanagh’s ability to time runs off the shoulder so look for both O’Shea’s to try and slow down O’Sullivan and Macauley in similar situations tomorrow. O’Sullivan isn’t a natural midfielder and the talk in Dublin all year was that the side will struggle against a ‘traditional’ midfield.
After seeing off Cork and Kerry while winning the sector on both afternoons, I’d argue that it’s time to put that question to bed.
Whichever pair gives their team the best platform may have the biggest bearing on where Sam ends up tomorrow night.
With Mayo going into the game with question marks over Cillian O’Connor and Andy Moran still looking to hit top form, they will look to Freeman to lead their attack as his did in the semi-final win over Tyrone.
He’s a highly skilled footballer with excellent balance and ability to go by players. At times in the past Mayo have under-utilised Freeman but this season they have realised what an asset he could be and he has shown superb vision and skill when has received quality ball. Freeman is also a bigger man than most of the other Mayo forwards and gives the option of a longer diagonal ball to be sent in. O’Carroll has the size to match up to Freeman in the air and generally looks to break any high ball trusting his fellow defenders to be there to sweep up and limit the danger. O’Carroll will look to mark Freeman from the front, he’ll trust his instincts, but on occasions where there is a lot of space either side it will be hard for him to limit Freeman getting primary possession. Expect an intriguing battle.
