Dublin’s defensive shield likely to shut out Mayo

NOW that Kerry have fulfilled their promise in getting back to the Bank of Ireland football championship final, it remains to be seen if Dublin can deliver on expectations and make it there for the first time in 11 years.

Undoubtedly, the pressure will be on Paul Caffrey’s team to deliver on their promise, but based on how they played in their last game against Westmeath, nobody will be ruling Mayo out of the equation.

Few counties have endured as many frustrating days in Croke Park in recent times as Mayo, whose last title success stretches back 55 years.

Over the last decade, they have lost in three finals and on several other occasions they have failed at the semi-final stage. They won in their last appearance, two years ago, but that was only after they had survived a drawn game with Fermanagh.

Dublin, on the other hand, failed in their last semi-final four years ago, when Ray Cosgrove was unfortunate to miss a late free which would have given them a replay.

Realistically, few people expect the Westerners to advance. Admittedly, they managed a significant improvement from their first meeting with Laois, but Mick O’Dwyer’s team left themselves down badly and didn’t provide them with a real test. Not so long ago many observers were expecting a Dublin/Laois repeat in the semi-final, with the Midlanders fancied to at least put up a more respectable performance than they had done in the Leinster semi-final.

Paul Caffrey sees his team as in a developmental stage, having made good progress last season and benefiting hugely from the experience of playing Tyrone twice in the quarter-final. And he would be the first to admit that it’s an evolving process. That was quite obvious in the Westmeath game, in the way they dominated for long periods but didn’t maximise their scoring chances.

That was something they managed against Mayo in the League in Parnell Park, a game in which Mickey Moran’s team suffered their first defeat of the campaign. Dublin won 4-10 to 1-10, after which Caffrey commented that it had been “raining” scores. “When you see Dublin scoring goals, rest assured that more will follow,’’ he remarked.

Goal-scoring may be the key to them winning tomorrow. Either way they look more equipped to get to the final, based on a very strong defence, a consistency at midfield which had been lacking for a long time and a creative attack. Where they will be tested, however, is in their finishing.

Mayo defended well against Laois last week, Ronan McGarrity was again very influential at midfield and Ciaran McDonald wasn’t just his usual creative self, but was more involved. Conor Mortimer continues to provide the main threat, however, and I don’t envisage him being given too much space. And, if he is not properly supported he could be isolated — given the way the Dublin full-back line has been operating and how commanding Bryan Cullen’s play at centre-back has been.

On paper, Dublin look much more formidable and, whether they win with a bit of style or just grind out a victory, I expect them to set up a date with Kerry in three weeks time.

Verdict: Dublin