Red Hands should be too strong for Mayo

THE prospect of tomorrow’s All-Ireland football showpieces being the sole preserve of Kerry and Tyrone was imminent, until the Mayo minor footballers came along to smash those grand plans.

Their dismissal of the Kingdom in last month’s semi-final replay was a stunning show of force. In the first-half they overwhelmed Kerry to lead 2-8 to 0-2 at half-time with their shooting immaculate. After labouring to a quarter-final success over Monaghan and the disappointment at failing to finish off the job against Kerry the first time around, Mayo are in a buoyant mood.

The problem is that they now face into the biggest test of their campaign. Producing a repeat of their Kerry replay display is not just desirable, it is a necessity. Tyrone enter this encounter after a summer where they have emerged from the tight Ulster battles, not winning any game in the province by more than three points, before then cutting free in the All-Ireland series to devastating effect. There was much to admire in their six-points victory over Roscommon in the quarter-final before an awesome showing to get past Meath in the semi-final.

Tyrone strength is in their forward line where Conor O’Neill and Paddy McNeice can cause all sorts of damage but the genuine star is corner-forward Kyle Coney, who kicked seven points against Roscommon.

Mayo will need to keep a serious eye on Coney tomorrow and they cannot afford to allow the Tyrone attack any latitude. Their chances of winning will also hinge on the fitness of centre-forward O’Shea who remains a doubt with a thumb injury.

Judging by their semi-final displays this game could be a cracker. But Tyrone’s team is more settled than Kerry’s was for that game and for that reason it’s hard to see past them tomorrow.

* Verdict: Tyrone.