If Rogers delivers another tour de force, Down have the forwards to win day

A decade on from the introduction of the qualifiers and the extended championship structure is still bringing some counties together for the first time.

That Mayo and Down have never met before in the latter stages of the All-Ireland says a great deal about two counties who are routinely depicted as slumbering behemoths but whose achievements rarely match those lofty ideals.

The fact that both will have been more than happy with this pairing only emphasises that point.

Of the two, Mayo carry the greater burden of expectation into this one but it isn’t all that easy to understand why.

A cakewalk against Leitrim and an unconvincing win against a Sligo side that was subsequently handed their hides by Kildare is little on which to base a case of favouritism against an opponent that has played twice as much and impressed more, if in patches.

Critics can point to Down’s abysmal first-half showing against Monaghan in their Ulster semi-final and ultimate destruction at the hands of Donegal in the decider.

Fans will counter with their recovery the first day and their opening 45 or so minutes on the second.

James McCartan has gone on record to say they were taken aback by the criticism that followed that provincial final defeat and let’s not forget Down recovered to break the infamous six-day hoodoo with defeat of Tipperary.

Ambrose Rogers was the mainstay in Cusack Park.

If the midfielder can deliver another tour de force and dominate possession, Down have the forwards to capitalise, including Benny Coulter who will profit from another week of training after his recent ankle break.

Danny Hughes’ presence would have added further to their attacking threat but the former All Star’s likely absence is at least negated somewhat by the failure of James Horan to name Aidan O’Shea in the Mayo midfield — if we believe him.

That said, Down are unlikely to be afforded the space and time available against Tipperary and, even with O’Shea looking on from the bench, Mayo will provide a far sterner physical challenge to boot.

Verdict: Down