Brady bemoans claims of tactical fouling

Former Mayo star David Brady rubbished claims James Horan’s side have been tactically fouling en route to tomorrow’s All-Ireland final.

Brady, furious at comments that the Connacht champions displayed a cynical streak this season, believes the Ulster men are the ones guilty of intentional foul play to benefit their system.

Brady reasoned: “Donegal are being looked at through colour-tinted glasses a year after they were being hounded but their focus is still on tactical fouling around midfield. They intentionally foul to allow the swarm system regroup. At times some of their players pretend they don’t hear a whistle to buy time. As Kevin Cassidy said last year they are also trying to get under opposition players’ skins. That hasn’t gone away.”

However when asked about Mayo’s fouling in the semi-final against Dublin, Brady was adamant most of those indiscretions cost his side.

“I would say Mayo’s fouling at times has been in desperation and in the wrong area of the pitch which proves that, unlike Donegal, it wasn’t tactical. If you want to be cute you won’t foul in scoring zones.

“I’ve looked at a good few of Donegal’s games now and their foul count in the first half is far more than the second. They get the lead and strangle the opposition.

“So you can understand how annoying it is to hear that Mayo are the ones who have done it more. The stats show otherwise and the referees need to know that.”

Meanwhile manager Horan named his three injury concerns for the game although doubts remain whether the selected team will start. Lee Keegan (finger), Colm Boyle (virus) and Aidan O’Shea (hamstring) have all been included as Horan goes with the same team he announced for the semi-final against Dublin, which he was forced to change before throw-in due to Colm Boyle’s virus. Boyle is again the chief concern to Horan and his management.