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Ahead of the Irish final between Dublin and May, Frank Roche and Colm Keys break down the two fifteen starters to see which one scores the best.
Dublin
1 Stephen Cluxton 9
Years: 39 Club: Parnells Height: 6’1 ” C’ship Debut: 2001
No country for old men? Don’t tell the birthday boy last Thursday. His leadership, reflexes, authority, judgment, and those unmatched reboots are the stuff of legend. It takes four clean sheets and only one flying save (against Meath’s Joey Wallace), but it still dictates everything.
2 Mick Fitzsimons 8
Years: 32 Club: What Height: 6’0 ” Debut: 2010
As a classic Claret, he has aged remarkably and now has the potential to be a third All-Star in four seasons. The benchmark for man’s adhesive marking: tenacious but disciplined, with octopus hands for the perfect moment. His likely duel with Cillian O’Connor could prove pivotal.
3 David Byrne 7
Years: 26 Club: Saint Olaf Height: 5’11 ” Debut: 2015
He lost his spot after the league but, after cameos against Westmeath and Laois, he has started the last two outings. Equally happy to roam the outfield behind his man, and even trim some vital points, but his main job will be to limit the impact of the full attack line in the form of Mayo.
4 Eoin Murchan 7
Years: 24 Club: And fianna Height: 5’11 ” Debut: 2018
His name will forever go down in history for that All-Ireland repeat goal. Murchan, a quiet ball carrier blessed with speed, has spent much of his winter sweeping. Bombarded forward by one point against Westmeath, but otherwise content to sit back and wait.
5 Jonny Cooper 8
Years: 31 Club: And fianna Height: 6’0 ” Debut: 2013
For so long a defensive mainstay, whose pointed attitude was grudgingly admired by all rivals. His position has fallen since then, and injuries are a recurring factor. He battled recent ankle problems to start all four outings, but was second against Cavan.
6 Little John 8
Years: 27 Club: Ballymun Kickhams Height: 6’0 ” Debut: 2015
We’ll take Cooper’s pugnacity and raise him, but where would Dublin be without him? Even though his shots are still conundrums, Small is a dynamic counter that combines with his bristling qualities to mark the man. After the previous red mists across Ireland, it will look to emulate last year’s Kerry benchmark.
7 Robbie McDaid 8
Years: 27 Club: Ballyboden St Enda’s Height: 6’2 ” Debut: 2019
He spied his opportunity with the departure of Jack McCaffrey and took it. Defensive durability has yet to be stress tested, but he has created numerous opportunities to pass, while delivering 1-2 against Cavan. Priced at 1/5 for an All Star, but this could be your first acid test.
8 Brian Fenton 9
Years: 27 Club: Raheny Height: 6’4 ” Debut: 2015
What remains to be said? An all-time great before 2020, now playing better than ever. Close to Man of the Match three games running. The complete midfielder can be summed up like this: fly, glide, score. Kerry overruled it in last year’s drawing, but does Mayo have the staff?
9 James McCarthy 9
Years: 30 Club: Ballymun Kickhams Height: 6’1 ” Debut: 2011
The only field dub that started every All-Ireland since 2011, it is still indispensable. As with Jim Gavin, Dessie Farrell started him in his old winger spots this winter before realizing he was more needed in midfield. Not quite in his ‘Maccer’ heyday so far, but the best big game player.
10 Niall Scully 8
Years: 26 Club: Templeogue Synge Street Height: 6’0 ” Debut: 2017
If only all teams had such an effective anonymous hero. The games of Laois and Meath especially showed their infinite energy, precise passes and eye to score. Just very decent against Cavan, but his work ethic will be vital if Mayo injects chaos into the middle third.
11 Ciarán Kilkenny 9
Years: 27 Club: Castleknock Height: 6’1 ” Debut: 2012
It’s hard to believe he’s never been Footballer of the Year, but that could change soon. He remains Dublin’s driver even when he finds time to shoot 1-17 in four games. He’s endured a couple of quiet finals (2017 and last year’s draw) but his replay masterclass said it all.
12 Seán Clarín 7
Years: 22 Club: St Oliver Plunkett / ER Height: 6’0 ” Debut: 2019
Dublin’s next big thing has long been an open secret. Buzzed through a start-stop league and Leinster; He found it a bit tougher against Cavan before he was the first man out. Deadly accurate, with an eye for goal and just as happy (without the ball) to stalk and hunt.
13 Little Paddy 7
Years: 2. 3 Club: Ballymun Kickhams Height: 6’0 ” Debut: 2018
He carried the club’s form into the county’s resumed season, while fending off a three-in-a-row All Star (Paul Mannion). Powerful and fast, she loves taking on her man and a sweet left boot when she’s in the zone. However, this is by far his biggest challenge yet.
14 With O’Callaghan 9
Years: 24 Club: What Height: 5’11 ” Debut: 2016
Forward Mayo will fear the most, given the memories of his impressive opening goal (2017), his devastating double against Lee Keegan (2019) and his rising form chart of recent weeks. A powerful killer that also functions as an avid wandering beaver, and also a frequent expulsion option.
15 Dean Rock 9
Years: 30 Club: Ballymun Kickhams Height: 6’1 ” Debut: 2013
When in doubt, trust Deano. His record with all of Ireland, from the 2016 replay onwards, is one of consistent delivery. After a relatively moderate start to the season, he’s back in top form against Meath and Cavan. Mayo will fear his relentless efficiency, both in play and free practice.
TOTAL 122/150
Mayonnaise
1 David Clarke 8
Years: 37 Club: Ballina stephenites Height: 6’2 ” Debut: 2005
Nearly 20 years in the intercountry game now, there is no better shot stopper, especially when an opponent steps too close. While he remains solid under a falling ball, his hanging ejection remains a target rival teams love to exploit.
2 Oisin Mullin 7
Years: twenty Club: Kilmaine Height: 5’10 ” Debut: 2020
New and dynamic presence in the corner, where he has had some of the toughest jobs, marking Conor McManus and David Clifford, but thrives by joining the attacks where he can unfold his rhythm. Looks tailor-made to match Con O’Callaghan.
3 Chris Barrett 7
Years: 33 Club: Clontarf Height: 5’10 ” Debut: 2010
He did not reappear this season until Connacht’s quarter-finals against Leitrim. He had his aerial difficulties in the Tipperary game but he is a defender for the big occasion with a great tackling technique and with a chance of dueling Dean Rock again.
4 Lee Keegan 9
Years: 31 Club: Westport Height: 5’10 ” Debut: 2011
He has the distinction of scoring a goal in three consecutive championship games against Dublin (2016,2017 and 2019), a remarkable and surely unprecedented statistic for a defender. A career ‘9’ with a strong mentality who has not looked as strong defensively in 2020 as in other years.
5 Paddy Durcan 9
Years: 26 Club: Castlebar mitchels Height: 6’0 ” Debut: 2015
Now that Jack McCaffrey is off the scene, Durcan may well have established himself as the most penetrating wing back. However, like Keegan before him, the men’s marking duties fall easily on him, as he underlined when winning his first All Star last year. Wait for the most important role for him here.
6 Stephen Coen 7
Years: 25 Club: Hollymount-Caramore Height: 6’1 ” Debut: 2015
He’s not the fastest, but he makes up for it with stamina, a great engine, and a good instinct for knowing where the ball is going to land, making him fit for some roles. A leader too, who has captained minor teams from Ireland, U21s and Sigerson Cup winners.
7 Eoghan McLaughlin 7
Years: twenty-one Club: Westport Height: 5’11 ” Debut: 2020
McLaughlin, a revelation in this championship and in the league that preceded him, is a winger who runs hard and attacks hard in the mold of Colm Boyle, with only his left foot. His game still needs refinement, but the raw material is there for the former elite minor rider.
8 Matthew Ruane 7
Years: 24 Club: Breaffy Height: 6’2 ” Debut: 2019
He was injured at the wrong time last year and had just returned for the semi-final in Dublin. Great performance in the final for Connacht and he has contributed scores in three of the four championship games to pressure his attacking instinct at home. However, it is not yet a large enough presence.
9 Conor Loftus 7
Years: 25 Club: Crossmolina Deel Rovers Height: 6’0 ” Debut: 2016
He’s been with the team for five years, but this is his most consistent streak of games since he was placed in midfield when play resumed in October. Mobile and accurate, like Ruane, he has scored in three of his four games.
10 Kevin McLoughlin 8
Years: 31 Club: Knockmore Height: 5’11 ” Debut: 2009
Fresh off his Mayo club success with Knockmore, he looks like a player coming back in shape at the right time in recent games, and his distribution is still a huge advantage, as he proved against Tipperary. A good ball carrier who is equally comfortable from mid-back to full attack line.
11 Ryan O’Donoghue 7
Years: 22 Club: Belmullet Height: 5’9 ” Debut: 2020
The star of the May U-20 team that lost to Kildare in an All-Ireland final in 2018, O’Donoghue is energetic, buoyant and has moved into the right positions to take some records this season. Yet perhaps under the greatest pressure to hold his place.
12 Diarmuid O’Connor 8
Years: 25 Club: Ballintubber Height: 6’1 ” Debut: 2014
If the young O’Connor could regain the form that led to Mayo’s glory for Ireland under-21 in 2016, including a tour de force against some of his Dublin opponents in the semi-final, Mayo would be emboldened. Great engine, has a scoring touch and has shown flashes this season, but not consistent enough.
13 Tommy Conroy 7
Years: twenty-one Club: The Neale Height: 5’10 ” Debut: 2020
In his first full season, Conroy has made a big impact, giving Mayo’s inside line a boost to convert defenders that they haven’t really had before. He has scored 1-8 this season and has developed a solid reputation in the field of goals.
14 Aidan O’Shea 8
Years: 30 Club: Breaffy Height: 6’4 ” Debut: 2009
Relocated again this season to full forward, where his understanding of Cillian O’Connor and hand distribution is key, but the question remains whether O’Shea’s mark of physique and vision is more effective, especially against Dublin, more outside.
15 Cillian O’Connor 9
Years: 28 Club: Ballintubber Height: 6’1 ” Debut: 2011
He appears to be back in his best form after a 4-9 record in the semi-final against Tipperary, the highest score in a championship. He brings aggression and power to his game to complement his scoring instinct and at 5-31 in four games, he is oozing confidence.
Total: 115/150
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