Donegal v Mayo NFL Final

[Tatler Jack]

If Donegal take their chances they should win by 3 or 4 points - I think Mayo forwards will find the Donegal defence difficult to break down. However if Donegal waste chances as they did in the AI qtr final last year v Cork then its there for Mayo. While both teams will probably not want to admit it this is an important game as both have to prove they are capable of winning something. In fairness Mayo deserve a lot of credit for the way they have put last Septembers humiliation behind them - lesser teams would have gone into hiding.

[Redgreenery]

Both from gaa.ie:

O'Mahony's view:

Mayo boss John O'Mahony feels his side are the underdogs in Sunday's National Football League Division 1 final against Donegal at Croke Park, but added that his side have really pleased him since he took over the job.

He adds that a lot of work has been done in the past few months, with Mayo having won seven out of eight league games - their one defeat coming against Sunday's opposition - and hopes that he can lead the team back to Croke Park in the summer, for another tilt at the All-Ireland title, the final of which they were pummelled by Kerry.

"The one thing that would have pleased me over the last ten weeks - the thing that pleased me the most - is the resilience they have shown. That has been very pleasing," O'Mahony told The Examiner.

"Over the years Donegal played it very short. Now, when they get to the middle of the field, they pump in long diagonal ball.

"Apart from changing their style, he has got everybody (available) playing for Donegal - the best players in the county, big strong men. He has many of the traits of winning championship teams, not to mention winning League teams.

"The evidence is there. Back in January, Donegal was one of the teams I picked for a serious championship run. They played Cork (in last year's All-Ireland quarter-final) and lost, but they had quality players to add - like Colm McFadden, like Brendan Devenney, like Kevin Cassidy and the McGees. It's no surprise to me that they have been doing so well.''

As for his own side, he added: "We try and leave nothing undone to advance the cause of Mayo. The ingredients you need for winning teams is commitment first of all and talent and I think Mayo have a lot of that.

"Mayo have a record of being one of the top two or three teams in the country. Last year was a good example, when they were fantastic in the semi-final. And then the final went the opposite direction.

"We are not in that situation yet, so we don't have to deal with that. We are dealing with the League and we have a mammoth first round (championship) game.

"But I have said this many times over the winter, that I would be delighted to be in the stage Mayo were at on the Monday morning after the Dublin win and take them there to the final. We'll deal with it if it comes. And, we'd have a few ideas on maybe how to work it!"



McIvers view:

Donegal manager Brian McIver expects a large volume of supporters to travel from the Tir Chonaill county to support his side in Sunday's National Football League final against Mayo at Croke Park.

Donegal defeated Kildare, while Mayo beat Connacht rivals Galway in last week's semi-finals at the same venue, but McIver, who has stressed all along as Donegal have gone through an unbeaten league run, says the campaign will only be a success if his charges win on Sunday.

"I think we will have good support tomorrow because there has been a great buzz in the county this week," McIver told The Belfast Telegraph.

"The fact that we have come through the league undefeated has helped to generate momentum but we know that on the bigger scale we will ultimately be judged on how we perform tomorrow."

[Gaoth Dobhair Abu]

Heading down on the train tomorrow from belfast or newry -  ripoff bast*rds - £35 from belfast!!!!!!

Don't care though, it will be good to see the Tir Chonaill men lift their first trophy since glorious "92"

[Donagh]

Heading down on the train tomorrow from belfast or newry -  ripoff bast*rds - £35 from belfast!!!!!!

Don't care though, it will be good to see the Tir Chonaill men lift their first trophy since glorious "92"

You don't get to Dublin much then Gwee   Bus leaves from the Europa, £12 return. Runs 24 hours...

But you'll need a passport

[Farrandeelin]

Here's hoping for a good game of football. I think it will be a good one, and it would be nice if it was rounded off with a Mayo win!

[J70]

Even enough first half. Donegal got a couple of important quick scores just as Mayo were threatening to get on top.

Devenney did all right, but he was plainly not fit.

We need to improve a bit at midfield, and Christy Toye needs to stop running into traffic.

All to play for for both sides.

[blast05]

Gardiner getting roasted for Mayo.
Moran the only Mayo forward for the 1st 20 minutes
John Maughan excessive negative talk re Mayo on the radio !!
And killing me i can't be there 

[tyroneboi]

wats the score?

[Tatler Jack]

Donegal leading 9 pts to 7 after 15 mins. Sounds dreadful

[J70]

wats the score?

9-7 to Donegal

20 minutes to go.

[anportmorforjfc]

9-8 mortimer free

[J70]

9-8

Its very scrappy all right.

[stephenite]

Donegal starting to concede quite a few frees - Andy Moran appears to be Mayo stand out player, Mortimer scores with another free. Score level - C'mon Mayo

[J70]

All level. Bannon's giving a few handy frees out.

[stephenite]

Donegal back in front by one