All-IRELAND PREVIEW: Mayo can write their own history in Nenagh

SPORT is all about the here and now. Many people talk about history, tradition and past glories, but any of that chatter has no impact on the present.

Mayo go into tomorrow evening's All-Ireland U-16A final searching for the county's first title in 49 years, but the past will have no influence whatsoever when the teams run out in McDonagh Park in Nenagh for this year's decider.

Underage football means there's a different group of players coming through every year, so each season is a completely new sprint in the race for silverware.

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Therefore, when Francis Regan sends his players out to fight for All-Ireland glory against Kerry they will be working off a completely clean slate.

Some people might point at the fact that Mayo were the first winners of the All-Ireland U-16 Championship back in 1976 and haven't recaptured the crown since, but that matters little tomorrow evening.

Others might state that Mayo were in last year's final but lost out to Cavan – again, that has no relevance.

It's heartening to see team boss Francis Regan say: “I think there was a bit more of that hype last year about us being the first final in so many years, and we probably fell into that trap a small bit. That experience is definitely going to stand for something.”

Experience will tell Regan and his players that the 60 minutes in McDonagh Park will write their sporting story – nothing else. It doesn't matter whether Mayo have won 20 All-Ireland titles or none, the scoreboard at the end of tomorrow evening's final is the key.

Mayo have shown great fighting spirit all season. They powered past Galway in Connacht early in the campaign and won an almighty battle with Roscommon in the provincial final before playing some flowing football to defeat Kildare in the All-Ireland semi-final.

The Green and Red can mix it when required and can also play swift, attacking football when the opportunities arise. They have all the requirements to win tomorrow's match in Nenagh, now it's time for delivery.

Of course, there will be great respect shown to the opposition. Kerry are a fine team, well capable of derailing Mayo's surge towards the title, but winning or losing on the big stage is all about playing to one's potential and Regan's team are more than capable of doing so.

Kerry will arrive in Nenagh after a campaign which highlighted their attacking ability. They began the Munster Championship back in February with a 1-8 apiece draw with Waterford in Killarney.

Since then, they've found their shooting boots and defeated Clare, Limerick and Tipperary before facing Cork in the provincial final in Mallow on April 20.

That clash was an absolute thriller before the Green and Gold emerged victorious by the narrowest of margins, 2-14 to 2-13.

That sent them into the All-Ireland semi-final where they faced the 2024 champions Cavan in St Rynagh's GAA Grounds in Offaly.

Once again, the Kerry girls had their shooting boots with them and kicked 4-11 while conceding 0-18. Their ability to get goals has served them well all season after they hit the net on 15 occasions during their journey through the Munster Championship.

They have talented players all over the field. Annie Brosnan was named at full-back for the All-Ireland semi-final but can be found anywhere in the central division of her team.

Leah Griffin can mix powerful displays in midfield with dynamic attacking play while Jessie Lynch is the star turn in attack with her ability to score from play and placed balls.

However, Mayo will concentrate on their own strengths and if the Green and Red hit the high spots they'll emerge victorious when the final whistle sounds.

VERDICT: MAYO

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