Match Preview: Mayo Must take their chances and win the game

This is it. Will Mayo advance to the next stage or will the season be over? It all hinges on Sunday’s match when the men now led by Stephen Rochford travel to the home of the Rossies to face a talented Donegal side. 

This is a Donegal team which Rochford knows well, having had the privilege of coaching them for some years in the recent past. On the other hand, Jim McGuinness the man who has transformed the game in many people's eyes has his focus on the Green and Red. McGuinness was present in Castlebar to witness Mayo’s shock defeat to Cavan but there wasn't a lot to be learned that day. Since that, Donegal suffered a defeat to Tyrone in Ballybofey before Mayo got the better of the Red Hands in Omagh, which goes some way to highlight how unpredictable the season is.

Mayo’s lack of two point-scores this season is a worry especially against a side who kicks them so easily. Mayo have kicked just three two pointers so far in the championship while Donegal have seen the orange flag waved on 13 occasions. In truth, Mayo don’t even attempt kicking from long range but come this Sunday, this might need to change. Michael Murphy has the same amount of two-pointers as Mayo have this championship. Let that sink in. However, If Mayo are to get anything from the Donegal game, a big score will be required, a few two-pointers and two or three goals would certainly aid Mayo’s chances. 

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The return of Paddy Durcan has been a blessing in disguise for Rochford as the Castlebar man was to the fore in the win up north. Durcan is a leader and the 31 year old is not afraid to shoot as seen in Omagh where he registered three points while scooping up the Man of the Match award. 

On the Donegal team, there are numerous players who can play the game on the front foot. Mogan, Langan, Murphy, Gallen and McBrearty are just a few of them. The list of natural shooters is frightening but similar to the Tyrone game, Mayo’s backs will need to limit the space while keeping tight to their Donegal opponents. 

There were whispers of unhappiness from the Donegal camp that the game was fixed for Roscommon. Mayo’s record in the Hyde is admirable, and they last tasted defeat there in 2001. It’s important to remember that Mayo need a result in order to progress as it’s unlikely that Cavan will topple Tyrone. Donegal can progress without getting a result so in that case, if Mayo are in the game coming down the final stretch, the Green and Red can grind out a win. At the end of the day, mentality has a huge part to play and if Mayo are geared up they can progress and give a momentous lift to the county. 

VERDICT: MAYO

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