So folks let's begin, do you believe in Mayo after that or is this just another impressive semi-final that they can't back up?
More than impressive for 50 minutes but reverted to type in the last 20 and some of their decision making and execution should be enough to subdue the hype. They've beaten a team at their level, next up though is a team one step up.
Look at what Mayo have been scoring this year - they can back it up. They are in a great place at the moment, going in as underdogs. But the hype will increase. James Horan gets a lot of things right but to suggest the hype won't be the same in Mayo as in Donegal? Nah.
Mayo were impressive for the most part but they were bleeding profusely at the end... metaphorically as well as literally.
David Clarke is hot on Durcan's heels now for an All Star. Two great stops from Connolly and Brogan.
The way it finished, Donegal are now hot favourites and that will suit Mayo. They have made clear progress but that was scary at the end.
Not taking away from them for James Horan got it right and an orthodox gameplan where the wing-backs came from deep and made Dublin's defence look narrow was enough. But Pat Gilroy's darkest day as an intercounty manager. Made so many mistakes and Mayo won't have that luxury against Donegal.
Great shout John - Brogan goals then and it's game over for Mayo. it was a sensational save.
You might say Mayo are going into the final in a better situation, a little more under the radar, but then hype doesn't seem to faze Donegal.
My problem with how well Mayo looked was the space in the Dublin half of the field. That has never happened before. Obviously won't exist against Donegal
@dcr He didn't lose it that day, to an extent he did yesterday...
McGuinness has Donegal is a bubble but they can't escape the fact they're now going in to the All-Ireland final as favourites. Different rhythm for them. But why does everyone think there'll be no pressure on Mayo? Sixty one years. And they're not facing one of the traditional powerhouses in the final. Massive pressure now also on Mayo.
Can't agree, Ewan. Startled earwigs was ground zero for Gilroy.
Irish Examiner live blog: Saw one Mayo journo today describe Donegal as "raging hot favourites" for final. Puhlleease.
In fairness, Horan and McGuinness are so similar in not only how they've taken those teams from those qualifiers in 2010 to this point, but how they created grounded, professional outfits that won't be bothered by the hype.
True, there is pressure on Mayo, the fact it's not Kerry or Meath adds to that pressure as the excuse for years has been that they lost to much better teams. Don't agree that the hype levels in both counties will be the same. They won't even be lose. There wasn't too many Mayo flags flying around the county yesterday
I think saying Gilroy lost it is over-simplification. Dublin had numerous chances to win the game. BB has not performed all season and had some shocking attempts yesterday. Connolly was his usual inconsistent self. Even the ultra-reliable Paul Flynn opted to try and force a goal when a simple fisted point was on. Dublin could have won the game early on.
I'd describe Donegal as warm favourites, Tony. The signs that the romance in the north-west was dead were there for both counties last year. Says so much for the strength of each manager that they have brought the teams so far in less than 24 months.
@Dcr My mother could have told you MDMA needed to go to midfield earlier, with one of Fennell or Bastick making way and McMenamon coming on in the half-forward line. Yet Gilroy leaves midfield for an age, brings on O'Gara, then a one-legged Alan Brogan and then McMenamon.
@Ianc Who are you kidding? Game 5? What's this, an NBA best of seven? This is an opportunity to win a first All-Ireland since 1462?
Yeah, the "game four", "game five" thing is a bit odd. You can never look at an All-Ireland final that coldly. Never.
Great stat last night from Martin McHugh. First Connacht-Ulster All-Ireland final since 1948, Cavan v Mayo.
Do ye not think though that Donegal are fairly strong favourites? If they concede as few frees as they did against Cork, I find it hard to see Mayo scoring so heavily as they have done until now. I just could not get over the space afforded them yesterday.
@Tony I know one member of the back-room team who loves a basketball reference!
@Tony Leen the day Mayo scored more goals than any other team that lost a final
He picked up that stat from the press boys, Tony. The pilferer!
Indeed, and our own Kieran Shannon is having quite an influence behind the scenes I hear...
Alright boys, let's put a bit of structure to this. We're a bit like the Mayo defence trying to hold on to a lead.
What about Dublin? Did they blow it with the tactical decisions and general attitude?
No poor mouth, Terry boy.
I genuinely get the feeling in Mayo though that because they've come so far, so fast, there isn't that same expectation. Don't get me wrong, it is of course a final but it's almost in part a bonus and there isn't that same presumption as other years.
Don't think you can say Dublin and a general attitude. I've been saying all along only great teams can turn it on because they are excited by a game. Dublin are good, not great and far better teams couldn't go back to back. You can't play average football for 12 months and expect to wake up in September.
Hold on, Mayo under Horan won't consider it bonus territory to get to the final. That's the old Mayo mentality. They'll see this as a rare, rare window in their lives. That said, I've been caught on the hop by Donegal now twice (against Kerry and Cork) and shame on me for that. Hard to see them not get over the line at this stage. Mayo dressing room like a scene from ER after yesterday. What's it going be like when Donegal swarm all over them.
Dublin missed so many scoring chances. Incredibly easy ones. They seemed to change their defensive set-up, inexplicably so. They certainly didn't defend as normal. I'd have no problem with their attitude, plenty of guys stood up. I thought Michael Dara Macauley was absolutely brilliant, as he was against Laois. Some engine.