Holders have that winning feeling Final Preview

Gavin Cummiskey

With seven triple All-Ireland winners still in tow, and the fact that they have already been caught cold in a final by Laois in 2001, it is very hard to see past Mayo claiming their fourth title in five years tomorrow at Croke Park.

But what about the pedigree of this Dublin team? There is little argument that they possess one of the best midfielders in the country in Angie McNally, as she reminded us with her inspirational five-point return against Kerry in the semi-final.

Also, the lack of scoring prowess amongst the forwards that so badly handicapped them last year appears to be no longer a problem.

Mary Nevin has been leading the charge with 0-27 from the seven games she has played this year. Corner forward Karen Hopkins has also come good in scoring terms at the business end of the season.

And young Sinéad Ahern has been a revelation this year from the bench and is sure to play some role in the latter stages.

They will have to settle into the contest with some early scores in order to have a chance.

Manager Mick Bohan has discussed this factor at length, but as he freely admitted himself during the week, it's easier said than done.

The sheer scale of the stadium is something that the Dublin ladies will have to cope with immediately. For Mayo, their experience will ensure it is not that much of an issue.

The fact remains that the defending champions have been here before and the hunger doesn't seem to have diminished one iota. They even seem to be still smarting a little from defeat in the final to Laois in 2001.

Like all great teams, their main strengths lie right through the central positions. Full back and captain Helena Lohan is one of the seven veterans that lined out in 1999 while Claire O'Hora rarely gives anything away at wing back. Midfielder Claire Egan will ensure McNally doesn't have it all her own way around the centre of the park.

Yet, it's their attack that has been delivering the silverware. Michelle McGing and Christine and Marcella Heffernan are all match winners and if Cora Staunton is on form there is little that can be done to contain her.

Injury worries surrounding the Carnacon ace appear to be abating as she has adapted to the restrictions imposed by the knee brace she has had to wear all summer.

Her roaming habits usually make marking Staunton a nightmare, as she wanders deep into her own half in search of possession.

Dublin will be all fired up to give a good account of themselves, but Mayo are expected to record another back-to-back All-Ireland win.

Mayo: D Horan; N O'Shea, H Lohan (capt), AN Other; M T Garvey, Y Byrne, C O'Hora; C Egan, J Moran; E Mullins, C Staunton, M McGing; D O'Hora, M Heffernan, C Heffernan.

Dublin: C O'Connor; S Farrelly, L Keegan, M Kavanagh; N Hurley, M Farrell (capt), O Colreavy; A McNally, N McEvoy; E Murphy, G Fay, B Finlay; M Nevin, L Kelly, K Hopkins.