Mayo's middle order collapses

All-Ireland SFC Final: John O'Mahony pinpoints the factors which determined how yesterday's final was won and lost.

1 The midfield battle

This was the crucial area that had been widely identified as where Mayo must, at the very least, break even. From the first 12 kick-outs, Kerry won nine. Mayo won three. What more can be said? It led directly to Kerry racing into a 10-point lead before an admirable revival was sparked by Kevin O'Neill's goal after 16 minutes.

Besides the drawn Laois game, Ronan McGarrity had been excellent all season. Yet for the second All-Ireland final in three years, he failed to reach the high standards set throughout the championship.

It simply didn't happen for him or Pat Harte. David Clarke normally has an excellent hit ratio with the Ballina pair but yesterday this understanding collapsed.

Again, like the 2004 final when William Kirby stepped out of the shadows with a heroic performance, Tommy Griffin took control of matters around the middle. He epitomised the Kerry attitude in these opening exchanges when they performed like men possessed.

Mayo simply could not get hold of the ball. Kerry had the greater mental steel required to win the All-Ireland.

2 The Donaghy threat

The loss of midfield led directly to Kieran Donaghy profiting from the numerous balls landing into the inside line. He duly created havoc to top off a magnificent breakthrough year.

In 2004, David Brady came off the bench too late. His arrival this time, although after just 11 minutes, was also after most damage had been done. Despite being in the alien environment of full back his physical presence on Donaghy plugged a hole.

Brady was actually needed in midfield but the needs of defence meant his battling qualities were absent from where the real war was fought.

The Mickey Moran-John Morrison philosophy seems to be to score a lot but to the detriment of defence.

Mayo lacked a solid defensive structure to deny the wave upon wave of Kerry attacks. There seemed a bewildering lack of a plan B as Kerry forwards were afforded yards of space. Paul Galvin is a case in point.

The performance lacked the in-your-face defensive attitude of the victory over Dublin.

3 Poor individual displays

I wouldn't be overly critical here but all Mayo's match-winners, Kevin O'Neill aside, were quiet. Kerry deserve credit for this feat.

Again, there were shades of 2004 when Mayo peaked in the quarter-final win over Tyrone before struggling past Fermanagh and collapsing in the final. More is the pity but yesterday does taint the marvellous display against Dublin, when they gave themselves a platform to prevail with such a positive start.

McGarrity's off-day has been noted but so many of Mayo's leading lights were dimmed. Conor Mortimer was isolated by the Kerry defence as Kevin O'Neill and Ciarán McDonald played deeper roles.

Mortimer's first point came after 53 minutes and it was also Mayo's first score of the second half. The game was already gone.

Kerry scored early in the second half through Colm Cooper. Maybe the first-half scramble to save the game as a contest drained them of essential energy levels.

I would commiserate with James Nallen who made way so early for Brady but Mayo were out of their depth and a drastic decision had to be made from the line. It actually proved to be an effective call.

Other players who have had an impact from the bench in previous rounds, Aiden Kilcoyne and Andy Moran in particular, were unable to produce repeat performances as Kerry were unstoppable by the time they came in.

Alan Dillon has had a superb season but he needs to be supplied possession.

4 Credit to Kerry

Rather than taking the easy option and being negative towards Mayo, Kerry won in every department.

Several players may now lose a deserved All Star, more down to the fact they were not allowed to shine on the day.