17 September 1997
ITS THE FINAL COUNTDOWN
G.A.A.----------------------------- John Melvin
Mayo will be putting the final touches to their preparations for Sunday's All Ireland Football Final against Kerry, when they meet this weekend for the final push in hard training.
The team looked in very good shape against Donegal last Saturday where only Colm McMenamon picked up a slight knock.
A relieved John Maughan left Balla where he watched twelve that will be starting in the final emerge unscathed in a match against Donegal for the Dr Joseph Cunnane Cup. David Heaney, David Nestor, Noel Connelly and tonsillitis stricken Pat Holmes did not play.
Pat Fallon, captain for the day, lifted the silverware afterwards and hopefully it is an omen for what is to happen on the Hogan Stand on Sunday week.
Given the performances on Sunday it is unlikely that any changes will be made for the final. Despite some very strong criticism from one national media source, I expect Maughan will keep the faith in Dermot Flanagan, one of the most experienced corner backs in the game.
I don't anticipate any change either at midfield where David Heaney is expected to get the nod to again partner Pat Fallon and it looks certain that Liam McHale will be posted to full forward. The only uncertainty is whether Maughan will opt for John Casey, who as tried out in the corner on Saturday against Donegal, and James Horan, who looked very eager when introduced in the second half. I expect he will name the same team that started against Offaly.
Tonsillitis
Mayo's only concern from an injury point of view is tonsillitis stricken Pat Holmes but according to team medic, Dr Frank Davey, he will be okay. Neither Noel Connelly, David Nestor nor David Heaney took part in the match in Balla as they were resting. As a precautionary measure Maughan withdrew nine of the starting fifteen at halftime and among the substitutes brought in were Diarmuid Byrne, who made a distinct impression, Tony Morley, Kieran Carey, P.J. Loftus, Michael Gardiner, Declan Sweeney, John Madden, Kevin Byrne, Ray Connelly and James Horan. John Casey posted at left full forward started the game as did Ballina's Brian Heffernan at corner back with Kenneth Mortimer taking over the full back duties in the absence of Holmes.
A determined looking David Brady partnered a very sharp looking Pat Fallon at midfield with McHale posted at full forward. See match report.
All Ireland supplement
The Telegraph sports department have had a busy couple of weeks preparing a bumper full colour All Ireland Football Final supplement which will have many interesting articles from staff and feature writers.
Sports Editor John Melvin spent a few days in Kerry sampling the atmosphere where he met number of people including Paddy Prendergast, full back on the 51 and Kerry great Mikey Sheehy. We have expert analysis from T.J. Kilgallon while our team of Jonathan Mullin, Aiden Henry, Deirdre Kelly and Tom Kelly bring you the stories behind Mayo's charge to the final. We will be talking to the players, management and county board about the long road to Croke Park, the sacrifices that have to be made. We have a penial interest for our younger readers with lots of competitions and prizes to be given away. It will be a much sought after souvenir supplement not to be missed.
