Two very different paths converge but Mayo can go farther

All-Ireland SFC quarter-final

Mayo v Donegal

Croke Park, Saurday 6.0,

Live Sky Sports 5

The great debate on the competing merits of “hard” and “easy” passages to the All-Ireland stages comes into focus with one of the perennial contenders who breezed through their two-fixture province coming up against another who has had to scrap most steps of the way through five matches.

The disadvantage for Donegal, who posted a flattering but nonetheless convincing win over Galway a week ago, is that not alone does energy get spent but also injuries accumulate.

Fingers will be crossed that Karl Lacey and Eamon McGee will be both in good shape to take their places but Croke Park is a big, hard surface to be pounding around if you're carrying any niggling complaint.

Mayo did what was necessary to beat Galway – not by the 10 points Donegal managed but in their back yard in Salthill – and romped the Connacht final.

Perennial contenders

They have one advantage over the other perennial contenders: they still haven’t won the big prize. You don’t get the

Sam Maguire

by taking a ticket and watching for your number to come up but that hunger or desire will keep you in the waiting room that bit longer.

Mayo need to combine early defensive focus, lacking in 2012, with the physical pressure exerted in 2013 to make an early statement.

Aidan O’Shea has attracted most of the attention with his multi-purpose displays, but especially in attack, and it will be interesting to see whether Donegal follow him or operate a more zonal approach.

Donegal will hope to keep it tight and gradually settle into their rhythm as they did against Galway. Their opponents are unlikely to be as accommodating though. Under new management Mayo are trying to be more secure in defence but are not hugely comfortable playing a sweeper system.

Donegal have been fitful this championship and whereas Mayo’s greater sense of purpose may have its limitations they are likely to emerge here.

THE LOWDOWN

Last meeting: Mayo avenged the 2012 All-Ireland final defeat in the following year’s quarter-final by a winning by 4-17 to 1-10.

Odds: Mayo 4/5, Donegal 7/5 and 15/2 the draw.

Injuries: Donegal have question marks over Karl Lacey and Eamon McGee but both are named in the starting 15.

Suspension: None.

Just the ticket: €30 (Stand), €20 (terrace). Family tickets and concessions available in Cusack and Davin Stands.

Verdict: Mayo.

MAYO: D Clarke; G Cafferkey, D Vaughan, K Higgins; L Keegan, T Cunniffe, C Boyle; S O'Shea, T Parsons; D O'Connor, AO'Shea, K McLoughlin; A Moran, C O'Connor, J Doherty.

DONEGAL: P Durcan; P McGrath, N McGee, E McGee; R McHugh, K Lacey, F McGlynn; N Gallagher, M McElhinney; M O'Reilly, O MacNiallais, M McHugh; P McBrearty, M Murphy, C McFadden. Subs: M Anthony McGinley, A Thompson, E Doherty, C Toye, D Walsh, Hh McFadden, D Walsh, L McLoone, G McFadden, C McGinley, E Ban Gallagher.

Referee: David Gough (Meath).