Profiles of the Mayo players
1 DAVID CLARKE(Ballina, capt)
Age: 28. Height: 6ft 2in. Weight: 14st 4lb.
Occupation: Garda.
The save one-on-one from Bernard Brogan epitomised his shot-stopping ability. Big presence and inspires confidence in full backs. A vital cog in the team, as his kick-outs are good with excellent long options in a target-rich midfield.
2 KEVIN KEANE(Westport)
Age: 22. Height: 6ft. Weight: 13st.
Occupation: Student Sligo IT.
Good, tight man-marker and quick with it. Touch of nerves in the unforced error against Dublin when he fouled the ball coming out of defence but his game recovered and he should have it out of his system tomorrow.
3 GER CAFFERKEY(Ballina)
Age: 25. Height: 6ft 1in. Weight: 13st 5lb.
Occupation: Engineer.
Level of improvement could be seen in his marking job on Bernard Brogan as well as in James Horan’s confidence in detailing him one-on-one at the back. Good in the air and also has the quickness for low ball.
4 KEITH HIGGINS(Ballyhaunis)
Age: 27. Height: 5ft 10in. Weight: 11st 11lb.
Occupation: Bank official.
Consistently impressive, his athleticism can be seen in his speed and confidence on the ball coming out of defence. Initially in trouble on Diarmuid Connolly but recovered well. Size of McFadden or Murphy could be a problem.
5 LEE KEEGAN(Westport)
Age: 22. Height: 5ft 11in. Weight: 12st 13lb.
Occupation: Student.
Has progressed really well this year to become an important piece in Mayo’s evolving defence. Another back with pace and the ability to get forward, he is also dependable in primary role. Badly missed after early injury against Dublin.
6 DONAL VAUGHAN(Ballinrobe)
Age: 23. Height: 6ft. Weight: 13st 7lb.
Occupation: Self-employed.
Typifies the strength and conditioning Mayo have acquired in the past two years. Very strong and mobile and good at both holding the middle – not much gets past – and judging when to go forward. Key personality at the back.
7 COLM BOYLE(Davitts)
Age: 26. Height: 5ft 9in. Weight: 12st.
Occupation: Garda.
After a few weeks’ uncertainty he is deemed to have recovered from the virus that limited his semi-final appearance. Combative and alert, he has also got up for critical scores this year. Will need to be fully fit, though.
8 BARRY MORAN(Castlebar Mitchels)
Age: 26. Height: 6ft 5in. Weight: 15st.
Occupation: Accountant.
There’ll be some contest in the air if he picks up Neil Gallagher. Having his best season, really performing as a fielder and also mobile. Great energy and work-rate. In this form he’s one of the top midfielders around.
9 AIDAN O'SHEA(Breaffy)
Age: 22. Height: 6ft 4in. Weight: 16st 1lb.
Occupation: Student DIT.
Another player having an outstanding year, he’s come back from injury better than ever and I’ve never seen him fitter. His hits on Macauley and Bastick in the semi-final were proof that there’s more steel in the team this year.
10 KEVIN McLOUGHLIN(Knockmore)
Age: 23. Height: 5ft 11in. Weight: 12st 5lb.
Occupation: Student.
He’s a work horse with stamina and Mayo suffered when he was temporarily gone against Dublin. Covers an immense amount of ground and great at winning breaks. Very clever with the ball, using it wisely and chipping in with scores.
11 JASON DOHERTY(Burrishoole)
Age: 22. Height: 5ft 11in. Weight: 12st 8lb.
Occupation: Student NUIG.
A lot of pace and good accuracy with his kick passes. Gets some excellent ball into the inside forwards. A natural forward, he still tracks back but is usually a reliable finisher – even allowing for the missed chance against Dublin.
12 ALAN DILLON(Ballintubber)
Age: 28. Height: 5ft 9in. Weight: 12st 3lb.
Occupation: Allergan employee.
A team leader, particularly the last day. Hard worker but also a natural footballer with top-class distribution and extraordinary accuracy when going for scores. Dublin made a big mistake by not marking him closely enough.
13 ENDA VARLEY(Garrymore)
Age: 26. Height: 5ft 9in. Weight: 12st 5lb.
Occupation: Teacher.
Carried the burden of replacing Andy Moran but slotted in well, making good runs and showing well for the ball as well as capable of drawing fouls. Will be made to work hard for any space he can find tomorrow.
14 CILLIAN O'CONNOR(Ballintubber)
Age: 20. Height: 6ft. Weight: 14st 3lb.
Occupation: Student.
Improving all the time, physically stronger and a more confident footballer. Makes hard runs to gain possession and also puts in the work tackling. Nerveless on the dead balls against Dublin and will be key if Donegal concede frees.
15 MICHAEL CONROY(Davitts)
Age: 27. Height: 5ft 9in. Weight: 12st 11lb.
Occupation: Care worker.
I think he’s responded to the need for even higher team work rate in Andy Moran’s absence. Dangerous in possession and may have to take chances from farther out and narrower angles in tomorrow’s more pressurised environment.
MAYO SCORERS: 2012 SF Championship
Cillian O’Connor 0-23 (0-17 frees, 0-4 45s)
Alan Dillon 0-12
Michael Conroy 2-3
Andy Moran 2-2
Kevin McLoughlin 1-6
Enda Varley 0-5 (0-2 frees)
Jason Doherty 1-1
Lee Keegan 0-3
Alan Freeman 1-0
Barry Moran 0-3
Aidan O’Shea 0-2
Danny Geraghty 0-2
Conor Mortimer 0-2 (0-1 free)
R McGarrity, C Boyle, K Higgins, R Feeney S O’Shea 0-1 each
