Boylan upbeat about mayos prospects against dubs

FORMER Meath senior football team manager Sean Boylan believes Mayo have an outstanding chance of beating Dublin in next Sunday’s All-Ireland senior championship semi-final.

Boylan. who guided his county to seven All-Ireland football finals between, winning four, including the 1996 final against Mayo, is a Meath GAA legend, and regarded as one of the greatest GAA football managers of all time.

Speaking to The Connaught Telegraph, Boylan  said he was highly impressed with Mayo this year and felt he were in with a great chance of beating the Dubs.

He said: 'I have no doubt that if Mayo against Dublin like they did in the first-half against Donegal in the quarterfinal they will be very difficult to beat. They were just awesome from one to 15.

'In that first-half their work-rate and intensity was just unbelievable. I was especially very impressed with their forwards as a unit. The amount of work they got through and the tackling they did was just unreal. And that was without Cillian (O’Connor) have one of his better days.

'I have no doubt if they can reproduce that over the 70 minutes next Sunday they will come out on top. They are a better team this year. They are well structured all over the field and as we saw the last day they had a plan and carried it out professionally. They also look to have a strong bench which is very important in today’s game.

'In joint managers Pat Holmes and Noel Connelly, Mayo have two men who have brought their great exploits on the playing field to the sideline. The plan they put in place for the Donegal game was certainly evidence of this.

'If I had any slight worry about Mayo is I felt they seemed to tire a little in the second-half against Donegal. But maybe it was case of seeing the game out.

'As regards to Dublin they are also a very fine team. You just have to look at the bench they have. They are all very skilful players and will be ready for their big battle with Mayo.

'From what I hear it is going to be a sell-out. That does not surprise me as you have two of the finest teams in the country going head-to-head. It certainly has all the ingredients for a cracker and I think we are all in for one great game of Gaelic football.

'As for the outcome I honestly feel it is a 50/50 game. But let me say I think it is a game Mayo can win.'