Mayo return to All-Ireland final with 'only one plan' in mind
Mayo are back in the All-Ireland SFC final for the sixth time since 2012.
In an exhilarating display against defending champions and six-time winners Dublin, they came from being six points down at half-time to seal a stunning victory in extra-time by 0-17 to 0-14 to end Dublin's remarkable run in the competition since 2015.
The key turning point for Mayo was goalkeeper Robert Hennelly converting a retaken 45 seven minutes into added time to make it 0-13 apiece and force the issue into extra time.
Mayo took command in the first half of extra time with three significant points by Tommy Conroy, Ryan O'Donoghue and substitute Darren Coen.
Manager James Horan played his role and was vindicated in the making of a number of major decision, most notably the withdrawal of captain Aidan O'Shea in the second half and the introduction of Jordan Flynn and Darren Coen to the forward division.
They will now face Kerry or Tyrone in the decider next month.
But uncertainly hangs over that penultimate round clash due a Covid outbreak in the Tyrone campaign and the Ulster champions indicating they are unable to fulfil the fixture next weekend as planned.
The original date for the final, September 4, may be changed.
Speaking after Mayo's win, man-of-the-match Pádraig O'Hora described the occasion as 'the greatest day' of his life.
He told RTÉ that the squad has 'only one plan' - that to win the Sam Maguire Cup for the first time since 1951.
"We have put in the work all year. It's an outrageous squad. We put in a shift and we turned them over like we had to."
Asked about the lost of key players, including Cillian O'Connor and Oisín Mullin, he stated: "We have an outrageous squad of players who put the work in week in and week out.
"When Oisín got hurt, somebody else came in. That's what it is all about. It's not a group of individuals, it's a team. We love a battle."
Asked if the squad could keep the momentum going into the final, he said: "Absolutely, we have only one plan."
Speaking on Sky Sports, former Donegal manager Jim McGuinness said he believed that Kerry will now win the title as Mayo may fall short against them.
"I think Kerry will be delighted with this outcome," he stated.