There are more questions than answers arising from yesterday’s enthralling All Ireland Football Final between Mayo and Dublin, and when the respective management teams sit down this week, they will try and find the answers that will see them over the line in the replay.
Jim Gavin and Stephen Rochford both have plenty to digest once they review Sunday’s clash and we look at a few of the selection issues that will occupy the minds of the two managers up to throw-in on October 1st.
BERNARD BROGAN
The former footballer of the year has been an unquestioned presence in the Dublin full forward line for the best part of the last decade, but his form has dipped this season and Jim Gavin will be wondering is it time to sideline one of his most trusted lieutenants.
The Oliver Plunketts man has just 1-9 to his name in six championship appearances in 2016 and was kept under wraps by Brendan Harrison - in his first All Ireland final appearance - on Sunday.
The question is does Gavin follow the “Form is Temporary, Class is Permanent” mantra or does he roll the dice and make the biggest gamble of his management career by sidelining Brogan?
PAUL FLYNN
The perennial All Star is another of Dublin’s stars who hasn’t been at his rampaging best this year and with Paddy Andrew and Paul Mannion adding zip and vigour to the Dublin attack when introduced on Sunday, will we see the Fingallians man demoted to the bench for the replay?
Flynn is still an extremely hard worker but whereas he used to be relied on for two or three points a game from wing forward in his pomp, he has failed to raise a white flag in the All Ireland series this year.
KEVIN McMANAMON
A yellow card after four minutes, replaced after 46 minutes and held scoreless all day, this was not what Kevin McManamon had planned out on his first start in an All Ireland final. A contender for Player of the Year over the course of 2016, the St Jude’s man made no impact on the game at all. Will Gavin decide that it’s time for the super-sub to take his place on the bench once again?
CHRIS BARRETT
The Belmullet man was reportedly in the frame to start on Sunday after overcoming a lengthy injury and indeed it was a surprise to many in the West that he wasn’t in the starting line up. When he did make his entrance for Colm Boyle in the 58th minute he put in a very polished shift. Could be a contender for a start next time around if Stephen Rochford looks to reshuffle his pack.
AIDAN O’SHEA
Not so much a case of whether Mayo will drop the Breaffy talisman but where he might be deployed the next day. Didn’t enjoy the easiest of times in the full forward line as he had at least two Dublin backs to contend with at all times. Looks to be more at home on the 40 where he can create and burst onto moves. Could be matched with Cian O’Sullivan in the replay as Mayo look to utilise his talents fully.
