Mayo Dethrone Dublin As Donegal Lie In Wait

I never expect to lose. Even when I'm the underdog, I still prepare a victory speech. - H.Jackson Brown Jr.

For the second consecutive weekend the underdogs were victorious in Croke Park. A tantalising All Ireland final awaits as two teams who had previously hit rock bottom in 2010 are now both 70 minutes away from reaching the summit of Gaelic Football.Indeed both sides were like Bruce Wayne in 'The Dark Knight Rises- helpless at the bottom of the pit. Now they are both on the precipice of freedom. Immortality.

I was lucky enough to witness an absorbing semi-final where I was surrounded by Mayo supporters. In spite of a nervy opening five minutes Mayo grew into this semi final led by the ageless Alan Dillon enjoying an Indian summer, a shoo in for an All Star now, and the energetic Kevin McLoughlin. In addition to this Aidan O'Shea was Gandalf like not letting any Dublin attacker pass him making three key turnovers in the first half.

Indeed he was akin to Xabi Alonso for Spain, sitting in front of the defence spraying balls from all angles whilst in defence he was like an octopus, arms and legs submerging any Dublin attackers. As the half continued Mayo continued to power on as they led at the break by six points. At this stage my main thoughts focused on how they would cope with Dublins inevitable backlash.

Yet it was Mayo who continued to dominate the early exchanges in the second half. Many worried about how Mayo's attack would cope in the absence of the inspirational Andy Moran, but their full forward line performed excellently.

In particular Cillian O'Connor was nerveless with his free taking whilst Michael Conroy was also an exceptional ball winner. By the 50th minute they were an astonishing ten points ahead. Delirium ensued in the stands.

However Dublin did finally kick into life led by Michael Dara McAuley who was hugely powerful in the skies. Furthermore the directness of Kevin McManamon added to the reigning champions attack. It was strange that he sat on the bench for so long. In this writers opinion McManaman should have been in the starting fifteen for Dublin on Sunday. His directness and power adds another dimension to the Dublin attack.

Dublin had amazingly brought the game back to three points. They nearly had it level too. For it was Bernard Brogan who found himself one on one with Mayo's keeper David Clarke. It seemed like those few moments went in slow motion. I was waiting for the net to bustle and the Hill to roar.

To my utter disbelief Clarke had thwarted Brogan. Dublin managed to get a point from Paul Flynn, who was also Dublin's best forward on the day, but that was their chance to clinch an unlikely victory. Instead Mayo regrouped with an O'Connor free and Seamus O'Shea scored the final point of the game, wheeling away in celebration punching the air knowing victory was in sight.

Dublin laid one last siege on the Mayo rearguard but it was not enough. The Champions went down gallantly but ultimately left themselves with too much to do. Mayo on the other hand can look forward to a third All Ireland Final since 2004.

Donegal will go into that final as overwhelming favourites. Many predict they will saunter to a second All Ireland success and whilst they have been thrilling and energetic all summer I think Mayo will more than put it up to their Ulster counterparts. That is for another day however. In the meantime both sides should enjoy the build up to what could well be the best weeks of their lives. It was not so long ago they were both enduring the worst.