All-Ireland SFC Final: Dublin v Mayo. Sunday 17th @ 3:30pm **(MOD NOTE POST#2 #395)**

So after a total of 62 games and over 4 months starting all the way back in the Bronx where Sligo overcame New York, it's a very familiar All Ireland SFC final on Sunday between Dublin and Mayo.
Come Sunday evening, history will be made regardless of the result (unless the dastardly GAA "manufacture" another draw). It will either be the first "3-in-a-row" since Kerry achieved the feat between 1984 - 1986 or (obviously) Mayo will be All Ireland champions for the first time since 1951.

Paths to the Final

Dublin
03 June: Dublin 0-19, Carlow 0-7 (Leinster Quarter Final)
25 June: Dublin 4-29, Westmeath 0-10 (Leinster Semi Final)
16 July: Dublin 2-23, Kildare 1-17 (Leinster Final)
05 August: Dublin 1-19, Monaghan 0-12 (All-Ireland Quarter Final)
27 August: Dublin 2-17, Tyrone 0-11 (All-Ireland Semi Final)

Mayo
21 May: Mayo 2-14, Sligo 0-11 (Connacht Quarter Final)
11 June: Galway 0-15, Mayo 1-11 (Connacht Semi Final)
01 July: Mayo 2-21, Derry 1-13 AET (Round 2 Qualifier)
08 July: Mayo 2-14, Clare 0-13 (Round 3 Qualifier)
22 July: Mayo 0-27, Cork 2-20 AET (Round 4 Qualifier)
30 July: Mayo 1-12, Roscommon 2-9 (All-Ireland Quarter Final)
07 August: Mayo 4-19, Roscommon 0-9 (All-Ireland Quarter Final Replay)
20 August: Mayo 2-14, Kerry 2-14 (All-Ireland Semi Final)
26 August: Mayo 2-16, Kerry 0-17 (All-Ireland Semi Final Replay)

Two things are immediately apparent from the above.
First, Mayo's path to the final is the longest since Tyrone's path to their second Sam Maguire back in 2005. Sunday's game will be their 10th of the summer (which includes 2 games that went to extra time). Overall, they've endured 670 minutes of football to reach their 4th final in 6 years. Dublin, in comparison, have played just 5 games (350 minutes) so far this year.

Secondly, Dublin's massive scoring ability and their (bar the Leinster final) miserly defence has been a feature of their summer. Surprisingly, Carlow have been the only team to keep the Dubs below 20 points in the championship. And despite the regular (often accurate) negative comments about Leinster football, Kildare are the only side to keep the losing margin in single digits and are the only side to put one past Cluxton.

Dublin have, quite simply, blown away every single one of their opponents this year. At times in 2016, their desire was questioned (despite winning their second title in a row) but I don't think anyone can question that this year. I get the feeling that the Connolly "incident" back in June has been a blessing in disguise for Jim Gavin as Dublin have looked a different animal since then. Their quick starts have resulted in games being over as a contest long before half time. Their accuracy from play is astounding this season. I haven't seen their stats as a whole for the season, but their wide count during the Tyrone game (or so I heard) was...... 2.
Another big win and it'll probably the "easiest" (in terms of the margins of victory) All-Ireland since Kerry's 4th in a row in 1981.

But their up against Mayo again. And while Dublin have had the better of Mayo in recent championship meetings, it's rarely been easy. And there's the feeling that a little bit more luck in some of these games and the result may have been different. Mayo, performance wise, have probably had their worst season for quite a while. Yet they find themselves in another All Ireland final. They fell once again to Galway in Connacht before stuttering through the qualifiers only to save their best performances for the All Ireland series (albeit after replays). Getting the Kerry monkey off their back must have been a huge relief too.

If they are to win, they're going to have to somehow stop Cluxton's laser accurate kickouts. But I honestly don't know how that's possible. Sit back and you gift Dublin possession in their own half and let them build an attack. Push up and it's likely that Cluxton pings a 60 yard kick to a Dublin player on the run giving them possession and a more open defence to run at. There's also that small issue of Dublin's bench. 15 on 15 and Mayo have every chance. But 21 on 21 is a different story altogether.

Eyes (as usual) will be on the referee. The recent championship games have been known for their niggle and players/fans will undoubtedly be screaming for every perceived foul making it a near impossible game to referee. The "lucky" man in the middle is Cavan's Joe McQuillan.

Past 5 championship meetings
2016: Dublin 1-15, Mayo 1-14 (All Ireland Final Replay)
2016: Dublin 2-9, Mayo 0-15 (All Ireland Final)
2015: Dublin 3-15, Mayo 1-14 (All Ireland Semi Final Replay)
2015: Dublin 2-12, Mayo 1-15 (All Ireland Semi Final)
2013: Dublin 2-12, Mayo 1-14 (All Ireland Final)

Odds
Dublin: 2/5
Mayo: 3/1
Draw: 9/1

Prediction:
Mayo have impressed me in how they've ground out wins when needed. Their run to the final sort of reminds me of Kerry's run in 2009 when they scraped wins in the qualifiers but still ended up as champions. In any other era, they would probably have more than one All Ireland. But I just cannot see this Dublin team being beaten. If Mayo can go hell for leather for 70 minutes and, most importantly, not let Dublin get 5 or 6 ahead, then they definitely can win. But Dublin are a machine this year. While I can't see them winning as easily as they have done this season, I think it's inevitable that Sam will remain in the capital for the third year running.
Dublin by 5

Enjoy the game.