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David Brady makes keen observation about Cillian O'Connor's Mayo role

Former Mayo midfielder David Brady hopes Stephen Rochford's side can gain a psychological boost a...



David Brady makes keen observa...
Football

David Brady makes keen observation about Cillian O'Connor's Mayo role

Former Mayo midfielder David Brady hopes Stephen Rochford's side can gain a psychological boost against Dublin when they clash in the Allianz Football League on Saturday.

The match comes almost six months since the Dubs edged Mayo in the All Ireland final replay and both sides are expected to contend for honours. 

"It's not about who's starting, who's playing, the conditions, the night or time of the year. It's about you saying 'I have beaten you before' and every team you come up against, you want that," said Brady on Off The Ball.

"You want that knowledge and confidence that you've got one over but it's constant.

"And look, it is five years since Mayo have beaten Dublin. They have drawn with them and come so close. But no other team has really beaten them in the last seven years. They've lost twice in championship, against Donegal and Mayo. That's phenomenal and deserves the height of respect because I don't know if we realise as football people the era that we're in with Dublin football."

With Dublin maintaining such a high standard over a long period of time, there are very few chinks in their armour. 

"I think there's a little possibility of mental fatigue. These are supreme athletes, the Dublin guys. But mental fatigue, it's hard to keep going. It's pressure. Maybe it's the pressure you want to keep yourself going but there's going to be a time in championship where you're going 'I have two months off'. Maybe that's the time when Jim Gavin will play his younger players and give the younger guys an introduction," he said.  

Brady also made the point that, "for me, there's too many 40-45 minute players on the Mayo team for the last 10-15 years because you go 'you know what, I know exactly who's getting taken off now'". 

And he also made a note about changes in the way Mayo approach things, significantly in the case of Cillian O'Connor: "Don't ever look at Cillian O'Connor playing No 15 again because he's not and he won't. I think what he's adding around the centre half forward line in the last two or three games, he's got on more ball. Give him the bloody ball because he's doing as much with it for his other players around him than he is when he's getting inside scoring". 

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