Mayo boss James Horan will have a choice to make as to who starts at full-forward - Darren Coen or Andy Moran.
Coen was replaced by Andy Moran after just 25 minutes during Saturday’s victory over Donegal. Coen had failed to score and when Moran came on he played a pivotal role in guiding Mayo to another All-Ireland semi-final.
Dissecting the final round of Super 8’s fixtures on Tuesday’s OTB AM were Mossy Quinn and Anthony Moyles. They both think James Horan will have to find a solution to the dilemma he is faced with.
“They brought [Moran] in early at the weekend. If you don’t start him, how early do you then use him?
“I know Mick Fitzsimons has done a good job on him the last couple of times in Croke Park. Then if you don’t start him what will you get off Darren Coen on the flip side?
“Do you start him and hope you get a couple of points early on and then you’ve another option [to come off the bench]?” Quinn questioned.
Mayo’s All-Ireland drought has become a cliche at this point. If they can defeat Dublin they can not only give themselves another chance to end the drought but also torpedo the Drive for Five as it enters the endgame.
Question mark
However, the performance of Darren Coen and the dilemma over who starts has put a question mark over the league champions for Anthony Moyles.
“Coen is a worry, his performance was a worry at the weekend. I felt after 20 odd minutes they had to bring Andy Moran in,” the former Meath player said.
“He obviously came in to try to prove a point and he kicked, I thought, a lot of rash shots wide - especially in that last 10 minutes of the first half.
“He obviously shows his ball-winning ability and his ability to get his head up - he’s an intelligent footballer - but you would’ve rathered your starting 14 to do damage,” Moyles added.
There will be pressure on whoever starts the game against Dublin. Coen, to pick up his performances and Moran to cement his place - should they advance to the final.
“It’s going to be a big ask for [Coen] this week of whether he can go in against the best football team, with the best backline and can he really take the game by the scruff of the neck or does Andy come forward?”
“If Andy doesn’t work out, you’re now you’re bringing in a guy that’s low on confidence. Big, big, big question mark for [Mayo],” Moyles said.
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