Former Mayo footballer David Brady was on Friday’s OTB AM and spoke about his old side’s chances against Donegal on Saturday.
Mayo trio Paddy Durcan, Keith Higgins and potentially captain Diarmuid O’Connor could return to the team this weekend but Brady still fancies Donegal to get the job done.
“I’m thinking Donegal to be honest. You have to put the cards on the table. And they’re stacked against Mayo at this current moment in time.
“On current form and the way they’ve played. The Kerry game down in Killarney was a major eye opener,” Brady commented.
Donegal certainly have been in better form leading up to the match. The Ulster champions are currently unbeaten in this year’s championship while Mayo have already lost twice.
However, Brady thinks that the underdog tag currently pinned on Mayo could work in their favour.
“They’re not in a good place… but this is just when Mayo are dangerous. Backs against the wall. Not a lot expected of them.
“It’s probably not right to be writing them off. But it’s a major, major test on Saturday evening,” Brady said.
Familiar faces
The fact that former Mayo manager Stephen Rochford is involved with the Donegal team adds further intrigue to an already highly-anticipated clash.
Rochford led the Westerners to two All-Ireland finals in his time as Mayo manager and will know most of the team inside and out.
“Look it, [Donegal] have Stephen Rochford, you have to talk about that. You have to talk about that in the opposition camp.
“The one thing I’ll say about Stephen Rochford before I expand on it. That man has been bitten by the bug. And the bug is football.
“It’s an advantage to Donegal for him to have been in the sanctuary of the Mayo team for the last three years. It adds to the spice,” Brady commented.
Mayo take on Donegal at 6pm this Saturday in Castlebar with the home side knowing that only a win will be enough to see them progress to the semi-finals.
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