Mayo’s seven-year-long winless run against Dublin is in the minds of some of the Mayo players, according to Billy Joe Padden.
The former Mayo footballer was speaking to Off The Ball after Mayo were again defeated by 1-11 to 0-8 in the Allianz League.
While the Westerners were unlucky to get red-carded against the Dubs, Padden believes that some of the members of the team a mental block in regards to beating Dublin.
“I think it is a factor. I think when you consider, I was talking to a friend of mine from Monaghan and they’re looking for three league victories in-a-row against Dublin next weekend.
“It’s the narrative. What we’re talking about now. It would be so much easier for the Mayo team if they didn’t have to hear about this and had they won one along the way and I suppose they could point to that.
“But they haven’t and that’s the reality of it. I think now it is definitely a factor in the back of the mind of some of the Mayo players,” Padden said.
The game was always going to be an uphill battle for Mayo, with Dublin boss Dessie Farrell naming a side filled with players with several All-Ireland’s.
However, Mayo did start the game the better of the two sides but were unable to hold on after a red card to Jordan Flynn.
“Business-like is probably a decent description of [Dublin’s performance.] I thought Mayo started the game quite well. But the minute you find yourself in a situation when you’re down to 14 men against Dublin [you’re in trouble].
“When they had a stronger team out and a more experienced team on the field than you have with their ball movement and their patience in particular. You know they’re not going to give you any silly turnovers.
“You’re not going to get any easy opportunities to counter-attack and maybe get a goal or two, which is what you would need in that situation. So it was never in doubt from the moment that sending off happened,” Padden said.
Dublin take on Monaghan at Croke Park this Saturday at 7pm while Mayo travel to Navan to face Meath at 2pm on Sunday.
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