Mayo will look to make it four wins from five on Saturday evening when Dublin bring the glitz and glamour to Elverys MacHale Park in round five of the National Football League.
Despite Dublin languishing second from bottom in the table at the minute and Mayo holding on to top spot, Mayo joint manager, Noel Connelly, knows it is not going to be an easy task tomorrow night.
Speaking in the aftermath of Mayo’s win over Derry in Celtic Park last Sunday, Connelly said: “Dublin are one of the top two teams in the country, if not the top team. They’re bringing back some of their top players. It’s going to be a big test for us but the lads are well up for it today and I hope it will be the same next Saturday. Wins build confidence and we’re working hard on the training ground so hopefully we can push on from here.”
Mayo’s win over Derry was their second in as many weeks against Ulster opposition and Connelly was happy with the points even if the quality of the game was not the best. “The football wasn’t of the highest standard” he said. “You’re away from home and you’re always looking to get points on the board. We played well against Monaghan [the previous week] but the numbers game came into effect. It was good to get the two points here because it looks well ahead of the Dublin game and if we win that we’re in a good position to qualify for the semifinal.”
The division one table is very tightly packed at the minute, with Mayo and Cork leading the way with six points each, while four teams Donegal, Tyrone, Monaghan, and Kerry are bunched together on four points apiece, with Dublin sitting on three points, and Derry rock bottom on one point.
Mayo will round off their league campaign with an away trip to Mayo in a fortnight’s time, before Donegal come to MacHale Park in the final group game at the start of April.
