But it they resort to the hit-and-miss rhythm that has affected some of their forward play, Mayo will be the winners, writes JOHN O'KEEFFE

IT IS very clear that an evolving style in Gaelic football champions is an emphasis on defence as the primary route to success.

It has taken on paramount importance and is a philosophy in to which Mayo manager James Horan and his Dublin counterpart, Pat Gilroy, have bought.

Mayo and Dublin have previously had to absorb harsh lessons in Croke Park about the folly of playing gung-ho football; Kerry taught football’s higher education syllabus to both. Tomorrow’s combatants in the All-Ireland senior football semi-final share a common attitude in making defence their first priority.

It’s easy to discern in the way Mayo play. There is far more resilience, a steel core in their performances that embodies the way in which Horan wants the team to play. They have worked hard on raising the intensity in their displays, underpinning it with disciplined tackling. The honesty of effort is there, while the physical conditioning of the players has improved in the last few years.

I was impressed, looking from afar, with the manner in which Horan dealt with the departure of Conor Mortimer from the panel. The manager sent out a clear message that the team would take precedence; there would be no ransom paid to an individual.

It was very noticeable in Dublin’s games against Meath and Laois respectively that nullifying the impact of Bernard Brogan massively increased the prospect of beating Pat Gilroy’s men. Bernard likes to run in behind the opposing full-back line but the key for the Dubs is finding him on those diagonal gallops.

The return of Alan Brogan to the starting team is a massively fillip because he can thread the ball through to his brother. Bernard also better understands he doesn’t have to score with every possession. He’s started to look to create scores for others rather than pulling the trigger from crazy positions out the field: shackling him will be high on Mayo’s priority list. They’ll look to isolate him and cut off the supply at source.

Many of Dublin’s performances in the current campaign have not been commensurate in quality terms with those of All-Ireland champions but in some respects because they have continued to win, it can be viewed as a positive. Gilroy would have found it easy to keep the players grounded.

There has been plenty to work on between matches.

There is a good work ethic in defence but there have been too many fouls.

Dublin have been workmanlike in midfield but the forward unit hasn’t been clicking; too reliant on Bernard Brogan. The rest of the forwards aren’t contributing enough in racking up the scores and occasionally impetus on the scoreboard has been provided by the half-back line in the form of Kevin Nolan and James McCarthy.

Nolan will have a little more freedom after Gilroy’s alterations in defence for this match, resuming his wing-back role, with Ger Brennan returning at centre-half back and Cian O’Sullivan shifting to corner back in place of Philly McMahon.

Paul Flynn, Bryan Cullen and the midfield pairing of Eamon Fennell and Denis Bastick are very conscious of funnelling back and blocking the lines through to the Dublin goal.

At the other end of the pitch the Dublin forward line has play with greater consistency, especially in terms of the end product.

The All-Ireland champions are excellent at breaking from defence quickly on turnover ball, with Cullen and Flynn athletic enough to fulfil a number of roles.

As with any team trying to shut down Dublin, getting a handle on Stephen Cluxton’s kick-outs is vital. He is capable of hitting players on either sideline with great accuracy and is very aware of when the shorter ball is on.

It would suit Mayo better to be able to contest 50/50 ball. Their mobility as a team has improved appreciably and that allows them to play a fluent, running game in possession. Centre-half back Donal Vaughan makes intelligent forward runs and links intelligently with the forwards.

Dublin have a facility to score goals and that’s a key factor. They work the ball cleverly to find a free man and the timing of runs and the passes to place him have been a feature of the team when they’re playing well.

I’d give the nod to Dublin in terms of outright victory. I think Bernard Brogan will step up and reproduce his own very high standards.

They possess the know-how that comes with having won an All-Ireland title and have shown the mental strength and determination to win even when not playing as well as they can.

The one rider I would add is that Dublin don’t succumb to the same hit-and-miss rhythm that has affected some of the forward play, where some have operated as individuals to the point of indulgence: charging head down into cluttered corridors will play into Mayo’s hands and the Dubs will lose.

Mayo captain and full forward Andy Moran is a huge loss and I think the attack comes up a little short without him. Horan is not afraid to empty his bench in trying to maintain a high tempo and there is quality there.

The mood in the camp will be very positive and there is a mental strength there that might not have been around in the past.

Dublin, though, won a tight All-Ireland final last year and they’re not going to relinquish it without a monumental struggle. They possess that never-say-die attitude and providing they bring their shooting boots, it should be enough to propel them to a final against Donegal.