1. Rob Hennelly
Club: Breaffy. Age: 31. Debut: 2011 v London. Occupation: Marketing manager
A potential match-winner for Mayo who could be crucial at both ends of the pitch. Excellent shot-stopper and his long-range frees have been very good in this championship.
2. Pádraig O’Hora
Club: Ballina Stephenites. Age: 28. Debut: 2020 v Tipperary. Occupation: Social care assistant
A hardy divil. Happy to play it any way you want it, which must give the rest of his team huge confidence. Whoever he man-marks has a long day ahead.
3. Lee Keegan
Club: Westport.Age: 31. Debut: 2011 v Cork. Occupation: Engineer
A proven competitor over the years. Didn’t have a great season in 2020 but has roared back to form this time around. Looks to have made peace with playing in the full-back line.
4. Michael Plunkett
Club: Ballintubber. Age: 25. Debut: 2019 v New York. Occupation: Intercompany analyst
Minds the house at the back for Mayo, allowing the likes of Keegan, Mullin and Durcan to get forward when the mood takes them. Sticky and dogged, all you’d want in a corner back.
5. Paddy Durcan
Club: Castlebar Mitchels. Age: 26. Debut: 2015 v Sligo. Occupation: Bank official
Big-game player. Driving force in the Mayo team, whether it’s shutting down an opposition forward or barrelling forward to take scores. Physical too, for someone who isn’t massive.
6. Stephen Coen
Club: Hollymount/Carramore. Age: 26. Debut: 2015 v Dublin. Occupation: PhD Student
Has developed into a typical Mayo half-back. Does his job in defence, has buckets of pace going in either direction. Maybe doesn’t get as many scores as he should.
7. Enda Hession Club: Garrymore. Age: 20. Debut: 2021 v Sligo. Occupation: Student
Brought huge energy and pace to Mayo when he came on in the first half against Dublin. Everything was positive and he wasn’t a bit fazed by the occasion or the opposition. Tyrone beware.
8. Matthew Ruane
Club: Breaffy. Age: 25. Debut: 2019 v New York. Occupation: Supply-chain analyst
The outstanding midfielder in the 2021 championship. Playing with a level of abandon this year, a match-winner against Galway and excellent against Dublin. Should have the legs on the Tyrone midfield.
9. Conor Loftus
Club: Crossmolina Deal Rovers. Age: 26. Debut: 2016 v London. Occupation: Development Analyst
The dynamic between him and Ruane is working well and they complement each other with great understanding and chemistry. Does a lot of donkey work but a lovely kicker too when the chance comes his way.
10. Diarmuid O’Connor
Club: Ballintubber. Age: 26. Debut: 2014 v New York. Occupation: Teacher
Never stops running. The energy he puts into every performance is a huge part of what makes Mayo good. He is relentless and as we saw in the semi-final, he doesn’t know what a lost cause is.
11. Aidan O’Shea
Club: Breaffy. Age: 31. Debut: 2009 v New York. Occupation: Planning coordinator
A massive leader for Mayo and someone who I expect a big game from here. Such a selfless player, he can do a massive job winning possession and moving it on. Could always do with more help from referees.
12. Bryan Walsh
Club: Ballintubber. Age: 25. Debut: 2020 v Leitrim. Occupation: Buyer
Had a good impact when he came on against Dublin, showing he is worth his place on the biggest stage. Well able for the physical stuff, he’ll be important around the middle third trenches.
13. Kevin McLoughlin
Club: Knockmore. Age: 32. Debut: 2009 v New York. Occupation: Teacher
Took a while to get into the championship after injury but has rarely been found wanting down the years. Links play very well. Mayo need him to take charge earlier to avoid another bad first half.
14. Tommy Conroy
Club: The Neale. Age: 22. Debut: 2020 v Leitrim. Occupation: Student
So enjoyable to watch. Goes for the jugular and doesn’t get put off if he’s out of the game for a while. Needs to play more than in spurts but Tyrone will struggle to keep him quiet for the whole game.
15. Ryan O’Donoghue
Club: Belmullet. Age: 23. Debut: 2020 v Leitrim. Occupation: Student
Big day for the Mayo free-taker. Punchy and hard-working in general play, I think he is slightly under-rated. But today is the day they need his frees to be solid.
Bench
Rory Byrne, Colm Boyle, Brendan Harrison, Oisín Mullin, Jack Coyne, Conor O’Shea, James Durcan, Jordan Flynn, Darren Coen, Eoghan McLaughlin, James Carr
On the face of it, the Mayo bench probably looks a bit less potent than the Tyrone one. But then you remember that against Galway and against Dublin, it was the subs that turned the game both times. Darren Coen and Jordan Flynn both kicked points at crucial times in the semi-final while Oisín Mullin will be chomping at the bit. If one of the defenders goes down, Brendan Harrison is some option to have ready to go. And good luck to the lad who gets in Colm Boyle’s way if he gets on the pitch. All in all, there’s plenty to call on here.
