Former Mayo star Enda Varley previews the All-Ireland final clash with Dublin, explains what Aidan O’Shea will be up against if Philly McMahon is his marker, looks at the strengths of both teams, and why James Horan was caught between two stools in the 2019 clash.
BY SHANE STAPLETON
Enda Varley believes that referee David Coldrick needs to keep a watchful eye on the treatment of Aidan O’Shea.
The big Breaffy man has been playing most of his football at full-forward this year, and is likely to wear the number 14 shirt against Dublin in the All-Ireland final on Saturday.
Former Mayo teammate Varley, who has played with St Vincent’s in Dublin since 2016, knows the both sides well and wants to see O’Shea being helped out by the officials.
In recent seasons, Philly McMahon has taken up the role as man-marker, and came on in the semi-final against Cavan to tie down big man Thomas Galligan.
“Philly is 5’10” and he’s 14 stone, Aido is 6’5″ and 16 and a half stone,” says Varley. “So there’s no way… the referee has to be mindful, Philly absolutely pulls the s*** into Aido.
“Just because a guy is 6’5″ and can take it, it doesn’t mean it’s not a free.”
Click play on the video at the top of the page to see the full preview.
GAA ALL-IRELAND FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2020
CONNACHT
Nov 1: Quarter-final: Mayo 2-15 Leitrim 0-10, Carrick-on-Shannon
Nov 7: Semi-final: Galway w/o Sligo.
Nov 8: Semi-final: Mayo 1-16 Roscommon 0-13, Dr.Hyde Park.
Nov 15: Final: Mayo 0-14 Galway 0-13, Pearse Stadium
LEINSTER
Nov 1: First round: Wicklow 2-9 Wexford 0-11, Chadwicks Wexford Park; Offaly 3-14 Carlow 0-20, BNM O Connor Park; Longford 1-9 Louth 1-7, TEG Cusack Park.
Nov 7: Quarter-final: Dublin 0-22 Westmeath 0-11, MW Hire O’Moore Park.
Nov 8: Quarter-finals: Meath 7-14 Wicklow 0-7, Aughrim; Kildare 0-20 Offaly 0-16, MW
Hire O’Moore Park; Laois 1-16 Longford -14, BNM O’Connor Park.
Nov 15: Semi-finals: Meath 5-9 Kildare 0-15, Croke Park; Dublin 2-23 Laois 0-7, Croke Park.
Nov 21: Final: Dublin 3-21 Meath 0-9, Croke Park.
MUNSTER
Oct 31: Quarter-final: Limerick 2-14 Waterford 0-9, Fraher Field, Dungarvan.
Nov 1: Quarter-final: Tipperary 2-11 Clare 1-11, Semple Stadium.
Nov 7: Semi-final: Tipperary 1-15 Limerick 2-11 (aet), LIT Gaelic Grounds
Nov 8: Cork 1-12 Kerry 0-13 (aet), Pairc Ui Chaoimh
Nov 22: Final: Tipperary 0-17 Cork 0-14, Pairc Ui Chaiomh
ULSTER
October 31: Preliminary round: Cavan 2-15 Monaghan 1-17 (aet), Clones
Nov 1: Quarter-finals: Armagh 0-17 Derry 0-15, Celtic Park; Donegal 1-13 Tyrone 1-11, Ballybofey.
Nov 7: Quarter-final: Cavan 0-13 Antrim 0-9, Kingspan Breffni Park.
Nov 8: Quarter-final: Down 1-15 Fermanagh 0-11, Enniskillen.
Nov 14: Semi-final: Donegal 1-22 Armagh 0-13, Kingspan Breffni Park
Nov 15: Semi-final: Cavan 1-14 Down 1-13, Athletic Grounds.
Nov 22: Final: Cavan 1-13 Donegal 0-12, Athletic Grounds
ALL-IRELAND
Dec 5: Dublin 1-24 Cavan 0-12, Croke Park
Dec 6: Mayo 5-20 Tipperary 3-13, Croke Park.
December 19: Final, Croke Park
