Sport

Ulster GAA players have their say on the battle for Sam

Fermanagh's Sean Quigley knows what it's like to play in Croke Park against the Dubs - and he's tipped Dublin to sneak Sunday's All-Ireland SFC final against Kerry
Fermanagh's Sean Quigley knows what it's like to play in Croke Park against the Dubs - and he's tipped Dublin to sneak Sunday's All-Ireland SFC final against Kerry Fermanagh's Sean Quigley knows what it's like to play in Croke Park against the Dubs - and he's tipped Dublin to sneak Sunday's All-Ireland SFC final against Kerry

Joe McMahon (Tyrone footballer)

From my own experience I would go with Dublin – Tyrone had chances in the semi-final to kick on and win the game [the semi-final against Kerry] and Dublin will probably have more experience in that sense. I think Cluxton’s kick-outs and their breaking at pace can cause Kerry problems. Tyrone exposed them a bit when they did run at them and I feel Dublin can do the same – in saying that I can’t see there being much in it and I think Kerry have a lot to offer.

While I thought Kerry were good in patches in the semi-final, I just felt that Tyrone definitely asked questions when they went at them and had a few decisions by Maurice Deegan gone our way it might have changed the outlook of the game. In saying that our own decisions and our own opportunities could’ve presented a chance to win the game and we didn’t take it.

Prediction: Dublin

Dessie Mone (Monaghan defender)

I think Kerry are going to shade it by a point or two. Although both sets of team have a good squad and good forwards coming off the bench I think Kerry might shade it because of their midfield. They’ve two solid midfielders in David Moran and Anthony Maher. I don’t think Dublin know what their midfield is yet - they haven’t a settled midfield and Kerry could be a lot better around the middle eight.

Some of Dublin’s more regular players aren’t playing to what they’re capable of, but you have the likes of Kevin McManamon and Alan Brogan coming on and they’re capable of putting a few passes together to open up the Kerry defence. McManamon’s always good for a goal, it’s the first thing on his mind when he gets the ball in his hand, he’s driving down the middle and looking for a goal – that’s the thing with the Dublin subs coming on, they are making a serious difference this year, but I don’t know if they’ll do that against Kerry. I think Kerry will be well prepared for those boys coming on.

Prediction: Kerry

Conor McManus (Monaghan forward)

I’ve been tipping Kerry as the team to beat from the start of the year. They won the All-Ireland last year and they’ve strengthened their pack with Colm Cooper, Tommy Walsh and Paul Galvin coming back in. Unlike Dublin they’ve had four weeks to prepare so they’ve had more time to work on things. Beating Tyrone at Croke Park was a big result for them, Tyrone pulled it back level with six or seven minutes to go and Kerry kicked on and scored the next four points which is impressive as well. Dublin in fairness have two tough semi-finals under their belt and if Cian O’Sullivan isn’t fit it’ll be a big blow as he plays such an important role in how they play.

Prediction: Kerry by a point or two

Thomas Treacey (Fermanagh goalkeeper)

Dublin and Kerry are the top two teams in the country and I think there will be very little between them. They both have very strong benches and have used them to great effect this year when needed. The midfield battle and winning of kick outs will be crucial but it’s too tight to call.

Prediction: Draw

Ryan Jones (Fermanagh midfielder)

I feel Dublin vs Kerry would have been a lot of people’s prediction for the final pairing from the outset. Kerry have the best manager in the business with Fitzmaurice but Dublin have the edge in personnel. Cian O’Sullivan will be a huge loss if he fails a late fitness test, however. Overall though I think the Dubs’ greater firepower up front will scrape them over the line. In my opinion they have more match winners than Kerry.

Prediction: Dublin by the smallest of margins

Ronan McNamee (Tyrone defender)

I’m going for Dublin, they’ve a stronger bench and it probably won the game for them against Mayo and that’s why I’m inclined to go for them. Kerry have great strength-in-depth as well but I feel Dublin’s bench is strong as their first fifteen. If Dublin get the goal chances we got against Kerry in the semi-final I think they’d probably finish them off.

Prediction: Dublin by a couple of points

Sean Quigley (Fermanagh forward)

It’s such a tough one – Kerry have been relatively comfortable so far in the championship. Mayo really showed up some flaws in Dublin. Both teams have such a brilliant bench to call on and it could win the either game for either side – I think Dublin might just have too much firepower but it will really go down to the wire.

Prediction: Dublin by one

Niall Cassidy (Fermanagh defender)

I’ve said Dublin from the start. I think Kerry are good too but I was very impressed by the way Dublin’s bench performed against Mayo – and also Paddy Andrews and Bernard Brogan, who’s having an outstanding year A lot of people are going for Kerry but I seriously think Dublin will win it, I was impressed with the way Kerry dismantled Kildare but if Tyrone had have taken their goal chances it would’ve been a different game. [Paul] Geaney coming on made a big difference coming on when things weren’t going well for Donaghy against Tyrone but there’s so many in the Dublin team having a great year – the likes of Philly McMahon and Johnny Cooper in the defence and I think Dublin will do it.

Prediction: Dublin by no more than three points