LEE Keegan reckons Dublin's defence is 'there for the taking' but is concerned that shot-shy Mayo won't take full advantage in this weekend's All-Ireland football quarter-final.
The five-time Allstar defender is doubtful about aspects of Dublin's rearguard, from Mick Fitzsimons whom he suggests 'you could take in a one-v-one situation', to Lee Gannon, an attack-minded wing-back that Keegan feels hasn't been fully tested yet defensively.
The problem for Keegan, and Mayo, is that they haven't been putting up the sort of scores this season which would make you believe they can fully exploit Dublin's weaknesses.
Kevin McStay's side have averaged out at less than 15 points per game in the Championship, breaching the 20-point barrier on just one occasion, when they beat a Kerry side that, according to Keegan, 'were so bad that day that anyone could have put up a big score'.
Speaking at a BoyleSports promotion, Keegan agreed that Mayo aren't putting up big enough scores despite having the likes of Tommy Conroy, Ryan O'Donoghue, Aidan O'Shea and Cillian O'Connor all fit and available.
"No, no, definitely not," said Keegan. "And even looking at the spread of scorers in the Louth and Cork games, for example, from the forwards, I think we had three starting forwards, or maybe four, in both of those games that scored, and that's a concern.
"I would like to see some of the forwards score more, definitely, a bigger spread of scorers up in the offensive half. We had Paddy Durcan scoring the last day against Galway, we had a bit more of a spread but I still don't think we're scoring enough to win these games and if they don't get over that threshold on Sunday, and score more than 1-11, then I can't see us winning the game."
Mayo will undoubtedly try to use Aidan O'Shea as a towering targetman close to Dublin's goal, as they have done all season. Fitzsimons may very well be assigned man-marking duties.
"I think Mick Fitzsimons is one of the all-time great defenders but I think you could take him in a one-v-one situation," said Keegan, who outlined his concerns about Dublin's defence generally.
"Defensively, Dublin are there for the taking if Mayo want but how much are Mayo willing to risk when you have the likes of Con O'Callaghan, Ciaran Kilkenny, Sean Bugler, who has been playing brilliant football, at the other end of the field? I think those are the challenges that will be occupying Kevin McStay's mind this week. I think Mayo are going to get chances but they're going to need to take them. I'd go back to the earlier point, can they score enough? We haven't seen that in the last three games."
Keegan believes that if Dublin include Jack McCaffrey in their half-back line, it could be a game-changer. The former Footballer of the Year has been injury-prone since returning from retirement last February and has only started two of their Championship games. Crucially, he came through their last outing, the big win over Sligo, as a substitute unscathed.
"It definitely sways it for Dublin if he plays, yeah, he's that good," said Keegan.
On his native Mayo, the 2016 Footballer of the Year feels they have some tweaking to do in terms of the line-up.
"I'd love to see Enda Hession start, I thought he was huge when he came on against Galway, he adds that directness," said the Westport man.
"I don't think Cillian O'Connor is fit to start, maybe 25 minutes, 30 max. James Carr, hold him in reserve, I think Tommy Conroy will start again. Does he start Kevin McLoughlin and Jason Doherty? Does he start Mattie Ruane? I think Mattie probably needs to go back in. I think you saw that last weekend, his importance."
Keegan reckons it's important too that Mayo bring some 'chaos' to the table, pointing to the off-the-cuff style which served them so well against the Dubs in 2021.
"I do think they need a degree of it," he said. "If Dublin don't allow that, how are Mayo going to create that chaos, or bring that madness to the game?"
* Lee Keegan took part in an ‘Epic Conversation’ for BoyleSports. BoyleSports is offering ‘Epic Odds’ on the match - 6/4 Dublin, 11/4 Mayo
