Mayo and Tipperary fans confident ahead of semi-final

Mayo v Tipperary is not the semi-final that anyone would have predicted at the start of the season. Sky Sports GAA talk to Mayo supporter Mark Togher, 28 from Castlebar and London-based Tipperary man Tom Fitzgerald, 35 from Killenaule, to get their views.

Mayo supporter Mark Togher

You were hotly tipped to win six-in-a-row in Connacht this year, what happened against Galway in the semi-final?

It was a strange game and, to be honest, it didn't feel right from the warm up onwards, There was a lethargy about it all, and that extended to the stands. It was the strangest atmosphere at a Championship Game at MacHale Park that I've ever witnessed. There's no point sugar coating it, there was complete complacency in the whole county leading up to that game. We didn't hit our stride, bar a short spell at the end of the first half, but when Galway got the goal, it felt, even then, like it was over. And when things went south, we as supporters didn't do our jobs on the slopes either in my opinion. We let it pass us by. But I think the reaction in the qualifiers was superb. Even though the performances weren't perfect, it was clear from the get go that the fight and desire was still very much there. Big crowds went to all three qualifiers, and the atmosphere at both home games were some of the best I've experienced at MacHale Park, which is a complete contrast to the Galway game.

The qualifiers put you back on track with victory over Fermanagh and Kildare but against Westmeath, the team turned off and looked vulnerable going into the final quarter prior to O'Shea's goal. It was slightly similar against Tyrone. Is this a cause of concern for you as you are the favourites again on Sunday?

The qualifiers have been incredibly enjoyable, to be honest. You can't beat regular games, big crowds and regular draws on Monday morning to see who is up next. It was different and I think it has done the team far more good than bad. The Fermanagh game was a lot better in my view than people had originally thought. The wind was incredibly strong and we put 1-4 past them in the first half. That was the winning of the game. Kildare was relatively comfortable, and although we were stressed at the end of the Westmeath game, it never felt like we were going to lose it. The Tyrone game was another level. It was heart-in-mouth stuff but, in the final few minutes, when we played keep-ball, I had no issue with it, because Tyrone kept sitting back. We would have been insane to try to kick the ball inside. We invited them out to us. We just need to improve on the application of that strategy. It's not good for the heart, but we got over the line.

I'm not concerned about that on Sunday. I expect it to be an open enough game and I expect us to be a little better. If we learn from our mistakes, we'll be fine.

Tipperary have been the surprise package this season and are playing without any fear, how do you think Mayo will combat this?

Honestly, I think the only reason Tipp are really a surprise is because they lost so many players at the start of the year. I remember their minors beat Roscommon in the AI semi-final in 2011 before our game with Kerry, and they played terrific football. I won a nice few quid on them in the final after that! I had tipped them to beat Galway, too, but not quite in the fashion they did.

It's really hard to know how we will approach this game. Against Tyrone, it looked as if we were playing a slow game, ready to explode in the second half. But that never came. It was a really disciplined and composed 70 minutes. I can honestly say I have no idea what team will line out on Sunday, or how we are going to play.

What players will contest the big battles in this game?

They're all big battles! We have a talented squad and everyone is putting in a shift. Our full back line will be busy. I think Kevin Keane will come back in, Brendan Harrison is having a massive season at corner back. All the talk down here is about how we will manage Quinlivan et al. Well, they have to figure out how to manage Andy and Cillian, along with some others! We will probably be going short with the kick-outs a lot less on Sunday, so I think Seamie O'Shea, Tom Parsons, Barry Moran, Donie Vaughan or whoever starts out of those, will have a busy day's fielding ahead.

Mayo's panel is one of the best in the country now but which player has really stood out for you this year?

I think Brendan Harrison at corner back has been superb. Davey in goal has been a rock, but Davey has always been a rock so it's no surprise. I think Jason Doherty is doing extremely well considering he took a lot of flack during the league. I think he's our top scorer from play in the championship as well. The big test this year, so far, was Tyrone, and that was a real team performance. Nobody underperformed. Lads like Stephen Coen, Conor O'Shea and Tom Parsons came into the game the last day and really impacted it. It's all about the squad. But you have to say that Lee Keegan, again, was immense. I don't know how many footballers in the country can man mark Diarmuid Connolly and Sean Cavanagh in AI semi and quarter-finals and actually outscore them.

Six consecutive semi-finals in a row for Mayo is a remarkable achievement, do you believe this panel is the one to finally deliver Sam to Mayo?

I believe they are more than capable. But we have to overcome Tipp on Sunday first. They're a big threat in front of goal, so hopefully we can continue with the upward trend and keep a clean sheet.

Finally, a score prediction?

Mayo 2-12, Tip 0-12.

Tipperary Supporter Tom Fitzgerald

Tipperary lost a number of players before the championship, what was your realistic hope going into it?

We lost two former captain's Paddy Codd and Barry Grogan and also lost Seamus Kennedy and Steven O'Brien to the Tipperary senior hurlers. The biggest loss of all was Colin O'Riordan to Sydney Swans in the AFL. So I wasn't too hopeful for this year, I would of being happy with a win against Waterford, put it up to Cork and a run in the qualifiers.

If someone told you six months ago, Tipperary would be in an All-Ireland semi-final, their first since 1935, what would you have said to him?

With all the players we lost I would have laughed and said you are dreaming.

A Munster final for the first time since 2002, that semi-final victory against Cork shocked a lot of people. Did you see it coming?

It was our first Championship win over Cork in 72 years in front of a very poor crowd in Thurles. It was a very big shock to everyone outside Tipperary but we have a very good record in Minor and u21 against Cork in the last 5 years so don't fear them. 

To score 2-10 against Kerry and not win the game was disappointing, what went wrong in the Munster final?

Kerry played a very defensive style of football that day. Tipp found it hard to break them down. They had a very strong bench and were too strong for Tipp in second half.

The attacking football on display against Galway in the All-Ireland quarter-finals was a joy to watch and brought excitement to an otherwise poor championship, will the team play that freely against Mayo on Sunday?

I don't think Tipp will change the style too much, our attacking play is refreshing to see when most other counties are playing such negative and defensive styles. I can see Tipp dropping back Kevin Fox as a sweeper but this Tipp team knows only one way to play, with attacking direct football. 

What players will contest the big battles in this game?

I think the midfield battle will be a great contest, Tipp midfielders Peter Acheson and George Hannigan destroyed Galway in the quarter-final but they won't get it all their own way against Seamus O'Se in the middle. If Tipp can contain the O'Connor brothers they have a great chance of beating Mayo. Tipp will be looking to Michael Quinlivan and Conor Sweeney to do the damage again. 

Which player has really stood out for you this year?

Tipperary goalkeeper Evan Comerford has being top class all year and I wouldn't be surprised if he wins an all-star.

In defence, Jimmy Feehan has being the find of the year. Up front Quinlivan and Sweeney have lead the way all year with some big scores.

What has Liam Kearns done to change things around for the footballers?

Talking to some of the players on the squad, I would say he has given them the belief to keep playing attacking football.

Finally, a score prediction?

I hope Tipp will win by a point or two.