'Rehearse adversity' crucial for Mayo - McMahon

Eight-time All-Ireland winner Philly McMahon feels it is vital Mayo "rehearse adversity" in the build-up to Sunday's All-Ireland SFC final against defending champions Kerry.

Andy Moran's side enter the game as outsiders to secure the county's first Sam Maguire success since 1951 and banish the memory of 11 consecutive losses on Gaelic football's biggest day.

Some of those defeats have been chastening, while others have come by the narrowest of margins, so to end that unwanted run, McMahon believes it is crucial they have a plan in place for the moments that don't go their way this weekend.

The former Dublin defender, who will be part of the BBC punditry team this weekend, notes that Kerry's know-how in finals gives them a huge advantage and overcoming adversity coupled with genuine belief is crucial if Mayo are to get over the hump.

"Mayo need to ask themselves what are the things that could happen we don't want to happen, so let's train for that and 80 percent of what we do will win us the game," he said on The GAA Social.

"Louth, I would say, did not do any 'rehearse adversity' [in the 17-point semi-final defeat] because they just let it snowball or anything to trigger the team to do something structurally different.

"You address the elephant in the room that 'yes, we're not great at winning All-Irelands' but I'm sure that was done a long time ago because they have got there and now it's about focusing all the attention on what they can do on the day.

"Mayo are in a good place, are progressing in a good first year under Andy Moran, but if Kerry hit a purple patch, will they fall into a default of 'we've had a great year and got to an All-Ireland final' or will they fight back and go to win an All-Ireland?"

McMahon insists Kerry will have done their homework on Mayo, who were impressive in their win over Louth in the last four.

He identifies Mayo's "high press" as an area Kerry will have looked at, while Jack O'Connor will also ensure his defenders do not afford Kobe McDonald, Ryan O'Donoghue and Darragh Beirne the same freedom they enjoyed last time out.

"One thing I would go after against Mayo is the high press," he continued.

"They do it unbelievable well compared to most counties and that is hard to come out of a defence again, but it's also fatiguing for them to do against a team that is a much higher level than Louth where they got their opportunities.

"I couldn't believe Kobe McDonald getting the ball over on the Cusack [Stand] side and he probably ran about 40 metres, gliding across Croke Park, but why was he allowed to do that? Kerry will not let that happen.

"But their high press you can't take for granted as it's different to what you'd experience with any other team. Kerry will go long to the big men around the middle."

While the threat of David Clifford is something that Mayo obviously must limit, so much goes through the Fossa man's older brother Paudie, whose playmaking ability is a crucial cog in the Kerry wheel.

In last year's final, his 76 possessions saw him play the conductor role to perfection, so how do Mayo set about lessening his impact?

"I'd look at the first half against Dublin [in the semi-final] compared to the second half," McMahon

"The first half he slowed Kerry's attack down and the one run he made, he penetrated Dublin and got a score, wrong-footing Colm Basquel and if I were a coach, I'd ask why he didn't turn him onto his right. It's a harder possibility for him to kick on his right as he's predominately left.

"I don't care how many possession you have, but once you step into the [scoring] zone, 'we will put pressure on you'.

"In the second half, he stayed higher instead of around the 45 as a 'quarterback' but then he penetrated, got gaps and Dublin were at a stage where they didn't adjust at half-time and he ran amok in the second half, won the game for Kerry."

Oisin McConville, an All-Ireland winner with Armagh in 2002, feels that Mayo's old failings in attack have turned around, but their issues may lie elsewhere.

Both sides come into this final with plenty of marquee forwards who grab the attention, but McConville identifies an unheralded member of the Kerry side that could make all the difference.

"When Mayo came to All-Irelands against Philly's team [in the 2010s] I always felt they would compete everywhere apart from the scoreboard," he said.

"Now, I think the opposite as they have an average of 17 points per game in the full-forward line and if they can do that, they've a brilliant chance of winning the game but I'm questioning if they are going to be good enough around the middle and defensively.

"Jason Foley, for me, is the most in-form defender but has probably flown under the radar. He'll be able to hold one of those forwards and then it's up to Mayo's supporting cast to dig them out."