Mayo games will stand to Dublin: Johnny Magee

Former Dublin defender Johnny Magee is confident that the Dubs two games against Mayo will “stand to them” in Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC final against Kerry in Croke Park (3.30).

“It’s going to be very interesting. Eamonn Fitzmaurice is such an astute manager. I like the way the Kerry players are willing to adapt. Last year they totally changed their game-plan against Donegal and played a defensive game because that’s the way football has gone.

“Yet you could still see the natural Kerry footballers coming through and their game awareness. That’s what won it for them.

“Prior to Mayo, Dublin hadn’t been tested all year. Those two games will really stand to them. I was really impressed with how Dublin adjusted for the replay. The leaders stood up. The team showed character,” the Kilmacud Crokes man says of Jim Gavin’s squad.

“They were four points down with 15 minutes left in an All-Ireland semi-final and they still came back. Not many teams could have turned it around.”