Our most serious test is coming: Dessie Farrell

Tue, 15th December 2020

Dessie Farrell has managed All-Ireland winning sides at minor (2012) and U21 level (2014 and 2017) and this Saturday his senior side faces Mayo in the All-Ireland SFC final at Croke Park (5.0).

The counties met earlier this year, Dessie's first at the helm in succession to Jim Gavin, when the Dubs prevailed 1-11 to 0-8 in early February in MacHale Park, Castlebar.

In a typical early season encounter as Dublin ground out victory in front of an attendance of 15,148 with the only goal of the contest coming in the tenth minute of the second half when Dean Rock connected with a pass from Kevin McManamon at the front post to brilliantly guide it into the opposite corner.

Mayo’s case was made all the harder as they were reduced to 14 men in the 15th minute when Jordan Flynn was red-carded for a high challenge on John Small.

Saturday's duel will be entirely different after both teams found their path to this weekend's decider.

The Dublin manager says “the most serious test is coming” on Saturday when his side face the Connacht champions.

“Look, I think for me every day you’re involved in something like this you’re always trying to do a better job, always trying to learn more, to find out more, that idea of being curious about what you’re involved in and sort of mastering your craft is something that I enjoy," added Dessie.

“I’m always looking to see what can we do better, where can we make improvement, where can we find the edge, what am I not doing right, what do I need to do a better job of?

“That’s an ongoing conversation in the 'noggin', 24 hours a day.But that keeps you engaged, it keeps you on your toes, it keeps you motivated.”

The All-Ireland U20FC final (2.15) between Dublin and Galway takes place prior to the SFC decider in a busy weekend for Dublin GAA teams as the U20 hurlers face Wexford in their EirGrid Leinster U20HC semi-final in Cullen Park, Carlow on Friday night (8.0 link to TG4 Spórt YouTube) while on Sunday's the ladies face Cork in the TG4 All-Ireland Ladies SFC final in Croke Park (3.30).