Colm Cooper expects another rip-roaring contest between Mayo and Dublin in next weekend's All-Ireland football semi-final, but cannot see James Horan’s side advancing to the decider.
Mayo sealed their place in the last four after seeing off the challenge of Donegal in Castlebar, while Dublin's victory in Omagh ensures the sides will add another chapter to their rivalry with a place in the All-Ireland final at stake.
It has been a topsy-turvy year for Mayo. Crowned League champions in March, defeated by Roscommon in the Connacht final, they were unconvincing in the qualifiers before turning over neighbours Galway to reach the quarter-finals.
A comprehensive defeat to Kerry in Killarney seemed to spell the end, but victory over Donegal at a packed MacHale Park means the loyal supporters will travel in their droves to Croke Park next Saturday for another joust with Dublin.
"It's a full house with Mayo coming to town," he said. "We thought they were all gone a couple of weeks ago. It’s going to be a magical game. They don’t fear Dublin and they will have a go."
Speaking on the Sunday Game, fellow pundit Joe Brolly says Dublin’s composure will be the difference between the sides.
"They [Mayo] are the nation’s favourite team for a reason, but anytime they have made a break against Dublin in the past, the Dubs have reeled them in and have been much cooler when it came to the crunch.
"That efficiency of the Dubs at the moment is Mayo’s big problem.
"Dublin respect Mayo more than any other group of players, but I think at the same time, Mayo’s big challenge is can they bridge the gap that’s there?"
Dublin made 14 changes for the trip to Healy Park and with the cavalry resting, Cooper expects the reigning champions to emerge victorious against a side that are ultimately on the wane.
"I don’t think Mayo are as good as they were two years ago. Dublin’s efficiency would say they are a better team. Also it is a big ask for Mayo to turn it around [in seven days]. Dublin’s big players didn’t play today. They are going to be bouncing off the ground, fresh and ready to go.
Do they have enough ammunition to beat the Dubs? Not for me
"Mayo beat Galway and struggled the following week against Kerry. They were really at it last night.
"Do they have enough ammunition to beat the Dubs? Not for me."
The other semi-final will pit Peter Keane up against Mickey Harte for the first time in senior championship.
The intensity of the rivalry has dipped over the last ten years with both sides struggling to match the achievements of the previous decade, but former Kingdom star Cooper believes it represents a great opportunity for both sides to reach the final.
'It's going to be a magical game' - Colm Cooper and Joe Brolly look ahead to the clashes of Dublin and Mayo, and Kerry and Tyrone #rtegaa #TheSundayGame pic.twitter.com/u2cuycYomf
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) August 4, 2019
"Tyrone will be quite pleased playing Kerry in a semi-final and if you offered them that at the start of the year, they would bite your arm off for it, but equally, if you offered Kerry the same thing, they would take it."
Ultimately he feels David Clifford, who missed the Super 8s win over Meath with an injury but is expected to be fit for next Sunday, could be the key figure in Croke Park.
"He’s [Clifford] carrying a lot of expectation. Kerry need him to be firing because you can be guaranteed that Tyrone will be in his face next week. It is a beautifully poised match and we will see how far Kerry have developed this year."
