Ciaran Whelan believes that the absence of a crowd at Saturday's All-Ireland final will aid Dublin in their quest to secure a historic six-in-a-row.
Dessie Farrell's side can secure their sixth title in succession in their highly anticipated clash with Mayo, and while the roar of Hill 16 will always inspire, it may not prove a deciding factor in this year’s showpiece according to Whelan.
The former Dublin midfielder feels that the expectation of winning has hampered the team’s style of play in recent years, and now in a behind closed doors scenario they might be able to hit their stride earlier in the game.
"If you go back to their All-Ireland finals that they have played in, traditionally in the first half they have edgy, they have been nervy," said Whelan, speaking on the RTE GAA Podcast.
"In '16 the Tyrone goal, ‘17 Mayo really got a foothold on them, Tyrone got a foothold on them, Kerry in the first game last year...
"There was huge emphasis on the five-in-a-row, and whether they spoke about it or didn’t speak about it, that’s the pressure that you can’t get away from in Dublin, even though it’s a big place.
"They were going for this unique record over the last couple of years, and now coming into the game, I’m just thinking, all that pressure is gone, the pressure is off them.
"And they seem to be playing like a team with the pressure off them, they seem cool and relaxed."
Whelan acknowledged the argument that the lack of crowd is expected to be a bonus for a young Mayo side who are unlikely to be overawed on the occasion by a jam-packed Croke Park, however, the Raheny man still feels that the familiarity with what is essentially Dublin’s home championship ground will still work in their favour.
"Dublin haven’t played the same level of opposition as they will meet on Saturday and you have to be respectful of that, but you just wonder if the narrative that it will suit Mayo and the young players, it could suit Dublin as well.
"They will be in a comfortable environment, and they will not feel that pressure, Mayo have to get at Dublin early, and it can work both ways, and I think the psychology of the approach is very, very interesting.
"It’s easy to lean towards the Mayo advantage, but that pressure is off Dublin that was there, and if you like it or not, it was there in the last few years."
Watch the All-Ireland senior football final between Dublin and Mayo live on RTÉ2 from 3.40pm Saturday, listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1 or follow our live blog on RTÉ Sport Online and the RTÉ News app. Highlights on The Saturday Game (9.55 pm RTÉ2).
Follow All-Ireland senior football final between Dublin and Cork with our live blog on RTÉ Sport Online and the RTÉ News app (from 3pm Sunday) or listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1. Highlights on The Sunday Game (9.30 pm RTÉ2).
