Ulster calls the All-Ireland final

Down’s Conor Laverty

Eight county players from the rest of Ulster gave us their take on this weekend’s All-Ireland final, and seven of them picked Donegal to win. Here’s Conor Laverty’s opinion:

“The winner will be whoever can execute their game plan the best on the day. I think both teams will go out and get the edge in the first 10 or 15 minutes, then they will worry about implementing their plans.
After that I don’t think there will be more than three points between them, but I’d expect Donegal to just execute their game plan that wee bit better.

“The two teams are actually very similar, Mayo are probably the closest team to Donegal in terms of the running game. Both sides possess runners all over the pitch, but I think Donegal have just been at it a bit longer.

“For the past two years Donegal’s fitness and strength and conditioning has just topped all the other teams. They also have the hunger there as well, and that could prove the difference.

“Andy Moran is a massive loss for Mayo, he is one of the best forwards in Ireland. They do have players like Alan Dillon and a load of quality footballers though, so I don’t think there will be a big gap between the sides.

“It will all be down to those opening few minutes, and whoever gets in front will have a big advantage. I just think that Donegal will be able to get ahead and will be in front at the end as well.

“I really can’t see too much between them and I hope it’s a good, open final – but I’m going to pick Donegal to win a tight match.”

VERDICT: Donegal

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