Peter Harte was part of the Tyrone side that fell to a one-point defeat to Mayo in this year’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-final

By Barry O’Donnell

TYRONE star Peter Harte feels there is ‘no reason’ why Mayo can’t upset all the odds and topple a seemingly invincible Dublin in Sunday’s All-Ireland Senior Football Final at Croke Park.

Jim Gavin’s all-conquering Dubs have swept all before them in League and Championship this term and are huge favourites to add to the Westerners woes in the Sam Maguire showdown this weekend.

Not since 1951 have Mayo landed the All-Ireland, despite going agonisingly close on numerous occasions over the past two decades, and few expect Stephen Rochford’s men to end that long drought on Sunday.

However Harte, who was part of the Tyrone side that saw their own All-Ireland aspirations dashed by Mayo at the quarter-final stage back at the start of August, believes that the Connacht men have the quality and experience to prevail. He does acknowledge however that they will have their work cut out for them.

“It’s very hard for anyone to bet against Dublin at the minute. They’ve probably been the best team in Ireland over the last four or five years and have the three All-Irelands to show for it.

“ Mayo will be up against it, but the fact is it’s an All-Ireland Final and favourites have been beaten in the past, so Mayo will be well up for it. There’s no reason why they can’t do it as they have the players. It should be an enjoyable game to watch anyway.”

See this week’s Gaelic Life in stores or online here for our interview with Peter Harte.