1. Stephen Cluxton (Dublin)
Cluxton endured a speed wobble in the semi-final victory over Kerry but remains the country’s outstanding goalkeeper.
The Parnell’s clubman will be anxious to atone for that brief meltdown with a big performance against Mayo on Sunday and, as per usual, his kick-outs will form a pivotal part of Dublin’s strategy.
2. Philly McMahon (Dublin)
Caused plenty of problems for Mayo over the course of last year’s semi-finals and is enjoying another solid season.
The Ballymun Kickhams defender had a running battle with Aidan O’Shea during those games and will be central to Dublin’s plans as they aim to shut down the Mayo colossus again.
3. Jonny Cooper (Dublin)
Has stepped into the full-back role admirably this year in Rory O’Carroll’s absence.
Cooper is a complete defender and marries defensive responsibilities brilliantly with an attacking instinct. Outstanding in the semi-final victory over Kerry.
4. Keith Higgins (Mayo)
Mayo’s man for all seasons has improved incrementally as the season has evolved for the Westerners.
His lightning break set up Jason Doherty for Mayo’s opening goal against Tipperary and Dublin will be anxious to keep ‘Zippy’ on the back foot.
5. Lee Keegan (Mayo)
Another player who has got better and better as Mayo put that Connacht semi-final defeat against Galway to one side with a march through the qualifiers.
His two points in the All-Ireland quarter-final victory over Tyrone were sublime and Keegan helped to put the shackles on Tipp danger-man Michael Quinlivan at the semi-final stage.
6. Cian O’Sullivan (Dublin)
Playing the spare man role to perfection for Dublin and Mayo need to find a way to bypass O’Sullivan.
The Kilmacud Crokes clubman will be asked to cover the space between the full-back and half-back lines as Mayo attempt to hurt their opponents with strike-runners from deep.
7. Colm Boyle (Mayo)
Gets the nod here ahead of Dublin’s James McCarthy based on championship 2016 form.
Boyle has been Mayo’s most consistent defender in their march to the final and was one of Stephen Rochford’s better players even in defeat to Galway. Anchoring Mayo’s half-back line superbly.
8. Brian Fenton (Dublin)
Fenton was man-of-the-match in last year’s final victory over Kerry and another big performance would go a long way towards securing back-to-back titles for Dublin.
The Raheny All-Star is improving with every game and has the mobility to find pockets of space when Stephen Cluxton looks up to deliver his pinpoint kick-outs.
9. Aidan O’Shea (Mayo)
O’Shea is expected to operate in a number of positions for Mayo on Sunday and whether he’s at midfield, centre forward or full-forward, he’ll need close watching.
The Breaffy powerhouse has the ability to break tackles when driving forward from deep positions and is also a more than useful outlet for the long ball on the edge of the square.
10. Diarmuid O’Connor (Mayo)
The 2015 Footballer of the Year will need a big game on Sunday if Mayo want to end their long All-Ireland SFC final famine.
His absence from the starting line-up for the Galway game was a massive setback for Mayo but O’Connor has proved his worth through the back door.
11. Ciaran Kilkenny (Dublin)
Dublin’s playmaker has produced a really consistent season so far, even if he didn’t hit the high notes against Kerry at the semi-final stage.
The Castleknock man didn’t score but still put in a huge shift for the team. Kilkenny will hope to recapture top scoring form for Sunday and he will look to orchestrate matters up front for the Sky Blues.
12. Diarmuid Connolly (Dublin)
Pound for pound, Connolly remains the best footballer in the country and his anticipated match-up with Lee Keegan will be one to watch, if it happens.
Missed a few chances against Kerry but curled over a couple of sublime points, including a late insurance score. He’s due a big game against Mayo.
13. Dean Rock (Dublin)
We can’t ignore Rock’s claims and going into Sunday’s final, he looks set to finish as the season’s top scorer unless Mayo’s Cillian O’Connor shoots the light out.
Rock has bagged 1-45 from five matches and is averaging 9.6 per points game. Barney’s son was simply brilliant from dead balls against Kerry, landing 8 frees and 2 45s in a final tally of 0-12.
14. Cillian O’Connor (Mayo)
Championship top scorer in 2013, 2014 and 2015, O’Connor has collected 2-28 en route to the final from six games.
That leaves the Ballintubber 14 points behind Dean Rock in the overall standings but O’Connor won’t mind finishing runner-up in in the scoring charts if he gets his hands on a coveted All-Ireland senior medal.
15. Bernard Brogan (Dublin)
When Dublin won the final between the counties three years ago, Brogan was man-of-the-match after notching 2-3.
Scored 1-4 in the Leinster final victory over Westmeath and while he was held scoreless against Donegal, Brogan collected two crucial points in the Kerry win. A big game player, Brogan gets the nod ahead of Mayo’s Andy Moran in our lethal inside line.
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