MAYO FANS HAVE been up in arms this week in the belief that there is a concerted campaign against their star defender Lee Keegan.
The Westport man’s duel with Diarmuid Connolly is a standout feature of Dublin-Mayo clashes but ahead of Saturday’s replay, there is concern that there have been attempts by an array of Dublin football figures to influence referee Maurice Deegan.
Yet Dublin manager Jim Gavin was insistent at a press conference this morning that he is unaware of such talk and that there is no deliberate ploy from the Dublin camp to target Keegan in such a mnner.
“It’s a physical contact sport. We tell the players to get out there and play. Mayo play a physical contact game.
“What happened is predictable. Diarmuid is well able to look after himself.
“It certainly hasn’t been spoken of in those terms in the Dublin camp, that’s for sure.”
Dublin are set to announce their starting side tonight and report no fresh injury concerns.
There is plenty debate that Dublin may make changes before throw-in on Saturday after a below-par showing in the drawn match.
“Players know themselves how they play. They obviously get feedback from the coaching staff on areas to improve on but I have to say, to their eternal credit, they just want to see what is best for the team.
“So whether a player is starting a game or finishing a game or is part of the 30-man squad, everyone’s nose is pointed in the same direction. They want to do the best for the team to get a team performance.
“There’s a great trust there amongst the group. And they all realise that whatever team is on the pitch representing their county is representing the group also.
“They’ll all play their part. Whether they’re ask to finish or asked to start.”
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