Whelan says Mayo must crack Kerry kickout for All-Ireland final upset July 23, 2026Mayo manager Andy Moran during his side's All-Ireland SFC quarter-final against Cork ©INPHO/Bryan Keane Mayo manager Andy Moran during his side's All-Ireland SFC quarter-final against Cork ©INPHO/Bryan KeaneFormer Dublin midfielder Ciaran Whelan feels the midfield battle will be crucial for Mayo if they are to tear up the script on Kerry in Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC final. Andy Moran’s side are bidding to claim their county’s first Sam Maguire Cup crown since 1951 and are 2/1 outsiders against the defending champions (4/11). Dublin did crack the Kerry kickout for periods before half-time and after half-time,” said the two-time All-Star. But it's all that breaking ball and Mayo will have to really, like Dublin did, break it up and get bodies into that break zone. "If they can break 50-50 in the middle, get enough off the Kerry kickout, get a couple of phases where they win three or four in a row, get enough turnovers high up the field that they have the Kerry defence out of shape.