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I know a lot of us have been critical about a number of things in the Mayo set-up over the last few months but the last few weeks have shown some positive developments and I think we can look forward to the Summer with some form of confidence. Sam will not be arriving on the last train to Westport on a Monday night in the middle of September but a Connacht Championship, and even perhaps an All Ireland semi-final are ascertainable goals if progress continues.

i was looking back on old posts from the Derry game thread (if we had won that one we would be in the league final) and this is what I was looking for from the league:

What I would like to see over the league is:

A. A development of a team for championship football.

B. A more commonsense tactical approach including some attempt at a defensive game plan.

C. Players taking responsibility on the pitch and digging in when the going gets tough with a never-say-die attitude.

D. A strong performance in Salthill/Tuam to lay down a marker for the Connacht Championship.

Suprisingly for a Mayo team I think they have met my expectations!! :

A development of a team for championship football.

While there are positiions still up for grabs I think we know most the championship line-up at this stage. It will be a mistake if any of the returning old-stagers and thrown into the starting mix. Keith Higgins and Trevor Howley do not have the match fitness for Championship football either, so at most one of the five i.e. Higgins is likely to walk back into the team, and that should be for Liam O'Malley in my opinion who got another roasting yesterday.

Central positions have been nailed down - Cafferkey, Cunniffe and O'Shea have all been excellent. Trevor has had a good league - he is frustrating, and not the best answer maybe at number 11 but he will be there. McGarrity, Harte and Parsons will all start - the way they line out will be interesting.

Aidan O'Shea has been phenomenal and has the ability even at this stage to make his mark this Summer. He is strong enough, hungry enough and is leading that team - none of the experienced lads are shouting and ordering about the pitch - it is an 18 year old that is doing it! Tweaking is required to bring Conor Mortimer into the game as a beneficiary of the balls going into O'Shea. Alan Dillon is of course our other class act. Personally I think it will be a mistake if either Austin O'Malley or Mickey Sweeney are there come the big games. They will not perform. And for all his endeavour the Tyrone match has shown that Mark Ronadlson is just too small at this level and would be a passenger in a big Summer game - in fact yesterday it was like playing a man short at times.

A more commonsense tactical approach including some attempt at a defensive game plan

The backs are a lot tighter, tougher, disciplined and focused. Some great work being done here. 5 mintues into the Donegal game we conceded our third and last goal of this league campaign. Last year we conceded 10! Speaks for itself.

Players taking responsibility on the pitch and digging in when the going gets tough with a never-say-die attitude.

The bad starts must be addressed urgently - it has been going on now for 3/4 years. But the lads are digging deep and coming back, they are hitting harder and their willingness to fight cannot be questioned.

[A strong performance in Salthill/Tuam to lay down a marker for the Connacht Championship.

We can tick that box as well - it was a big blow to Galway to miss out on the league final for the second year in a row. Their confidence about sealing the big deals must be low after that - when you add in their failure to win a Quarter Final since 2001, to throw away good league positions the last two years, and to let kerry away when they were on the rack last year, like ourselves they have demons to exorcise.

So those who are going to NYC have a great time - it is a good chance for the team to bond and think of the challenges ahead. If we can overcome Ros/Leitrim, JOM will be a very popular man if he can land JJ Nestor by the sea in July

It would be a suprise if Galway don't get at least three goals on their way to a 10 to 15 point win and a standing ovation from the nation

This time last year Mayo's gem was in the news for all the wrong reasons:

Kerry target man Kieran Donaghy will miss his side's NFL Division 1A clash with Laois on Saturday after being slapped with a one-match suspension.

Donaghy has been banned by GAA chiefs for making an offensive gesture towards Mayo supporters during Kerry's league loss to the westerners at Castlebar on March 16.

Mayo claimed a 0-16 to 1-12 victory and the incident occurred just after Donaghy had missed a late chance to equalise.

Moments later, a piece of wood was thrown from the terrace in the direction of Donaghy and the Austin Stacks clubman reacted with a one-fingered salute to the crowd.

The forward has since apologised for his behaviour, admitting that the incident was "a mistake on both parts."

The Mayo County Board has launched an investigation into the incident and is also looking at its current stewarding arrangements at McHale Park.

Coins were also thrown at Kerry players during the game, with goalkeeper Diarmuid Murphy hit by one on the calf.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that the wooden 'missile' thrown at Donaghy was, in fact, a wooden spoon which renowned Mayo supporter John Durcan always brings to county matches.

Durcan dresses as St. Patrick in the Mayo colours and as well as packing his bodhran, he always carries two wooden spoons to games.

Commenting on the incident and how his 'spare' spoon ended up on the pitch, he said: "I bring two wooden spoons to all the Mayo games, one in the Mayo colours and a spare one.

"I keep the spare inside the bodhran in case the other one breaks and it's secured in there good and tight.

"A couple of young lads were looking at my bodhran during the first half and must have taken the wooden spoon out. I'm very angry about it."

The Mayo County Board will use video evidence to try and identify the person who threw the spoon at Donaghy.

BUT tonight he is going to hit all the right notes on the his national debut:

Westport's St Patrick for Podge and Rodge


Neill O'Neill

THE bodhrán-banging and eccentric behaviour of Mayo's own Saint Patrick – aka John Durcan – in Croke Park and everywhere else in recent years has not gone unnoticed, and the ex-army man will make an appearance on The Podge and Rodge show on RTÉ tonight.
The foul-mouthed Ballydung brothers will air a St Patrick's Day special at 10,50pm today (Tuesday), and the entertaining Westport grandfather will be in full costume, and 'full flight', for the programme.
John was contacted by producers recently who were inquiring if he is the Croke Park Saint Patrick. He subsequently agreed to travel to Dublin yesterday (Monday) to participate in a special parade which was being filmed for the show. At the time of going to press he was unsure if his participation would end there, but vowed to 'give it a lash' if he was provided with the opportunity to give some of his famous one-liners in the studio.
St Patrick will be brandishing a new outfit for the occasion, which he plans to also bring with him to New York for Mayo's first game of the 2009 championship on May 10. The outfit has been adapted in light of the global economic downturn, and now says: 'St Patrick, Praying, Staying and Partying with Mayo – A Recession Free Zone – Born to Party, Forced to Pray' on the front. The back keeps with this theme and states: 'St Patrick, Alive and Kicking with Mayo – A Recession Free Zone – Too Old to Die Young'.
John will also be appearing as 'Crazy Maizy' – one of his other alter egos – on TG4 show 'Glas Vegas' next Sunday night.
He will, of course, continue to appear at all Mayo's championship matches in 2009.

This is an event to surpass Padraig Flynn on the Late Late, or Tom Tom singing "Sam Maguire is Coming Home to Mayo".

We're some bloody county!

2.30 Throw-in, live on Setanta apparently.

A win is a must for both teams. You would think that Mayo especially should be safe with a win.

Again u21 players will be missing for the green and red. Dublin should also have absentees because of the u21, but some Kilmacud players might return, and maybe Alan Brogan will be fit to start?

Mayo going for 4 League wins in a row against Kerry.

However you get the feeling this might not be pretty.

Plain and simple lads - loser goes down

[Paul Caffrey]

We all know Pillar is actually Paul but he is over-stressing the point a bit too much

FORMER Dublin football boss Paul Caffrey has ruled out a return to inter-county management with another outfit.

Caffrey (right), who ended his seven-year stint with Dublin after last year's All Ireland quarter-final defeat to Tyrone, plans to dedicate his next few years to his club, Na Fianna.

"Those of you that know Paul Caffrey know the answer to that one," was his reply when asked if he would consider managing another county side.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't (missing management)," he said at yesterday's launch of U-21 football championship.

"Once you are involved in the GAA you are always involved. I thoroughly enjoyed my seven years with Dublin but I had my mind made up that if we didn't make an All-Ireland final last year it was time for Paul Caffrey to step aside and give someone else a chance."

"You wonder how you put so much time into it when you step back from it. I'm a garda and I'm only too glad to put my shoulder to the wheel down in Store Street and I have three young kids playing lots of matches so there are lots for Paul Caffrey to be involved in."

I think we have exhausted the Derry game - we know our problems and no we won't be seeing Croke Park too often in 09.

Donegal lads - will ye have many players back for this one. I'm sure there will be a rebound from the thrashing in Kerry.

Mayo lads, what changes would you make from the last day.

Seconds out - Round 1 

Disappointed with the attitude to the FBD League - there are always benefits that can be gained by going out and winning matches.

Judgement is reserved though. The last two years have been extremely disappointing and JOM must start to regain the confidence of supporters from Sunday week.

Its not going to be easy to survive in Division 1 but four home games, and a trip to Galway mean that the fixture list has been kind. An opening win is a must.

What other County Board could go and develop a ground (that will never be filled) right at the start of a recession:

'Mayo News'

County Board 'very strapped for cash'
Tuesday, 28 October 2008

Treasurer admits Mayo GAA Board is 'very strapped for cash' right now


Daniel Carey

TREASURER JP Lambe told last Tuesday's meeting in the Welcome Inn Hotel that Mayo GAA Board is 'very strapped for cash'.

"The end of October is the end of the financial year, and hopefully we'll be in credit," said the Garrymore clubman, who said 'a long dragged-out campaign' had been necessary to get cheques off some clubs this year. "No club took up the offer to pay their levy early, so you'll be hit with the full levy next March. Everyone is looking for money up front nowadays, and the County Board is very strapped for cash because of the McHale Park redevelopment."
As a result, Lambe warned, the Board 'won't be in a position to pay levies for clubs', as they did in some cases this year. He said there was a loan of €9 million for McHale Park, and that there 'may be an increase' in the amount being sought from the Mayo GAA Development Draw.
"We're financially strong at the moment but, like our government, there's rough times ahead," Lambe concluded.
McHale Park

County Board Chairman James Waldron told the meeting that naming rights would be up for grabs in a sponsorship package which the McHale Park Finance Committee are currently putting together. The committee met on Monday of last week and the package will be announced shortly.
"Everything is going according to schedule," the Chairman said of the McHale Park redevelopment. "When it's completed, it's something everyone in the county will be proud of. It'll be one of the finest stadiums in the country outside of Croke Park."

Work may need to be completed 'a few weeks early', as Mayo hope to host Leitrim or Roscommon in mid-June, provided they beat New York in the championship opener. No more games will be played at the county ground this year.

This week the Mayo County Board argue about who should get into the dressing room before matches:

War of words over dressing-room access


Daniel Carey

THE PRO of Mayo GAA Board has reacted strongly to her exclusion from the Mayo dressing-room, saying the issue had been dealt with in a 'deplorable' manner.
Noelle Horan told last Tuesday's County Board meeting in the Welcome Inn Hotel that a letter which she had submitted to the executive 'wasn't reported on' in the minutes of the previous meeting.
The PRO explained that the letter dealt with her exclusion from a list of people permitted access to the Mayo dressing-room which was drawn up over the summer. When she queried this, she said she was initially told by Chairman James Waldron that the room was overcrowded, and that it was the players' decision. She claimed that the Chairman then said it was his decision – 'but', she told the meeting, 'it wasn't his decision to make'.
Ms Horan added that she had been 'refused access' to the changing-rooms at half-time in Croke Park, and had been refused access 'entirely' to the dressing-rooms in Longford.
Secretary Seán Feeney replied that the 'rule is clear' regarding who is permitted access. This group is made up of the team, management, medical team, two water boys, Chairman and Secretary. The PRO said that the list he was referring to dealt with who was permitted on the sideline, but 'others have access to the changing rooms'.
The Secretary confirmed that the County Board President usually stood at the door of the dressing-room, and that Liam Ludden, who along with Tommy Goonan is responsible for the players' gear, is also permitted access.
Ms Horan asked if this meant the PRO is no longer an official member of the travelling party. East Mayo Board Secretary Vincent Walsh asked if people were 'overstating their position'. Chairman James Waldron said there were 'more pressing matters to deal with' and that the issue wouldn't arise again until next year.
The PRO said she was not allowed access to management and said the issue 'has escalated since I applied for the post of Secretary'. In reply to a question from Gerry Burke (Breaffy), she added that she had 'no issue' with being in a male dressing-room, and was 'not aware' that her presence was an issue for the players either.
Central Council delegate Paddy Muldoon said the Board had 'a lot of pressing matters' to attend to and shouldn't be 'wasting time' on this issue. The PRO asked where this left the position of women in the GAA within the county, and said that the manner in which the issue had been dealt with had been 'absolutely deplorable'.
The Chairman said that security was in place at the dressing-room door to keep out distractions and mind players' gear, to which the PRO replied: "I must have underestimated myself – I didn't consider myself a distraction'.
She told the Secretary she wanted the minutes from the last meeting 'rectified' to take account of her correspondence, and Mr Feeney agreed, saying it was no skin off his nose to make the change.

I couldn't find another thread but is it going to be a Seanie/John double-act. Hoganstand seems to suggest it might be!

Donegal manager Brian McIver has stepped down from his position after three years in charge.

McIvor was called before a meeting of the county board on Monday night and after saying that he felt a sense of negativity from some clubs, he decided to step down.

Donegal went out of this year's Championship when they were beaten in the qualifiers by Monaghan, this came after they knocked out of the Ulster Championship by Derry.

McIvor had been in charge since 2005 and led the county to a National League title in 2007 and an All-Ireland quarter-final in 2006.

Elsewhere, Seamus McEnaney has been re-appointed as manager of the Monaghan senior football team for another year.

http://www.roseoftralee.ie/catalog/roses.php/cPath/1?PHPSESSID=8fae69afaa7acf91fb1a062e46f49911

Who's your choice?

Good luck to Ray Dempsey and the lads on Sunday. Hope to travel to shout them on.

What's the story down Kerry way - how do ye rate your lads? Could we take a big beating again from ye?

Hopefully we can get a bit of revenge for the u21 semi-final defeat. It would be nice to have a bit part to play on Final day.

How is John O'Shea given a forum for his views every week? The man is raving mad when it comes to talking GAA

[Mayo 0-14 NUIG 2-9]

The record isn't that hot.

We always knew the league was going to be difficult and staying up was always going to be them aim. Losing out in close games, conceding easy scores, and relying on old guns left us fearful for the Summer months. The fact that the manager was fully focussed this season, instead of on an election campaign gave us hope for the Summer.

Now we are out, disappointed once again. The "what if" will start about Ciaran McDonald? The manager will come under intense pressure? The County Board will be rudderless and directionless, and more than likely we will be having the same discussions next year.

Its my own view that the players really need to take a very long, hard and serious look at themselves. Many see themselves as the pin-up boys of the county simply because they are given the jersey. Yes, they will put in the hours with their clubs, and with organised training. But outside of that? Are they pushing themselves as far as they can? Where is the work ethic on the field? Even in their better games do they come anywhere near the work ethic of say Monaghan, Fermanagh or Westmeath? Many have talent to be better than they actually are but have been living on Easy Street for too long.

John O'Mahony according to setanta.com has hinted that his future is not cut and dried:

Mayo boss John O'Mahony indicated after yesterday's one-point defeat to Tyrone that he may not be in charge of the Westerners for much longer.

O'Mahony's men went down on a scoreline of 1-9 to 0-13 in a low-key clash at Croke Park, and the two-time All-Ireland winning boss was in despondent mood afterwards, saying any decision on his future was not his to make.

"I took this job two years ago on a three-year term," he said.

"I've given it absolutely everything I can along with my backroom team. The way the GAA works is, you might have a three-year term but that means little and I have never stayed in any job where I was not wanted."

O'Mahony has balanced his managerial role with being a Fine Gael TD for the Mayo constituency, but some have doubted whether it is possible to successfully sustain both jobs.

Since O'Mahony took over, he has presided over just two championship wins, against Cavan and Sligo respectively. Mayo have been beaten by Galway in both years of his tenure, and they also went down to Ulster opposition in the qualifiers last year, when they were beaten by Derry by ten points.

"I'm willing to live by my commitment but obviously I'll sit down with the County board and see what they want. It's down to other people. It won't be my decision. It never is," he concluded.

I'm sure the political allegiences of the County Board will not sack their man. Is it a case that the manager wants an out without any political damage? There has been so much spin over the past two years you wouldn't know. Personally I don't think there is anybody out there to replace him. His record has been appalling in championship football but he is probably still the best man in the county for the job.

Anyway for the record here are the results of the year (courtesy of www.mayogaablog.com (P14 W5 D1 L8 F13-164 A 17-132)

FBD Connacht League
Mayo 0-14 NUIG 2-9 (Ballinrobe, 6/1/2008). MAYO: T Higgins; C Moran, BJ Padden, T Howley; C Cafferkey, L O'Malley, K Higgins; J Gill (0-1), P Gardiner (0-3); R Haran, A Dillon (0-2), M Mullins (0-1); B Benson (0-1), A O'Malley (0-5, 2 frees), J Prenty (0-1). Subs: S O'Shea for Haran, A Higgins for Moran.


Mayo 1-12 Sligo IT 1-6 (Charlestown, 13/1/2008). MAYO: S Nallen; J Brogan, BJ Padden (0-1), A Higgins; D Geraghty, T Howley, K Higgins; P Gardiner, S O'Shea; J Gill, A O'Malley (0-1), D Corrigan (0-1); M Mullins (0-2), A Dillon (0-5), B Benson (1-2). Subs: J Kilcullen for O'Shea, O'Shea for Corrigan.


Roscommon 2-8 Mayo 2-14 (Ballinlough, 20/1/2008). MAYO: S Nallen; C Moran, BJ Padden, L O'Malley; D Geraghty, T Howley, C Cafferky; S O'Shea, P Gardiner (0-1); J Gill (0-4), A O'Malley, A Dillon (0-7); M Mullins (1-1), E Varley (0-1), B Benson (1-0). Subs: K Higgins for D Geraghty, A Higgins for C Cafferky, J Kilcullen for B Benson.


National Football League Division 1
Derry 2-9 Mayo 1-9 (Celtic Park, 2/2/2008). MAYO: D Clarke, C Moran, BJ Padden, L O'Malley, C Barrett (0-1), T Howley, K Higgins; S O Shea, P Gardiner; J Gill, A Dillon (0-2), M Mullins (0-1); C Mortimor (1-2), A O'Malley (0-1), A Moran (0-2). Subs: T Cunniffe (for C Moran), D Heaney (for Gill), T Parsons (for Padden).


Mayo 0-16 Donegal 2-11 (McHale Park, 17/2/2008). MAYO: S Nallen; T Cunniffe, BJ Padden, L O'Malley; C Barrett, T Howley, K Higgins (0-2); S O'Shea, P Gardiner; J Gill (0-2), A Dillon (0-3, one free), M Mullins; C Mortimor (0-6, three frees), A O'Malley (0-1), A Moran (0-1). Subs: D Heaney for Cunniffe, T Parsons (0-1) for O'Shea, A Kilcoyne for A O'Malley, T Mortimor for Mullins.


Laois 1-13 Mayo 1-13 (O'Moore Park, Portaoise, 1/3/2008). MAYO: D Clarke; T Cunniffe, BJ Padden, L O'Malley; C Moran, T Howley, K Higgins; D Heaney, J Gill (0-1); P Gardiner (0-2), A Dillon (0-1), M Mullins (0-1, free); C Mortimor (0-2, one free), A O'Malley (0-4), A Moran (1-0, pen). Subs: T Mortimor (0-1) for Dillon, R McGarritty for C Moran, A Kilcoyne (0-1) for Mullins, K Conroy for Padden.


Mayo 0-16 Kerry 1-12 (McHale Park, 16/3/2008). MAYO: D Clarke; T Cunniffe, K Conroy, L O'Malley; D Heaney, T Howley, K Higgins; J Gill (0-1), R McGarritty; P Gardiner, A Dillon (0-2, two frees), T Mortimor; C Mortimor (0-7, five frees), A O'Malley (0-5, one free), A Moran (0-1). Subs: C Boyle for L O'Malley, T Parsons for Gill, P Harte for Dillon.


Kildare 2-8 Mayo 2-14 (St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, 30/3/2008). MAYO: D Clarke, T Cunniffe (0-1), K Conroy, C Boyle; D Heaney, T Howley, K Higgins; R McGarritty (0-1), T Parsons (1-0); J Gill, A Dillon (0-2, two frees), T Mortimor; C Mortimor (0-6, four frees), A O'Malley (0-3), A Moran (1-1). Subs: P Harte for T Mortimor (inj.), M Ronaldson for C Mortimor, B Moran for Dillon.


Mayo 1-11 Galway 2-9 (McHale Park, 6/4/2008). MAYO: D Clarke; T Cunniffe, K Conroy (0-1), C Boyle (0-1); D Heaney (0-1), T Howley, K Higgins; R McGarritty, T Parsons (0-1); J Gill (0-1), A Dillon (0-1, a free), P Harte; C Mortimor (0-2, one free), A O'Malley (0-3, frees), A Moran (1-0). Subs: B Moran for Harte, P Kelly for Cunniffe, M Ronaldson for B Moran.


Tyrone 0-15 Mayo 0-13 (Healy Park, Omagh, 13/4/2008). MAYO: D Clarke; T Cunniffe, K Conroy, C Boyle; D Heaney, T Howley, K Higgins; R McGarritty, T Parsons (0-2); J Gill, A Dillon, A Campbell; C Mortimor (0-6, three frees), A O'Malley (0-4, one free), A Moran. Subs: P Kelly for Cunniffe (inj.), M Mullins for Dillon, A Higgins for Heaney, M Ronaldson (0-1) for Gill, B Benson for Campbell.


Connacht Championship
SEMI-FINAL: Mayo 3-11 Sligo 0-7 (McHale Park, 22/6/2008).  MAYO: David Clarke; Colm Boyle, Kieran Conroy, Keith Higgins; Tom Cunniffe, David Heaney, James Nallen; Ronan McGarritty, Tom Parsons (0-2); Peadar Gardiner, Pat Harte (1-1, goal from a penalty), Trevor Mortimor (1-0); Conor Mortimor (0-5), Austin O'Malley (0-2), Andy Moran. Subs: Aidan Kilcoyne (1-1) for Gardiner, BJ Padden (for O'Malley), Mickey Mullins for Trevor Mortimor, Mark Ronaldson for Conor Mortimor.



FINAL: Mayo 1-14 Galway 2-12 (McHale Park, 13/7/2008). MAYO: David Clarke; Keith Higgins, Kieran Conroy, Colm Boyle; Tom Cunniffe, David Heaney, James Nallen; Ronan McGarritty (0-1), Tom Parsons; Alan Dillon (0-7, five frees), Pat Harte (0-1), Trevor Mortimor (0-1); Conor Mortimor (0-2), Austin O'Malley, Andy Moran. Subs: Aidan Kilcoyne (1-0) for T Mortimor, Aidan Higgins and Peadar Gardiner for Boyle and Conroy, BJ Padden (0-2) for O'Malley, Mark Ronaldson for Parsons.

QUALIFIER Tyrone 0-13 Mayo 1-9

This year has seen a radically reduced fixture calender for HQ. When you take into account concerts, soccer and rugby games is the stadium moving towards a multi-purpose all-seater stadium? Has it been money badly spent?

Just look at the matches that were played there in recent years (and traditionally that have been moved)

- Football League Semi-Finals and Finals.

- Leinster Hurling Semi-Finals.

- Hurling Quarter Finals.

- Qualifier Round 4 Double-Bill

It seems that Leinster hurling is going to move back to the province - could next years final be played in Galway? This years Quarter Finals may not all be in Croke Park. And more and more Leinster football matches not involving Dublin will go to the country. Of course it is realism setting in with vast amounts being spent to develop rural venues but there was a time when there was rarely a Summer weekend with no action in the capital.