Sam Maguire permutations

[Blowitupref]

Round 2 fixtures

Saturday
Cork v Kerry -  3pm  - GAAGO
Westmeath v Galway 5pm
Tyrone v Armagh 7pm  - RTE
Kildare v Dublin 5pm - GAAGO

Sunday

Mayo v Louth 2pm - RTE
Roscommon v Sligo 3pm - GAAGO
Monaghan v Clare 2pm
Donegal v Derry 4pm - RTE

[armaghniac]

Interesting, but completely logical, that RTÉ prefer Armagh to Dublin.

[onefineday]

Interesting, but completely logical, that RTÉ prefer Armagh to Dublin.

Yes, because as a stakeholder in gaago they need it to be a success too and like we've already seen this year, keeping the big games behind the paywall might drive the subscriptions.
Sky did the same, Dublin games were almost always chosen where possible - numbers game...

[seafoid]

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2023/05/23/jim-mcguinness-can-mayo-finally-find-the-consistency-to-go-all-the-way/

Jim McGuinness: Can Mayo finally find the consistency to go all the way?
McStay's side showed in Kerry they possess a kicking game, a running game and a powerful physicality to enable them go man-to-man with any opposition


Jim McGuinness
Tue May 23 2023 - 05:00
Having suffered an early Connacht championship exit, all eyes were on Mayo last Saturday in Killarney to see how they would respond. It didn't take long to get our answer.
From the first minute until the last they were really switched on. When the final whistle went, the thought struck me that we could be looking at the team with the best athletic profile in the country – they have size, speed, power and agility, all built upon a serious aerobic base.
On an afternoon when they entered the back yard of the All-Ireland champions and left with a decisive victory, having become the first team since 1995 to beat Kerry in a championship match at Fitzgerald Stadium, their opening score summed up Mayo's blueprint.
Just four minutes in, Seán O'Shea was turned over in the middle of the field and the visitors immediately set off on a blistering transitional attack, with strong running and rapid interplay involving Jordan Flynn, Matthew Ruane and eventually Jamie Carr, who forced a fine save from Shane Ryan. But Ryan O'Donoghue pounced on the rebound and popped over Mayo's first score. The speed at which they carved Kerry open was hugely impressive.

Mayo's confidence is probably their biggest asset. Different managers have come and gone, but the same mentality has remained and it allows them to play on the front foot against any opposition. It empowers them to kick the ball and go toe-to-toe in man-to-man situations all over the pitch.
Much of this is based on a belief system. Quarter of an hour in, Ryan moved out from the Kerry goal to collect a free. He then carried possession forward to the middle of the field, unchallenged, with Mayo players instead concentrating on their men – there were five man-to-man situations inside their defensive 45. And no safety net.
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Paudie Clifford sought to take advantage and made an incision, but immediately three Mayo players – including Aidan O'Shea – released from their man and swallowed up the Kerry forward, turned him over and won a free. Just 31 seconds later, Pádraig O'Hora fisted the ball over the Kerry crossbar, as Paul Geaney tried and failed to keep pace with the hard-running Mayo defender. It was another example of their brilliant transitional football.
That snapshot encapsulates the dynamic nature of how they can play the game, it's an example of Mayo's biggest strength but also possibly their biggest weakness. They can be absolutely devastating in full flight, but they always give you chances. For me that point goes to the heart of why Mayo have been such an enigma over the last 10-15 years.
It's a risk-reward system, one that facilitates an awful lot of open passages of play. With this man-to-man approach, what Mayo are really saying is: 'We're as good as you, we're not afraid of you, we are going to take you on and let's see who is left standing'.
There is no better analogy than boxing, it's the best man and the last man standing. That's the way Mayo approach much of their football.

Mayo's Aidan O'Shea with Jason Foley of Kerry in Killarney. O'Shea provides a strong focal point for the Mayo forwards. Photograph: Evan Treacy/Inpho
Their game plan is akin to Kerry and Dublin's at their best. The only thing that has differentiated those three teams in recent history has been Mayo's lack of a marquee forward. At times, Kerry and Dublin have had a couple in their ranks at the same time. It makes you wonder how many All-Irelands Mayo could have secured by now had they even one?
They still do not have that marquee forward, but in O'Shea they certainly have a player that gives their forward line a strong focal point.
One particular phase of play, which I think might be crucial to Mayo's ambitions this summer, was evident just before the half-hour mark. Kerry had 15 men defending, but rather than slowing the play down Ruane brought real directness and burst through the defensive lines. He beat four players before slipping the ball to Carr, who kicked a really good point.
We have known for many years now that Mayo can kick the ball and run it, but finding a way to unpick 15-man defensive structures has been a problem. If they have solved that puzzle now too, it will allow them to keep the scoreboard ticking over in big matches.
They also showed bravery with kick-outs last weekend. Midway through the first half there was a strong press of seven Mayo players against five Kerry defenders, which forced Ryan to go long. And that is what Mayo wanted him to do, they wanted to force a 50-50. Seán O'Shea plucked the ball from the sky in that instance, but it still demonstrated Mayo's willingness to take risks in a bid to force the game.
That all ties in with their physical profile – because once the ball goes long they are confident they have the speed and power to compete in those battles.
Kevin McStay's side have a lot of tools at their disposal, a kicking game, a running game, and the capacity to go man-to-man with any opposition. But it is their physical profile which possibly gives them an advantage over all their rivals.
If Mayo are to do the unthinkable this year, retaining the blueprint they laid down in Killarney is going to be central to that journey. They genuinely carry a scoring threat from all over the pitch and the hope within the dressingroom must be that the sum of their parts combines to negate the lack of that marquee forward.
However, as always with Mayo, the story is not about one stand-alone game. We have seen plenty of these epic performances over the years. We already know they have the capacity to match up and beat the best in the country.
Are they good enough is not the question. The question is about consistency. Have they got the capacity to repeat the trick four or five times in a row? We'll soon find out.

[thewobbler]

There's a seam in this Mayo team that runs all the way back to when Jimmy ruined football. Indeed they were the lads that finally put Jimmy to bed (2014 I think) with a savage beating in Croke. Some 12-13 years of football have taken place in that time, and Mayo have been right at the forefront of competitiveness in most every season. All without a marquee forward.

Every man, woman and dog on the street has enjoyed watching Mayo during this time. It's high energy football based on belief and personal responsibility.

If everyone tried to play football like that, we'd have the greatest game of all. Yet every club and county team across Ireland has instead tried to emulate Jimmy's "formula". All because it worked once, just happening to do so just before the great Dublin team came along.

Shame on you coaches of Ireland. Shame on you.

[statto]

Round 2 fixtures

Saturday
Cork v Kerry -  3pm  - GAAGO
Westmeath v Galway 5pm
Tyrone v Armagh 7pm  - RTE
Kildare v Dublin 5pm - GAAGO

Sunday

Mayo v Louth 2pm - RTE
Roscommon v Sligo 3pm - GAAGO
Monaghan v Clare 2pm
Donegal v Derry 4pm - RTE

Fixtures nicely spread on the Saturday with a game at 3, 5 and 7 will allow neutrals to put the day in rightly.  Be interesting to see what Donegal turns up not normally easy beat at home and i'm sure will gain some confidence from second half against Clare. 

[CK_Redhand]

It's clear the goal is now profit maximisation rather than the most games to the most viewers. The RTE vested interest in GaaGo is sick.

[seafoid]

It's clear the goal is now profit maximisation rather than the most games to the most viewers. The RTE vested interest in GaaGo is sick.

If the goal was profit maximisation the 30 or so matches screened by RTE would not be free to air.
The profit GAAGO makes is marginal.

[J70]

There's a seam in this Mayo team that runs all the way back to when Jimmy ruined football. Indeed they were the lads that finally put Jimmy to bed (2014 I think) with a savage beating in Croke. Some 12-13 years of football have taken place in that time, and Mayo have been right at the forefront of competitiveness in most every season. All without a marquee forward.

Every man, woman and dog on the street has enjoyed watching Mayo during this time. It's high energy football based on belief and personal responsibility.

If everyone tried to play football like that, we'd have the greatest game of all. Yet every club and county team across Ireland has instead tried to emulate Jimmy's "formula". All because it worked once, just happening to do so just before the great Dublin team came along.

Shame on you coaches of Ireland. Shame on you.

Small point of correction: Mayo hammered Donegal in 2013. Donegal came back the following year to make the final after beating Dublin. Fortunately, we didn't play Mayo that year. They've had our number since 2012. Hope they finally win it this year.

[Captain Obvious]

There’s a seam in this Mayo team that runs all the way back to when Jimmy ruined football. Indeed they were the lads that finally put Jimmy to bed (2014 I think) with a savage beating in Croke. Some 12-13 years of football have taken place in that time, and Mayo have been right at the forefront of competitiveness in most every season. All without a marquee forward.

Every man, woman and dog on the street has enjoyed watching Mayo during this time. It’s high energy football based on belief and personal responsibility.

If everyone tried to play football like that, we’d have the greatest game of all. Yet every club and county team across Ireland has instead tried to emulate Jimmy’s “formula”. All because it worked once, just happening to do so just before the great Dublin team came along.

Shame on you coaches of Ireland. Shame on you.

Club teams was playing defensive football long before Jim McGuinness became manager of Donegal. The way Donegal played in 2012 and the win against Dublin in 2014 was good but couldn't be copied at club level as it takes serious fitness and conditioning.  Likewise Mayo style of full of running whereby their team is filled high conditioned athletes who have the physical strength, speed, or endurance to carry out that style of play.

Even the top level club teams have lads with bellies and big asses on them they'd be gassed within 20 minutes trying to copy what Mayo did on Saturday.

[greatpoint]

There's a seam in this Mayo team that runs all the way back to when Jimmy ruined football. Indeed they were the lads that finally put Jimmy to bed (2014 I think) with a savage beating in Croke. Some 12-13 years of football have taken place in that time, and Mayo have been right at the forefront of competitiveness in most every season. All without a marquee forward.

Every man, woman and dog on the street has enjoyed watching Mayo during this time. It's high energy football based on belief and personal responsibility.

If everyone tried to play football like that, we'd have the greatest game of all. Yet every club and county team across Ireland has instead tried to emulate Jimmy's "formula". All because it worked once, just happening to do so just before the great Dublin team came along.

Shame on you coaches of Ireland. Shame on you.

This is almost entirely made up

[omagh_gael]

After round one half complete we can begin to see the importance of finishing 2nd for the preliminary qfs. With tyrone and Kerry losing we can safely assume they won't be finishing 1st. Very strong possibility of Dublin and Derry topping their groups so we could see the following in the preliminary.

2nd Place

Tyrone (choosing tyrone as a i have them slight favs home advantage plus 2 week break)
Kerry
Monaghan (putting them ahead of Donegal)
Rossies

3rd Place

Louth/Cork
Armagh
Kildare
Donegal

Going to be a huge advantage securing 2nd over 3rd place, slipping into 3rd suddenly makes getting to the QFs a huge ask. Who is going to fancy a trip to Kilarney or Clones in a do or die game?

[Rossfan]

Mind you with  Ros' home Championship record we might be better getting an away fixture!
Topping the Group means avoiding 3 games in successive weekends.

[Armagh18]

After round one half complete we can begin to see the importance of finishing 2nd for the preliminary qfs. With tyrone and Kerry losing we can safely assume they won't be finishing 1st. Very strong possibility of Dublin and Derry topping their groups so we could see the following in the preliminary.

2nd Place

Tyrone (choosing tyrone as a i have them slight favs home advantage plus 2 week break)
Kerry
Monaghan (putting them ahead of Donegal)
Rossies

3rd Place

Louth/Cork
Armagh
Kildare
Donegal

Going to be a huge advantage securing 2nd over 3rd place, slipping into 3rd suddenly makes getting to the QFs a huge ask. Who is going to fancy a trip to Kilarney or Clones in a do or die game?

Yeah massive advantage finishing first (obviously) but much more important to come second rather than third looking at that. We'll obviously be aiming to top the group but a big ask to beat both Galway and Tyrone.

[statto]

After round one half complete we can begin to see the importance of finishing 2nd for the preliminary qfs. With tyrone and Kerry losing we can safely assume they won't be finishing 1st. Very strong possibility of Dublin and Derry topping their groups so we could see the following in the preliminary.

2nd Place

Tyrone (choosing tyrone as a i have them slight favs home advantage plus 2 week break)
Kerry
Monaghan (putting them ahead of Donegal)
Rossies

3rd Place

Louth/Cork
Armagh
Kildare
Donegal

Going to be a huge advantage securing 2nd over 3rd place, slipping into 3rd suddenly makes getting to the QFs a huge ask. Who is going to fancy a trip to Kilarney or Clones in a do or die game?

Yeah massive advantage finishing first (obviously) but much more important to come second rather than third looking at that. We'll obviously be aiming to top the group but a big ask to beat both Galway and Tyrone.

Would agree with that.  With no repeat pairings if Armagh finished third 1/3 chance of Kerry away and the rossies or monaghan while winnable games be tough on the road.