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So the real stuff gets underway for James Horan.

A good FBD League and the 50ish players involved to date will have to be culled. I think there will be trial and error involved in getting the best team out and this is a 2/3 year project now. I like what I see so far though even if Div 1 survival will be tough.

Home games are going to be crucial and we have 4 so lets hope that helps us.

A guess at team? Its impossible to know. From talking to a few players it is definitely a case of thinking towards Summer rather than short term goals like the last few years.

Maybe I'm too negative, but I think that the first three games (against Down, Kerry and Galway)will decide our league this year and I have a genuine fear that we could end up with nothing from any of them.

However, the lads could also be 'up for it' especially as we face the All-Ireland finalists from last year and Horan's first league game in charge, let's hope so anyway. I still think Down will win, I hope I'm wrong obviously but it's going to be impossible to call a starting 15 for Mayo this early.

we have 4 away games all as tough as they come. mayo, the dubs, kerry and cork all away. we'll prob need to get a result in 1 of those to stay in div 1. so heres hoping for a win next wk to get the season of to a great start. any good watering holes in castlebar?

Quote from: SHEEDY on January 30, 2011, 08:34:36 PM
we have 4 away games all as tough as they come. mayo, the dubs, kerry and cork all away. we'll prob need to get a result in 1 of those to stay in div 1. so heres hoping for a win next wk to get the season of to a great start. any good watering holes in castlebar?

Loads of them SHEEDY, stick around Linenhall Street, Rush Street and up as far as Byrnes on Main Street and you won't go far wrong. Head down to Johnny's on Newantrim Street as well if you have time, its at the same end of town which is the easy end for getting up to the ground.

As Barney said without even knowing a panel to choose from its impossible to pick a Mayo 15 that Horan would be likely to go with. I'd like to see him mix a bit of the old and new - in these seven league games as far as I'm concerned he has nothing to lose anyway.

Here is the kind of 15 I would like to see out (obviously not a prediction of what might be picked):

                Clarke

Hallinan      Killeen    Higgins

Barrett    Cafferkey  McLoughlin

     Gibbons      McGarrity

Campbell  C Freeman  Dillon

A Moran  A Freeman  Ronaldson

...in other words a fair injection of freshness to the lineup from the JOM days but with experience in every line of the pitch as well to bring them on. If there is a panel of 30 picked later this week it will give us a better idea of Horan's mindset for the league campaign at least.

I can't see Chris Barrett or David Killeen starting just yet. Very hard team to pick.

Quote from: SHEEDY on January 30, 2011, 08:34:36 PM
we have 4 away games all as tough as they come. mayo, the dubs, kerry and cork all away. we'll prob need to get a result in 1 of those to stay in div 1. so heres hoping for a win next wk to get the season of to a great start. any good watering holes in castlebar?

Head to Ballina for the watering Sheedy.

Couldn't make the game in Ballinamore unfortunately and I would have liked a look at few players again. I like Cosmo Kramer's team but I d tweak it a biteen. Clarkey unlikely to feature -injured- as well.I m assuming the 2 O Sés not ready for this either as well as others like Parsons.  We don't know what the management have in mind (and we can be sure they have something definite in mind) but I would welcome a largely 'breath of fresh air' team like this.
O Malley, Hallinan, R Feeney, McLoughlin, Higgins, Cafferkey, Burke, B.Moran, R McGarrity, Campbell, C. Freeman, Dillon, Varley, Freeman, Ronaldson.

We all know what the Andys and Trevors and Peadars have to offer at this stage and they should have the experience to knit in when and if they are needed.

Quote from: moysider on January 30, 2011, 10:51:33 PM

Quote from: SHEEDY on January 30, 2011, 08:34:36 PM
we have 4 away games all as tough as they come. mayo, the dubs, kerry and cork all away. we'll prob need to get a result in 1 of those to stay in div 1. so heres hoping for a win next wk to get the season of to a great start. any good watering holes in castlebar?

Head to Ballina for the watering Sheedy.

Couldn't make the game in Ballinamore unfortunately and I would have liked a look at few players again. I like Cosmo Kramer's team but I d tweak it a biteen. Clarkey unlikely to feature -injured- as well.I m assuming the 2 O Sés not ready for this either as well as others like Parsons.  We don't know what the management have in mind (and we can be sure they have something definite in mind) but I would welcome a largely 'breath of fresh air' team like this.
O Malley, Hallinan, R Feeney, McLoughlin, Higgins, Cafferkey, Burke, B.Moran, R McGarrity, Campbell, C. Freeman, Dillon, Varley, Freeman, Ronaldson.

We all know what the Andys and Trevors and Peadars have to offer at this stage and they should have the experience to knit in when and if they are needed.

I'd go along with that team nearly in its entirety. But would sway towards Hennelly in goal with Jason Gibbons at midfield with Barry Moran as I would lump McGarrity into the same category as the Andys and Peadars. Would agree to trying Higgins at five but with certain reservations. Wouldn't be too disappointed to see Killeen at full-back either with Richie Feeney in the corner.

Quote from: RedandGreenSniper on January 30, 2011, 10:55:50 PM

Quote from: moysider on January 30, 2011, 10:51:33 PM

Quote from: SHEEDY on January 30, 2011, 08:34:36 PM
we have 4 away games all as tough as they come. mayo, the dubs, kerry and cork all away. we'll prob need to get a result in 1 of those to stay in div 1. so heres hoping for a win next wk to get the season of to a great start. any good watering holes in castlebar?

Head to Ballina for the watering Sheedy.

Couldn't make the game in Ballinamore unfortunately and I would have liked a look at few players again. I like Cosmo Kramer's team but I d tweak it a biteen. Clarkey unlikely to feature -injured- as well.I m assuming the 2 O Sés not ready for this either as well as others like Parsons.  We don't know what the management have in mind (and we can be sure they have something definite in mind) but I would welcome a largely 'breath of fresh air' team like this.
O Malley, Hallinan, R Feeney, McLoughlin, Higgins, Cafferkey, Burke, B.Moran, R McGarrity, Campbell, C. Freeman, Dillon, Varley, Freeman, Ronaldson.

We all know what the Andys and Trevors and Peadars have to offer at this stage and they should have the experience to knit in when and if they are needed.

I'd go along with that team nearly in its entirety. But would sway towards Hennelly in goal with Jason Gibbons at midfield with Barry Moran as I would lump McGarrity into the same category as the Andys and Peadars. Would agree to trying Higgins at five but with certain reservations. Wouldn't be too disappointed to see Killeen at full-back either with Richie Feeney in the corner.

Yeah. Killeen looked promising and I think Feeney should start. I d start McGarrity because I still think he is probably best midfielder we have to get a grip around the middle. We need to keep the core strong with likes of Higgins, Dillon,  McGar in the team. I think we need to be very competitive around the middle for this team to take off. I like Gibbons and he ll come along. But it is unbelievable that we find ourselves in such a lurch with such a small core to call on.
  Down might not be the worst team to start off with. I expect us to be hungry while Down are too cool and successful to be hungry in February. We ll wait and see what team Down put out ( and ourselves for that matter) before we talk about match-ups and tactics and stuff. Really looking forward to this game I have to say.

Quote from: moysider on January 30, 2011, 11:16:48 PM

Quote from: RedandGreenSniper on January 30, 2011, 10:55:50 PM

Quote from: moysider on January 30, 2011, 10:51:33 PM

Quote from: SHEEDY on January 30, 2011, 08:34:36 PM
we have 4 away games all as tough as they come. mayo, the dubs, kerry and cork all away. we'll prob need to get a result in 1 of those to stay in div 1. so heres hoping for a win next wk to get the season of to a great start. any good watering holes in castlebar?

Head to Ballina for the watering Sheedy.

Couldn't make the game in Ballinamore unfortunately and I would have liked a look at few players again. I like Cosmo Kramer's team but I d tweak it a biteen. Clarkey unlikely to feature -injured- as well.I m assuming the 2 O Sés not ready for this either as well as others like Parsons.  We don't know what the management have in mind (and we can be sure they have something definite in mind) but I would welcome a largely 'breath of fresh air' team like this.
O Malley, Hallinan, R Feeney, McLoughlin, Higgins, Cafferkey, Burke, B.Moran, R McGarrity, Campbell, C. Freeman, Dillon, Varley, Freeman, Ronaldson.

We all know what the Andys and Trevors and Peadars have to offer at this stage and they should have the experience to knit in when and if they are needed.

I'd go along with that team nearly in its entirety. But would sway towards Hennelly in goal with Jason Gibbons at midfield with Barry Moran as I would lump McGarrity into the same category as the Andys and Peadars. Would agree to trying Higgins at five but with certain reservations. Wouldn't be too disappointed to see Killeen at full-back either with Richie Feeney in the corner.

Yeah. Killeen looked promising and I think Feeney should start. I d start McGarrity because I still think he is probably best midfielder we have to get a grip around the middle. We need to keep the core strong with likes of Higgins, Dillon,  McGar in the team. I think we need to be very competitive around the middle for this team to take off. I like Gibbons and he ll come along. But it is unbelievable that we find ourselves in such a lurch with such a small core to call on.
  Down might not be the worst team to start off with. I expect us to be hungry while Down are too cool and successful to be hungry in February. We ll wait and see what team Down put out ( and ourselves for that matter) before we talk about match-ups and tactics and stuff. Really looking forward to this game I have to say.

Problem is Ronan is hardly likely to kill himself with effort in February either, although he ought to do so with a glance over his shoulder to the competition. But maybe he might work better with Gibbons than Moran and Gibbons. We'll see. Yeah incredible to see how few key men we have. While there are maybe five lads who willl probably start in championship that we could name now (Clarke, Higgins, Cafferkey, McGarrity and Dillon), Dillon is the only one I could say is a nailed on certainty. That's no bad thing in terms of competition for places but just goes to show how much tatters this side was left in.

Quote from: RedandGreenSniper on January 30, 2011, 11:54:21 PM

Quote from: moysider on January 30, 2011, 11:16:48 PM

Quote from: RedandGreenSniper on January 30, 2011, 10:55:50 PM

Quote from: moysider on January 30, 2011, 10:51:33 PM

Quote from: SHEEDY on January 30, 2011, 08:34:36 PM
we have 4 away games all as tough as they come. mayo, the dubs, kerry and cork all away. we'll prob need to get a result in 1 of those to stay in div 1. so heres hoping for a win next wk to get the season of to a great start. any good watering holes in castlebar?

Head to Ballina for the watering Sheedy.

Couldn't make the game in Ballinamore unfortunately and I would have liked a look at few players again. I like Cosmo Kramer's team but I d tweak it a biteen. Clarkey unlikely to feature -injured- as well.I m assuming the 2 O Sés not ready for this either as well as others like Parsons.  We don't know what the management have in mind (and we can be sure they have something definite in mind) but I would welcome a largely 'breath of fresh air' team like this.
O Malley, Hallinan, R Feeney, McLoughlin, Higgins, Cafferkey, Burke, B.Moran, R McGarrity, Campbell, C. Freeman, Dillon, Varley, Freeman, Ronaldson.

We all know what the Andys and Trevors and Peadars have to offer at this stage and they should have the experience to knit in when and if they are needed.

I'd go along with that team nearly in its entirety. But would sway towards Hennelly in goal with Jason Gibbons at midfield with Barry Moran as I would lump McGarrity into the same category as the Andys and Peadars. Would agree to trying Higgins at five but with certain reservations. Wouldn't be too disappointed to see Killeen at full-back either with Richie Feeney in the corner.

Yeah. Killeen looked promising and I think Feeney should start. I d start McGarrity because I still think he is probably best midfielder we have to get a grip around the middle. We need to keep the core strong with likes of Higgins, Dillon,  McGar in the team. I think we need to be very competitive around the middle for this team to take off. I like Gibbons and he ll come along. But it is unbelievable that we find ourselves in such a lurch with such a small core to call on.
  Down might not be the worst team to start off with. I expect us to be hungry while Down are too cool and successful to be hungry in February. We ll wait and see what team Down put out ( and ourselves for that matter) before we talk about match-ups and tactics and stuff. Really looking forward to this game I have to say.

Problem is Ronan is hardly likely to kill himself with effort in February either, although he ought to do so with a glance over his shoulder to the competition. But maybe he might work better with Gibbons than Moran and Gibbons. We'll see. Yeah incredible to see how few key men we have. While there are maybe five lads who willl probably start in championship that we could name now (Clarke, Higgins, Cafferkey, McGarrity and Dillon), Dillon is the only one I could say is a nailed on certainty. That's no bad thing in terms of competition for places but just goes to show how much tatters this side was left in.

Indeed. Ronaldson is a go to player in this squad now without ever being a regular. Ok, its early days and we have to wait for a panel, never mind a starting 15 for next Saturday but we might find that this management has done more team building and worked on team ethic in a few months than the previous did in ..... well if they were there for ever. Wish I was in Ballinamore to see, because no matter what anybody says, to get a result like that with a team playing together for the first time is good going.

honestly don't know what to expect of this game, read the sunday world division 1 review yesterday and they reckon Down will be lucky to stay in the top flight, avoiding relegation on the last day, couldn't really argue with that tbh

There is a lot of talk about K Higgins on the thread; im not sure if he is even in contention to start. He was very shaky against Roscommon, looked rusty and not in great shape. Whereas he may feature later in the league or in the championship, im not sure will he start at the weekend.

My teams would be shaping up as follows:

               O Malley (Clarke defo inj ??)

Hallinan     Alan Feeney/Killeen     Richie Feeney
Gardiner     Cafferkey     McLoughlin

Or he may choose Cafferkey in the full back line as its a little in experienced so it could be

Hallinan     Cafferkey     Richie Feeney
Gardiner     Cunneffe/Howley     McLoughlin


Midfield, judging on performances so far:

     Gibbons      McGarrity

Forwards, again going by performances:

Campbell     Dillon     A Moran

Aidan O Shea     A Freeman     Ronaldson


Id say Douglas, Varley and Doherty are all in contention too. Its so hard to call

s an almost impossible team to pick. HOE
rAN HAS usd so amnt player an so mant plaers are still with their colleges you nearly forget about all of them .
so i think what ever team is out it will be experimental. a mixture some guys in last chance saloon like cafferkey AOM kieren conroy  a selection of the new guys and hopefuly backboned by  expeience.
its important to give peole a fair chance but its time decisions were made and the squad cut a manageable size.
im loding trasck of all the names being bandied about now
like who is Duggan where from where does he play?.
my team for the crack
o malley
C barret K keane Higgins
Gardiner Howley Mcloughlin
Gibbons      McGarrity
campbell  ronaldson a o SE
a freeman B moran a moran

Quote from: rosnarun on January 31, 2011, 10:45:20 PM
s an almost impossible team to pick. HOE
rAN HAS usd so amnt player an so mant plaers are still with their colleges you nearly forget about all of them .
so i think what ever team is out it will be experimental. a mixture some guys in last chance saloon like cafferkey AOM kieren conroy  a selection of the new guys and hopefuly backboned by  expeience.
its important to give peole a fair chance but its time decisions were made and the squad cut a manageable size.
im loding trasck of all the names being bandied about now
like who is Duggan where from where does he play?.
my team for the crack
o malley
C barret K keane Higgins
Gardiner Howley Mcloughlin
Gibbons      McGarrity
campbell  ronaldson a o SE
a freeman B moran a moran

Took a fair bit of effort to make sense of the some of those sentences  :D
No idea who Duggan is - think Abbeysider got the name mixed up.

On the team you named, I wouldn't have either Barrett or Higgins in the corners - Hallinan and Richie Feeney would be my picks.
I think Kevin Keane could do well at FB alright, but it's a long time since I saw him play there so can't say that with much confidence.
I don't know why you think Cafferkey would be in the last chance saloon?? He has been our best performer at FB since Heaney, even though I don't think he's entirely convincing there.

The half-back isn't bad but I'd have Higgins on one wing, Vaughan if fit on another wing (or possibly CHB) and Howley.
Agree on the midfield, Gibbons is an excellent kick passer, if he can perform consistently he'll be a real asset. Bit of a concern himself and McGarrity might be a bit similar, neither a grafter type really. But would like to see them tried anyway.

I wouldn't put Ronaldson as CHF, primarily due to his size, but also because he's been scoring heavily inside so may as well leave him in there. I'dagree on Campbell, always liked his physicality and he's not lacking in scoring ability either.
Would have my doubts about AOS on the wing - doesn't really have the pace for that. I think he needs to be in a central position - either CHF or more likely FF.
I'd have Dillon and Cathal Freeman in the half forward line along with Campbell. Dillon is proven, Freeman to see how he gets on.
FF line, I'd have Varley, A Freeman and Ronnie. Andy Moran is a great worker but is not a heavy scorer and i don't think he's ever played well in the corner - he's half forward or not in starting line-up IMO.
I saw Varley against the Rossies in Ballyhaunis and he was excellent. He was always making himself available, if the ball is sent in early and fast, he'll win more than his fair share.
I think himself and Ronnie would thrive off ball put in fast to the wings, or won by A Freeman.

Won't be at the Down match - have something else on that weekend. Raging I'll miss it.
Hope to find a pub in Doolin with Setanta Sports 1!

Quote from: rosnarun on January 31, 2011, 11:09:52 PM

Quote from: Tubberman on January 31, 2011, 11:09:52 PM
like who is Duggan where from where does he play?.

Took a fair bit of effort to make sense of the some of those sentences  :D

Typo, meant Neil Douglas who is doing well with NIUG ;)  :P

BTW Ros are you taking the piss a bit with your team?

i have good time for Douglas i think long term he could well be a sterter for mayo as im sure will C o'Connor .
I Prefer to see A oSe out a bit from goal  as he has loads of pace Its just the first step or so can see him tied up a bit and he can look ver akward at full forward.
Cafferkey has beena a disaster for Mayo ,I would have a list of 5 or 6 players to try out iat Full back before id give him another shot. the Guy has hands of stone . and ging him an exteded run has not helped matters
As for ronaldson he is the best footnaller nayo have at present and is capable of making a star out of any half decent inside forward
no Joke abbeysider there were other name id love to fit in there but only 15 can be chosen my subs would be Kilcullen , vaughan, dillion C freeman varley lee keegan. Jason Doherty's 3-3 would suggest he worh a look.

abbeysider, who in particular would do you want to start a row about

jeysus down's injury list is a long one going by the irish news today, McCartan, Rafferty, Duffin, rodgers, Garvey, McArdle, Rooney and Liam Lennon all out

McComiskey - Injured ?
Colgan -  Suspended

seen on hoganstand mccomisky is meant to be injured

never heard about colgan, i know they were to appeal it but never heard anything more, be lucky to have 15 out at this stage

Lump on Mayo then?

yeah id be inclined to lump on Mayo. It really will be a depleted Down team travelling down there. Might see some strange positional shuffling to plug a few holes.
If Down come out of there with anything other than a defeat id be suprised. Who knows, maybe the firepower up front might do damage but if Mayo are serious this year they would want to put away an experimental Down side.

Has big King had an outing this year at all ?

Quote from: fitzroyalty on February 01, 2011, 04:10:46 PM
Lump on Mayo then?

would agree with brick, put the house and all it's negative equity on mayo to win... what's the odds anyway?

Quote from: Banana Man on February 01, 2011, 04:42:27 PM

Quote from: fitzroyalty on February 01, 2011, 04:10:46 PM
Lump on Mayo then?

would agree with brick, put the house and all it's negative equity on mayo to win... what's the odds anyway?

cant agree with that at all. LUMP ON are you having a laugh. think you'd have to make mayo slight favs but if down can break even at midfield theyll have more than enough up front to put mayo away.

Ah hey, Down for all their injuries are still way ahead of us as regards team selection etc. I'm sure James McCartan has his game-plan ingrained into his team whereas Mayo have only played against GMIT, Roscommon (who didn't bother to play with 20 mins left) and Leitrim (who didn't bother to play at all). Oh yes, they got to the All-Ireland final last year too so should be too experienced for this Mayo team who are in major transition.

With two teams facing challenges this is a big game for survival. Down went off like a rocket in Newbridge last year but unlikely to see that on Saturday. Mayo also got some good early results but stuttered towards the end and were poor against Cork in the final.
The Down defensive selection will be fun but Mayo don't have the quality of Benny, Marty and Danny- Down by 2.

Downs defence selection will indeed be fun, pick out the hat job at that this stage. 

If down can break even at midfield they have a good chance but i fear that with the defence so short and the enthusiasm the mayo boys will be playing with under a new manager as well as home advantage will take them home with a few points to spare.

I think we have more than enough to stay in the division if we can get some of our defenders back with 3 winnable home games. 

Quote from: Farrandeelin on February 01, 2011, 08:10:19 PM
Ah hey, Down for all their injuries are still way ahead of us as regards team selection etc. I'm sure James McCartan has his game-plan ingrained into his team whereas Mayo have only played against GMIT, Roscommon (who didn't bother to play with 20 mins left) and Leitrim (who didn't bother to play at all). Oh yes, they got to the All-Ireland final last year too so should be too experienced for this Mayo team who are in major transition.

It s no fluke that Mayo have managed to stay reasonably comfortably in Div 1 all these years. I expect it to stay that way. From what I have seen so far we are ahead of last year when we finished in the last 2 standing. Down had a great run last summer but they have to do it all again now starting at a higher level. As well as that coaches know their players inside out now and they may find it tough enough.

Sounds like Parsons and AOS are back in the Mayo fold after colleges duty and in with a shout for some game time this weekend. Parsons has the game but he needs to be willing to add a bit of drive and fight for the dirty ball around midfield this year. Hopefully AOS is over his second season syndrome and has shaped up a bit, he didn't kick on last season at all.

Quote from: Cosmo Kramer on February 01, 2011, 10:52:48 PM
Sounds like Parsons and AOS are back in the Mayo fold after colleges duty and in with a shout for some game time this weekend. Parsons has the game but he needs to be willing to add a bit of drive and fight for the dirty ball around midfield this year. Hopefully AOS is over his second season syndrome and has shaped up a bit, he didn't kick on last season at all.

Good stuff. Players with reserves of ability. Horan's problem is how and where to play all these guys. Because the average Mayo fan will want all the names they recognise on the team sheet and to hell with the rest of it. What to do? It s not bad place to be in if he holds his nerve. And instead of cramming individuals into a team, he comes up with tactics and shape and has these guys willing and able to slot in when needed.

i doubt james horan will be concerned about what the fans think. Good luck to all on saturday night, its good to see a fresh start.

Well, the fun begins at the weekend and I wish James and his players the very best for this game and for what lies ahead. I'm pleased to see that Campbell, O'Malley and Kilcullen feature in his plans.
Don't know what happened between any of those lads and John O'Mahony but whatever it was is best left in the past. I suppose it's going to take some considerable time for any sort of a settled side to emerge and this game won't tell us very much but a win would be as good a way as any to start Horan's managerial career.

Quote from: moysider on February 01, 2011, 11:18:08 PM

Quote from: Cosmo Kramer on February 01, 2011, 10:52:48 PM
Sounds like Parsons and AOS are back in the Mayo fold after colleges duty and in with a shout for some game time this weekend. Parsons has the game but he needs to be willing to add a bit of drive and fight for the dirty ball around midfield this year. Hopefully AOS is over his second season syndrome and has shaped up a bit, he didn't kick on last season at all.

Good stuff. Players with reserves of ability. Horan's problem is how and where to play all these guys. Because the average Mayo fan will want all the names they recognise on the team sheet and to hell with the rest of it. What to do? It s not bad place to be in if he holds his nerve. And instead of cramming individuals into a team, he comes up with tactics and shape and has these guys willing and able to slot in when needed.

Quote from: mannix on February 02, 2011, 12:05:39 AM
i doubt james horan will be concerned about what the fans think. Good luck to all on saturday night, its good to see a fresh start.

Well said Mannix, you beat me to it.

Pandering to the layman Mayo fans ideals, (the majority of which know next to nothing about club football and players in the county); with (so called) big names based on (so called) reputations on a teamsheet is the last thing Horan would be trying to do.

FFS I thought we would have left that crap behind us after JOMs exit, after he was picking players based on reputations from every small town in Mayo to insure a vote. Should it even be on the radar to go back to those days?

Im surprised that even entered your head Moy.

Really looking forward to Saturday and to the new season.

The management have to be left at this and work through the problems they have inherited. Of course things are going to be disjointed but they need to be given time and judgement will have to be made in 2 or 3 years, not this year even.

Impossible to predict a result on Saturday. Our aim has to be to stay in Division 1 and so this is one of the "must win" games but as we know the league throws up funny results. It is not the end of the world if we lose, it is not a bright new era if we win.

I wonder will JOM be canvassing outside?

No white smoke from the proposed kickaround with the U21's last night?

Quote from: AbbeySider on February 02, 2011, 10:35:58 AM

Quote from: moysider on February 01, 2011, 11:18:08 PM

Quote from: Cosmo Kramer on February 01, 2011, 10:52:48 PM
Sounds like Parsons and AOS are back in the Mayo fold after colleges duty and in with a shout for some game time this weekend. Parsons has the game but he needs to be willing to add a bit of drive and fight for the dirty ball around midfield this year. Hopefully AOS is over his second season syndrome and has shaped up a bit, he didn't kick on last season at all.

Good stuff. Players with reserves of ability. Horan's problem is how and where to play all these guys. Because the average Mayo fan will want all the names they recognise on the team sheet and to hell with the rest of it. What to do? It s not bad place to be in if he holds his nerve. And instead of cramming individuals into a team, he comes up with tactics and shape and has these guys willing and able to slot in when needed.

Quote from: mannix on February 02, 2011, 12:05:39 AM
i doubt james horan will be concerned about what the fans think. Good luck to all on saturday night, its good to see a fresh start.

Well said Mannix, you beat me to it.

Pandering to the layman Mayo fans ideals, (the majority of which know next to nothing about club football and players in the county); with (so called) big names based on (so called) reputations on a teamsheet is the last thing Horan would be trying to do.

FFS I thought we would have left that crap behind us after JOMs exit, after he was picking players based on reputations from every small town in Mayo to insure a vote. Should it even be on the radar to go back to those days?

Im surprised that even entered your head Moy.

Yeah. I can see how I came accross there. What I meant was that the usual bullshit with the fans will start now if a bit of interest gets goin. We seem to be a people that like stars scattered liberally about the field on a Summer's day rather than a team of substance. As you say the majority of fans know or care little of club games and club players and name recognition and reputation is what they go on. I wouldn't for a moment think that Horan would pander to that but it probably will be there.

Quote from: AbbeySider on February 02, 2011, 10:35:58 AM

Quote from: moysider on February 01, 2011, 11:18:08 PM

Quote from: Cosmo Kramer on February 01, 2011, 10:52:48 PM
Sounds like Parsons and AOS are back in the Mayo fold after colleges duty and in with a shout for some game time this weekend. Parsons has the game but he needs to be willing to add a bit of drive and fight for the dirty ball around midfield this year. Hopefully AOS is over his second season syndrome and has shaped up a bit, he didn't kick on last season at all.

Good stuff. Players with reserves of ability. Horan's problem is how and where to play all these guys. Because the average Mayo fan will want all the names they recognise on the team sheet and to hell with the rest of it. What to do? It s not bad place to be in if he holds his nerve. And instead of cramming individuals into a team, he comes up with tactics and shape and has these guys willing and able to slot in when needed.

Quote from: mannix on February 02, 2011, 12:05:39 AM
i doubt james horan will be concerned about what the fans think. Good luck to all on saturday night, its good to see a fresh start.

Well said Mannix, you beat me to it.

Pandering to the layman Mayo fans ideals, (the majority of which know next to nothing about club football and players in the county); with (so called) big names based on (so called) reputations on a teamsheet is the last thing Horan would be trying to do.

FFS I thought we would have left that crap behind us after JOMs exit, after he was picking players based on reputations from every small town in Mayo to insure a vote. Should it even be on the radar to go back to those days?

Im surprised that even entered your head Moy.

We need to be careful how we pitch the old against the new. I, for one, am very critical of how JOM ran the Mayo team over the four years but you've pitched a very discoloured view there AbbeySider. My biggest problem with O'Mahony and the politics (and most people's) was that he couldn't possibly have enough time left over to give management of Mayo his best (and the view that his best might not have been much better than that anyway is arguably not far off the mark either).
To say he was picking a team in order to get votes? That's way off the mark and out of order in my opinion. If he was doing that the darling of most Mayo football fans (and a player who still had something to offer), Ciaran McDonald, would not have been dropped. O'Mahony will feel the damage for that in the Crossmolina region in a few weeks. The fans loved Austie too but O'Mahony didn't give him much of a run. Hardly a wise political move but a solid football decision (in Austie's case). McDonald's dropping was unwise on every level.

If O'Mahony was pandering to a voting regime then we'd have a load of players from Claremorris, Ballyhaunis, Charlestown and Kiltimagh playing (his core vote area). He didn't. I think you're doing him a disservice, because there is a list as long as my arm that you can criticse him on but that's not one of them.

James Horan is a fresh start. He is his own man and capable of making his own mind up. So was O'Mahony, just that he too frequently made the wrong call, possibly because he was too stretched with his day job, possibly because his time had come and went or possibly because he was never as good as we thought in the first place. He might have taken the job for the wrong reasons but its wrong to suggest he picked his team in order to win votes.

I didn't realise we had a hierarchy of fans in Mayo!

How is it decided who is worthy of selecting their personal preferences to start? Must they be resident in Mayo or even Ireland to qualify??

Quote from: RedandGreenSniper on February 02, 2011, 01:27:27 PM
We need to be careful how we pitch the old against the new. I, for one, am very critical of how JOM ran the Mayo team over the four years but you've pitched a very discoloured view there AbbeySider. My biggest problem with O'Mahony and the politics (and most people's) was that he couldn't possibly have enough time left over to give management of Mayo his best (and the view that his best might not have been much better than that anyway is arguably not far off the mark either).
To say he was picking a team in order to get votes? That's way off the mark and out of order in my opinion. If he was doing that the darling of most Mayo football fans (and a player who still had something to offer), Ciaran McDonald, would not have been dropped. O'Mahony will feel the damage for that in the Crossmolina region in a few weeks. The fans loved Austie too but O'Mahony didn't give him much of a run. Hardly a wise political move but a solid football decision (in Austie's case). McDonald's dropping was unwise on every level.

If O'Mahony was pandering to a voting regime then we'd have a load of players from Claremorris, Ballyhaunis, Charlestown and Kiltimagh playing (his core vote area). He didn't. I think you're doing him a disservice, because there is a list as long as my arm that you can criticse him on but that's not one of them.

James Horan is a fresh start. He is his own man and capable of making his own mind up. So was O'Mahony, just that he too frequently made the wrong call, possibly because he was too stretched with his day job, possibly because his time had come and went or possibly because he was never as good as we thought in the first place. He might have taken the job for the wrong reasons but its wrong to suggest he picked his team in order to win votes.

Point taken R&GS, although I never thought you, of all people would be the one defending JOM  ;) :D

Anyway I could point out a few things and we could delve into it but its raking the coals and I would be afraid the argument could turn into a wreckage on the thread. We will fight that battle another day, I promise!  ;)

From Mayo gaa on bookface

QuoteMayo Senior Football Team, starting 15 to face Down in Allianz Football League Opener:

1) Kenneth O'Malley, 2) Tom Cunniffe, 3) Cathal Hallinan, 4) Keith Higgins, 5) Richie Feeney, 6) Ger Cafferkey, 7) Kevin McLoughlin, 8) Ronan McGarrity, 9) Jason Gibbons, 10) Andy Moran, 11) Aidan O'Shea, 12) Alan Dillon, 13) Enda Varley, 14) Alan Freeman, 15) Mark Ronaldson.

Quote from: spuds on February 02, 2011, 02:22:56 PM
From Mayo gaa on bookface

QuoteMayo Senior Football Team, starting 15 to face Down in Allianz Football League Opener:

1) Kenneth O'Malley, 2) Tom Cunniffe, 3) Cathal Hallinan, 4) Keith Higgins, 5) Richie Feeney, 6) Ger Cafferkey, 7) Kevin McLoughlin, 8) Ronan McGarrity, 9) Jason Gibbons, 10) Andy Moran, 11) Aidan O'Shea, 12) Alan Dillon, 13) Enda Varley, 14) Alan Freeman, 15) Mark Ronaldson.

And more interesting than that is Andy Moran is vice-captain and Alan Dillon captain. Good call on Dillon to be the captain in my opinion. Best man for the job.

Quote from: RedandGreenSniper on February 02, 2011, 03:45:00 PM

Quote from: spuds on February 02, 2011, 02:22:56 PM
From Mayo gaa on bookface

QuoteMayo Senior Football Team, starting 15 to face Down in Allianz Football League Opener:

1) Kenneth O'Malley, 2) Tom Cunniffe, 3) Cathal Hallinan, 4) Keith Higgins, 5) Richie Feeney, 6) Ger Cafferkey, 7) Kevin McLoughlin, 8) Ronan McGarrity, 9) Jason Gibbons, 10) Andy Moran, 11) Aidan O'Shea, 12) Alan Dillon, 13) Enda Varley, 14) Alan Freeman, 15) Mark Ronaldson.

And more interesting than that is Andy Moran is vice-captain and Alan Dillon captain. Good call on Dillon to be the captain in my opinion. Best man for the job.

most experienced member so no arguments there. Andy Moran is an honest whole hearted player who never does anything but his all on the field so not surprised about him being vice captain. Both to lead by example.

Any word on the panel make-up. any surprising omissions?

Quote from: southsider on February 02, 2011, 03:49:21 PM

Quote from: RedandGreenSniper on February 02, 2011, 03:45:00 PM

Quote from: spuds on February 02, 2011, 02:22:56 PM
From Mayo gaa on bookface

QuoteMayo Senior Football Team, starting 15 to face Down in Allianz Football League Opener:

1) Kenneth O'Malley, 2) Tom Cunniffe, 3) Cathal Hallinan, 4) Keith Higgins, 5) Richie Feeney, 6) Ger Cafferkey, 7) Kevin McLoughlin, 8) Ronan McGarrity, 9) Jason Gibbons, 10) Andy Moran, 11) Aidan O'Shea, 12) Alan Dillon, 13) Enda Varley, 14) Alan Freeman, 15) Mark Ronaldson.

And more interesting than that is Andy Moran is vice-captain and Alan Dillon captain. Good call on Dillon to be the captain in my opinion. Best man for the job.

most experienced member so no arguments there. Andy Moran is an honest whole hearted player who never does anything but his all on the field so not surprised about him being vice captain. Both to lead by example.

Any word on the panel make-up. any surprising omissions?

Panel not picked yet as far as I know but the following are the subs for Saturday. I might be putting two and two together and getting five but I think it is safe to infer that these are in the squad for the league.

16)   Robert Hennelly   Breaffy
17)   Aidan Campbell   Swinford
18)   Neil Douglas   Castlebar Mitchels
19)   Andrew Farrell   Killala
20)   Peadar Gardiner   Crossmolina
21)   Eoghan Reilly   Castlebar Mitchels
22)   Lee Keegan   Westport
23)   Barry Moran   Castlebar Mitchels
24)   Cillian O'Connor   Ballintubber
25)   Tom Parsons   Charlestown
26)   Ruaidhri O'Connor   Ballintubber

Quote from: RedandGreenSniper on February 02, 2011, 03:52:19 PM

Quote from: southsider on February 02, 2011, 03:49:21 PM

Quote from: RedandGreenSniper on February 02, 2011, 03:45:00 PM

Quote from: spuds on February 02, 2011, 02:22:56 PM
From Mayo gaa on bookface

QuoteMayo Senior Football Team, starting 15 to face Down in Allianz Football League Opener:

1) Kenneth O'Malley, 2) Tom Cunniffe, 3) Cathal Hallinan, 4) Keith Higgins, 5) Richie Feeney, 6) Ger Cafferkey, 7) Kevin McLoughlin, 8) Ronan McGarrity, 9) Jason Gibbons, 10) Andy Moran, 11) Aidan O'Shea, 12) Alan Dillon, 13) Enda Varley, 14) Alan Freeman, 15) Mark Ronaldson.

And more interesting than that is Andy Moran is vice-captain and Alan Dillon captain. Good call on Dillon to be the captain in my opinion. Best man for the job.

most experienced member so no arguments there. Andy Moran is an honest whole hearted player who never does anything but his all on the field so not surprised about him being vice captain. Both to lead by example.

Any word on the panel make-up. any surprising omissions?

Panel not picked yet as far as I know but the following are the subs for Saturday. I might be putting two and two together and getting five but I think it is safe to infer that these are in the squad for the league.

16)   Robert Hennelly   Breaffy
17)   Aidan Campbell   Swinford
18)   Neil Douglas   Castlebar Mitchels
19)   Andrew Farrell   Killala
20)   Peadar Gardiner   Crossmolina
21)   Eoghan Reilly   Castlebar Mitchels
22)   Lee Keegan   Westport
23)   Barry Moran   Castlebar Mitchels
24)   Cillian O'Connor   Ballintubber
25)   Tom Parsons   Charlestown
26)   Ruaidhri O'Connor   Ballintubber

thanks for that - surprised no David Killeen there based on past performances

No Austie, Howley, Killeen, Kilcullen, Alan Feeney or Jason Doherty in the subs. I wonder what this will mean for these in particular.

jason doherty kicked 3 goal 3 points in a recent game and is not in there, just shows the selection headache James Horan has.
How tall and what weight would kevin mcloughlin be? he seems fast and a good player, just wondering about his physical presence.

Quote from: RedandGreenSniper on February 02, 2011, 03:52:19 PM
16)   Robert Hennelly   Breaffy
17)   Aidan Campbell   Swinford
18)   Neil Douglas   Castlebar Mitchels
19)   Andrew Farrell   Killala
20)   Peadar Gardiner   Crossmolina
21)   Eoghan Reilly   Castlebar Mitchels
22)   Lee Keegan   Westport
23)   Barry Moran   Castlebar Mitchels
24)   Cillian O'Connor   Ballintubber
25)   Tom Parsons   Charlestown
26)   Ruaidhri O'Connor   Ballintubber

Quote from: Chimley on February 02, 2011, 04:03:59 PM
No Austie, Howley, Killeen, Kilcullen, Alan Feeney or Jason Doherty in the subs. I wonder what this will mean for these in particular.

A very young panel.

As I said before they probably have 30 on a panel, anyone of which would be named on the teamsheet of 26 for NFL games. Then they would have to keep another few guys on board who would be in and out of the panel so I wouldnt say its totally over for the lads you mentioned, or even that the above is how the panel would be shaping up for championship. It could be very changeable depending on performances.

Its hard to know how much involvement the U21 players would have when their season starts off either.

Burke and Barrett left out too. With a few injured to come back it looks we will have a lot of disappointed young men in a few weeks time.

Quote from: mannix on February 02, 2011, 04:05:09 PM
jason doherty kicked 3 goal 3 points in a recent game and is not in there, just shows the selection headache James Horan has.
How tall and what weight would kevin mcloughlin be? he seems fast and a good player, just wondering about his physical presence.

He has no physicality at all mannix when it comes to it I'm sad to say.

Quote from: Chimley on February 02, 2011, 04:27:35 PM
Burke and Barrett left out too. With a few injured to come back it looks we will have a lot of disappointed young men in a few weeks time.

And no Cathal Freeman?

Quote from: Farrandeelin on February 02, 2011, 06:49:47 PM

Quote from: mannix on February 02, 2011, 04:05:09 PM
jason doherty kicked 3 goal 3 points in a recent game and is not in there, just shows the selection headache James Horan has.
How tall and what weight would kevin mcloughlin be? he seems fast and a good player, just wondering about his physical presence.

He has no physicality at all mannix when it comes to it I'm sad to say.

Since he will be picking up Danny Hughes, it is not physical, but speed and stamina are attributes he will need!

Quote from: Chimley on February 02, 2011, 04:27:35 PM
Burke and Barrett left out too. With a few injured to come back it looks we will have a lot of disappointed young men in a few weeks time.

Burke pulled up injured in Ballinamore so that maybe explains that. It would be very disappointing if he was overlooked and some of the others included. Cathal Freeman I would expect to be in the 30. Anybody got an explanation for Kilcoyne, though it wouldn't be too surprising if he were not in it?

I know I am looking at this with my Knockmore glasses on, but if Horan thinks that Reilly, Keegan and R' O Connor are better defenders than Howley ??? ??? ??? ??? then we are doomed.  I would have thought that Reilly would have struggled to make the Under 21 team. Too slow and sluggish for my liking.  Picking players who have not trained for a few weeks is also questionable.  Surely if they cannot train then they are not fit to play on Saturday.

It also looks like ever present Andy is here again for the long haul >:( >:( >:( >:(

While I am on a rant, I might as well say that while I am one of C. O' Connors greatest fans, I don't see why playing a number of young lads in the muck on Saturday will be of any help.  Surely Mayo have enough players over 21 that could preform in the league and leave the young lads to play for their Colleges and on the Under 21 team.  Surely the senior set up is not going the sabotage the Under 21 set up by burning them out over the winter in the same way that Johnno did last year.

Mayo will win easily on Saturday imo, but long term the prospects may not be as rosy under this new man as I had hoped.  I hope I am wrong.

Up Mayo!!!!

I hope it is an open ended panel because theres a few missing that I would like to see involved and a few involved that I would have passed on for now to be honest. One possibility is that some of the under 21s selected (and there are quite a few) will only be involved for the first couple of games and will then make way for some of the older heads when the under 21 championship starts. That way more people get some game time with the seniors in the league to stake a place for the Championship squad. Just a theory.

He'll need to keep a few more involved anyway of course because some of the 26 selected there (including our captain) will be lining out for the opposition against us in the FBD final next week - a very strange situation. I wonder will the Mayo lads on opposing teams be told not to go in too hard on each other?!

How long will it take to drive from Dublin to Castlebar this Saturday afternoon ?

Quote from: Oldhacker on February 02, 2011, 09:55:48 PM
How long will it take to drive from Dublin to Castlebar this Saturday afternoon ?

3 hours from the M50 and you'll be in Castlebar handy enough

Quote from: Cosmo Kramer on February 02, 2011, 09:10:59 PM
I hope it is an open ended panel because theres a few missing that I would like to see involved and a few involved that I would have passed on for now to be honest. One possibility is that some of the under 21s selected (and there are quite a few) will only be involved for the first couple of games and will then make way for some of the older heads when the under 21 championship starts. That way more people get some game time with the seniors in the league to stake a place for the Championship squad. Just a theory.

He'll need to keep a few more involved anyway of course because some of the 26 selected there (including our captain) will be lining out for the opposition against us in the FBD final next week - a very strange situation. I wonder will the Mayo lads on opposing teams be told not to go in too hard on each other?!

I'd agree with you that this is probably not the final league panel - I don't such a thing will exist.
As Horan said after the Leitrim game, he won't have his full panel available to him until this week, so it's impossible for him to put a final panel together.
I'd say throughout the first few league games, we'll see more personnel changes. The FBD experimentation will probably continue, although at a more concentrated level.

Quote from: Tubberman on February 02, 2011, 10:11:35 PM

Quote from: Oldhacker on February 02, 2011, 09:55:48 PM
How long will it take to drive from Dublin to Castlebar this Saturday afternoon ?

3 hours from the M50 and you'll be in Castlebar handy enough

Time to change that car Tubberman.

Quote from: muppet on February 02, 2011, 10:26:56 PM

Quote from: Tubberman on February 02, 2011, 10:11:35 PM

Quote from: Oldhacker on February 02, 2011, 09:55:48 PM
How long will it take to drive from Dublin to Castlebar this Saturday afternoon ?

3 hours from the M50 and you'll be in Castlebar handy enough

Time to change that car Tubberman.

That's the law-abiding estimate  ;)

As a law-abiding nordie, I will of course observe all the limits. If an anonymous acquaintance cruised down the motorway sections of the route at a steadyish 80 mph, might he hit Castlebar in around two and a half hours from the M50 ?

Quote from: Oldhacker on February 02, 2011, 10:49:09 PM
As a law-abiding nordie, I will of course observe all the limits. If an anonymous acquaintance cruised down the motorway sections of the route at a steadyish 80 mph, might he hit Castlebar in around two and a half hours from the M50 ?

Well an anonymous acquaintance of mine makes it from Citywest to Ballintubber (6 miles the far side of C'bar) in around 2h45m on a Friday evening after work. So yeah, 2.5hrs shouldn't be far wrong.

Quote from: Oldhacker on February 02, 2011, 10:49:09 PM
As a law-abiding nordie, I will of course observe all the limits. If an anonymous acquaintance cruised down the motorway sections of the route at a steadyish 80 mph, might he hit Castlebar in around two and a half hours from the M50 ?

He might, as long as he knew how to scale fort Longford and didn't pick up a bad delay there. The pitch is just beyond the first roundabout at Castlebar (you could drive around the roundabout and point the car at Dublin, park there and walk the short distance to the ground). If it is a smallish crowd you could park the other side of the roundabout.

Quote from: muppet on February 02, 2011, 10:55:43 PM

Quote from: Oldhacker on February 02, 2011, 10:49:09 PM
As a law-abiding nordie, I will of course observe all the limits. If an anonymous acquaintance cruised down the motorway sections of the route at a steadyish 80 mph, might he hit Castlebar in around two and a half hours from the M50 ?

He might, as long as he knew how to scale fort Longford and didn't pick up a bad delay there. The pitch is just beyond the first roundabout at Castlebar (you could drive around the roundabout and point the car at Dublin, park there and walk the short distance to the ground). If it is a smallish crowd you could park the other side of the roundabout.

The stretch from Ballaghadereen to Strokestown and around Longford town have had me near to severe outbursts of road-rage.
National primary road my arse!
But enjoy the drive west Oldhacker  :D
Sure come down Friday and make a weekend of it (we need the tourism).

In reference to the last few years panels, where has Kieran Conroy disapeared to? Also Liam OMalley is on the senior Panel since 02 or 03. A decent servant of Mayo football. Had his bad days but also had some great days. Have the just dropped him without a trial? Is there anyone else missing?

My understanding is that mayo panel is just for the Down game and not the whole league campaign, so lads are obviously out injured at the moment the likes of O'Se, kilcoyne etc

Quote from: moysider on February 02, 2011, 08:40:07 PM

Quote from: Chimley on February 02, 2011, 04:27:35 PM
Burke and Barrett left out too. With a few injured to come back it looks we will have a lot of disappointed young men in a few weeks time.

Burke pulled up injured in Ballinamore so that maybe explains that. It would be very disappointing if he was overlooked and some of the others included. Cathal Freeman I would expect to be in the 30. Anybody got an explanation for Kilcoyne, though it wouldn't be too surprising if he were not in it?

I'd expect Kilcoyne to be in the starting 6 come championship, our best forward in 2009 and a proven scorer, if he stays out of injury of course.

Quote from: Mayo4Sam on February 03, 2011, 12:29:12 PM

Quote from: moysider on February 02, 2011, 08:40:07 PM

Quote from: Chimley on February 02, 2011, 04:27:35 PM
Burke and Barrett left out too. With a few injured to come back it looks we will have a lot of disappointed young men in a few weeks time.

Burke pulled up injured in Ballinamore so that maybe explains that. It would be very disappointing if he was overlooked and some of the others included. Cathal Freeman I would expect to be in the 30. Anybody got an explanation for Kilcoyne, though it wouldn't be too surprising if he were not in it?

I'd expect Kilcoyne to be in the starting 6 come championship, our best forward in 2009 and a proven scorer, if he stays out of injury of course.

Maybe so. Anyway I was talking about this game. The bit I saw of him last few weeks was not his best form. Shooting on sight and very wayward shooting. 

Quote from: Davitt Man on February 03, 2011, 11:57:29 AM
My understanding is that mayo panel is just for the Down game and not the whole league campaign, so lads are obviously out injured at the moment the likes of O'Se, kilcoyne etc

I don't think so.  My understanding is that every county must name a panel of no more than 30 for the League, and not play anyone outside of those during the campaign.  Of course, a different 30 can be named for the Connacht Championship when the time comes

Quote from: western exile on February 03, 2011, 01:09:20 PM

Quote from: Davitt Man on February 03, 2011, 11:57:29 AM
My understanding is that mayo panel is just for the Down game and not the whole league campaign, so lads are obviously out injured at the moment the likes of O'Se, kilcoyne etc

I don't think so.  My understanding is that every county must name a panel of no more than 30 for the League, and not play anyone outside of those during the campaign.  Of course, a different 30 can be named for the Connacht Championship when the time comes

Not sure about that. Dillon and Mort came back from their travels last year towards the end of the league. Were two places reserved for them in last years panel?

Quote from: western exile on February 03, 2011, 01:09:20 PM

Quote from: Davitt Man on February 03, 2011, 11:57:29 AM
My understanding is that mayo panel is just for the Down game and not the whole league campaign, so lads are obviously out injured at the moment the likes of O'Se, kilcoyne etc

I don't think so.  My understanding is that every county must name a panel of no more than 30 for the League, and not play anyone outside of those during the campaign.  Of course, a different 30 can be named for the Connacht Championship when the time comes

i think the panel of 30 was something Johno set up for the championship .I'm pretty sure you can play who ever you wan't during the league .

Quote from: the Deel Rover on February 03, 2011, 01:49:33 PM

Quote from: western exile on February 03, 2011, 01:09:20 PM

Quote from: Davitt Man on February 03, 2011, 11:57:29 AM
My understanding is that mayo panel is just for the Down game and not the whole league campaign, so lads are obviously out injured at the moment the likes of O'Se, kilcoyne etc

I don't think so.  My understanding is that every county must name a panel of no more than 30 for the League, and not play anyone outside of those during the campaign.  Of course, a different 30 can be named for the Connacht Championship when the time comes

i think the panel of 30 was something Johno set up for the championship .I'm pretty sure you can play who ever you wan't during the league .

Where are you getting that from?  Was there not an uproar a few years ago when HQ wanted to reduce the squad size down to 26?  That implies to me that the rule comes from Croke Park.  Can anyone confirm?
The GAA  have never been good at making the regulations readily available   >:(

Does anyone know which turnstile to use for the Mayo vs Down game for season ticket holders?

This was the notification released by the PRO.....

A Chara,

Please find attached the Mayo team and panel for the upcoming Allianz Football League match against last years All-Ireland Finalists Down. The match will be played this coming Saturday 5th February at 7.30p.m. in the first ever Fooball League Match to be played under lights in McHale Park.

Regards,


Aiden McLoughlin
PRO Mayo G.A.A.

Quote from: LikeItOrNot on February 03, 2011, 11:52:04 AM
In reference to the last few years panels, where has Kieran Conroy disapeared to? Also Liam OMalley is on the senior Panel since 02 or 03. A decent servant of Mayo football. Had his bad days but also had some great days. Have the just dropped him without a trial? Is there anyone else missing?

Not sure about Conroy but Liam O'Malley is injured.

Ciaran Conroy has been playing for NUIG so I guess he's available but has not been selected. With a fair few new players coming through this year I'd suggest that him and Liam O'Malley might be two that have to make way for some fresh blood.

I think the 26 man issue was in relation to individual match day squads, I don't think teams were restricted to the same 26 players for the whole league. Theres a 26 man game by game limitation but nothing that says it must always be the same 26 AFAIK.

On a different note it is remarkable how close the personnel selected are to those who featured in the game v Longford. 4 of Sundays forwards started against Longford, Dillon, Everpresent Andy, AOS, and Freeman. Ronaldson came on.  A 5th, Varley, started against Sligo. Of the backs, Caff, Higgins and McLoughlin played against Longford, Ok you can say' big deal', thats only 7/8 invloved. But the absense of several others can be explained by injury alone, ie, Clarkey,Vaughan, Howley, SOS, Harte and Conor. McGarrity didn't play any role in Longford but has been a regular for years.
Not sure what this means or if it means much at all. Maybe the change will be more about approach than personnel. Ok we ve got 3 fresh faces for this one - Feeney, Hallihan and Gibbons. Personally I would like to see likes of Cathal Freeeman and Janes Burke play in a stronger mayo team in the league where the pace and quality would probably bring their game to another level. I m sure they d thrive in better company.

losing in longford had nothing to do with the quality of the players. you would expect any combination of senior players in mayo to do a better job than they did that day. there was something seriously wrong with the mayo setup last summer . wheter it was just they were fed up listening to JOM spouting or there were falling outs or whatever this is a new start.
and id like for every one to remember what a great league campaign Mayo had last year esp the wins away to  Derry Tyrone and kerry . there is quality there lets just hope Horan can make the most of it .
ITs a great time of year anything is still possible

gud luck Jamsie, ur the best man for the job-3 FBD games in,1st (loose)panel,and already some people whinging ......Gas.I say do ur experimenting J and maybe...just mabye we will have a Championship team we can be proud of!!!!!!

Quote from: rosnarun on February 03, 2011, 09:39:06 PM
losing in longford had nothing to do with the quality of the players. you would expect any combination of senior players in mayo to do a better job than they did that day. there was something seriously wrong with the mayo setup last summer . wheter it was just they were fed up listening to JOM spouting or there were falling outs or whatever this is a new start.
and id like for every one to remember what a great league campaign Mayo had last year esp the wins away to  Derry Tyrone and kerry . there is quality there lets just hope Horan can make the most of it .
ITs a great time of year anything is still possible

Agree. Yeah. I remember on here last few years making a case for the quality of the players while the Johnno apologists were defending his shocking Summer form as evidence of lack of quality players. Of course,the opposite was the case. League form showed that we had a number of quality players that could survive and thrive in a lower intensity environment. Most counties go up a gear or two for the championship. We didn't. I would be delighted if the players that have had some bad summers go on to have a better year this year and onwards. I expect they will. And the reassuring thing is that there are younger players out there in U21 and College panels that could come into the equation over the next months.

The thing about the Longford game is that JOM actually stumbled on a pretty decent line-out after the debacle of the selection for the Sligo game (Gardiner in the corner, Cunniffe at chb, Seamie O'Shea at chf etc). The problem was the team was so clearly demoralised that it was too late to make any real difference in that year. But I do think that a lot of right selections were made that way and I'm sure James Horan appreciates this too.

McCartan has named the following team for Saturday night:

1.   Brendan McVeigh   (An Ríocht)
2.   Aidan Brannigan   (Cill Chua)
3.   Dan Gordon   (Loch an Oileáin)
4.   Luke Howard   (Áth Bhriain)
5.   Liam Doyle   (Liatroim)
6.   Kevin McKernan   (Boireann)
7.   Paul McPolin   (Cluain Dáimh)
8.   Peter Fitzpatrick   (Baile Mhairtín)
9    Kalum King   (Áth Bhriain)
10.   Daniel Hughes   (Sabhaill)
11.   Mark Poland   (Cloch Fhada)
12.   Martin Clarke   (An Ríocht)
13.   Conor Maginn   (Áth Bhriain)
14.   John Clarke   (An Ríocht)
15.   Brendan Coulter   (Droichead Mhaigh Éo)

Quote from: RedandGreenSniper on February 03, 2011, 11:47:42 PM
The thing about the Longford game is that JOM actually stumbled on a pretty decent line-out after the debacle of the selection for the Sligo game (Gardiner in the corner, Cunniffe at chb, Seamie O'Shea at chf etc). The problem was the team was so clearly demoralised that it was too late to make any real difference in that year. But I do think that a lot of right selections were made that way and I'm sure James Horan appreciates this too.

I apologise in advance for being contrary. I didn't like longford. I dont think much worked well, not the selection and whatever gameplan there was ... well was wing and a prayer stuff to be kind. I didn t think we were much better than Sligo game but we were in junky mode - more desperate and less descipline. We exited the championship very watery and with a sour taste of throwing the toys out of the pram Then the guy that was in charge avoided being ran out of town by .... resigning and prattling on as usual (Mubarak could learn alot from our lot by recognising when its time to go). I know its early days but I expect that we will be a much better propisition this year. But I dont think much of Longford shape will survive if we are going to be a serious team. Individuals, yes, lots of them, but shape, no way.

Quote from: moysider on February 03, 2011, 09:25:09 PM
On a different note it is remarkable how close the personnel selected are to those who featured in the game v Longford. 4 of Sundays forwards started against Longford, Dillon, Everpresent Andy, AOS, and Freeman. Ronaldson came on.  A 5th, Varley, started against Sligo. Of the backs, Caff, Higgins and McLoughlin played against Longford, Ok you can say' big deal', thats only 7/8 invloved. But the absense of several others can be explained by injury alone, ie, Clarkey,Vaughan, Howley, SOS, Harte and Conor. McGarrity didn't play any role in Longford but has been a regular for years.
Not sure what this means or if it means much at all. Maybe the change will be more about approach than personnel. Ok we ve got 3 fresh faces for this one - Feeney, Hallihan and Gibbons. Personally I would like to see likes of Cathal Freeeman and Janes Burke play in a stronger mayo team in the league where the pace and quality would probably bring their game to another level. I m sure they d thrive in better company.

Surely you are not suggesting that all 15 whom started against Longford should not be considered for selections this weekend. I don't think you are, but some the names you mentioned were actually the few that played well (relatively speaking) that day and tried their best to stop the rot. I would have thought that Horan retaining them should be seen as a good thing. Don't throw the baby out with the bath water!

Quote from: moysider on February 04, 2011, 12:29:09 AM
Then the guy that was in charge avoided being ran out of town by .... resigning and prattling on as usual

Christ moysider build a bridge will you?? Every second post seems to have a dig against a man who I'd wager has given a hell of a lot more to Mayo football than you have.

That looks a pretty strong Down lineup particularly from midfield onwards. This will be a big test for McG, Gibbons and the lads who are expected to pick up the breaks around the middle.

Quote from: moysider on February 04, 2011, 12:29:09 AM

Quote from: RedandGreenSniper on February 03, 2011, 11:47:42 PM
The thing about the Longford game is that JOM actually stumbled on a pretty decent line-out after the debacle of the selection for the Sligo game (Gardiner in the corner, Cunniffe at chb, Seamie O'Shea at chf etc). The problem was the team was so clearly demoralised that it was too late to make any real difference in that year. But I do think that a lot of right selections were made that way and I'm sure James Horan appreciates this too.

I apologise in advance for being contrary. I didn't like longford. I dont think much worked well, not the selection and whatever gameplan there was ... well was wing and a prayer stuff to be kind. I didn t think we were much better than Sligo game but we were in junky mode - more desperate and less descipline. We exited the championship very watery and with a sour taste of throwing the toys out of the pram Then the guy that was in charge avoided being ran out of town by .... resigning and prattling on as usual (Mubarak could learn alot from our lot by recognising when its time to go). I know its early days but I expect that we will be a much better propisition this year. But I dont think much of Longford shape will survive if we are going to be a serious team. Individuals, yes, lots of them, but shape, no way.

:D

Maybe I am being too kind to JOM in my assessment. I just think that a few things worked well that day which he stumbled on and might be worth perservering with in better circumstances and a better set-up. Keith Higgins worked well at centre-half back (until he told Gerry Kinneavy where to put his notebook) and I think he would be the best option for here if Caff doesn't work out; Aidan O'Shea was picked in his best position at chf (even if he had a poor game) and the reality dawned that if it is his best position, it was not his brother's and Seamie was placed in his best position of midfield. Also we saw more of Alan Freemand and saw again how much Alan Dillon offers us. This was against a team v Sligo that was all over the place. Did he get much right against Longford? Not a lot. But I do think it was an improvement from Sligo.

Quote from: macdanger2 on February 04, 2011, 12:39:21 AM

Quote from: moysider on February 04, 2011, 12:29:09 AM
Then the guy that was in charge avoided being ran out of town by .... resigning and prattling on as usual

Christ moysider build a bridge will you?? Every second post seems to have a dig against a man who I'd wager has given a hell of a lot more to Mayo football than you have.

That looks a pretty strong Down lineup particularly from midfield onwards. This will be a big test for McG, Gibbons and the lads who are expected to pick up the breaks around the middle.

As regards the wager, I doubt it. But that is a serious enough lookin Down side.

i pretty Egypt if they are taking lessons in timing from JOM.
another 3 years in Tahrir Square  for the boys !!

Quote from: western exile on February 04, 2011, 12:01:32 AM
McCartan has named the following team for Saturday night:

1.   Brendan McVeigh   (An Ríocht)
2.   Aidan Brannigan   (Cill Chua)
3.   Dan Gordon   (Loch an Oileáin)
4.   Luke Howard   (Áth Bhriain)
5.   Liam Doyle   (Liatroim)
6.   Kevin McKernan   (Boireann)
7.   Paul McPolin   (Cluain Dáimh)
8.   Peter Fitzpatrick   (Baile Mhairtín)
9    Kalum King   (Áth Bhriain)
10.   Daniel Hughes   (Sabhaill)
11.   Mark Poland   (Cloch Fhada)
12.   Martin Clarke   (An Ríocht)
13.   Conor Maginn   (Áth Bhriain)
14.   John Clarke   (An Ríocht)
15.   Brendan Coulter   (Droichead Mhaigh Éo)

Despite the injuries, we've still got a pretty decent team. Lets hope they can win now! Paul McPoland was very good against Antrim in the McKenna cup - hope he can keep up the form!

it will be very interesting to see how Doyle gets on, bet he thought he would never see the day his name was on a teamsheet again

Considering the players that are unavailable, that Down team sort of picked itself.
Midfield and forwards  are pretty much the 2010 team with only McCommiskey and Rodgers missing through injury.
It is in defence where the injuries are rampant and has forced James McCartan to select players out of necessity rather than choice. The injury list of defenders goes on and on (Garvey, Rooney, McCartan, Rafferty, Mc Ardle, Duffin, O'Hagan,...) and  James Colgan suspended.
It is asking a lot of the wing backs in particular, who will be up against the Mayo Captain and Vice Captan, Alan Dillon and Andy Moran, both very fast, hard working and clever footballers.
At left half back making his NFL debut is Paul McPolin who plays his club football in the forwards.
Liam Doyle makes his first NFL start in 3 years on a comeback after horrific injuries, but is thrown in at the highest level without match fitness. But it is great to see a man of his ability back on the field.
Luke Howard also has recovered from his knee operation and makes his first start for 2 years at corner back, although  he was able to ease back into it with some club football last summer.
In the other corner starts Aidan Brannigan who was used from the bench at times last year as half back cover. 
The spine of defence does have some quality in Brendan McVeigh, Dan Gordan and Kevin McKernan. Although Gordan is still not comfortable in the roll of fullback having only played in that position for 3 games (albeit the most important 3 games of this football life so far!)
All in all, a bit effort will be required from this makeshift defence to hold back what is a very good sextet of Mayo forwards

Quote from: western exile on February 04, 2011, 10:55:21 AM
Considering the players that are unavailable, that Down team sort of picked itself.
Midfield and forwards  are pretty much the 2010 team with only McCommiskey and Rodgers missing through injury.
It is in defence where the injuries are rampant and has forced James McCartan to select players out of necessity rather than choice. The injury list of defenders goes on and on (Garvey, Rooney, McCartan, Rafferty, Mc Ardle, Duffin, O'Hagan,...) and  James Colgan suspended.
It is asking a lot of the wing backs in particular, who will be up against the Mayo Captain and Vice Captan, Alan Dillon and Andy Moran, both very fast, hard working and clever footballers.
At left half back making his NFL debut is Paul McPolin who plays his club football in the forwards.
Liam Doyle makes his first NFL start in 3 years on a comeback after horrific injuries, but is thrown in at the highest level without match fitness. But it is great to see a man of his ability back on the field.
Luke Howard also has recovered from his knee operation and makes his first start for 2 years at corner back, although  he was able to ease back into it with some club football last summer.
In the other corner starts Aidan Brannigan who was used from the bench at times last year as half back cover. 
The spine of defence does have some quality in Brendan McVeigh, Dan Gordan and Kevin McKernan. Although Gordan is still not comfortable in the roll of fullback having only played in that position for 3 games (albeit the most important 3 games of this football life so far!)
All in all, a bit effort will be required from this makeshift defence to hold back what is a very good sextet of Mayo forwards

Very good insight there western exile, how do you have such an inside track on the opposition? Are you based in Down?

Quote from: AbbeySider on February 04, 2011, 11:53:35 AM

Quote from: western exile on February 04, 2011, 10:55:21 AM
Considering the players that are unavailable, that Down team sort of picked itself.
Midfield and forwards  are pretty much the 2010 team with only McCommiskey and Rodgers missing through injury.
It is in defence where the injuries are rampant and has forced James McCartan to select players out of necessity rather than choice. The injury list of defenders goes on and on (Garvey, Rooney, McCartan, Rafferty, Mc Ardle, Duffin, O'Hagan,...) and  James Colgan suspended.
It is asking a lot of the wing backs in particular, who will be up against the Mayo Captain and Vice Captan, Alan Dillon and Andy Moran, both very fast, hard working and clever footballers.
At left half back making his NFL debut is Paul McPolin who plays his club football in the forwards.
Liam Doyle makes his first NFL start in 3 years on a comeback after horrific injuries, but is thrown in at the highest level without match fitness. But it is great to see a man of his ability back on the field.
Luke Howard also has recovered from his knee operation and makes his first start for 2 years at corner back, although  he was able to ease back into it with some club football last summer.
In the other corner starts Aidan Brannigan who was used from the bench at times last year as half back cover. 
The spine of defence does have some quality in Brendan McVeigh, Dan Gordan and Kevin McKernan. Although Gordan is still not comfortable in the roll of fullback having only played in that position for 3 games (albeit the most important 3 games of this football life so far!)
All in all, a bit effort will be required from this makeshift defence to hold back what is a very good sextet of Mayo forwards

Very good insight there western exile, how do you have such an inside track on the opposition? Are you based in Down?

The opposite direction  ;D   Born and bred on the east coast but live and breathe in the Whest. I still see a lot of Down football, almost as much as Mayo football.

Two late changes to the Down team.  Liam Doyle is replaced, as Gerard McCartan comes in at corner back, with Brannigan moving to wing back.  And Paul McComiskey replaces Conor McGinn at corner forward.


1.   Brendan McVeigh   (An Ríocht)
24. Gerard Mc Cartan ( Boireann )
3.   Dan Gordon   (Loch an Oileáin)
4.   Luke Howard   (Áth Bhriain)
2. Aidan Brannigan ( Cill Chua
6.   Kevin McKernan   (Boireann)
7.   Paul McPolin   (Cluain Dáimh)
8.   Peter Fitzpatrick   (Baile Mhairtín)
9   Kalum King   (Áth Bhriain)
10.   Daniel Hughes   (Sabhaill)
11.   Mark Poland   (Cloch Fhada)
12.   Martin Clarke   (An Ríocht)
17. Paul Mc Comiskey (Dun Dromara )
14.   John Clarke   (An Ríocht)
15.   Brendan Coulter   (Droichead Mhaigh Éo)

RGS, how on Earth was losing to Longford 'better than what happened in Sligo'?

Quote from: Farrandeelin on February 04, 2011, 08:11:57 PM
RGS, how on Earth was losing to Longford 'better than what happened in Sligo'?

Because we at least tried against Longford. The confidence was shaken but some players had a right go at it. Against Sligo it was obvious at half-time that we were going to lose and the players didn't even seem to care about that. I don't think the gulf between Sligo and Longford has anything to do with it, we gave up in Markievicz Park. I'm not saying there was anything really to be proud of in losing to Longford. But the white flag being shown in Sligo galled me more than anything else. Humiliating.

Fair enough. Anyway all that is in the past and hopefully we will start off the season with a win against Down. I still think it will be tight and a lot will depend on the weather conditions tomorrow evening as well.

More rain forecast for tomorrow with 'persistent' rain forecast for tomorrow evening. Will be still quite windy as well. Not sure if the game will be under threat of postponement or not but I would suspect there has to be doubt there.

I hesitate to challenge a respected contributor like Western Exile but Dan Gordon has played at full back in six - not three - serious games for Down. He was initially switched there for our first qualifier v Longford last July, and then stayed in the position for the rest of the open draw, v Offaly and Sligo, and then the AI quarter, semi and final.

However, he is still inexperienced in such a key role, and Kevin McKernan has even less game time at centre half under his belt, so, with three other relative newcomers in our defence and a fourth who is returning from a long-term injury, Western Exile is entitled to be concerned about the back six as a unit.

We look much stronger going forward, as usual, and Mayo are generally good for a decent score at Castlebar, so, if the weather forecast had not been so poor, it could have turned into something of a shoot-out. I suspect that both sides would take a draw if it was on offer, but it looks an unpredictable fixture at this stage.

folks, any southern radio streams for the game in case 5ivefm aren't broadcasting?

cheers,

www.mwr.ie will have live commentary

I heard yesterday that 5fm were covering all the Down games in the league, including the away fixtures.

Thats a fairly strong Down team especially from mide field up.  Big opportunities for McCartan, Howard, Brannigan and McPolin to stake a claim for places in the defence.

That is a strong down team from midfield up, great to see mccumisky fit again, he was outstanding when he got to croke park last year and shouldnt have been taken off in the final imo.

I fear for our defence though, it is a chance for them all to stake a claim but it would have been a better chance for them if it had of been 4 experienced defenders and 2 rookies rather than the other way about but there isnt many alternatives.  Howard and brannigan may not be rookies but one is coming back from a long injury and the other hasnt established himself at county level as yet.

If down win midfield they will win but if they dont i fear they could be well beat.

Quote from: RedandGreenSniper on February 04, 2011, 09:31:45 PM

Quote from: Farrandeelin on February 04, 2011, 08:11:57 PM
RGS, how on Earth was losing to Longford 'better than what happened in Sligo'?

Because we at least tried against Longford. The confidence was shaken but some players had a right go at it. Against Sligo it was obvious at half-time that we were going to lose and the players didn't even seem to care about that. I don't think the gulf between Sligo and Longford has anything to do with it, we gave up in Markievicz Park. I'm not saying there was anything really to be proud of in losing to Longford. But the white flag being shown in Sligo galled me more than anything else. Humiliating.

That second half against Sligo was the most inept display by a Mayo side in any grade and in any competition I can recall and I've chalked up more than 50 years of following the green and red.
There have been assloads of inept displays and hard luck stories along the line alright but there was nothing to compare with what we saw in Markievicz Park that day.  If young Freeman hadn't livened things up a bit in the first half we would have been out of it by half time. I truly never saw an entire team and management so united in their efforts to self-destruct and I hope I won't see the likes again.
I'd agree with you about the Longford game. Mind you, anything after the Sligo debacle would have to be an improvement on what we saw then but I thought some of the players had re-discovered their pride and that gave me some grounds for hope.
Maybe today will be the start of a bright new future! ;D

Does anyone know any bars around Lurgan which has Setanta?

Thankfully the force 7 gales have died away and all is relatively calm here in Mayo!  But it is still raining so McHale Park might be soft and greasy for tonights game. This should make it even more a defenders battle. The winner will be whichever defense proves the strongest, the new look Mayo one or the makeshift Down one.
The Down forward unit is as good as any in Ireland and are capable of putting up a decent score even in bad conditions. Will Mayo be able to restrict them to a beatable total? Key matchups to keep an eye on here are probably Tom Conniffe on Marty Clarke; Keith Higgins on Benny Coulter; and Kevin McLoughlin on Danny Hughes.
On the other side, any slip ups by the Down debutants will be punished by Ronaldson. The work rate of Moran and Dillon will be hard to contain. It will be interesting to see how Aodhán O Sé plays. Will he play to the potental he showed when he first burst on the scene or be like the lethargic version of last season?
Midfield will be an interesting battle. The experience campaigner (McGarrity) and the young gun who might just be the future for Mayo midfield (Gibbons),  verus the enforcer (King) and the former U21 star who previously outshone Parsons and A. OSé (Fitzpatrick).
All week I had a feeling for a Mayo win tonight.  But as the match draws closer, I am beginning to have some doubt.
I might just take the 15/2 offered by the bookies for the draw!

Down need to get on top at midfield if they are going to get anything out of this encounter. Id fear for our backline if Mayo implement a running game.
Our forward unit is one of the best in the country and id expect a big return from them tonight. I think that we can win this one.

Lads any links for watching this online in the U.K. (Island of G.B.)?

Anyone got a link for watching online?

Down 45 and they score a goal from it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quote from: mayogodhelpus@gmail.com on February 05, 2011, 07:34:45 PM
Down 45 and they score a goal from it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Marty Clarke hit it.

5 mins, Marty Clarke free, he now on 1.01

Andy Moran point from play after a good bit of Mayo play.

OG from McGarrity really, he was standing right in front of the keeper who had it covered, good point from Andy Moran there.

8 mins, Aiden O'Shea (wide)

Nearly another Down goal under the highball!!!!!!!!!! Kenny O'Malley clears it.

Alan Dillon point from play.

Nice one from Dillon.

Down point from play.

Ronaldson point from play, sounds like Mayo split the Down defence wide open. Mayo on top @ midfield.

Ronaldson with a nice score, great Down point before that.

Jason Gibbons winning good ball in midfield.

Marty Clarke from play (pt)

Down forwards have our backs numbers whenever they get any ball in there.

any links lads to watch this in England.  I'm listening to it on 5 fm newry would like to watch if anybody can help

goal for down

Benny Coulter to John Clarke, another Down goal.

Poor from the Mayo backs again there, Hallinan far too easily beaten.

Edit: It was actually Cunniffe, not Hallinan.

Score??

John Clarke point, could have been another Down goal  :-\

down 2 4 mayo 1 3

Brilliant solo goal from Freeman, badly needed, we're losing touch a bit.

Alan Freeman, MAYO GOAL  ;D

Down's first wide.

Mayo goal chance blocked down.

Down backs in trouble whenever they're run at, Freeman causing trouble there again.

Marty Clarke point.

Ronaldson free (pt)

Mayo     1.04
Down    2.05

Decent match in the conditions. Down clearly the more seasoned team, better understanding in their gameplay compared to Mayo, which is to be expected at this stage in our development I suppose.

Richie Feeney has put in a few strong challenges at the back, Cunniffes seen plenty of ball too. Hallinan struggling a bit so far.

Mayo on top in midfield, Gibbons doing very well, unbelievable to think he wasn't considered good enough for the 21s last year. McGarrity winning some excellent clean ball in the conditions.

Freeman is our standout forward, operating out on the 40 now, he can be huge for us this year. Varley winning some frees, playing OK, not really going O'Shea's way so far, but he's working hard. The other three forwards are all playing OK - think they've got a point each.

You'd fancy Down to win this but there are positives so far for Mayo.

Quote from: Cosmo Kramer on February 05, 2011, 08:17:43 PM
Decent match in the conditions. Down clearly the more seasoned team, better understanding in their gameplay compared to Mayo, which is to be expected at this stage in our development I suppose.

Richie Feeney has put in a few strong challenges at the back, Cunniffes seen plenty of ball too. Hallinan struggling a bit so far.

Mayo on top in midfield, Gibbons doing very well, unbelievable to think he wasn't considered good enough for the 21s last year. McGarrity winning some excellent clean ball in the conditions.

Freeman is our standout forward, operating out on the 40 now, he can be huge for us this year. Varley winning some frees, playing OK, not really going O'Shea's way so far, but he's working hard. The other three forwards are all playing OK - think they've got a point each.

You'd fancy Down to win this but there are positives so far for Mayo.

Could have told me before i BACKED THEM!!!!!

Freeman - O'Shea swap, Freeman pulled out and O'Shea in on full.

Danny Hughes, another point for the Men from the Mourne.

Really impressed with Gibbons again this half, he's almost outgunning McGarrity at this stage.

Down to a goal now.

Douglas and Gardiner on.

Andy Moran from his hands free.

Mayo changes

Douglas for Ronaldson

Gardiner for Feeny

Andy Morans been practicing long range frees over Christmas by the looks of things.

Andy Moran scores again.


King taken off for Down.

Mayo   1.07
Down  2.06

Down goal chance stopped and Mayo driving up the pitch.

Ronan McGarrity deflects ball into Mayo goal.

2nd own goal from McGarrity - unbelievable, not our night!

Quote from: mayogodhelpus@gmail.com on February 05, 2011, 08:41:09 PM
Ronan McGarrity deflects ball into Mayo goal.

Again???

What da Fcuk is he doing hanging around the goals??  maybe has a few pound on Down ;D ;D

Quote from: Milltown Row2 on February 05, 2011, 08:42:34 PM

Quote from: mayogodhelpus@gmail.com on February 05, 2011, 08:41:09 PM
Ronan McGarrity deflects ball into Mayo goal.

Again???

What da Fcuk is he doing hanging around the goals??  maybe has a few pound on Down ;D ;D

Maybe a wee punt on top scorer?

A lot of professional fouling from the Down backs, but its working for them.

1.08
3.06

1.09
3.06

Ridiculous Down defending there, but we're still chasing.

1.10
3.06

Drive at em lads.

Freeman and then mcloughlin, down to two now. Sorry to see Gibbons go off, that lad has talent, Parsons on now.

Jason Gibbons off, Tom Parsons on.

Parsons shoots, wide   :( :-\

Andy Moran another point from play.

1.11
3.06

Andy Moran is having some second half. 1 in it.

c'mon mayo

Mayo Free (Andy Moran) miss a free.

Mayo    1.11
Down   3.06

Alan Freeman, off injured  :( :(

Unbelievable point from varley, f**king hell that was amazing!

Mayo 1.12
Down 3.06

The kid is on.

Cillian O'Connor on now for Mayo to replace Freeman, we only had 14 men there for a few minutes.

Down 2'nd wide.

Downs 3'rd wide.

Down point.

Mayo   1.12
Down   3.07

Moran's best ever game for Mayo surely.

Andy Moran point from outside of his foot from play

Mayo 1.13
Down 3.07

Quote from: Cosmo Kramer on February 05, 2011, 08:59:45 PM
Moran's best ever game for Mayo surely.

Because he just scored a goal?????????????


Edit: A point isn't too bad.

Point Im afraid muppet

Marty Clarke - Wide number 4 for Down.

Mayo wide.

Gardiner should have won it, didn't, but its a draw. Great comeback and a great game.

Game over - Draw

Mayo    1.13
Down   3.07

Quote from: Cosmo Kramer on February 05, 2011, 09:03:07 PM
Gardiner should have won it, didn't, but its a draw. Great comeback and a great game.

It was a great game just watching this thread. Must have been some game to be at.

Hope the Down lads there enjoy the local hospitality.

Jes just listened to that on the radio. Sounds like Down were brutal in the 2nd half - de ja voo from the AI final against Cork.  Did Mayo win every kickout in the 2nd half? Midfield could be a problem during this league campaign if Dan stays in full back and Ambrose is still recovering.

Quote from: mayogodhelpus@gmail.com on February 05, 2011, 09:04:11 PM
Game over - Draw

Mayo    1.13
Down   3.07

Many thanks for the updates. My only source of updates this evening.

well done to Mayo.

Quote from: Joe Umbrella (hey) on February 05, 2011, 09:10:01 PM
Jes just listened to that on the radio. Sounds like Down were brutal in the 2nd half - de ja voo from the AI final against Cork.  Did Mayo win every kickout in the 2nd half? Midfield could be a problem during this league campaign if Dan stays in full back and Ambrose is still recovering.

Sounded close to it alright.

Quote from: mannix on February 05, 2011, 09:15:03 PM
well done to Mayo.

+1

Just got a call from McHale Park, sounded like the Down passing in the first half was unreal, brilliant stuff.

Mayo analysis...where do you start.

The backs looked in trouble early on, but other than the defender's slip (think it was Hallinan but I'm open to correction) for the second goal, there was just a lot of bad luck involved in the Down goals. McGarrity should just be told to stay out around midfield anymore! Keith Higgins had a very good game and I definitely want to see more of Feeney because he showed potential tonight, a right tough defender's defender. McLoughlin was good going forward, a bit loose at the back, Caff was decent enough without standing out. Cunniffe played well too.

Mayo owned midfield in the second half (and much of the first half) which was great to see. Was that the Down midfield from last year? Impressive if it was. McGarrity was excellent when he wasn't scoring own goals, Gibbons has the makings of a top class inter county player and Parsons took up where Gibbons left off when he came on. Best Mayo midfield performance Ive seen in a good while.

Andy Moran was the star man in the forwards, 6 points including a few great long range frees. Varley hit a monster point from in front of the stand, won a few frees and played very well over all. Dillon played very well in a playmaker role. Didn't work for O'Shea tonight, Dan Gordon had his number, but Freeman was class as well - the forward line needs to be built around him this year.

Horan was happy enough in the post match interview, lamenting the Gardiner miss at the end though, Andy Moran came across well and spoke about the need to get out of the blocks quicker in future but said that they always feel they know how to come back from a deficit. McCartan was fairly downbeat, felt the same old problems were showing their heads again this year for them.

If Mayo keep playing like that we should have too much about us to get relegated anyway, although we will have to play two of the other relegation favourites, Monaghan and Galway away. Encouraging start tonight though.

Quote from: muppet on February 05, 2011, 09:04:32 PM

Quote from: Cosmo Kramer on February 05, 2011, 09:03:07 PM
Gardiner should have won it, didn't, but its a draw. Great comeback and a great game.

It was a great game just watching this thread. Must have been some game to be at.

Hope the Down lads there enjoy the local hospitality.

I thought you where living in Castlebar or close to it? i would do anything to see the Rossies in Divsion 1 action again.. 8/9 years ago seems like a distance memory now but i never missed a home game.

Anyways sounded like a great game & two good draws for the Connacht teams today.

Just home from the match, a great nights entertainment. Down played some lovely football in the first half with Dnny Hughes and Martin Clarke tormenting us. Jason Gibbons and Andy Moran were our stand out performers early on, and when Alan Freeman went CF he really took hold of the game. Our backs looked in all sorts of trouble in the first half with the exception of Keith Higgins.  We started the second half really well with complete midfield dominance and came back to within 2 points only to be hit with a sucker punch of a goal. The team lifted it very well again and were probably a little unlucky not to win. Star Men - Jason Gibons, Alan Freeman, and MOM Andy Moran. Backs improved in second half and Dillon and Varley also played ok. I think Aidan O Se should be left with the U-21 to rediscover form / fitness, wasnt at his best tonight.
   Overall, pretty good display and a lot more heart /character than we saw towards the end of last year.

We ended up lucky to get a draw in a game that for a long time looked like we would win easily.

Still it is good to get a point to start of the league.

I thought we got cleaned out in MF, bit like the All Ireland again.

Thought we were weak at the back with only Dan and Luke Howard impressing.

Up front they all had there moments, but still think that John Clarke is missing a bit of pace for this level.

Still not a bad start as i think our team will get better as the summer goes on and we are playing on harder pitches.

Of the new guys compared to last year, i would say only L Howard really helped himself today.

A result I would have taken at half-time but was looking for a win with five minutes to go. A few good things and bad things from the game. It is only early doors but we showed a decent amount of desire when the hunger got going in the second half. A bit too ragged in the first half and lucky to be only 4 down at the break. Dillon, Moran and Freeman were superb. Gibbons showed plenty of what he can do too and I must admit I was pleasantly surprised with Tom Parsons' contribution off the bench.

I wonder did a certain Mayo bookies take a lot of bets on Mayo this week? :P

Good result given that 5 off our first choice back 6 were missing, and the weather conditions, we are a dry hard ground team

I watched the first half in the pub and listened to as much as I could of the second half due to a family commitment. Mind you, I had 5 of my family there and their texts were helpful to put context to a what I thought was Gaelic Football at it's best.
Mayo are a passionate crew and I really hope I am in CP when they lift Sam as I expect they will within 5 years.In 1989 I met up with a load of them I had worked with in London and in 91 I really enjoyed the craic with a couple of Swinford men who were disappointed with their minors but delighted with our seniors. As a result I regularly wear a Mayo shirt when coaching and I know there is a Down shirt floatings round Swinford.
First half summary
As anticipated, it was a game of 2 attacks. Dillon and especially Andy Moran were excellent. Ronan Mc Garrity deserves an AI medal as he has done the dirty stuff for years yet is still a class act. I could not fault any of the Down players.Brendy was calm and composed and apart from one palm down Luke Howard was super. Dan did the job and Brannigan gave his all- in the next world if I am in a team I will want a load of Kilcoo men around me. MDG in case you think I am biased I have played with and against many Magpies and Brannigan makes up for his limitations with total commitment.
Mc Kernan will lift Sam as he has grown into a leader. Mc Cartan will improve and I think there is a defender in Mc Polin. I thought MF showed their usual mix of brain and brawn and even when Ambrose returns they are two good men. No need to talk about the 6 lads up front as they are wonderful. I am like a broken record but John Clarke is one of the most under appreciated Down players ever.
A point was critical and looking forward to hearing the Galway Girl as the only thing the men from the West will get out of Pairc Esler.

what a game to start life in div1. thought for a long time we were going to win easy and then at the end happy with the point. bit disappointed to only get 7pts on the board. if we had got 10 or 11pts along with the 3goals we might have been able to keep our noses in front. credit has to go to both teams.

Last two Mayo points from Varley and Moran:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH4WZpcRiRA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH4WZpcRiRA)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCPw-WXg5Mw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCPw-WXg5Mw)

Just watched the game on D'telly there, good match with some nice football from both teams. From a Mayo point of view I was very impressed with Feeney and sorry to see him go off

Quote from: stephenite on February 06, 2011, 11:29:28 AM
Just watched the game on D'telly there, good match with some nice football from both teams. From a Mayo point of view I was very impressed with Feeney and sorry to see him go off

I thought Richie Feeney was Mayo's best half-back in the first forty minutes at a stage when Down's half-forward line was on top. Ger Caff and Kevin McLoughlin were both struggling and a bit too loose. But in the second half both these two started getting tighter to their men and putting them on the back foot. Both were instrumental in the late comeback. I hope Feeney was taken off for similar reasons that Gibbons might have been - that management were happy with what they had done and didn't need to see anymore on that night.

Quote from: Dubh driocht on February 06, 2011, 01:52:10 AM
I watched the first half in the pub and listened to as much as I could of the second half due to a family commitment. Mind you, I had 5 of my family there and their texts were helpful to put context to a what I thought was Gaelic Football at it's best.
Mayo are a passionate crew and I really hope I am in CP when they lift Sam as I expect they will within 5 years.In 1989 I met up with a load of them I had worked with in London and in 91 I really enjoyed the craic with a couple of Swinford men who were disappointed with their minors but delighted with our seniors. As a result I regularly wear a Mayo shirt when coaching and I know there is a Down shirt floatings round Swinford.
First half summary
As anticipated, it was a game of 2 attacks. Dillon and especially Andy Moran were excellent. Ronan Mc Garrity deserves an AI medal as he has done the dirty stuff for years yet is still a class act. I could not fault any of the Down players.Brendy was calm and composed and apart from one palm down Luke Howard was super. Dan did the job and Brannigan gave his all- in the next world if I am in a team I will want a load of Kilcoo men around me. MDG in case you think I am biased I have played with and against many Magpies and Brannigan makes up for his limitations with total commitment.
Mc Kernan will lift Sam as he has grown into a leader. Mc Cartan will improve and I think there is a defender in Mc Polin. I thought MF showed their usual mix of brain and brawn and even when Ambrose returns they are two good men. No need to talk about the 6 lads up front as they are wonderful. I am like a broken record but John Clarke is one of the most under appreciated Down players ever.
A point was critical and looking forward to hearing the Galway Girl as the only thing the men from the West will get out of Pairc Esler.

Cant understand your view on McKernan after a shocking display by him last night - do agree McPolin looks a propsect. Always rated John Clarke too but again he was poor last night.
Foolish to write-off Galway who always have class forwards and our defence is makeshift at this stage.

McKernan was dreadful and mcpolin has alot to learn but has potential.

clarke should be dropped for murtagh

Quote from: Leo on February 06, 2011, 01:26:08 PM

Quote from: Dubh driocht on February 06, 2011, 01:52:10 AM
I watched the first half in the pub and listened to as much as I could of the second half due to a family commitment. Mind you, I had 5 of my family there and their texts were helpful to put context to a what I thought was Gaelic Football at it's best.
Mayo are a passionate crew and I really hope I am in CP when they lift Sam as I expect they will within 5 years.In 1989 I met up with a load of them I had worked with in London and in 91 I really enjoyed the craic with a couple of Swinford men who were disappointed with their minors but delighted with our seniors. As a result I regularly wear a Mayo shirt when coaching and I know there is a Down shirt floatings round Swinford.
First half summary
As anticipated, it was a game of 2 attacks. Dillon and especially Andy Moran were excellent. Ronan Mc Garrity deserves an AI medal as he has done the dirty stuff for years yet is still a class act. I could not fault any of the Down players.Brendy was calm and composed and apart from one palm down Luke Howard was super. Dan did the job and Brannigan gave his all- in the next world if I am in a team I will want a load of Kilcoo men around me. MDG in case you think I am biased I have played with and against many Magpies and Brannigan makes up for his limitations with total commitment.
Mc Kernan will lift Sam as he has grown into a leader. Mc Cartan will improve and I think there is a defender in Mc Polin. I thought MF showed their usual mix of brain and brawn and even when Ambrose returns they are two good men. No need to talk about the 6 lads up front as they are wonderful. I am like a broken record but John Clarke is one of the most under appreciated Down players ever.
A point was critical and looking forward to hearing the Galway Girl as the only thing the men from the West will get out of Pairc Esler.

Cant understand your view on McKernan after a shocking display by him last night - do agree McPolin looks a propsect. Always rated John Clarke too but again he was poor last night.
Foolish to write-off Galway who always have class forwards and our defence is makeshift at this stage.

Which of Galway's forwards would you rate as 'class' (bearing in mind that P Joyce, N Joyce and Meehan aren't on the panel at the moment)?

Stories doing the rounds that Freeman broke a bone in his hand and will miss the rest of the league - big blow for us if that is true.

Quote from: Cosmo Kramer on February 05, 2011, 09:30:42 PM
Mayo analysis...where do you start.

The backs looked in trouble early on, but other than the defender's slip (think it was Hallinan but I'm open to correction) for the second goal, there was just a lot of bad luck involved in the Down goals.
...

That was Higgins that got rounded Cosmo, after a poor kickout from O Malley.
I thought that O Malley should have done better for the first goal too as it bounced in front of him and skidded into the net.

Actually we were both wrong,  I've seen it again since and it was Tom Cunniffe who got rounded by Coulter and then slipped to let him in. To be fair to Tom he kept Coulter scoreless which is something not many of his markers will achieve this season. I don't think O'Malley had any chance at all with the first goal, it flew in off McGarritys shin and he was standing right in front of O'Malley.

At half time I really did fear the worst, but as has been stated before, Mayo dominated midfield in the second half. I thought Gibbons was better than McGarrity however, but then again he dropped a fair bit of ball in the first half. I will also admit to have been critical of Parsons in the past, but by Jays last night he fairly made up for it. He was brilliant when he came on. I think that if Mayo hadn't conceded that opening goal we could have actually won the game as that goal seemed to scare the bejaysus of all our 6 defenders in the first half bar Keith Higgins.

Second half was a different story altogether, whether it was a case of Down not been able to keep the tempo going for the whole game or not is another thing but credit must be given to Mayo who fought back well and the halfback line in particular must be given top marks for getting tighter to their men. All I was looking for was a good performance last night and I have to say that's what I got in the second half.

As RGS stated I thought we could go on to win the game and it was a pity Gardiner shot wide right at the end but a draw was a fair result.

PS By God, Down's passing in the first half was brilliant to watch.

Quote from: Farrandeelin on February 06, 2011, 03:38:53 PM
At half time I really did fear the worst, but as has been stated before, Mayo dominated midfield in the second half. I thought Gibbons was better than McGarrity however, but then again he dropped a fair bit of ball in the first half. I will also admit to have been critical of Parsons in the past, but by Jays last night he fairly made up for it. He was brilliant when he came on. I think that if Mayo hadn't conceded that opening goal we could have actually won the game as that goal seemed to scare the bejaysus of all our 6 defenders in the first half bar Keith Higgins.

Second half was a different story altogether, whether it was a case of Down not been able to keep the tempo going for the whole game or not is another thing but credit must be given to Mayo who fought back well and the halfback line in particular must be given top marks for getting tighter to their men. All I was looking for was a good performance last night and I have to say that's what I got in the second half.

As RGS stated I thought we could go on to win the game and it was a pity Gardiner shot wide right at the end but a draw was a fair result.

PS By God, Down's passing in the first half was brilliant to watch.

Agree about the brilliance of the passing but even some of the Down supporters around me were annoyed that they were playing too much short game. They keep the ball brilliantly but are they getting the most out of their quality in the forwards? There was a hint of good fortune about more than one of their goals and their point total at the end was modest enough.
However we could learn a lot from what they do well and will need to if we re to progress and be a serious summer team.
I d be surprised if Freeman hasn t broken his hand because that is what it looked like - probably a metacarpal. Major loss.
Would be happy with nearly everybody individually. And the team showed great resolve to battle on  when things were going bad. To concede 3 bad goals and rescue a league point is good going. And really should have snaffled it at the end.

Quote from: Cosmo Kramer on February 06, 2011, 02:48:10 PM
Actually we were both wrong,  I've seen it again since and it was Tom Cunniffe who got rounded by Coulter and then slipped to let him in. To be fair to Tom he kept Coulter scoreless which is something not many of his markers will achieve this season. I don't think O'Malley had any chance at all with the first goal, it flew in off McGarritys shin and he was standing right in front of O'Malley.

I was working from memory on that one. Ya Cunniffe did Ok, however a lot of ball and scores went through Benny Coulter. He seemed to set up a fair bit.

Great game though, very exciting and it was fantastic to see Mayo play with such heart and passion.

Ill post more thoughts tomorrow.

Anyone sitting near the gang of Americans in the stand? Hilarious. As one fella said there's more entertainment behind me than in front of me

Quote from: moysider on February 06, 2011, 04:39:02 PM

Quote from: Farrandeelin on February 06, 2011, 03:38:53 PM
At half time I really did fear the worst, but as has been stated before, Mayo dominated midfield in the second half. I thought Gibbons was better than McGarrity however, but then again he dropped a fair bit of ball in the first half. I will also admit to have been critical of Parsons in the past, but by Jays last night he fairly made up for it. He was brilliant when he came on. I think that if Mayo hadn't conceded that opening goal we could have actually won the game as that goal seemed to scare the bejaysus of all our 6 defenders in the first half bar Keith Higgins.

Second half was a different story altogether, whether it was a case of Down not been able to keep the tempo going for the whole game or not is another thing but credit must be given to Mayo who fought back well and the halfback line in particular must be given top marks for getting tighter to their men. All I was looking for was a good performance last night and I have to say that's what I got in the second half.

As RGS stated I thought we could go on to win the game and it was a pity Gardiner shot wide right at the end but a draw was a fair result.

PS By God, Down's passing in the first half was brilliant to watch.

Agree about the brilliance of the passing but even some of the Down supporters around me were annoyed that they were playing too much short game. They keep the ball brilliantly but are they getting the most out of their quality in the forwards? There was a hint of good fortune about more than one of their goals and their point total at the end was modest enough.
However we could learn a lot from what they do well and will need to if we re to progress and be a serious summer team.
I d be surprised if Freeman hasn t broken his hand because that is what it looked like - probably a metacarpal. Major loss.
Would be happy with nearly everybody individually. And the team showed great resolve to battle on  when things were going bad. To concede 3 bad goals and rescue a league point is good going. And really should have snaffled it at the end.

I wouldn't worry about a handful of spectators shouting about getting it in first time. There's an amazing number of people at Down club and county games who believe their team will score every time the ball is lumped in aimlessly to the full forwards. I've heard any number of numbnuts complain that their 10 point victory 'could be even more impressive' with direct football every time. I'd go so far as to say it's an illness in our county - but thankfully one that Wee James doesn't suffer from.

Quote from: thewobbler on February 06, 2011, 08:49:41 PM

Quote from: moysider on February 06, 2011, 04:39:02 PM

Quote from: Farrandeelin on February 06, 2011, 03:38:53 PM
At half time I really did fear the worst, but as has been stated before, Mayo dominated midfield in the second half. I thought Gibbons was better than McGarrity however, but then again he dropped a fair bit of ball in the first half. I will also admit to have been critical of Parsons in the past, but by Jays last night he fairly made up for it. He was brilliant when he came on. I think that if Mayo hadn't conceded that opening goal we could have actually won the game as that goal seemed to scare the bejaysus of all our 6 defenders in the first half bar Keith Higgins.

Second half was a different story altogether, whether it was a case of Down not been able to keep the tempo going for the whole game or not is another thing but credit must be given to Mayo who fought back well and the halfback line in particular must be given top marks for getting tighter to their men. All I was looking for was a good performance last night and I have to say that's what I got in the second half.

As RGS stated I thought we could go on to win the game and it was a pity Gardiner shot wide right at the end but a draw was a fair result.

PS By God, Down's passing in the first half was brilliant to watch.

Agree about the brilliance of the passing but even some of the Down supporters around me were annoyed that they were playing too much short game. They keep the ball brilliantly but are they getting the most out of their quality in the forwards? There was a hint of good fortune about more than one of their goals and their point total at the end was modest enough.
However we could learn a lot from what they do well and will need to if we re to progress and be a serious summer team.
I d be surprised if Freeman hasn t broken his hand because that is what it looked like - probably a metacarpal. Major loss.
Would be happy with nearly everybody individually. And the team showed great resolve to battle on  when things were going bad. To concede 3 bad goals and rescue a league point is good going. And really should have snaffled it at the end.

I wouldn't worry about a handful of spectators shouting about getting it in first time. There's an amazing number of people at Down club and county games who believe their team will score every time the ball is lumped in aimlessly to the full forwards. I've heard any number of numbnuts complain that their 10 point victory 'could be even more impressive' with direct football every time. I'd go so far as to say it's an illness in our county - but thankfully one that Wee James doesn't suffer from.

I know what you re saying and we all have the 'let it in first  time' brigade. As I ve said I thought Downs passing and ball retention was great. But the scoring return was not there. Essentially as an outsider  I believe that is down to the personnel inside. I also believe that Down would have won AI in Sept. if they could have isolated Coulter one on one inside more often and give him earlier ball. The guy inside with him needs to be more dynamic than John Clarke. Maybe a Comiskey. Down are essentially a counterattacking side and will be very difficult to hold if they can get the proper balance in the inside 2. 

QuoteMcGarrity should just be told to stay out around midfield anymore!

He should be told t stay at home.

Quote from: highorlow on February 06, 2011, 10:50:16 PM

QuoteMcGarrity should just be told to stay out around midfield anymore!

He should be told t stay at home.

Eh, why so?

Indeed, I was impressed with McGarrity. In fact there were few, if any on the Mayo team that should be told to stay at home, most impressed or at least offered glimpses to be given another go.

Having slept on it I still think Feeney was very impressive, a couple of well timed shoulders were excellent to watch

Are they showing highlights on rte 2 now? Didn't see any proper highlights of the game yet. The spent 30 minutes of an hour long show talking about Cork and Kerry  ::)

Swimming in Water with people who hadn't the same integrity as I had - Tommy  Lyons on not getting the Mayo Job.

tommy Lyons was asked was he disappointed he didn't get the Mayo job... he said:
"I was swimming in water with people who didn't have the same integrity as I had ?
WTF did tommy Lyons mean by that?

Quote from: highorlow on February 06, 2011, 10:50:16 PM

QuoteMcGarrity should just be told to stay out around midfield anymore!

He should be told t stay at home.

That's very harsh, he won a lot of ball in the second half and used it well, i.e. didn't kick pass.
The lads boots should be taken off him

Quote from: AbbeySider on February 06, 2011, 11:34:00 PM
Are they showing highlights on rte 2 now? Didn't see any proper highlights of the game yet. The spent 30 minutes of an hour long show talking about Cork and Kerry  ::)

Typical RTE wankers, showing 3 mins of the game  >:(

good game. Brilliant effort by Dillon to free himself from 4 tacklers to set up Mcloughlins score. Freeman looks to have massive potential. He wins his ball and drives at the defence every chance he gets.  I dont know whats happening with A O'Se. Anytime he did actually win the ball cleanly (which was rear), he went to ground, and then didnt have the leg strength / fitness to spring back up.
Would like to see O'Connor get a decent run in the league, probably at the expense of Ronaldson

Quote from: stephenite on February 06, 2011, 11:30:39 PM
Indeed, I was impressed with McGarrity. In fact there were few, if any on the Mayo team that should be told to stay at home, most impressed or at least offered glimpses to be given another go.

Having slept on it I still think Feeney was very impressive, a couple of well timed shoulders were excellent to watch

Exactly. Nobody on that team should be told to stay at home. Not saying that s the first 15 or anything and it is early days. Like you I thought Feeney was impressive. I was disappointed he was replaced - and if I may be negative for brief- i didn't think the first 2 subs changed anything. I was pleased with Feeney, but minutes before he was replaced a friend nearby pointed out that he had given loads of ball away coming out. Maybe - and I must watch the recording -  but what he did wrong can be sorted, and what he did right, we need. The substitutions that did work were Parsons and O Connor. Parsons is class. But we cant get carried away. He gave a cameo when Down midfielders were blowing hard, even beyond flagging, for ten minutes. McGar gave 70 and Gibbons a very decent 60. I expect Parsons to drive on and be a full- game player. Happily Horan gave young Cillian the deeper role that eventually is where he will end up.

Quote from: AbbeySider on February 06, 2011, 07:53:05 PM

Quote from: Cosmo Kramer on February 06, 2011, 02:48:10 PM
Actually we were both wrong,  I've seen it again since and it was Tom Cunniffe who got rounded by Coulter and then slipped to let him in. To be fair to Tom he kept Coulter scoreless which is something not many of his markers will achieve this season. I don't think O'Malley had any chance at all with the first goal, it flew in off McGarritys shin and he was standing right in front of O'Malley.

I was working from memory on that one.Ya Cunniffe did Ok, however a lot of ball and scores went through Benny Coulter. He seemed to set up a fair bit.

Great game though, very exciting and it was fantastic to see Mayo play with such heart and passion.

Ill post more thoughts tomorrow.

Just from the short highlights, Coulter was walking through for the down 2nd & 3rd goals to set them up. He was causing awful problems

On another note bjp seemed to do ok for Armagh, fair play

Quote from: AbbeySider on February 07, 2011, 12:00:05 AM

Quote from: AbbeySider on February 06, 2011, 07:53:05 PM

Quote from: Cosmo Kramer on February 06, 2011, 02:48:10 PM
Actually we were both wrong,  I've seen it again since and it was Tom Cunniffe who got rounded by Coulter and then slipped to let him in. To be fair to Tom he kept Coulter scoreless which is something not many of his markers will achieve this season. I don't think O'Malley had any chance at all with the first goal, it flew in off McGarritys shin and he was standing right in front of O'Malley.

I was working from memory on that one.Ya Cunniffe did Ok, however a lot of ball and scores went through Benny Coulter. He seemed to set up a fair bit.

Great game though, very exciting and it was fantastic to see Mayo play with such heart and passion.

Ill post more thoughts tomorrow.

Just from the short highlights, Coulter was walking through for the down 2nd & 3rd goals to set them up. He was causing awful problems

On another note bjp seemed to do ok for Armagh, fair play

I m not surprised Billy Joe did ok. No more than Costello in Sligo. I don t think it takes rocket science to work it out. Hopefully Horan can.

Of course Coulter will walk through. If he gets ball and space he ll kill anybody. There is nobody in this county or any county that will stop him without taking his head off if he gets good ball in space.Or dropping ball 1 on 1. On the other hand most of Down 's scores were counter attack where Mayo turned over watery stuff. Must watch the video and see but I suspect that Down got very few scores from winning kickouts and finishing the play. Mayo gave them so much soft wayward ball they will be disappointed they did not close out that game easily. We played no sweeper or anything.

Quote from: AbbeySider on February 06, 2011, 11:41:53 PM
tommy Lyons was asked was he disappointed he didn't get the Mayo job... he said:
"I was swimming in water with people who didn't have the same integrity as I had ?
WTF did tommy Lyons mean by that?

It means he was made walk the plank in the interview...................and the plank broke.

I'd be interested to see how many frees we turned over immediately, first half was riddled with them. I wouldnt let a great second half disguise a melodian first, as bad as anything we've seen from Mayo.
And you'd have to ask how AOS made 15 mins never mind the full game, I like the lad but sat nite was terrible.

Great welcome in Castlebar Mitchels for al Down supporters - class act - well done.

Setanta are showing highlights this evening at 5 and 8. Also showing tomorrow evening at 5:30.

http://www.setanta.com/ie/TV-Listings/

Quote from: moysider on February 06, 2011, 11:57:43 PM

Quote from: stephenite on February 06, 2011, 11:30:39 PM
Indeed, I was impressed with McGarrity. In fact there were few, if any on the Mayo team that should be told to stay at home, most impressed or at least offered glimpses to be given another go.

Having slept on it I still think Feeney was very impressive, a couple of well timed shoulders were excellent to watch

Exactly. Nobody on that team should be told to stay at home. Not saying that s the first 15 or anything and it is early days. Like you I thought Feeney was impressive. I was disappointed he was replaced - and if I may be negative for brief- i didn't think the first 2 subs changed anything. I was pleased with Feeney, but minutes before he was replaced a friend nearby pointed out that he had given loads of ball away coming out. Maybe - and I must watch the recording -  but what he did wrong can be sorted, and what he did right, we need. The substitutions that did work were Parsons and O Connor. Parsons is class. But we cant get carried away. He gave a cameo when Down midfielders were blowing hard, even beyond flagging, for ten minutes. McGar gave 70 and Gibbons a very decent 60. I expect Parsons to drive on and be a full- game player. Happily Horan gave young Cillian the deeper role that eventually is where he will end up.

Just a couple of points about the match, agree about Aidan O Shea, he looks to be short on confidence, but i still maintain he isn't athletic enough to play center forward. he goes to ground too easilt and his ball retention when it is played into him was almost zero. i know he is young and still learning, but maybe a while away from the senior team would do him no harm, give him a chance to develop away from the bright lights. Gibbons in midield, gave a display of fielding that was great given the conditions, his midfield partner need to take a few notes- pretty ppor shift for a lad who has been around for a while, his poor kick to nothing in the dying minutes when the scores were level summed up his night. Freeman,Dillon and Andy Moran brought the fight to the Down men when we needed a lift. Ger at center back did nothing wrong either and Richie feeney hit hard and can improve. Overall a bit hit and miss, a few more misses than hits maybe, but early days yet.

On a different note, is Saturday night football under floodlights and a half filled stand enough reason to put all the clubs in the county in debt for years to come? for me, a white elephant which has served someones ego trip.

I had to make do with the commentary from Mid West and the extended highlights on Setanta to form an opinion on the game but I am happy with what I've seen and heard so far.
Above all else, the lethargy that characterised the display against Sligo and to a lesser extent the one against Longford has disappeared. I was especially heartened by the attitude of the older hands that featured in the disastrous championship games last season. Dillon, Gardiner, Parsons and McGarrity and indeed all the others concerned seem to have re-discovered a bit of pride in the jersey.

We'll see what the future has to offer in its own good time but we made a commendable start o n Saturday night.

I don't expect any man to be putting stellar 70 minutes at this stage of the season, it's the first game of the league and it was an encouraging improvement on the last appearance in a National competition. Plenty to work on, no more or less than I'd hoped for.

Lar listened to Mid west on the way home, they seemed to forget about thefirst half or watch a different one to me, completely over the top review of the players, said varley was outstanding, average at best too the last 10

Quote from: Mayo4Sam on February 07, 2011, 02:55:45 PM
Lar listened to Mid west on the way home, they seemed to forget about thefirst half or watch a different one to me, completely over the top review of the players, said varley was outstanding, average at best too the last 10

Mad West gives the craziest, most one-sided, biased, over the top, tripe rubbish when it comes to their review of players.

When picking man of the match they go through every player like they were a sensation. Pure yahoo stuff.  ::)

Turned on Midwest at the start of the second half - Rob says to Billy Looks like Aidan O Se has gone in full forward  it happened 15 minutes earlier of course our Rob hadnt noticed Alan Freman making his way in from Centre Forward for his goal

Down were very poor on Saturday night. totally ran out of steam with 15 to go. If Mcveigh had the cop on to avoid the middle with his kick outs Down would have won the game.
They didnt look near match fit.
Hard to believe McKernan is an all star after that performance.
Could be a short summer, Down rarely put 2 good ones back to back.
But i will pass judgement when we get close to our best 15.
Sooner Ambrose is back and Big Dan is moved back to the middle the better.

Enjoyed the game and am really looking forward to the next one.  Some good performances especially from Dillon and the ever present one.  Midfield were dominant which is just as well.  If Down had broken even in midfield we could have been beaten out the gate......

Don't know if people were looking at the same Mayo corner forwards as I was.......only one super point saved Varley from been as poor as Mark R.  Centre half forward remains a problem but at least the effort was there in abundance even from those who had poor games.

Fair play to the Down contingent, they showed up in good numbers and added to what was a great atmosphere.

Mc Kernan isnt an allstar.
Yes they werent great in their first league game of the season away to Mayo on a rotten night but give them a break. Its a long year and its only just starting for them. Those misty-eyed supporters who think that Ambrose and Dan Gordon (or indeed Liam Doyle) are gonna magically solve all the problems need their heads read. Yes it wasnt a great performance, yes it was poor at times and yes they still have problems in different parts of the field but there is a hungry panel of players there, a decent management team and a system that worked last year (with a sprinklin of luck) and its up to them to come up with a solution or way around the problems that exist.

Wasnt greatly impressed with Mayo, though thought that Moran gave great leadership and didnt shirk responsibility. Always liked Mayo and would love to see them come strong again this year.

Quote from: snoopdog on February 07, 2011, 05:35:53 PM
Down were very poor on Saturday night. totally ran out of steam with 15 to go. If Mcveigh had the cop on to avoid the middle with his kick outs Down would have won the game.
They didnt look near match fit.
Hard to believe McKernan is an all star after that performance.
Could be a short summer, Down rarely put 2 good ones back to back.
But i will pass judgement when we get close to our best 15.
Sooner Ambrose is back and Big Dan is moved back to the middle the better.

Good post Snoopdawg!

Except for:

1. Down played some good stuff in the first half hence the lead? And they did'nt run out of steam in the last 15 - more a case of they couldnt win a ball around the middle in the 2nd half and could have snatched a late winner (as could Mayo of course)

2. McVeigh is an allstar - just let him do his thing.The lads out the field are just as accountable when it comes to not winning kickouts.

3. With regards players being match fit, its only February and in the end Down were as fit as Mayo.

4. McKernan is not an allstar. And the GPA one is null and void cos we don't recognise the GPA remember? Anyway McKernan had a great summer last year - everyone can have a bad game now and again.

5. "Could be a short summer, Down rarely put 2 good ones back to back.
     But I will pass judgement when we get back to our best 15 " And the award for supporter of the year goes to.........
     It's nice to see your not making any judgements (as per usual)

6. Yes it will be great to get Amrose back. But it will take time for him to recover from yet another serious injury and it may be next summer before he reaches the form of last year providing he makes a good recovery. And big Dan will stay in full back as in his short time there he has proved to be the best No.3 we have had for years. He has done well on some of the countries top forwards and also put an end to our problems with the high ball.

But apart from the above, good post Snoop.

We need to remember Down are a team that has just come up from Division 2. Mayo are a well established Division 1 team. We should be expecting Down to be playing Divsion 2 standard football and developing into a better team not expecting them to be going away from home and beating an established Division 1 side. I think it shows just how special this team is that they have raised our expectations so much. The quality of Down is fantastic in patches and they just need to learn to sustain it for longer periods. But getting an away point in Mayo was a superb result. Sure we finished poor but we had played some fanatsic stuff beforehand. Like many experienced people have said, it's only February and evey game is another learing stage. Lets praise the lads for how far they have come

Just watched a recording of the first half there before the missus evicted me from the room with sky plus! So the second half will have to wait. A few observations on the first half.

Crowd looked miserably small on tv, but entering the stand it looked a much bigger crowd. Not really good enough from the home support. 

The Setanta cameras were brilliant. I can see why people stay home because the glare of the lights and the distance from the pitch made the going tough. Failing peepers don t help either.

On commentary Mike Finnerty was disappointing. He didn't get to grips with the dynamic of what was happening at all. The excellent Ross Carr did his best Fr. Paul Stone  impersonation but knew what was happening. He tried to educate Mike in as an unobtrusive manner as possible. But he will be few people s flavour.

Those who have been hard on McGarrity were harsh. Very harsh. Easily the best midfielder on view in the first half. 2 massive kick passes to go with some good attacking of the ball and a few good fetches.

Richie Feeney should be picked on any team.

AOS picked up some good positions and was in twice if the pass was made. Everybody knows what is needed there. Lets move on.

The Ever Present, Dillon and Freeman were very good, even better than very good at times.

Our turn over from quick frees was appalling.Thankfully that is something that will have been noted and can be sorted easily in coaching.

11 of that Down team started v Cork in September. Fair play. They persist with their shape, tactics, players and management. When we lose AIs, everything goes. Management, most players, baby and bathwater.

Quote from: Brick Tamlin on February 07, 2011, 09:53:38 PM
Mc Kernan isnt an allstar.
Yes they werent great in their first league game of the season away to Mayo on a rotten night but give them a break. Its a long year and its only just starting for them. Those misty-eyed supporters who think that Ambrose and Dan Gordon (or indeed Liam Doyle) are gonna magically solve all the problems need their heads read. Yes it wasnt a great performance, yes it was poor at times and yes they still have problems in different parts of the field but there is a hungry panel of players there, a decent management team and a system that worked last year (with a sprinklin of luck) and its up to them to come up with a solution or way around the problems that exist.

Wasnt greatly impressed with Mayo, though thought that Moran gave great leadership and didnt shirk responsibility. Always liked Mayo and would love to see them come strong again this year.

your right he isnt, dont know why i thought he was.

Quote from: Joe Umbrella (hey) on February 07, 2011, 09:56:04 PM

Quote from: snoopdog on February 07, 2011, 05:35:53 PM
Down were very poor on Saturday night. totally ran out of steam with 15 to go. If Mcveigh had the cop on to avoid the middle with his kick outs Down would have won the game.
They didnt look near match fit.
Hard to believe McKernan is an all star after that performance.
Could be a short summer, Down rarely put 2 good ones back to back.
But i will pass judgement when we get close to our best 15.
Sooner Ambrose is back and Big Dan is moved back to the middle the better.

Good post Snoopdawg!

Except for:

1. Down played some good stuff in the first half hence the lead? And they did'nt run out of steam in the last 15 - more a case of they couldnt win a ball around the middle in the 2nd half and could have snatched a late winner (as could Mayo of course)

2. McVeigh is an allstar - just let him do his thing.The lads out the field are just as accountable when it comes to not winning kickouts.

3. With regards players being match fit, its only February and in the end Down were as fit as Mayo.

4. McKernan is not an allstar. And the GPA one is null and void cos we don't recognise the GPA remember? Anyway McKernan had a great summer last year - everyone can have a bad game now and again.

5. "Could be a short summer, Down rarely put 2 good ones back to back.
     But I will pass judgement when we get back to our best 15 " And the award for supporter of the year goes to.........
     It's nice to see your not making any judgements (as per usual)

6. Yes it will be great to get Amrose back. But it will take time for him to recover from yet another serious injury and it may be next summer before he reaches the form of last year providing he makes a good recovery. And big Dan will stay in full back as in his short time there he has proved to be the best No.3 we have had for years. He has done well on some of the countries top forwards and also put an end to our problems with the high ball.

But apart from the above, good post Snoop.

just my opinion Joe

I do believe we would be better served with Dan in the middle though.
Yes he is great under the high ball, but i would say Peter Fitzpatrick or Kalum King would be just as effective at 3.
I feel a player of Dans class should be played in his best position and that is midfield.
If he had been moved up sooner in the AI final we may have got at least a replay.
But just my opinion.
I pray we have as good a summer as last year, An Ulster title would be nice.

Quote from: western exile on February 05, 2011, 02:34:08 PM
...
I might just take the 15/2 offered by the bookies for the draw!

All was well in our part of South East Mayo at the weekend  ;)

I think Moran and especially Horan both hit the nail on the head with their comments about the match.

Quote
Andy Moran issues a reminder to Mayo fans

Moran issues a timely reminder

Mayo's man of the match focussed on the positive

ON a night when he turned in a man of the match display at wing-forward, Mayo's Andy Moran insisted that quality footballers are in the county as Mayo opened their National League campaign with a resilient draw against last year's All-Ireland finalists.
"We had trials there in January and there are footballers all over Mayo. You know, people like to tell us there's not. Listen, we're getting to Under 21 finals, Minor finals, League finals, if there's not footballers there . . . I don't know where this theory comes from.
"I think we let ourselves down last year. The competition . . . the boys know there are positions there and whoever has the 1-15 jerseys are the guys who are going to hold on to them if they play well enough," said Moran, who also singled out debutants Cathal Hallinan, Richie Feeney and Jason Gibbons for special mention.
His manager James Horan was in positive mood too after watching his side come from seven points down in the first half and from five points behind with twenty minutes to go.
"[It was] A good performance, [we] have to be happy. It was an exciting game towards the end. We probably could have snatched it with Peadar Gardiner's last chance but. .
"When you look back at the game and, where we were at the start, the soft goals we gave away and how Down were a confident team and started off very confidently, it took us a while to get to grips with them.
"But we stuck at it and built our way into the game and in the end we were the team dominating the game and, as I said, could have snatched it. But we'll take a point. There's a huge amount there for us to take away from that and to build on so I'd be very happy with the performance overall."
Horan singled out two of his most experienced players for praise but also admitted some others have to work at their fitness levels.
"Andy Moran and Alan Dillon, when we needed them, started to win the dirty ball, the breaking ball and kicked some outrageous scores, some great scores. But everyone, overall, really dug deep and gave everything they have.
"We've some guys at various levels of fitness, some of our guys aren't as fit as they could be, and on a wet pitch out there they might have struggled a little bit. But everyone kept trying, which is the main thing."
Horan conceded that his defence has stood off Down a little in the first half but that this was corrected after a half-time debriefing.
"Really, what happened in the first-half was their half-forward line were getting on an awful lot of ball. We weren't really going man-to-man, we were standing off maybe five or six yards and that was giving (Danny) Hughes and (Marty) Clarke too much time on the ball. "When we pushed up on those, and Ger Caff' in the second half did a fantastic job at that, and Kevin McLoughlin also, when we pushed up, we started winning the breaks at midfield and then the momentum went with us and it sort of changed the game a little bit."

Mayo are  25-1 WITH PADDYPOWER today, a tenner on them today will offset the citywest bill in september if the citywest is still operating. I know it sounds crazy but if all goes to all, we can just go to the Four Seasons in ballsbridge

Quote from: mannix on February 08, 2011, 04:01:00 PM
Mayo are  25-1 WITH PADDYPOWER today, a tenner on them today will offset the citywest bill in september if the citywest is still operating. I know it sounds crazy but if all goes to all, we can just go to the Four Seasons in ballsbridge

Crazy is right. Sean Feeney told me at the Citywest after 2006 that it would be the last time we'd be there. Burlington is where we will be in September.

Quote from: RedandGreenSniper on February 08, 2011, 04:12:47 PM

Quote from: mannix on February 08, 2011, 04:01:00 PM
Mayo are  25-1 WITH PADDYPOWER today, a tenner on them today will offset the citywest bill in september if the citywest is still operating. I know it sounds crazy but if all goes to all, we can just go to the Four Seasons in ballsbridge

Crazy is right. Sean Feeney told me at the Citywest after 2006 that it would be the last time we'd be there. Burlington is where we will be in September.

And the madness begins.

Quote from: mayogodhelpus@gmail.com on February 08, 2011, 05:03:07 PM

Quote from: RedandGreenSniper on February 08, 2011, 04:12:47 PM

Quote from: mannix on February 08, 2011, 04:01:00 PM
Mayo are  25-1 WITH PADDYPOWER today, a tenner on them today will offset the citywest bill in september if the citywest is still operating. I know it sounds crazy but if all goes to all, we can just go to the Four Seasons in ballsbridge

Crazy is right. Sean Feeney told me at the Citywest after 2006 that it would be the last time we'd be there. Burlington is where we will be in September.

And the madness begins.

Why do you Mayo fan's set yourselfs up for a fall? you certainly won't see this type of talk in Tyrone or Cork etc..

Quote from: ross4life on February 08, 2011, 05:21:35 PM

Quote from: mayogodhelpus@gmail.com on February 08, 2011, 05:03:07 PM

Quote from: RedandGreenSniper on February 08, 2011, 04:12:47 PM

Quote from: mannix on February 08, 2011, 04:01:00 PM
Mayo are  25-1 WITH PADDYPOWER today, a tenner on them today will offset the citywest bill in september if the citywest is still operating. I know it sounds crazy but if all goes to all, we can just go to the Four Seasons in ballsbridge

Crazy is right. Sean Feeney told me at the Citywest after 2006 that it would be the last time we'd be there. Burlington is where we will be in September.

And the madness begins.

Why do you Mayo fan's set yourselfs up for a fall? you certainly won't see this type of talk in Tyrone or Cork etc..

What about ye?

You can't fall up.

Quote from: ross4life on February 08, 2011, 05:21:35 PM

Quote from: mayogodhelpus@gmail.com on February 08, 2011, 05:03:07 PM

Quote from: RedandGreenSniper on February 08, 2011, 04:12:47 PM

Quote from: mannix on February 08, 2011, 04:01:00 PM
Mayo are  25-1 WITH PADDYPOWER today, a tenner on them today will offset the citywest bill in september if the citywest is still operating. I know it sounds crazy but if all goes to all, we can just go to the Four Seasons in ballsbridge

Crazy is right. Sean Feeney told me at the Citywest after 2006 that it would be the last time we'd be there. Burlington is where we will be in September.

And the madness begins.

Why do you Mayo fan's set yourselfs up for a fall? you certainly won't see this type of talk in Tyrone or Cork etc..

Ross4life, you booking a hotel for the Connacht Final  :D :D :D :D

Quote from: mayogodhelpus@gmail.com on February 08, 2011, 05:23:26 PM

Quote from: ross4life on February 08, 2011, 05:21:35 PM

Quote from: mayogodhelpus@gmail.com on February 08, 2011, 05:03:07 PM

Quote from: RedandGreenSniper on February 08, 2011, 04:12:47 PM

Quote from: mannix on February 08, 2011, 04:01:00 PM
Mayo are  25-1 WITH PADDYPOWER today, a tenner on them today will offset the citywest bill in september if the citywest is still operating. I know it sounds crazy but if all goes to all, we can just go to the Four Seasons in ballsbridge

Crazy is right. Sean Feeney told me at the Citywest after 2006 that it would be the last time we'd be there. Burlington is where we will be in September.

And the madness begins.

Why do you Mayo fan's set yourselfs up for a fall? you certainly won't see this type of talk in Tyrone or Cork etc..

Ross4life, you booking a hotel for the Connacht Final  :D :D :D :D

In Roscommon we learn to crawl before we can walk & we don't tempt faith  ;)

P.S why would i need to book a hotel for the Connacht final? If we make it where at home.

it doesnt matter to you as you just move your caravan to the grounds.

"The excellent Ross Carr did his best Fr. Paul Stone  impersonation but knew what was happening"

Drone drone drone - makes Michael McGimpsey sound animated and his illogical and inaccurate criticsm of the Down half forward line left me wondering did he think that A Carr should be playing there.

Ross was a hero as a player as far as I am concerned but is a complete turn off with a microphone.

Quote from: ross4life on February 08, 2011, 05:21:35 PM

Quote from: mayogodhelpus@gmail.com on February 08, 2011, 05:03:07 PM

Quote from: RedandGreenSniper on February 08, 2011, 04:12:47 PM

Quote from: mannix on February 08, 2011, 04:01:00 PM
Mayo are  25-1 WITH PADDYPOWER today, a tenner on them today will offset the citywest bill in september if the citywest is still operating. I know it sounds crazy but if all goes to all, we can just go to the Four Seasons in ballsbridge

Crazy is right. Sean Feeney told me at the Citywest after 2006 that it would be the last time we'd be there. Burlington is where we will be in September.

And the madness begins.

Why do you Mayo fan's set yourselfs up for a fall? you certainly won't see this type of talk in Tyrone or Cork etc..

I didn't think the joke was so subtle that people wouldn't get it. I was wrong.

rgs, yes you were on the money. its probably our Mayo sense of humor that went over the heads.

Like Mayo people don't hype themselves up...As soon as ye beat Galway the pulses will be racing again.

Quote from: ross4life on February 08, 2011, 11:08:52 PM
Like Mayo people don't hype themselves up...As soon as ye beat Galway the pulses will be racing again.

We'll ask Enda to send ye a defibrillator.

Quote from: Leo on February 08, 2011, 09:52:48 PM
"The excellent Ross Carr did his best Fr. Paul Stone  impersonation but knew what was happening"

Drone drone drone - makes Michael McGimpsey sound animated and his illogical and inaccurate criticsm of the Down half forward line left me wondering did he think that A Carr should be playing there.

Ross was a hero as a player as far as I am concerned but is a complete turn off with a microphone.

Maybe he has an agenda with the Down half forward line. I dunno. Wouldn t know what politic would be happening there to be honest, but I would suspect that there is an agenda. Fair enough in my book.  Have only managed to review the first half yet. And I expect he ll be hard going for most people. But I liked the way he understood how things were panning out in the first half, while the main commentator was in 'Mayo God help us , we're being ripped asunder here again at will at the back' mode instead of calling the obvious. Nobody needs to sit in front of the telly now to be told that 'soandso' just passed the ball to 'whatyemaycallim'. Instead of the usual banal  'too loose ' shite, Carr identified the culprit as not being the much maligned backs but stupid turnovers. Honestly, I prefer listening to a droning Carr than bullshitter.
 

Quote from: Leo on February 08, 2011, 09:52:48 PM
"The excellent Ross Carr did his best Fr. Paul Stone  impersonation but knew what was happening"

Drone drone drone - makes Michael McGimpsey sound animated and his illogical and inaccurate criticsm of the Down half forward line left me wondering did he think that A Carr should be playing there.

Ross was a hero as a player as far as I am concerned but is a complete turn off with a microphone.

Trailing in the first half an agitated Mayo friend of mine pipe'd up "And who's thats boring bollox commentating, he's probably never kicked a football in his life"  ??? ::)

Quote from: Whitehair on February 09, 2011, 12:14:21 AM

Quote from: Leo on February 08, 2011, 09:52:48 PM
"The excellent Ross Carr did his best Fr. Paul Stone  impersonation but knew what was happening"

Drone drone drone - makes Michael McGimpsey sound animated and his illogical and inaccurate criticsm of the Down half forward line left me wondering did he think that A Carr should be playing there.

Ross was a hero as a player as far as I am concerned but is a complete turn off with a microphone.

Trailing in the first half an agitated Mayo friend of mine pipe'd up "And who's thats boring bollox commentating, he's probably never kicked a football in his life"  ??? ::)

Exactly. What people love to hear is Morrissey on about 'teach John Joe's' and one of the sidekicks on about how good the formation of the the attacking 'sextet looks'. Mind you there is a poster on here that uses the word sextet. I mean outside of crusty old university English departments, how many people use that word? Hmmmmmmm.