Div 1 Mayo v Down Official Thread

[western exile]

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!

[DownFanatic]

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.

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

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

[Lazer]

Anyone got a link for watching online?

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

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

[DownFanatic]

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

Marty Clarke hit it.

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

5 mins, Marty Clarke free, he now on 1.01

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

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

[Cosmo Kramer]

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

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

8 mins, Aiden O'Shea (wide)

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

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Alan Dillon point from play.

[Cosmo Kramer]

Nice one from Dillon.

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Down point from play.

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

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