Conor Mortimer

[Mayo4Sam14]

https://beanbagsports.com/blog/2015/08/05/conor-mortimer-there-is-a-big-issue-in-the-gaa/

[Farrandeelin]

It's already on the Mayo v Donegal thread if you decide to have a look at that...

[Mayo4Sam14]

Conor Mortimer: There Is A Big Issue In The GAA

   
Following the four thrashings handed out in Croke Park last weekend, it is becoming all the more evident that the gulf in class between the top teams and the chasing pack is accelerating at an alarming rate. Many observers, from the pundits on The Sunday Game, to All-Ireland winning managers such as Jim McGuinness, have called on the GAA to address the problem immediately.

Speaking to BeanBagSports, Mayo's record points scorer, Conor Mortimer, also lamented the lack of competitiveness in the Championship this year

"It's very obvious that there is a big issue in the GAA. Realistically, there are only four or five teams that have aspirations of winning All-Ireland's and two of them are in the semi-final already. Something has to be done at some stage because back in '04, '06, when we were playing, there was probably a lot more money around and more people willing to sponsor teams to see success in their county, that's not happening anymore. Now, teams are falling off because they don't have the support systems they would have had then."

The Leinster Council has come under pressure, in light of Dublin's stroll through the province in recent years, to take the Dubs out of Croke Park. Mortimer was part of the Mayo side that was beaten in the Connacht Championship by Sligo and then knocked out of the qualifiers by Longford in provincial grounds in 2010 and feels the Croke Park pitch does the weaker teams no favours

"Croke Park is an easy place to give a team a hiding, that was the difference when we got beaten by Longford. A nice small pitch, they were up for the fight and we weren't. If Dublin played Fermanagh down in Brewster Park you wouldn't see them beating them by as big a margin on a smaller pitch."

On Saturday evening, Mayo take on Donegal for the first time in the championship since they dismantled the then All-Ireland champions at the same stage in 2013. Mortimer expects Donegal to put up a much better showing that they did that day adding

"It's going to be a big battle on Saturday. Mayo are not going to score goals like they did two years ago. The cat is out of the bag a bit with Aidan O'Shea at full forward too. You have to look at the caliber of opposition that Mayo have played compared to Donegal. Donegal have had four or five good tests already which will stand to them this weekend. You won't score more than 13 or 14 points against Donegal with the way they play, so goals are going to win this game. We don't have a lot of kickers from distance which is going to be an issue for us with Donegal's numbers in defense."

Since Mayo's last league game on April 5th, coincidently against the men from Tír Chonaill, they have only played two competitive games, beating Galway in Tuam and then despatching Sligo by 26 points in the Connacht Final. That lack of tough competitive action is a worry for the Parnells clubman

"The problem with Mayo, particularly under new management, is they don't know what they have. When push comes to shove in a tight game, Mayo don't know what they have, management or players. Donegal on the other hand with their new manager Rory Gallagher, he knows what he has in relation to Championship football and that they can win close games by a point or two. At the very least he knows they'll be there or thereabouts with five minutes to go. Mayo haven't had a test yet."

With Mayo slight favourites for the game at 8/11, most onlookers find it hard to separate the two teams, Mortimer is no different

"It's a very tough one to call. We haven't seen enough of Mayo to say that they'll win it one way or another. If they can get two goals I'd fancy Mayo to do it, if they don't it will be a lot more difficult for them."


It's a litmus test for both sides in HQ on Saturday evening where no doubt both teams will be pushed to the limit. Whichever county comes out on top will have Sam in their sights. The small matter of the Dubs in the final four awaits the winner..

[Mayo4Sam14]

It's already on the Mayo v Donegal thread if you decide to have a look at that...

Sorry havent checked that yet was about to