This game was basically won and lost in the 5 minutes after half time. It was a tough lesson for some of our lads to take but in reality, simple mistakes are ruthlessly punished at this level and they just cannot happen. It's pointless looking at anything that happened after the 2nd Dublin goal as the game was done at that stage.
Considering we finished the championship at the same stage, in similar circumstances last year, I suppose the year could be summed up as a sort of 'par for the course'. The win in Salthill saved management from it being a very bad year. When you look at the league performances of Dublin and Kerry, it's clear that the league counted for very little in the grander scheme of things so I don't think too much credit can be given towards the division 1 title.
While there was progress in some areas, there's a couple of things that need to be highlighted.
Game Management-Our first competitive match of the year was against Galway in the FBD. Early in the 2nd half we led by 11 points, only to allow Galway score 3 goals before eventually scraping over the line. You might write this off as 'just the fbd' but the problem came up again and again and again throughout the season. The problem was never fully resolved and we paid a heavy price against Cork, the early warning signs were there. Contrast this with the Dubs yesterday, once they scored the 2nd goal they parked the bus and there was no way they were letting Mayo back into it.
Team selection- At the start of the year they selected a player in a key defensive position who just didn't have the physicality for it, the penny finally dropped 2 weeks ago. They stuck with another player in the half forward line for the entire league and 1st round of the Connacht Championship when it was clear to most that his skillset is not yet at the required level. Finally, they went with a 33 year old midfielder in the full forward line. While he played well at stages during the year, it ended in Croke Park the way it always has anytime it's been tried. He's just not a top level inter-county forward and that gets exposed on the biggest stage. I'm not trying to have a go at lads here and I appreciate the effort they put in but if we're to be serious contenders, you have be ruthless when it comes to selection. These 3 selection issues were clear to some of us at the start of the year and unfortunately we were proven right. The 5 lads in the management team are all serious coaches, it baffles me that they couldn't spot these things earlier.
Finally, whatever slim chance we had of landing the big one ended in the Gaelic grounds 2 weeks ago. As others have pointed out here, the eventual champions were always going to come from the 4 group winners.... for numerous reasons. Management clearly underappreciated the importance of that game v Cork. I actually couldn't believe it the night before the game when I heard Cillian was playing for Tubber in a club match. Aidan O Shea also admitting in an interview that he had no idea of the significance of his last minute free further highlights the lax approach taken by management to what was, essentially a do or die match.
Rant over, here's hoping for an improved 2024.
Considering we finished the championship at the same stage, in similar circumstances last year, I suppose the year could be summed up as a sort of 'par for the course'. The win in Salthill saved management from it being a very bad year. When you look at the league performances of Dublin and Kerry, it's clear that the league counted for very little in the grander scheme of things so I don't think too much credit can be given towards the division 1 title.
While there was progress in some areas, there's a couple of things that need to be highlighted.
Game Management-Our first competitive match of the year was against Galway in the FBD. Early in the 2nd half we led by 11 points, only to allow Galway score 3 goals before eventually scraping over the line. You might write this off as 'just the fbd' but the problem came up again and again and again throughout the season. The problem was never fully resolved and we paid a heavy price against Cork, the early warning signs were there. Contrast this with the Dubs yesterday, once they scored the 2nd goal they parked the bus and there was no way they were letting Mayo back into it.
Team selection- At the start of the year they selected a player in a key defensive position who just didn't have the physicality for it, the penny finally dropped 2 weeks ago. They stuck with another player in the half forward line for the entire league and 1st round of the Connacht Championship when it was clear to most that his skillset is not yet at the required level. Finally, they went with a 33 year old midfielder in the full forward line. While he played well at stages during the year, it ended in Croke Park the way it always has anytime it's been tried. He's just not a top level inter-county forward and that gets exposed on the biggest stage. I'm not trying to have a go at lads here and I appreciate the effort they put in but if we're to be serious contenders, you have be ruthless when it comes to selection. These 3 selection issues were clear to some of us at the start of the year and unfortunately we were proven right. The 5 lads in the management team are all serious coaches, it baffles me that they couldn't spot these things earlier.
Finally, whatever slim chance we had of landing the big one ended in the Gaelic grounds 2 weeks ago. As others have pointed out here, the eventual champions were always going to come from the 4 group winners.... for numerous reasons. Management clearly underappreciated the importance of that game v Cork. I actually couldn't believe it the night before the game when I heard Cillian was playing for Tubber in a club match. Aidan O Shea also admitting in an interview that he had no idea of the significance of his last minute free further highlights the lax approach taken by management to what was, essentially a do or die match.
Rant over, here's hoping for an improved 2024.