Mayo Football and Hurling - Discussion pages

[Tubberman]

Congrats to Ronan McGarrity on being made captain - he has impressed an awful lot of people in the last year with his strength of character. Hopefully he'll do a good job as captain.
Was it not always said though that he is a quiet lad - keeps pretty much to himself and doesn't say much? If that's true, he might find the captain's role to be a bit of a burden. Also a doubt over him on the big day - e.g. our last 2 All-Ireland Final appearances. Having said that, there aren't many who performed well those days who could have been made captain.... 

[StoneWall]

There is a new proposal from Claremorris for the leagues this year...Main advantage I see is that at least teams would know from the start of the year what they are playing for in 2009, unless Mr Prenty pulls another stoke!

Leagues to be played as 2007 with the outright winners of each division being decided as in 2007 and with the following amendments to decide the outline of 2009 county senior leagues

1. Top 5 teams in Div 1A and 1B would be automatically placed in Div 1 2009
Teams placed 6th in  Divs 1A & 1B would play off with Winners 2A & 2B with the winners also placed in Div 1 2009 (ie 6th Div 1A v Winner 2B and 6th Div 1B v Winner 2A)

2. Bottom 5 teams in Div 1A & 1B to form Div 2 2009 along with the losers of the play-offs above

3. Teams placed 2nd - 6th in Div 2A and 2B to be placed in Div 3 2009
Winners of Div 3A &  Div 3B  play off with the winner placed in Div 3 2009

4. Bottom 5 teams Div 2A & 2B would form Div 4 2009 along with loser Div 3 final play-off

5. Remaining teams in Div 3 to form Div 5A & 5B 2009

6. From 2009 onwards bottom two teams in Div 1 - 4 to be relegated and replaced respectively by the top 2 teams Div 2 - 4 plus the winners of 5A & 5B

Rationale.
1. Placement of teams in divisions was done by leaving the winners of each section A or B 2007 as they were and transferring teams placed 2nd, 3,rd 6,th 7th & 10th to the opposite Div. This was done to counteract any imbalance in the Divisional placements prior to the 2007 season. The placement of teams as outlined below does not form a central plank of our proposal

2. The league we propose solves the problems caused at the end of 2007 league  by avoiding relegation and still allowing promotion from 2007 league to 2008 league

3. Teams get the opportunity to play for their positions in the 2009 League and not be placed in lower divisions as proposed by CCCC

4. As the ability of clubs to field teams at the lower end of the league can vary greatly from one year to another it makes more sense to run two parallel Div 5s rather than Div 5 & 6 as proposed.

Division1A
Crossmolina Deel Rovers
Breaffy
Charlestown
Westport
Ballinrobe
Claremorris
Ballina Stephenites
Ballintubber
Louisburgh
Castlebar Mitchels
Garrymore

Division1B
Ballaghaderreen
Bohola Moy Davitts
Davitts
Burrishoole
Knockmore
Belmullet
Tourmakeady
Kilmeena
Shrule Glencorrib
Kiltane
Islandeady

Division 2A
Swinford
Kilmaine
Hollymount
Kilcommon
The Neale
Crossmolina Deel Rovers B
Parke/ Keelogues/Crimlin
Carramore
Ballina Stephenites B
Ardnaree
Moy Davitts B

Division 2B
Kiltimagh
Aghamore
Bonniconlon
Killala
Mayo Gaels
Balla
Eastern Gaels
Ballyhaunis
Moygownagh
Achill
Knockmore B

Division 3A
Charlestown B
Ballycastle
Ballinrobe B
Kilfian
Belmullet B
Lacken
Swinford B
Westport B
Ballycroy
Balla B

Division 3B
Lahardane
Castlebar Mitchels B
Ballintubber B
Ballaghaderreen B
Kilmovee
Crossmolina Deel Rovers C
Ardagh
Claremorris B
Aghamore B
Kilcommon B
Breaffy B

[rosnarun]

we at least Mcgarrity is one of the surer starters unlike last years captain and from what ive seen ius well able to communicate even if his teacup throwing skills need improving

[Farrandeelin]

I'm delighted McGarrity is the new captain. It just showed last year how poor our midfield was without him. Hopefully he will do a good job after all he's been through.

[StoneWall]

Sean Rice obviously has forgotten last years experiment with Billy Joe at full back!...

http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3123&Itemid=39

Paradoxically, some of the Mayo men to impress in this first match of the year were on the opposite site. At a time when Mayo are searching desperately for the emergence of a full-back, a good old jostle for recognition has commenced between Billy Joe Padden and Stephen Drake.
Each manned that position on opposite sides on Sunday, two newcomers to the role. It must have been the only position Billy Joe had not experienced with the county, and it was not one we had expected to see him fill at Ballinrobe.
Nor had Stephen Drake ever figured in our dreams of a full-back . . . until he appeared with NUIG. Notable for his competence at right half-back, the performance of the Ballaghaderreen man as a pillar of the college defence was a talking point on Sunday.
Drake, however, shaded the full-back honours, mainly because in Austin O'Malley he was confronted by a much more competitive opponent than Jeff Farrell proved against Billy Joe.
In his new role the Belmullet man was assured without being spectacular. Only once did Jeff Farrell manage to steal inside him, and it led to a penalty from which NUIG scored their first goal. Otherwise, he left the impression, as Billy Joe has always done in new positions, that he must be given a fair chance to settle in.

[AbbeySider]

Sean Rice obviously has forgotten last years experiment with Billy Joe at full back!...

http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3123&Itemid=39

Paradoxically, some of the Mayo men to impress in this first match of the year were on the opposite site. At a time when Mayo are searching desperately for the emergence of a full-back, a good old jostle for recognition has commenced between Billy Joe Padden and Stephen Drake.
Each manned that position on opposite sides on Sunday, two newcomers to the role. It must have been the only position Billy Joe had not experienced with the county, and it was not one we had expected to see him fill at Ballinrobe.
Nor had Stephen Drake ever figured in our dreams of a full-back . . . until he appeared with NUIG. Notable for his competence at right half-back, the performance of the Ballaghaderreen man as a pillar of the college defence was a talking point on Sunday.
Drake, however, shaded the full-back honours, mainly because in Austin O'Malley he was confronted by a much more competitive opponent than Jeff Farrell proved against Billy Joe.
In his new role the Belmullet man was assured without being spectacular. Only once did Jeff Farrell manage to steal inside him, and it led to a penalty from which NUIG scored their first goal. Otherwise, he left the impression, as Billy Joe has always done in new positions, that he must be given a fair chance to settle in.

Thats crazy, 
I had a discussion the last day with someone about Billy Joe.
He is the only Mayo player to have played full-back, centre-back, mid-field, centre-forward and full-forward for Mayo in one season.

Is Billy Joe...
a Jack of all trades or Master of None ? 

[prewtna]

There is a new proposal from Claremorris for the leagues this year...Main advantage I see is that at least teams would know from the start of the year what they are playing for in 2009, unless Mr Prenty pulls another stoke!

Leagues to be played as 2007 with the outright winners of each division being decided as in 2007 and with the following amendments to decide the outline of 2009 county senior leagues

1. Top 5 teams in Div 1A and 1B would be automatically placed in Div 1 2009
Teams placed 6th in  Divs 1A & 1B would play off with Winners 2A & 2B with the winners also placed in Div 1 2009 (ie 6th Div 1A v Winner 2B and 6th Div 1B v Winner 2A)

2. Bottom 5 teams in Div 1A & 1B to form Div 2 2009 along with the losers of the play-offs above

3. Teams placed 2nd - 6th in Div 2A and 2B to be placed in Div 3 2009
Winners of Div 3A &  Div 3B  play off with the winner placed in Div 3 2009

4. Bottom 5 teams Div 2A & 2B would form Div 4 2009 along with loser Div 3 final play-off

5. Remaining teams in Div 3 to form Div 5A & 5B 2009

6. From 2009 onwards bottom two teams in Div 1 - 4 to be relegated and replaced respectively by the top 2 teams Div 2 - 4 plus the winners of 5A & 5B

Rationale.
1. Placement of teams in divisions was done by leaving the winners of each section A or B 2007 as they were and transferring teams placed 2nd, 3,rd 6,th 7th & 10th to the opposite Div. This was done to counteract any imbalance in the Divisional placements prior to the 2007 season. The placement of teams as outlined below does not form a central plank of our proposal

2. The league we propose solves the problems caused at the end of 2007 league  by avoiding relegation and still allowing promotion from 2007 league to 2008 league

3. Teams get the opportunity to play for their positions in the 2009 League and not be placed in lower divisions as proposed by CCCC

4. As the ability of clubs to field teams at the lower end of the league can vary greatly from one year to another it makes more sense to run two parallel Div 5s rather than Div 5 & 6 as proposed.

Division1A
Crossmolina Deel Rovers
Breaffy
Charlestown
Westport
Ballinrobe
Claremorris
Ballina Stephenites
Ballintubber
Louisburgh
Castlebar Mitchels
Garrymore

Division1B
Ballaghaderreen
Bohola Moy Davitts
Davitts
Burrishoole
Knockmore
Belmullet
Tourmakeady
Kilmeena
Shrule Glencorrib
Kiltane
Islandeady

Division 2A
Swinford
Kilmaine
Hollymount
Kilcommon
The Neale
Crossmolina Deel Rovers B
Parke/ Keelogues/Crimlin
Carramore
Ballina Stephenites B
Ardnaree
Moy Davitts B

Division 2B
Kiltimagh
Aghamore
Bonniconlon
Killala
Mayo Gaels
Balla
Eastern Gaels
Ballyhaunis
Moygownagh
Achill
Knockmore B

Division 3A
Charlestown B
Ballycastle
Ballinrobe B
Kilfian
Belmullet B
Lacken
Swinford B
Westport B
Ballycroy
Balla B

Division 3B
Lahardane
Castlebar Mitchels B
Ballintubber B
Ballaghaderreen B
Kilmovee
Crossmolina Deel Rovers C
Ardagh
Claremorris B
Aghamore B
Kilcommon B
Breaffy B

haha! brilliant! moy davitts B promoted again - from Div 3B up to Div 1E and from there up to Div 2A. thats getting promoted up out of a division nearly every week - not bad going!haha! if it keeps going like this with promotions and league rethinks our B team will end up in div 1 by mid february without ever kicking a ball. how well the gaa is now run.

[Farrandeelin]

Is Billy Joe...
a Jack of all trades or Master of None ? 

I'd say he's master of none. He could be like John O'Shea, Mayo's very own Mr. versatility!

[rosnarun]

JOM was on the radion the other night explaing his supposed anti 3rd level comments . He comes accross very well and made perfect sense, hes without 15 possible players for  this important early stage of the season when young lads might make an impression with the senior guys not fully back yet.
any one know who these 15 are?
ronadson i presume is one
drake
mortimer (is he still doing sums in DCU?)

[swanee]

Was talking to Tommy Lyons on Saturday after ballina played mayo and he told me that for sundays game against nuig they only had 19 players to pick from. for an intercounty team to be so depleted at this time of year because of college commitments is a disgrace especially when the sigerson cup is played over just a couple of weeks.With the colleges having first choice over which players they want its the county teams that will suffer.i think the players should have a choice who they play for especially those like kilcoyne ronaldson and the other fringe players who are trying to make a name for themselves at county level.

[Barney]

Ros you really are unbelievable. Definitely a FFer and now that the election is over you're happy to back JOM. Last year you would have crucified him.

Anyway some of the players that I think are with colleges are:

DCU
Conor Mortimer

GMIT
Tom Cunniffe
Sean Ryder
Aidan Campbell

DIT
Aidan Kilcoyne
Damien Munnelly

UL
Barry Moran

NUIG
Mark Ronaldson
Ger Cafferkey (?)
Chris Barrett

UUJ
Andy Moran

[AbbeySider]

Anyway some of the players that I think are with colleges are:
...

Finger on the pulse Barney 

[OirthearMhaigheo]

what do ye make of the choice of captain lads?
I'm happy enough with the choice of McGarrity, at least this year our captain should make the starting 15 and after the tough year he had apparently he has toughened up alot mentally. He has plenty to say on and off the pitch which is no harm. The one thing I hope McGarrity does alter to a certain extent is his nice-guy approach. I know it is un-Mayo like but if he could bring a bit more aggression to his game and lead by example it would do no harm. We need the captain to set the tone to make sure we don't get bullied against the likes of Kerry.

[StoneWall]

From Hoganstand.com...

As the managerial merry-go-round continues Castlebar Mitchells are rumoured to be lining up former Sligo and Galway manager Peter Ford as the main to guide them to senior glory.

Despite, the majority of teams in the county having already appointed their management teams for the coming year, Mitchells are still searching, but have last seemed to have found their man.

Ford is expected to bring in Tommy O'Malley and Henry Gavin as part of his backroom team and this is seen as a sign of the club's determination to win the senior title.

Last year was a season to forget for the Mitchells as they narrowly avoided relegation and they will be looking for a massive improvement this year.

[Tubberman]

Mayo 1-12 1-6 Sligo IT

Mayo got the last 4 points without reply. Mickey Mullins seems to have had a great game, Mike Finnerty raving about him. Alan Dillon got 5 points. Brian Benson got the goal from a penalty.
Trevor Howley played at CHB as did BJP at full back.
Peadar Gardiner a roving midfielder again. John Brogan from Knockmore started at number 2.