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The most nervy 9 point win I've ever seen!

Was very hard going for 50 or 60 minutes. In fairness to Meath, they've some really dogged backs. They frustrated the Dublin forwards in the 1st half of the Leinster final. Boyle looks like a 25 year-old at the moment. I make it that's 5 weeks in a row he's played the full game. 2 years ago he was getting hauled off after 50 minutes. James Carr and especially Andy made a big difference in the 2nd half.

The 2nd game was a level above ours in terms of quality. We've 4 starters out through injury at the moment so hopefully some of those clear up in the next 2 weeks.

What's the beak even attendance figure for Croke Park?

Did someone mention 30k is needed to break even based on the cost of the event itself.

That figure gets thrown around a lot but it's actually false. If you think about it how could any number like that be accurate when ticket prices vary considerably between games. For example, none of the upper tiers or nally terrace was open yesterday so that's a saving straight away.

When you include corporate boxes and the fact that takings from shops/bars inside all go to the GAA, a crowd in Croke Park is more profitable than a similar one in another county ground. That's why so many games are in Croker.

That's what Peter McKenna once said and I have no reason to disbelieve him. When you factor insurance and maintenance costs in  and that only a percentage of the bar/fast food  etc. takings goes to the GAA, the  apparent profits shrink considerably.

Yes but every ground has insurance and maintenance costs. Having a double header in Croker is considerably cheaper than opening up 2 provincial grounds.

https://twitter.com/maigheoforsam/status/1152852959346253824?s=21

It appears David Brady was talking through his hole re Diarmuid O'Connor 

What's the beak even attendance figure for Croke Park?

Did someone mention 30k is needed to break even based on the cost of the event itself.

That figure gets thrown around a lot but it's actually false. If you think about it how could any number like that be accurate when ticket prices vary considerably between games. For example, none of the upper tiers or nally terrace was open yesterday so that's a saving straight away.

When you include corporate boxes and the fact that takings from shops/bars inside all go to the GAA, a crowd in Croke Park is more profitable than a similar one in another county ground. That's why so many games are in Croker.

Don't see how Tyrone are any better than last year. If they somehow got to the final against the Dubs, they'd receive the same beating as last year, if not worse.

They'll still be difficult opposition for Kerry/Donegal in semi-finals though.

McShane at full forward is a huge addition for them. They're broadly similar everywhere else so I think they have improved.

David Brady said on Off the ball earlier that Diarmuid O'Connor will be among the subs tomorrow. He was in a cast last Sunday in Killarney so hard to believe.

I couldn't believe the amount of people after last weekend saying Kerry's forwards are better than Dublin's. Clifford is the only one that would start for Dublin.

Roscommon #4 has thrown his team under the bus for the 2nd half.

Looks like Coen to mark Mickey Newman? I assume Vaughan will go to wing back, Aidan to mf and Higgins at 11 like 2nd half last weekend.

COC is a good player but stats can be misleading.

All the top players even in modern time Cooper,Brogan,Canavan etc were players who delivered in All Ireland finals (from play)

COC is decent (not great at frees) and has had how many qualifier games to build up his scoring total compared to his peers.

The ultimate indictment of COC for me is that he lacks pace and cant get a point out of nothing like a Brogan or a Cooper with his speed. Also come All Ireland final day when Mayo needed him he has buckled on his frees compared to Brogan, Cooper, Canavan etc. who delivered when really needed

Cooper played in more qualifier games than Cillian has. Don't see why people come up with these strawman arguments when talking about him. He has got several brilliant scores from play in All Ireland finals, semi-finals etc.

Don't think anyone divides opinion as much as Cillian O'Connor.

I think his behaviour on the field definitely counts against him. At least in the court of public opinion.

As an aside how many of the 22 players on that top scorers list would people select ahead of COC if it was a straight selection?

I mean it's a strange one. Is he even the best Mayo forward of the modern era. I imagine plenty would select McDonald ahead of him and some might even pick Andy Moran.

He'll go down as a Mayo great but he's not in the same class as the best forwards of the last 10 years like Murphy, McManus & Brogan and even now I wouldn't find it too difficult to name 10 other forwards I'd take over him.

According to Colm Keys he averages about 1 point from play per game.

He actually averages just over 2 points from play per game. Also, there was a piece in the Mayo News this week saying if you exclude games against London and New York his average in total and from play is higher.

[Shane Gallagher (Simonstown Gaels);]

All Ireland Minor Football Championship semi final 2012

Mayo v Meath

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cm3ENjjZSa4

MEATH MF:
1. Robert Burlingham (Simonstown Gaels);

2. Declan Smyth (Dunsany),
3. Brian Power (Ratoath),
4. Shane Gallagher (Simonstown Gaels);

5. Conor Carton (Donaghmore/Ashbourne),
6. Shane McEntee (St Peter's Dunboyne/Kilbride),
7. Seamus Lavin (St Peter's Dunboyne/Kilbride);

8. Pauric Harnan (Jenkinstown Gaels),
9. Adam Flanagan (Clonard);

10. Cillian O'Sullivan (Jenkinstown Gaels),
11. Jason Daly (St Peter's Dunboyne/Kilbride),
12. James McEntee (St Vincent's/Curraha);

13. Barry Dardis (Summerhill),
14. Stephen Coogan (Dunderry),
15. Fiachra Ward (Wolfe Tones).

Manager: Andy McEntee


MAYO MFC:
Conor O'Malley (Westport);

Joe Geraghty (Ballintubber),
Sean Moran (Kiltimagh),
Michael Plunkett (Ballintubber);

Patrick Durcan (Castlebar Mitchels),
Cian Burke (Ardnaree Sarsfields),
Kevin Lynch (Mayo Gaels);

Brian Mullen (Westport),
Adam Gallagher (Mayo Gaels);

Eoghan Lavin (Kiltimagh),
Stephen Coen (Hollymount/Carramore),
Diarmuid O'Connor (Ballintubber);

James Quinn (Ballinrobe),
Sean Regan (Ballina Stephenites),
Shane Hennelly (Shrule/Glencorrib).


How many of those made the Mayo team out of interest? Pretty much all that Minor Meath team got a spell in the senior panel.

Michael Plunkett (Ballintubber) - On 2019 panel
Patrick Durcan (Castlebar Mitchels) - On 2019 panel (injured)
Adam Gallagher (Mayo Gaels) - Not on 2019 panel, was involved earlier in year and previous years
Stephen Coen (Hollymount/Carramore) - On 2019 panel
Diarmuid O'Connor (Ballintubber) - On 2019 panel (injured)

Conor O'Malley is a goalkeeper with Peterborough United now. Interesting that the current captain and vice captain of the seniors were on that minor team.

Dreadful all round from us. Clarke's kickouts a disaster but Vaughan has never been a midfielder. We were just stuck to the ground in the first half. Probably a combination of 4 consecutive weekends and the fact Kerry had a point to prove. The heat was very intense too.

Would struggle to pick out good performances. Cillian probably best but missing the penalty was disappointing. Higgins kept James O'Donoghue quiet but that's not a huge achievement these days. Thought all our subs made a positive impact but the game was up when most of them came on.

Also, Sean Cavanagh was right about the Kerry fans. Booing frees isn't uncommon these days but I've never seen so much abuse directed at individual players.

Anyway, need to make a few changes for next week especially in the middle 3rd. Options are slim with the 3 injuries though.

Cork have their confidence back. They won't fear Dublin.

Paddy Durcan out injured so Lee Keegan starts according to the Connacht Telegraph. Big blow, he would have been marking Stephen O'Brien.