I don't want the Gaeilge to spoil people's fun who aren't comfortable with it either. We can chat the game in English too.
Thoughts on this one boys? Dublin only have to turn up I feel. Sure aren't they the best team in Ireland?
The thing about "Cute Hoorism" is knowing when to use it. Poor effort, even Heffo wouldnt take the bait on that one !
A Dublin team shorn of it's best forward over in the White House representing Ireland. One back from six available from the championship team. A rookie midfield.
Mayo scrapping for points. Dublin scraping a win in Clones.
Mayo by two for me.
Only 2 Heffo?
QuoteOnly 2 Heffo?
Home advantage for us in Croker should help.
The last three league games between the two sides have been very close, 2010 Mayo 1-8 Dublin 1-9, 2009 Mayo 0-9 Dublin 0-9 & 2007 Mayo 0-10 Dublin 0-9
It's far to say Dublin will get more than 12 scores this time round.
7 Changes for Mayo
Quote
Wholesale changes for Mayo
Mayo's Keith Higgins
18 March 2011
Mayo manager James Horan has made seven changes to his side for Sunday's big Allianz National League Division 1 test against in-form Dublin.
Keith Higgins (pictured) comes straight into the side after returning from a spell in Australia, while Alan Freeman is back after missing three games with a hand injury and Ronan McGarrity and James Kilcullen return at midfield.
Richie Feeney is preferred to Peadar Gardiner in the half back line and the Breaffy pair of goalkeeper Rob Hennelly and forward Aidan O'Shea return to the side having been rested against Armagh last weekend due to county U21 duty.
The inclusion of Higgins at corner back sees Chris Barrett take over at the edge of the square and Cathal Hallinan make way, while others to miss out are goalkeeper Kenneth O'Malley, defender Ruaidhiri O'Connor, midfielders Tom Parsons and Jason Gibbons and forward Aidan Kilcoyne.
Kevin McLoughlin, who has started in the forward line in recent matches, reverts to the half back line on this occasion.
Mayo (SF v Dublin): Robert Hennelly; Tom Cunniffe, Chris Barrett, Keith Higgins; Richie Feeney, Ger Cafferkey, Kevin McLoughlin; Ronan McGarrity, James Killcullen; Aidan Campbell, Alan Dillon, Andy Moran; Aidan O'Shea, Alan Freeman, Jason Doherty.
Subs: David Clarke, Peadar Gardiner, Cathal Hallinan, James Burke, Jason Gibbons, Tom Parsons, Aidan Kilcoyne, Enda Varley, Neil Douglas, Cillian O'Connor, Eoghan O'Reilly.
Hennelly;
Cunniffe, Barrett, Higgins;
R Feeney, Cafferkey, McLoughlin;
McGarrity, Killcullen;
Campbell, Dillon, Moran;
O'Shea, Freeman, Doherty
Its hard to know if thats the way Mayo will line out on the day, if it is then there will be a lot of big questions answered.
Willie Joes take on things, a lot of which I would go along with
Quote
Team to play Dublin named
I had only just hit the 'Publish' button on the previous post when I saw that we have now, a bit earlier than expected, announced our line-up for the Dublin game on Sunday. Here are full details of the team and subs:
Mayo (NFL Division One v Dublin, 20/3/2011): Robert Hennelly (Breaffy); Tom Cunniffe (Castlebar Mitchels), Chris Barrett (Belmullet), Keith Higgins (Ballyhaunis); Richie Feeney (Castlebar Mitchels), Ger Cafferkey (Ballina Stephenites), Kevin McLoughlin (Knockmore); Ronan McGarrity (Ballina Stephenites), James Kilcullen (Ballaghaderreen); Aidan Campbell (Swinford), Alan Dillon (Ballintubber), Andy Moran (Ballaghaderreen); Aidan O'Shea (Breaffy), Alan Freeman (Aghamore), Jason Doherty (Burrishoole). Subs: David Clarke (Ballina Stephenites), Peadar Gardiner (Crossmolina), Cathal Hallinan (Ballintubber), James Burke (Ballymun Kickhams, Dublin), Jason Gibbons (Ballintubber), Tom Parsons (Charlestown), Aidan Kilcoyne (Knockmore), Enda Varley (Garrymore), Neil Douglas (Castlebar Mitchels), Cillian O'Connor (Ballintubber), Eoghan Reilly (Castlebar Mitchels).
That's seven changes from the side that started against Armagh last weekend, with Robbie Hennelly, Keith Higgins, Richie Feeney, Ronan McGarrity, James Kilcullen, Aidan O'Shea and Alan Freeman coming in, while Kenneth O'Malley, Cathal Hallinan, Peadar Gardiner, Ruaidhri O'Connor, Tom Parsons, Jason Gibbons and Aidan Kilcoyne all lose out. There are also a number of positional switches from the starting team the last day, the net result of which is that only Tom Cunniffe, Ger Cafferkey, Aidan Campbell, Alan Dillon and Jason Doherty will have the same numbers on their jerseys that they had the last day.
While there are good reasons for many of the changes being made for Sunday, it means that, as has been the case for every other game so far this year, there's absolutely no continuity from one day to the next. I can understand why the likes of Gardiner, Parsons, Gibbons and Kilcoyne haven't made the cut this time (given that none of them by all accounts did that well the last day) but this logic surely doesn't apply in the cases of Cathal Hallinan and Ruaidhri O'Connor. Hallinan (or Alan Feeney – is he injured by the way?) is a potential championship full-back for us while Chris Barrett (who stands at 5'9" or thereabouts) most definitely isn't. So why name Barrett there when the Ballintubber man could gain valuable experience in the position at HQ on Sunday? Likewise, why reward O'Connor for repeatedly good showings with a place on the bench in the next game? It makes no sense to me, I have to say.
A more welcome development is James Kilcullen's return to midfield, where he'll provide a bit of heft (though maybe not too much in the way of pace) while Keith Higgins should add a bit of stability at the back (he'll have the legs on Mossy at any rate). Alan Freeman's return in the forwards will also add some potency there and, given his and Jason Doherty's keen eye for goal, Pat Gilroy may yet end up regrettting his decision to rest Stephen Cluxton for this one.
Interesting to see Chris Barrett picked at full-back against Dublin. Though Hallinan could start in his stead. It's a gamble all this chopping and changing even if it is to see who's right for certain positions come championship, but with this been only one of three games left in the league, you'd think he'd know his best 15 in their positions sooner rather than later.
Quote from: AbbeySider on March 18, 2011, 01:44:46 PM
Hennelly;
Cunniffe, Barrett, Higgins;
R Feeney, Cafferkey, McLoughlin;
McGarrity, Killcullen;
Campbell, Dillon, Moran;
O'Shea, Freeman, Doherty
Its hard to know if thats the way Mayo will line out on the day, if it is then there will be a lot of big questions answered.
Hmmmm. Is Caff going to end up at full back after all? McLoughlin moves back to 7 to accomodate Andy at 12.
all that team and last weeks one shows is Horan is willing to completely sacrifice the league. there does not seem to be any rhyme nor reason to his selections for the whole league .
all we can really have picked up is Aidan osé Alan dillion Ronan Mcgarrity and andy moran will probably start in thr championship if fit after that every place is up for grabs.
there are still about 6 or 7 probables that have not even togged for a league game
Barry moran, t mortimer, p harte, Trevor howley,donal vaughan and seamus osé and that before we start the 'is ciaran Mcdonald coming back' debate
Quote from: moysider on March 18, 2011, 05:59:30 PM
Quote from: AbbeySider on March 18, 2011, 01:44:46 PM
Hennelly;
Cunniffe, Barrett, Higgins;
R Feeney, Cafferkey, McLoughlin;
McGarrity, Killcullen;
Campbell, Dillon, Moran;
O'Shea, Freeman, Doherty
Its hard to know if thats the way Mayo will line out on the day, if it is then there will be a lot of big questions answered.
Hmmmm. Is Caff going to end up at full back after all? McLoughlin moves back to 7 to accomodate Andy at 12.
he was only keeping the jersey warm while andy was filling in around the pitch anoither example of the experimentsary nature of horan's selections
i just hope hes learning something and does not get bogged down in choices
T Mortimer??? Jesus I hope he's not allowed near the county panel again. Anyway as regards the team, C. Barrett and Kilkullen aside, it's a bloody good one!
Good to see Horan is giving youth a chance in this Dublin/Croke park game though if i were a Mayo fan i wouldn't be happy with these 7/8 changes every game (2/3 more than enough)
Three changes for Croker clash with Mayo
18 Mar 2011 | hill16.ie
Dublin have made three changes to their defence for Sunday's Allianz NFL Division 1 clash with Mayo in Croke Park (2.30).
Ross O'Carroll and Declan Lally both picked up injuries in last Sunday's victory over Monaghan in Clones and were ruled out of consideration. Paul Brogan comes into the team at corner-back, making his league starting debut, for O'Carroll while Darragh Nelson, who came off the bench to score a point last weekend, takes Lally's place at wing-back.
In goals Michael Savage takes over from Stephen Cluxton.
The senior match is preceded by the Leinster MFL clash of Dublin and Laois (12.15).
Bernard Brogan who was a guest of the American Ambassador to Ireland at the White House this week will return on Saturday and have been selected at corner-forward.
DUBLIN (SF v Mayo)
1. Michael Savage
2. Darren Daly
3. Seán Murray
4. Paul Brogan
5. Paul Casey (Captain)
6. Ger Brennan
7. Darragh Nelson
8. Denis Bastick
9. Barry Cahill
10. Paul Flynn
11. Kevin McManamon
12. Michael Darragh Macauley
13. Tomás Quinn
14. Diarmuid Connolly
15. Bernard Brogan
Subs: Will be announced before the game.
Injury list:
Ross O'Carroll injured his hamstring in last week's game against Monaghan and will be out for a few weeks.
Declan Lally strained his calf in the same game and will need a fortnight to recover.
Michael Fitzsimons who pulled a hamstring in the Sigerson Cup should be available for our next Allianz league game against Down.
James McCarthy injured shoulder ligaments last weekend in a club game and will be out for a few weeks.
Cian O'Sullivan's hamstring injury has proved more troublesome than first though and he will be out for a month. He also sustained a broken arm in a fall but the recovery period for that injury should coincide with his hamstring recovery period.
Ross McConnell will be unavailable for at least three more weeks after his recovery from a hip injury.
Eamon Fennell has a similar injury and is also about three weeks away from training fully.
James Brogan tore his cruciate in a recent club game and will be out for the 2011 season.
Paul Conlon's injury reacted to his recovery programme and his return has been set back by a few weeks.
Hugh Gill resumed non-contact training on Tuesday of this week.
MAYO (SF v Dublin)
1) Robert Hennelly Breaffy
2) Tom Cunniffe Castlebar Mitchels
3) Chris Barrett Belmullet
4) Keith Higgins Ballyhaunis
5) Richie Feeney Castlebar Mitchels
6) Ger Cafferkey Ballina Stephenites
7) Kevin McLoughlin Knockmore
8)Ronan McGarrity Ballina Stephenites
9) James Killcullen Ballaghaderreen
10) Aidan Campbell Swinford
11) Alan Dillon Ballintubber
12) Andy Moran Ballaghaderreen
13) Aidan O'Shea Breaffy
14) Alan Freeman Aghamore
15) Jason Doherty Burrishoole
Subs
16) David Clarke Ballina Stephenites
17) Peadar Gardiner Crossmolina
18) Cathal Hallinan Ballintubber
19) James Burke Ballymun Kickhams
20) Jason Gibbons Ballintubber
21) Tom Parsons Charlestown
22) Aidan Kilcoyne Knockmore
23) Enda Varley Garrymore
24) Neil Douglas Castlebar Mitchels
25) Cillian O'Connor Ballintubber
26) Eoghan O'Reilly Castlebar Mitchels
I like that Mayo team and think it is close to what will be our championship team. As far as I can see right now the main open positions now are just 3 and 9, while everyone else in that team named is in pole position to start there in championship, although some are more certain than others - Ronan McGarrity and Robert Hennelly could be considered both ends of this spectrum.
Richie Feeney could be a good man to restrict MD MacAuley. Full-back remains an issue and while Chris Barrett there won't be a long-term answer, he might be okay there on someone like Diarmuid Connolly. Also, as some point out, positional changes can't be ruled out although I would be very disappointed to see Caff' shifted from six. This is a huge game for Mayo, we can't afford to lose heavily which is not an impossible outcome. I think that's why Horan has named such a relatively strong team.
Think this is a good strong team and expect a robust performance against an inform team. Unlike previous posters - i believe in what James Horan is doin with the squad in rotating players and trying new systems to get the right balance....now is the time to do this....This was always going to take time and injuries didn't help but i have been impressed in what he's doing and what he's trying to achieve. Obviously this is not happening quick enough for some people.....so patience required.
Looking foward to seeing Alan Freeman in the open spaces of Croke Park.....think this guy is our Colm Cooper..........and will be there to roar my head off for them.....!
I'm happy enough with the team being sent out against the Dubs. A little uneasy about the possibilty of giving up our long division 1 history, but we have to try players. A bit too much chopping and changing but so far I'm keeping the faith. I agree on Alan Freeman, he has lots of potential.
i would like Mayo to be in division 1 again next year but would sacrifice it if it meant that come championship time we would be competitive.
i would reckom 8 Max for this team will start when the championship get serious. with the feenys and campbel really the only additions from last years panel to make a mark. Doherty has scored well but still looks very raw. will need more than one league campaign to finish him off.
Not so confident going into this game.
We were poor last week and a repeat performance will surely result in defeat.
If McGarrity is in good form I could see him running amok in midfield.
I can't see Bernard starting for us, so maybe his brother will finally get a start.
Interesting that Mayo's forwards are the A-Team +1 !! :)
Quote from: Hound on March 19, 2011, 07:35:32 AM
Not so confident going into this game.
We were poor last week and a repeat performance will surely result in defeat.
If McGarrity is in good form I could see him running amok in midfield.
I can't see Bernard starting for us, so maybe his brother will finally get a start.
Interesting that Mayo's forwards are the A-Team +1 !! :)
As i alluded to last week. We're not really playing all that well and with bernard transatlantic this week we'll be lucky to win. We are starting to really miss our absentees in defence. We've one player from last years defence starting.
I see the Club Mayo guys have a bit of pre-match entertainment lined up for tomorrow...looks good..
http://www.clubmayo.ie/442.php
Down have taken a bit of pressure off us tonight at least.
Regardless of what happens against Dublin and Cork, at the very worst we will now be going to Inniskeen on the last day knowing that a win will keep us up.
I'm going to bet Dublin so Mayo are in with a shout
A couple of late changes for Mayo according to the Mayo GAA twitter account, Tom Parsons and Peader Gardiner start, with Aidan O'Shea and James Kilcullen going out
Dubs in great shape.
2-3 to 0-2
What an embarrassing display from Mayo.
4-4 to 0-2
Mayo no full backs.
Quote from: Peter Solan the Great on March 20, 2011, 02:51:43 PM
What an embarrassing display from Mayo.
However I'm delighted ;D
Vincents 4-4 Mayo 0-2
game is very open. Little in the way of tackling from either side
Mayo looking good moving forward, but badly in need of a full-back line.
Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on March 20, 2011, 03:15:25 PM
Mayo looking good moving forward, but badly in need of a full-back line.
Stop lying. There a Division 4 team somehow stranded in Division 1.
We don't seem to have bothered with tactics today. We have nice attacking footballers and we're showing that out there but there's no point going up to Croke Park and playing Dublin at their own game - its crazy.
If we don't have enough tall physical defenders then we need to pack the back line and make life difficult for teams. Cunniffe, Barrett and Higgins are all decent footallers but put the three of them together with lightweight players like Gardiner and Cafferkey in front of them and and you have a terrible defence because there's no physicality. If you're going to pick those lads then you need to put the half forwards back in the half back line or else you'll get killed against a fast strong team like Dublin.
If Alan Feeney is fit I'd get him out there at full back. Pull McLoughlin back as an extra defender and block the space that Dublin are running in to. This is the time of year to be trying out Plan B so we still have plenty to play for here even if we're out of the game.
Quote from: Peter Solan the Great on March 20, 2011, 03:16:38 PM
Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on March 20, 2011, 03:15:25 PM
Mayo looking good moving forward, but badly in need of a full-back line.
Stop lying. There a Division 4 team somehow stranded in Division 1.
They are or
they're, Peter, not
there.
100 lines for you.
Quote from: Cosmo Kramer on March 20, 2011, 03:20:47 PM
Quote from: Peter Solan the Great on March 20, 2011, 03:16:38 PM
Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on March 20, 2011, 03:15:25 PM
Mayo looking good moving forward, but badly in need of a full-back line.
Stop lying. There a Division 4 team somehow stranded in Division 1.
They are or they're, Peter, not there.
100 lines for you.
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D at Mayo today.
Game (back) on!
Dub: 4-08
Mayo: 2-10
game on 4-8 dublin
mayo 2-10.
Great stuff from freeman and doherty
Dublin: 4-08
Mayo: 3-10
f**king hell.
Alan Freeman is going to be some player. Gooch like.
All Square!
Dublin: 4-09
Mayo: 3-11
48 minutes gone.
Mayo might get that feeling of winning at Croke here
Hard to believe that there are still 20 minutes to go in this - 4-10 to 3-11 is crazy scoring.
Freeman and Connolly are on fire.
Anyone know what they have scored individually at this stage? Missed the first few minutes
Connolly oozes class, dublin look more and more impressive every time i see them.
Lost midfield badly in the last 10 minutes. Kilcullen hasn't added much since he came in.
These two defenses need to seriously tighten up prior to the summer...
Connolly has class but is far too nonchalant / lazy for my liking.
Both sides could easily have conceded another 2 or 3 goals each.
Happy with the win.
But that wasnt real Gaelic Football. Utterly highlighted why neither side has won All-Irelands recently.
Good to watch but zero defending at either end.
Mayo need a fire lit under them before going out to warm up, but at least they are competitive.
What ever about anything else it was great entertainment. Thank you to both teams for an enjoyable afternoon in front of the box. ;D
A lot of positives we can take from that, but only if we learn a few things as well.
Worrying that we started and finished another game poorly, maybe this time the bad finish was a case of having given up too much in getting back from 14 points down to level and a bit of bad luck with the two goal chances.
But yet another awful start today and that has to be looked at. We've played five league games and started badly in them all, even against Galway. Something is not right about that.
Our approach to playing in Croke Park needs to be looked at as well. Its not like any other stadium and you have to adapt to playing in it, and against the best teams we don't seem to deal with the open spaces well.
Freeman and Doherty offer some amount of potential up front though, we have to come up with an attacking game plan that gets the best out of them.
Dublin won't win an All-Ireland until they either change the way they play or else become able to play that way for 70 minutes solid. I don't think they've actually developed much at all since the All Ireland semi in 2006, they're a great team but they're still too hot and cold to beat the very best.
What a game! To come from fourteen points down to level is Under 12 stuff! Mayo ought to be ashamed to have went so far behind, Dubs ought to be ashamed for letting that lead slip. Mayo lined out with a small full-back line and the Dubs exploited that well. A few other players really struggled in the physical stakes.
But when we stirred ourselves, thanks especially to Andy Moran, Alan Freeman and Jason Doherty, we looked like a serious attacking outfit. Freeman and Doherty especially have nailed down 14 and 15. Freeman is flying, every game he has played for Mayo since his c'ship debut has been an immense one (Sligo, Longford, Down and Dublin) and Doherty has been a great addition in the last three games, five goals in three games, what a contribution. Each one of those five goals was taken with a real goalpoacher's class. His goal today in the first half was pure class and how he found space for the second one was phenomenal. He actually missed the easiest one at the end - which would have meant two players scored hat-tricks which would do justice to the madness of the game.
I liked the cut of Hallinan when he came on. He should have started. Tom Cunniffe struggled today, so too Chrissy Barrett, Peadar and Caff. Only Higgins and Richie Feeney did well in defence. Why didn't Kilcullen start if he was fit to come on? Needed him more than Parsons today.
Crazy game of football, great forward play awful defending i suppose the fans that went got their money's worth
What about Horslips, how did they play?
Quote from: INDIANA on March 20, 2011, 04:02:13 PM
Happy with the win.
But that wasnt real Gaelic Football. Utterly highlighted why neither side has won All-Irelands recently.
Good to watch but zero defending at either end.
How many players that started against Cork in the All-Ireland semi started today?
Quote from: Cosmo Kramer on March 20, 2011, 04:16:45 PM
A lot of positives we can take from that, but only if we learn a few things as well.
Worrying that we started and finished another game poorly, maybe this time the bad finish was a case of having given up too much in getting back from 14 points down to level and a bit of bad luck with the two goal chances.
But yet another awful start today and that has to be looked at. We've played five league games and started badly in them all, even against Galway. Something is not right about that.
Our approach to playing in Croke Park needs to be looked at as well. Its not like any other stadium and you have to adapt to playing in it, and against the best teams we don't seem to deal with the open spaces well.
Freeman and Doherty offer some amount of potential up front though, we have to come up with an attacking game plan that gets the best out of them.
Dublin won't win an All-Ireland until they either change the way they play or else become able to play that way for 70 minutes solid. I don't think they've actually developed much at all since the All Ireland semi in 2006, they're a great team but they're still too hot and cold to beat the very best.
Dublin have at least 6/7 players to come back into that team. Dont think Mayo do
Not sure who bar Cork are the very best anymore.
Indiana,
Let's hope that the 6/7 players are defenders, because giving up a lead like that is not a sign of a champion elect. Mayo were poor starting and poor finishing the game and still clawed you back and with more composure would have totally demoralized dublin like 2006.
Dublin were missing 5 first choice defenders from what I can see so it's a bit odd to have people saying they'll win nothing defending like that.
Quote from: Jinxy on March 20, 2011, 05:27:59 PM
Dublin were missing 5 first choice defenders from what I can see so it's a bit odd to have people saying they'll win nothing defending like that.
That's true & to score 4-15 without some of their best forwards is some going.
I'm still not sure about Connolly.
He just seems to jog around the place and when he comes up against tight defenders and gets frustrated I don't think he'll contribute a lot.
Well able to kick a score but just doesn't seem to have any intensity about him.
Quote from: Jinxy on March 20, 2011, 04:46:47 PM
Quote from: INDIANA on March 20, 2011, 04:02:13 PM
Happy with the win.
But that wasnt real Gaelic Football. Utterly highlighted why neither side has won All-Irelands recently.
Good to watch but zero defending at either end.
How many players that started against Cork in the All-Ireland semi started today?
Three
Quote from: Jinxy on March 20, 2011, 05:27:59 PM
Dublin were missing 5 first choice defenders from what I can see so it's a bit odd to have people saying they'll win nothing defending like that.
Five first choice defenders plus Cluxton
Mayo can forget about being back in Croke Park this year if we keep starting games slowly. Also we need to find proper full and centre-backs if we want to do anything any time soon.
Quote from: heffo on March 20, 2011, 05:39:58 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on March 20, 2011, 04:46:47 PM
Quote from: INDIANA on March 20, 2011, 04:02:13 PM
Happy with the win.
But that wasnt real Gaelic Football. Utterly highlighted why neither side has won All-Irelands recently.
Good to watch but zero defending at either end.
How many players that started against Cork in the All-Ireland semi started today?
Three
True Heffo but its largely going to be the same 15 that played against Cork based on today. Not sure thats a good thing. Connolly and Quinn are pushing hard up front but bar that not sure anyone else really is.
I think Quinn is well worth his place in the championship 15.
Quote from: Farrandeelin on March 20, 2011, 05:50:55 PM
Mayo can forget about being back in Croke Park this year if we keep starting games slowly. Also we need to find proper full and centre-backs if we want to do anything any time soon.
According to Mid West this evening Alan Feeney and Donal Vaughan are nearly ready to go (feeney made the subs today). If available I would put them both in against Cork in place of Barrett and Cafferkey. If Clarke is fit I would put him back in goal because I think he'll still end up being our No. 1. Cunniffe Higgins McLoughlin and Feeney as the rest of the defence - I think that line up would shore us up...but its as much about the gameplan as anything, if we let the full back line get isolated like we did in the first half today we'll get beat every day we go out. If our defence plays as a unit we're a match for anyone going forward.
Unless McGarrity gets injured - then we're fucked.
From a Mayo perspective it's hard to know where to begin.
Negatives:
The full back line must be the smallest to tog out at inter-county level in living memory. Dublin high ball in resulted in goal chances every time.
Peadar Gardiner as an extra defender/sweeper was a disaster. For all his service to the county, he will not be remembered as an outstanding defender.
The physicality of the Dubs was on a higher plane than we could handle. Even when we started motoring at the start of the second half we were only making inroads by putting everything on the line. This took a toll on our smalller team and the Dubs took over again once they weathered the storm.
We need to find some freetakers. This problem has haunted us since Maurice Sheridan retired and looks no closer to being solved. Is there no-one of any ability in the county who can kick a placed ball 50 yrds? Cora Staunton would put the lot of them to shame.
Positives:
We have genuine goal threat in our full-forward line.
McGarrity looks to be back to his very best and gives us a chance to get a foothold at midfield in any game.
We didn't fold up our tents and give up when things went against us early on. We battled to the end and that's the main thing you like to see of your county team, no matter what. There are days when you come up against better teams.
The Dubs look to have a great chance of silverware this year. I fear that they may be a step ahead of other counties on fitness at the minute but they are building a nice head of steam all the same.
Quote from: INDIANA on March 20, 2011, 06:04:29 PM
Quote from: heffo on March 20, 2011, 05:39:58 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on March 20, 2011, 04:46:47 PM
Quote from: INDIANA on March 20, 2011, 04:02:13 PM
Happy with the win.
But that wasnt real Gaelic Football. Utterly highlighted why neither side has won All-Irelands recently.
Good to watch but zero defending at either end.
How many players that started against Cork in the All-Ireland semi started today?
Three
True Heffo but its largely going to be the same 15 that played against Cork based on today. Not sure thats a good thing. Connolly and Quinn are pushing hard up front but bar that not sure anyone else really is.
That's not the feedback I'm getting Indiana.
Don't think too many of those lads (some of which aren't even third choice as lined out today) will see much championship football.
Quote from: Cosmo Kramer on March 20, 2011, 06:58:07 PM
Quote from: Farrandeelin on March 20, 2011, 05:50:55 PM
Mayo can forget about being back in Croke Park this year if we keep starting games slowly. Also we need to find proper full and centre-backs if we want to do anything any time soon.
According to Mid West this evening Alan Feeney and Donal Vaughan are nearly ready to go (feeney made the subs today). If available I would put them both in against Cork in place of Barrett and Cafferkey. If Clarke is fit I would put him back in goal because I think he'll still end up being our No. 1. Cunniffe Higgins McLoughlin and Feeney as the rest of the defence - I think that line up would shore us up...but its as much about the gameplan as anything, if we let the full back line get isolated like we did in the first half today we'll get beat every day we go out. If our defence plays as a unit we're a match for anyone going forward.
Unless McGarrity gets injured - then we're fucked.
I think we ll find that this is as much a problem of attitude/ethos/ coaching as it is of personnel. I m not sure why people are picking on Cafferkey in particular as I could point the finger at another 3 defenders plus the keeper that were found wanting at some time. Caff has been a success until today anyway and if the first 20 minutes are what we are going on quite a few would be getting stood down. There is no guarantee that the likes of Vaughan and Alan Feeney would have done any better in the circumstances. Chances are that they would not as the whole team started flat anyway. Just goes to show - in case anybody was under any illusion - just how far we have to go. So far Horan has had a look at lots of players, as he promised to do, but we have hardly budged as regards putting out a realistic performance against any serious opposition. There have been some good individual performances and some nice attacking football in games but there has been little to suggest that we have the shape, tactical nous or toughness for summer football to date.
Quote from: heffo on March 20, 2011, 08:59:39 PM
That's not the feedback I'm getting Indiana.
Don't think too many of those lads (some of which aren't even third choice as lined out today) will see much championship football.
Bloody hell. It's bad enough to see that we conceded 4-4 in 15 minutes but against the Dubs 4th string to add insult to injury. Bernard Brogan would have caused mayhem today.
Quote from: heffo on March 20, 2011, 08:59:39 PM
Quote from: INDIANA on March 20, 2011, 06:04:29 PM
Quote from: heffo on March 20, 2011, 05:39:58 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on March 20, 2011, 04:46:47 PM
Quote from: INDIANA on March 20, 2011, 04:02:13 PM
Happy with the win.
But that wasnt real Gaelic Football. Utterly highlighted why neither side has won All-Irelands recently.
Good to watch but zero defending at either end.
How many players that started against Cork in the All-Ireland semi started today?
Three
True Heffo but its largely going to be the same 15 that played against Cork based on today. Not sure thats a good thing. Connolly and Quinn are pushing hard up front but bar that not sure anyone else really is.
That's not the feedback I'm getting Indiana.
Don't think too many of those lads (some of which aren't even third choice as lined out today) will see much championship football.
I meant from the Cork game last year Smokey. I think Nelson has an outside chance in the backs. But we need all of Fitzsimons, O Carroll jnr fit for championship.
Would be great to win the league.
Just watched the match again three of the goals came from turnovers from Aidan Campbell. He adds a physical presence but his distribution is shocking and is clearly not a consistent free taker or point scorer. He lost a world of ball all through.
The fourth goal came from Kevin Mc Loughlin not tracking a runner for the second match running, while Kevin is a fine player he cannot forget his defensive duties.
The positives are the performance of the two inside men who caused havoc.
Quote from: INDIANA on March 20, 2011, 09:17:16 PM
Quote from: heffo on March 20, 2011, 08:59:39 PM
Quote from: INDIANA on March 20, 2011, 06:04:29 PM
Quote from: heffo on March 20, 2011, 05:39:58 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on March 20, 2011, 04:46:47 PM
Quote from: INDIANA on March 20, 2011, 04:02:13 PM
Happy with the win.
But that wasnt real Gaelic Football. Utterly highlighted why neither side has won All-Irelands recently.
Good to watch but zero defending at either end.
How many players that started against Cork in the All-Ireland semi started today?
Three
True Heffo but its largely going to be the same 15 that played against Cork based on today. Not sure thats a good thing. Connolly and Quinn are pushing hard up front but bar that not sure anyone else really is.
That's not the feedback I'm getting Indiana.
Don't think too many of those lads (some of which aren't even third choice as lined out today) will see much championship football.
I meant from the Cork game last year Smokey. I think Nelson has an outside chance in the backs. But we need all of Fitzsimons, O Carroll jnr fit for championship.
Would be great to win the league.
Sorry must've picked you up wrong!.
Think Nelson did well last week in the second half after he came on and well today in the first half but was poor after getting a heavy knock.
Casey will not feature much, P Brogan will not feature, D Daly will be 3rd/4th choice corner back (think he's a better wing back myself), Murray is a fine footballer and kept three successive full forwards (O'Neill, Donaghy & Finlay) all scoreless from play but think he will be behind the two O'Carrolls come championship.
No harm in B Brogam having the day off. He went up to NY after meeting Obama and had a bit of a break - he's played a fair bit of football already.
Quote from: Chimley on March 20, 2011, 09:08:57 PM
Quote from: heffo on March 20, 2011, 08:59:39 PM
That's not the feedback I'm getting Indiana.
Don't think too many of those lads (some of which aren't even third choice as lined out today) will see much championship football.
Bloody hell. It's bad enough to see that we conceded 4-4 in 15 minutes but against the Dubs 4th string to add insult to injury. Bernard Brogan would have caused mayhem today.
Well that s the reality for us as things stand anyway. All this chopping and changing by Mayo was largely welcomed. And I m not sure I m too pushed either. But maybe it all could have been more structured. I mean was there any point in starting a 5' 8'' fullback on a 6' 2'' full forward? Was this not an opportunity to start either Hallihan or Killeen there and see how a bigger lad got on... or are they not trusted?
Bringing Peadar in a s a sweeper was again a conservative move as was the reselection as McL as a defender. Andy should be the sweeper option. I hope management again shows a bit of imagination like they did for the Galway selection. We re going nowhere with this conservative approach.
Quote from: REDCOL on March 20, 2011, 09:17:33 PM
Just watched the match again three of the goals came from turnovers from Aidan Campbell. He adds a physical presence but his distribution is shocking and is clearly not a consistent free taker or point scorer. He lost a world of ball all through.
The fourth goal came from Kevin Mc Loughlin not tracking a runner for the second match running, while Kevin is a fine player he cannot forget his defensive duties.
The positives are the performance of the two inside men who caused havoc.
I noticed that myself. I didn't wanna say it because it was a game where there was an unreal amount of unforced errors. Also Tom Cunniffe for the third goal - misreading the high ball - and Robbie Hennelly coming and getting caught for the fourth one were culpaple, although him coming for that was a sign of how much trouble the full-back line was in for the high ball.
On reflection, no one from 1-7 can be happy. I somehow got Higgins mixed up and forgot he was on Connolly while Richie Feeney, although he wasn't under pressure on the back foot, didn't get forward enough in the second half, although he did in the first half.
Why did James Kilcullen not start? I nearly cried when I saw Parsons and McGarrity together in midfield. Can't ever happen again in my opinion. Which means Parsons can't start there because McGarrity must.
For the second week running, too many of our team were out of it in the physical stakes and that was my initial problem with Barrett and Cafferkey and Gardiner. Peadar was blown out of it trying to tackle for one of the goals. We really need physical defenders who are also quick. Not sure if we have them. Would like to see Hallinan full-back next week. I hope Keith Higgins is still recovering from Australia, otherwise our best defender of the last couple of years is in trouble.
Quote from: moysider on March 20, 2011, 09:00:19 PM
Quote from: Cosmo Kramer on March 20, 2011, 06:58:07 PM
Quote from: Farrandeelin on March 20, 2011, 05:50:55 PM
Mayo can forget about being back in Croke Park this year if we keep starting games slowly. Also we need to find proper full and centre-backs if we want to do anything any time soon.
According to Mid West this evening Alan Feeney and Donal Vaughan are nearly ready to go (feeney made the subs today). If available I would put them both in against Cork in place of Barrett and Cafferkey. If Clarke is fit I would put him back in goal because I think he'll still end up being our No. 1. Cunniffe Higgins McLoughlin and Feeney as the rest of the defence - I think that line up would shore us up...but its as much about the gameplan as anything, if we let the full back line get isolated like we did in the first half today we'll get beat every day we go out. If our defence plays as a unit we're a match for anyone going forward.
Unless McGarrity gets injured - then we're fucked.
I think we ll find that this is as much a problem of attitude/ethos/ coaching as it is of personnel. I m not sure why people are picking on Cafferkey in particular as I could point the finger at another 3 defenders plus the keeper that were found wanting at some time. Caff has been a success until today anyway and if the first 20 minutes are what we are going on quite a few would be getting stood down. There is no guarantee that the likes of Vaughan and Alan Feeney would have done any better in the circumstances. Chances are that they would not as the whole team started flat anyway. Just goes to show - in case anybody was under any illusion - just how far we have to go. So far Horan has had a look at lots of players, as he promised to do, but we have hardly budged as regards putting out a realistic performance against any serious opposition. There have been some good individual performances and some nice attacking football in games but there has been little to suggest that we have the shape, tactical nous or toughness for summer football to date.
I think Caff is likely to get more flak because of the important position he plays in, its easier to be a wing back than a centre back because you'll rarely be blamed for conceding scores and anything you do going forward is considered a bonus. Your 6 is a real pivotal position and he must be able to protect the full back line, stay strong against opposition running attacks and set up attacking plays himself. Caff doesn't do enough of any of these things for me but he could be worth a run at 7 where physicality is less of an issue. He's a good footballer but I don't think its working out at CHB. These are the kind of things we're better off learning at this time of year though.
Feeney based on his height alone might have prevented a lot of what happened today. There's no point painting the lad as our defensive lynchpin or anything like that because we haven't seen enough of him yet at this level to know how good he is or isn't, but his and Richie's physical attributes are just what we need to bulk up the defence imo. Vaughan was man of the match in so many league games last year before he got injured that he'd have to be accommodated in the team if he can get back to that sort of form. I always thought JOM made a mistake in never trying him at 6 so if he's fit for the next two games he should be given a chance.
Quote from: Cosmo Kramer on March 20, 2011, 10:02:04 PM
Quote from: moysider on March 20, 2011, 09:00:19 PM
Quote from: Cosmo Kramer on March 20, 2011, 06:58:07 PM
Quote from: Farrandeelin on March 20, 2011, 05:50:55 PM
Mayo can forget about being back in Croke Park this year if we keep starting games slowly. Also we need to find proper full and centre-backs if we want to do anything any time soon.
According to Mid West this evening Alan Feeney and Donal Vaughan are nearly ready to go (feeney made the subs today). If available I would put them both in against Cork in place of Barrett and Cafferkey. If Clarke is fit I would put him back in goal because I think he'll still end up being our No. 1. Cunniffe Higgins McLoughlin and Feeney as the rest of the defence - I think that line up would shore us up...but its as much about the gameplan as anything, if we let the full back line get isolated like we did in the first half today we'll get beat every day we go out. If our defence plays as a unit we're a match for anyone going forward.
Unless McGarrity gets injured - then we're fucked.
I think we ll find that this is as much a problem of attitude/ethos/ coaching as it is of personnel. I m not sure why people are picking on Cafferkey in particular as I could point the finger at another 3 defenders plus the keeper that were found wanting at some time. Caff has been a success until today anyway and if the first 20 minutes are what we are going on quite a few would be getting stood down. There is no guarantee that the likes of Vaughan and Alan Feeney would have done any better in the circumstances. Chances are that they would not as the whole team started flat anyway. Just goes to show - in case anybody was under any illusion - just how far we have to go. So far Horan has had a look at lots of players, as he promised to do, but we have hardly budged as regards putting out a realistic performance against any serious opposition. There have been some good individual performances and some nice attacking football in games but there has been little to suggest that we have the shape, tactical nous or toughness for summer football to date.
I think Caff is likely to get more flak because of the important position he plays in, its easier to be a wing back than a centre back because you'll rarely be blamed for conceding scores and anything you do going forward is considered a bonus. Your 6 is a real pivotal position and he must be able to protect the full back line, stay strong against opposition running attacks and set up attacking plays himself. Caff doesn't do enough of any of these things for me but he could be worth a run at 7 where physicality is less of an issue. He's a good footballer but I don't think its working out at CHB. These are the kind of things we're better off learning at this time of year though.
Feeney based on his height alone might have prevented a lot of what happened today. There's no point painting the lad as our defensive lynchpin or anything like that because we haven't seen enough of him yet at this level to know how good he is or isn't, but his and Richie's physical attributes are just what we need to bulk up the defence imo. Vaughan was man of the match in so many league games last year before he got injured that he'd have to be accommodated in the team if he can get back to that sort of form. I always thought JOM made a mistake in never trying him at 6 so if he's fit for the next two games he should be given a chance.
I m sure everybody will be given a chance. But I remember Vaughan (and dont get me wrong I like Vaughan) trying hard last year but still a bit raw. That s the thing about this time of year. A player is nearly better off injured and not being exposed from week to week. Your currency goes up. Feeney s height could have made a difference. But there was the option to go with other big lads like Killeen or Hallihan. I mean they are in the panel. I take your point about CHB but we had the same problem there last year. Caff or Howley can only be in one place no matter how well they move or read the game. Antbody else remember James Nallen being the patsy in 06 although the problems was primarily elsewhere.ie, Midfield, breaking ball, fb lione and overall intensity.
The reality is Seamus Moynihan in his prime at 6 would not solve Mayo defensive problems. Nor would a Francie Bellew at 3. We re set up like a junior club/ underage set of defenders - not strictly true as most teams give a good deal of thought how they set up. It looks like Horan may have just maybe got too caught up with rejigging his line up from week to week and has taken his eye off other important stuff. It s all very well knowing your own panel inside out but you have to be able to pick a team that can cope with the opposition as well. The last 2 weeks it appeared - and I m probably wrong here that the mayo team was picked regardless of the opposition they were facing.
Contrast that to likes of Armagh last week. Even the much maligned O Rourke seemed to have put some thought into tactics and match-ups. eg, Billy Joe marks Dillon and McKeever sits 10 yards behind as a safety net. McKeevere he picks moments to punch forward ( kicking one of the last points). When he goes forward somebody tucks back. Not everybodys cup of tea but if your going to compete you have to do at least some of this shit. Kerry do and if they stoop so low..... Peadar s role today was not tight enough for what is needed.
So based on that game today (Mayo posters) do you think that Mayo justify their favouritism for the Connacht Championship?
Galway put a bit of a show up today but way off the mark all year, Roscommon are 6/1 to lift it again this year behind Sligo!!
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on March 20, 2011, 10:37:12 PM
So based on that game today (Mayo posters) do you think that Mayo justify their favouritism for the Connacht Championship?
Galway put a bit of a show up today but way off the mark all year, Roscommon are 6/1 to lift it again this year behind Sligo!!
Roscommon are a great bet for me to win Connacht.
Just in the door still fuming from that farce.
No we won't win Connacht and Galway with a fullset of forwards will beat us. Then a half decent team will knock us out come July. This is the reality we must live with.
These problems in defence have been there for at least 7 years now. Whatever about personnel a new management has come in and we still play the same stupid football. What is the plan? Follow the ball?
And talk of 'it's only the league', trying fellas out etc is another ready made excuse we are fartoo willing to easily hang to in the hope that without fresh thinking or hard work we can break through and consistently challenge. We got luck in 04 and 06 to travel to where we got to. We put ourselves on a different plane while those outside knew the realities. Nobody within Mayo has yet to address those realities. I know I will be laughed at again here and muppet will call me negative but where are the signs of going forward?
We are at our lowest ebb since 1995 and the next few years look stale with players plateauing at the age of 22/23 instead of thriving. We need a hungry bunch but a management set-up that come up with a style of play to get over our weaknesses. I don't want to be here in2/3 years time raising the same points but seems probable right now.
Quote from: RedandGreenSniper on March 20, 2011, 10:42:48 PM
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on March 20, 2011, 10:37:12 PM
So based on that game today (Mayo posters) do you think that Mayo justify their favouritism for the Connacht Championship?
Galway put a bit of a show up today but way off the mark all year, Roscommon are 6/1 to lift it again this year behind Sligo!!
Roscommon are a great bet for me to win Connacht.
Agree. Galway most likely to do enough to win it though, imo. I thought we were on the right track with our selection before Galway. An opportunity to consolidate lost imo.
OK for the Dubs here, being unbeaten so far and having taken some great scalps along the way. Why do Paddy Power have Dublin at 11/10 to win the Leinster SFC this year? Surely they are a shoe in. Kildare while having been great last season i don't think they are a better team and with Dublin losing out last year will be looking for the shorter route to the quarter finals.
Quote from: RedandGreenSniper on March 20, 2011, 10:42:48 PM
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on March 20, 2011, 10:37:12 PM
So based on that game today (Mayo posters) do you think that Mayo justify their favouritism for the Connacht Championship?
Galway put a bit of a show up today but way off the mark all year, Roscommon are 6/1 to lift it again this year behind Sligo!!
Roscommon are a great bet for me to win Connacht.
We are great odds but that's where it stops! where a Div 4 team while Sligo are Div 2 & Galway,Mayo are Div 1
We managed to pull of almighty shock last summer but where still a long way from competing with the best in connacht.
I actually think we do justify our favourites tag in Connacht this year, but only because the standard in the province (and I include ourselves in this) is so shit.
Anyone predicting us to win Connacht must be smoking their own and Ming's supply. Not that the standard in Connacht is all that hectic but don't see how we are going to turn around a run of form that is probably going to see us lose every league game this year.
Quote from: Barney on March 20, 2011, 10:55:03 PM
Just in the door still fuming from that farce.
No we won't win Connacht and Galway with a fullset of forwards will beat us. Then a half decent team will knock us out come July. This is the reality we must live with.These problems in defence have been there for at least 7 years now. Whatever about personnel a new management has come in and we still play the same stupid football. What is the plan? Follow the ball?
And talk of 'it's only the league', trying fellas out etc is another ready made excuse we are fartoo willing to easily hang to in the hope that without fresh thinking or hard work we can break through and consistently challenge. We got luck in 04 and 06 to travel to where we got to. We put ourselves on a different plane while those outside knew the realities. Nobody within Mayo has yet to address those realities. I know I will be laughed at again here and muppet will call me negative but where are the signs of going forward?
We are at our lowest ebb since 1995 and the next few years look stale with players plateauing at the age of 22/23 instead of thriving. We need a hungry bunch but a management set-up that come up with a style of play to get over our weaknesses. I don't want to be here in2/3 years time raising the same points but seems probable right now.
You are of course correct Barney. But over the next months we will get selections on here that should start championship. We re caught up in this 'cult of the starter'. I know some people wont like this but maybe James Horan has kinda fallen into this trap, if you take his selections at face value. I know I m probably in the minority here but I think he should have built a team during the league - not look at loads of different players in different games. He did well on rebuilding - up to a point. If he added a sweeper to the Galway selection he could have had worked on getting something up there with the best around defensively and counter-attack. Remember Freeman had to come back in there as well. I wouldn t be too despondent because he still has that template if he wants to use it ( and he ll be foolish if he does not). By Summer he should have the option of 2 O Sés to go with Ronan at midfield. He needs to sort out his freetaking. Likes of Barry Moran might be an option as well. I m kinda hopin he knows what his best team is roughly (roughly Galway with Ronan and an O Sé + Freeman), but will keep it under wraps for a while yet. That would be a wise move. No point giving opposition too much homework so early in the year.
Quote from: GalwayBayBoy on March 20, 2011, 11:17:32 PM
Anyone predicting us to win Connacht must be smoking their own and Ming's supply. Not that the standard in Connacht is all that hectic but don't see how we are going to turn around a run of form that is probably going to see us lose every league game this year.
Well if we could turn it around losing 6 out of 7 Divsion three games last year i think Galway can with the returning Meehan,N joyce & PJ
Roscommon are my bet for Connacht. The only reason we are more favs is cause the bookies are looking that we are home to Leitrim and Roscommon should we win...
The league wasnt of much siginificane last yr ross4life, and it wont have a bearing this yr either imo as its all on the day.
Galway havent a hope and mayo are still poor imo, but i expect mayo to beat Galway. Leitrim will run us close aswell, and id say NY will run ros close but ros always play well against us and they have better squad this yr so i expect them to make final and beat mayo.
Quote from: ross4life on March 20, 2011, 11:08:44 PM
Quote from: RedandGreenSniper on March 20, 2011, 10:42:48 PM
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on March 20, 2011, 10:37:12 PM
So based on that game today (Mayo posters) do you think that Mayo justify their favouritism for the Connacht Championship?
Galway put a bit of a show up today but way off the mark all year, Roscommon are 6/1 to lift it again this year behind Sligo!!
Roscommon are a great bet for me to win Connacht.
We are great odds but that's where it stops! where a Div 4 team while Sligo are Div 2 & Galway,Mayo are Div 1
We managed to pull of almighty shock last summer but where still a long way from competing with the best in connacht.
Who de f**k is the best in Connacht? Never mind competing with them. You re a gas man entirely.
Quote from: moysider on March 20, 2011, 11:27:35 PM
Quote from: ross4life on March 20, 2011, 11:08:44 PM
Quote from: RedandGreenSniper on March 20, 2011, 10:42:48 PM
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on March 20, 2011, 10:37:12 PM
So based on that game today (Mayo posters) do you think that Mayo justify their favouritism for the Connacht Championship?
Galway put a bit of a show up today but way off the mark all year, Roscommon are 6/1 to lift it again this year behind Sligo!!
Roscommon are a great bet for me to win Connacht.
We are great odds but that's where it stops! where a Div 4 team while Sligo are Div 2 & Galway,Mayo are Div 1
We managed to pull of almighty shock last summer but where still a long way from competing with the best in connacht.
Who de f**k is the best in Connacht? Never mind competing with them. You re a gas man entirely.
I don't think i need to spell it out whom are the best in Connacht! how about Roscommon swapping divsions. would the high scoring wins for Sligo,Galway,Mayo give them more confidence? we have struggled to win the games thus far.. can you imagine the beatings we would get of likes Tyrone,Meath,Dublin or Cork?
P.S SLIGONIAN, you tried to blow sligo up sky high last year (i didn't buy it) & this year your using reverse psychology.
Quote from: GalwayBayBoy on March 20, 2011, 11:17:32 PM
Anyone predicting us to win Connacht must be smoking their own and Ming's supply. Not that the standard in Connacht is all that hectic but don't see how we are going to turn around a run of form that is probably going to see us lose every league game this year.
Standard is not that bad either if they d cop themselves on and not be always playing catchup. Admittedly Galway are losing their league games. So too are Mayo and in our case it looks like we re trying our best to lose them - except the Galway game naturally ::) Is it a ploy to allow us to come in under the radar later.
But Galway will have changes come championship that will transform them. At least they will be transformed against Mayo. Beat Mayo, they could be good enough to win Connacht, even if they usually cool off a bit after the green and red bloodlust. Lose to Mayo and I d be on ryanair.com in a flash if I were a Galway man. Similarly so if we lose to Galway. As Maurice Fitzgerald said 'there are no second acts in a Mayo Championshipo season' :(
Its depressing how poor a standard in Connacht has fallen to at the moment. Everyone is convinced that they haven't a hope in hell of winning the Province. Good job there are no Leitrim, London or New York lads on here or they would be trying to claim the lead of the race to the bottom. I personally think Mayo are marginaly the best of a very very poor bunch, but could very easily be overturned by any team in the province, including the exiles.
Quote from: ross4life on March 20, 2011, 11:39:47 PM
Quote from: moysider on March 20, 2011, 11:27:35 PM
Quote from: ross4life on March 20, 2011, 11:08:44 PM
Quote from: RedandGreenSniper on March 20, 2011, 10:42:48 PM
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on March 20, 2011, 10:37:12 PM
So based on that game today (Mayo posters) do you think that Mayo justify their favouritism for the Connacht Championship?
Galway put a bit of a show up today but way off the mark all year, Roscommon are 6/1 to lift it again this year behind Sligo!!
Roscommon are a great bet for me to win Connacht.
We are great odds but that's where it stops! where a Div 4 team while Sligo are Div 2 & Galway,Mayo are Div 1
We managed to pull of almighty shock last summer but where still a long way from competing with the best in connacht.
Who de f**k is the best in Connacht? Never mind competing with them. You re a gas man entirely.
I don't think i need to spell it out whom are the best in Connacht! how about Roscommon swapping divsions. would the high scoring wins for Sligo,Galway,Mayo give them more confidence? we have struggled to win the games thus far.. can you imagine the beatings we would get of likes Tyrone,Meath,Dublin or Cork?
P.S SLIGONIAN, you tried to blow sligo up sky high last year (i didn't buy it) & this year your using reverse psychology.
I m sure you know I was rattlin cages. But not sure divisions are of much relevance. Mayo s campaign in Division I - playin some good stuff but being mainly swiped aside - is hardly good preparation for championship. Those that suggested that the league should be sacrificed to look at as many players as possible should take into account the damage that tanking today would have done for morale in the panel. The game was over after 15. To rub salt into wounds when we clawed our way back we were bitch-slapped back down again.
Roscommon, come championship, like at U 21 could have a more realistic team. Especially with some of those Brigids players. Senan Kilbride would be in any team.
What does the word 'supporter' mean?
Quote from: moysider on March 21, 2011, 12:45:39 AM
Quote from: ross4life on March 20, 2011, 11:39:47 PM
Quote from: moysider on March 20, 2011, 11:27:35 PM
Quote from: ross4life on March 20, 2011, 11:08:44 PM
Quote from: RedandGreenSniper on March 20, 2011, 10:42:48 PM
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on March 20, 2011, 10:37:12 PM
So based on that game today (Mayo posters) do you think that Mayo justify their favouritism for the Connacht Championship?
Galway put a bit of a show up today but way off the mark all year, Roscommon are 6/1 to lift it again this year behind Sligo!!
Roscommon are a great bet for me to win Connacht.
We are great odds but that's where it stops! where a Div 4 team while Sligo are Div 2 & Galway,Mayo are Div 1
We managed to pull of almighty shock last summer but where still a long way from competing with the best in connacht.
Who de f**k is the best in Connacht? Never mind competing with them. You re a gas man entirely.
I don't think i need to spell it out whom are the best in Connacht! how about Roscommon swapping divsions. would the high scoring wins for Sligo,Galway,Mayo give them more confidence? we have struggled to win the games thus far.. can you imagine the beatings we would get of likes Tyrone,Meath,Dublin or Cork?
P.S SLIGONIAN, you tried to blow sligo up sky high last year (i didn't buy it) & this year your using reverse psychology.
I m sure you know I was rattlin cages. But not sure divisions are of much relevance. Mayo s campaign in Division I - playin some good stuff but being mainly swiped aside - is hardly good preparation for championship. Those that suggested that the league should be sacrificed to look at as many players as possible should take into account the damage that tanking today would have done for morale in the panel. The game was over after 15. To rub salt into wounds when we clawed our way back we were bitch-slapped back down again.
Roscommon, come championship, like at U 21 could have a more realistic team. Especially with some of those Brigids players. Senan Kilbride would be in any team.
One of Mayo biggest down falls over the years has been over confidence so a couple of defeats now will be no harm to get them focused for the Championship & i have also said here numerous times... making 7/8 changes every game will never bring consistently.
As for us thanks to the underaged development where moving in the right direction after many awful years at every level so where learning to walk before we can run.
Quote from: ross4life on March 21, 2011, 01:24:35 AM
Quote from: moysider on March 21, 2011, 12:45:39 AM
Quote from: ross4life on March 20, 2011, 11:39:47 PM
Quote from: moysider on March 20, 2011, 11:27:35 PM
Quote from: ross4life on March 20, 2011, 11:08:44 PM
Quote from: RedandGreenSniper on March 20, 2011, 10:42:48 PM
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on March 20, 2011, 10:37:12 PM
So based on that game today (Mayo posters) do you think that Mayo justify their favouritism for the Connacht Championship?
Galway put a bit of a show up today but way off the mark all year, Roscommon are 6/1 to lift it again this year behind Sligo!!
Roscommon are a great bet for me to win Connacht.
We are great odds but that's where it stops! where a Div 4 team while Sligo are Div 2 & Galway,Mayo are Div 1
We managed to pull of almighty shock last summer but where still a long way from competing with the best in connacht.
Who de f**k is the best in Connacht? Never mind competing with them. You re a gas man entirely.
I don't think i need to spell it out whom are the best in Connacht! how about Roscommon swapping divsions. would the high scoring wins for Sligo,Galway,Mayo give them more confidence? we have struggled to win the games thus far.. can you imagine the beatings we would get of likes Tyrone,Meath,Dublin or Cork?
P.S SLIGONIAN, you tried to blow sligo up sky high last year (i didn't buy it) & this year your using reverse psychology.
I m sure you know I was rattlin cages. But not sure divisions are of much relevance. Mayo s campaign in Division I - playin some good stuff but being mainly swiped aside - is hardly good preparation for championship. Those that suggested that the league should be sacrificed to look at as many players as possible should take into account the damage that tanking today would have done for morale in the panel. The game was over after 15. To rub salt into wounds when we clawed our way back we were bitch-slapped back down again.
Roscommon, come championship, like at U 21 could have a more realistic team. Especially with some of those Brigids players. Senan Kilbride would be in any team.
One of Mayo biggest down falls over the years has been over confidence
Yea thats the problem alright. 2006, 2004, 1997, 1996 and 1989. All overconfidence.
Feckin' Kerry and Meath underdogs keep fooling us.
One of Mayo biggest down falls over the years has been over confidence so a couple of defeats now will be no harm to get them focused for the Championship & i have also said here numerous times... making 7/8 changes every game will never bring consistently.
As for us thanks to the underaged development where moving in the right direction after many awful years at every level so where learning to walk before we can run.
[/quote]
Me arse it is. I've never gone to a match over confident and don't know anyone else who would be c**k d'hoop either......this is Mayo we are talking about.
Kinda talking about the management/players more than the fans. Sligo,Meath,Longford championship games to name a few.
Quote from: ross4life on March 21, 2011, 01:39:59 AM
Kinda talking about the management/players more than the fans. Sligo,Meath,Longford championship games to name a few.
Horse poo of the highest order. That is trying to pigeon hole the results of those games when you have no better explanation, usually done by people outside the county for their own benefit. Situated right next door is the pigeon hole where we are all baying for the blood of every manager that fails to deliver Sam.
Very strange game altogether. For the first 20 minutes every time the ball went into the Dublin forwards they looked like they would score a goal and then they just switched off. It was like a training session with all the emphasis on the forwards. I've been impressed with Murray's footballing ability this season but today confirmed that he is no IC full back at the business end of the season. I know that lads are saying that a lot of those boys won't be on the first 15 come the summer but jaysus the standard of defending was shocking. Connolly has oodles of talent alright but if I'll wait until he does it in the heat of championship battle before commenting as his style of play indicates a certain laziness.
Some amount of goals alright and loads of free flags plus Horslips were great!!
I like the way this thread has been hijacked in to "which Connacht county can talk themselves down the most"....
The reality is Roscommon would not have came near Dublin or Cork yesterday never mind almost beat them like Mayo and Galway did. Last year was a very welcome over achievement for Ross. Football is definitely going in the right direction in the county but full maturity in to top senior squad is another 2 years off. Like I said before promotion from div 4, competing well with Mayo or Galway in Connacht followed by a decent run in the back door should be the aim for 2011. I'm not sure where Sligo are at this year but they would also have unfinished business from last season regarding Roscommon.
It's Mayo's title to lose no matter how much they say otherwise. They've a young intelligent manager who is experimenting with various lineouts of successful underage sides and still managing not to get hammered in div 1. Horan is totally focussed on the championship and will deliver I think.
Galway are Galway. The addittion of one or more exceptional players can transform them (even within a single match never mind a season). Relegation is a forgone conclusion so yesterdays improvement in form is probably a better indication towards championship form. Bradshaw... Meehan... Armstrong.... Joyce..... maybe Nicky etc whether they're all back or some of them can win a match on their own.
So for now the "big two" still look down on the rest of the province. For now....
Quote from: Declan on March 21, 2011, 08:14:49 AM
Very strange game altogether. For the first 20 minutes every time the ball went into the Dublin forwards they looked like they would score a goal and then they just switched off. It was like a training session with all the emphasis on the forwards. I've been impressed with Murray's footballing ability this season but today confirmed that he is no IC full back at the business end of the season. I know that lads are saying that a lot of those boys won't be on the first 15 come the summer but jaysus the standard of defending was shocking. Connolly has oodles of talent alright but if I'll wait until he does it in the heat of championship battle before commenting as his style of play indicates a certain laziness.
Some amount of goals alright and loads of free flags plus Horslips were great!!
I think its lazy analysis to suggest Connolly is lazy. Its just his Maurice Fitzgerald-like gait that gives the false impression.
I don't know that either of the O'Carrolls will walk back into the championship team given they'll have played little or no league.
Murray under a high ball has generally been pretty good, and he uses the ball well when in possession, but they way he misjudges bouncing balls is almost incredible, and this wasn't the first game he's done that. But I still wouldnt dis-count him from the championship team until I see the form and fitness of the O'Carrolls. Rory was supposedly poor last time out for Crokes and Ross had a poor enough Dubs debut. They'll both need game time to come up to scratch.
London are in with a shout for Connaught this year as long as they are not over confident, that's what did for them in the past. With the queen and all coming it will be a great incentive for them.
QuoteI think its lazy analysis to suggest Connolly is lazy.
Didn't mean to suggest he is lazy - I think his style of running and manner of play looks like he's not trying as hard as other lads - maybe he is but I'll wait unti lhe poroduces in the championship to finally judge him.
If he turns out to be half the player Maurice Fitz was I'd be happy!!
Looks like Dublin have found Diarmuid Connolly's best number. I say number as he seemed to be all over the pitch. To rephrase Corporal Jones' catchphrase, He likes it up him.
Real pitch opening fare in CP yesterday. Terribly disappointed in the disjointed way we played throughout............ the 2 Vins lads up front played well as did young Brogan at corner back. Nelson also imo played well before taking a massive hit.
Thought Kevin Nolan's intro steadied the ship and was surprised to see MDMA taken off. Ger Brennan imo not solid as a chb and O'Sullivan will surely be back in for Championship.
Mayo are a good side and will be there or there abouts in August.
Lastly, the Mayo support was pitiful, maybe 500 or so. Seemingly, the Dubyos didn't even bother traipsing in.
Quote from: Canalman on March 21, 2011, 10:10:27 AM
Real pitch opening fare in CP yesterday. Terribly disappointed in the disjointed way we played throughout............ the 2 Vins lads up front played well as did young Brogan at corner back. Nelson also imo played well before taking a massive hit.
Thought Kevin Nolan's intro steadied the ship and was surprised to see MDMA taken off. Ger Brennan imo not solid as a chb and O'Sullivan will surely be back in for Championship.
Mayo are a good side and will be there or there abouts in August.
Lastly, the Mayo support was pitiful, maybe 500 or so. Seemingly, the Dubyos didn't even bother traipsing in.
Where were you sitting Canalman? I thought there were more than 500 Mayo supporters there.
Was on the 45 yard line Cusack Stand, NCR side. Literally only one Mayo supporter within distance of me. Seemed to be 200 odd Mayo fans near Ard Chomhairle area in Hogan stand with the odd few scattered elsewhere. Not a big turnout at all.
QuoteWas on the 45 yard line Cusack Stand, NCR side.
Close enough to myself Canalman. It was a poor turn out overall though I suppose Jedward will bring a few more on the 2nd ;) ;)
Quote from: Hound on March 21, 2011, 08:29:14 AM
Quote from: Declan on March 21, 2011, 08:14:49 AM
Very strange game altogether. For the first 20 minutes every time the ball went into the Dublin forwards they looked like they would score a goal and then they just switched off. It was like a training session with all the emphasis on the forwards. I've been impressed with Murray's footballing ability this season but today confirmed that he is no IC full back at the business end of the season. I know that lads are saying that a lot of those boys won't be on the first 15 come the summer but jaysus the standard of defending was shocking. Connolly has oodles of talent alright but if I'll wait until he does it in the heat of championship battle before commenting as his style of play indicates a certain laziness.
Some amount of goals alright and loads of free flags plus Horslips were great!!
I think its lazy analysis to suggest Connolly is lazy. Its just his Maurice Fitzgerald-like gait that gives the false impression.
I don't know that either of the O'Carrolls will walk back into the championship team given they'll have played little or no league.
Murray under a high ball has generally been pretty good, and he uses the ball well when in possession, but they way he misjudges bouncing balls is almost incredible, and this wasn't the first game he's done that. But I still wouldnt dis-count him from the championship team until I see the form and fitness of the O'Carrolls. Rory was supposedly poor last time out for Crokes and Ross had a poor enough Dubs debut. They'll both need game time to come up to scratch.
Lets leave the Fitz comparisons out of things. I've watched DC since he was 9. I know how good he is but its up to him.
I'd prefer to see us playing a consistent team. The changes are breeding inconsistency. Start Mc Mahon and Nolan the next day. Move Mc Auley to midfield even though he spent some time there yesterday.
Start deciding on a forward line. Cullen has to start at wing forward. Alan Brogan as well. Inside line on form at present should be Mossy, Dermot and Bernard obviously.
Mayo and Dublin are incapable of playing any other way against each other. Its always been the same. Open attacking football - its as if they let each other play. Yet they can play defensively against other teams.
Mayo have found a few forwards with a bit of backbone when the chips are down. Long time since they had that. I think the signs are quite good there. Freeman is going to be some player.
I thought Andy Moran almost singlehandedly dragged Mayo back into that yesterday. He had a terrific game. Still probably 2 years behind Dublin in terms of their development but moving in the right direction. But need to find some backs.
I was close enough to Canalman and I was also struck at the poor Mayo turnout. Mayo fans were not only down in numbers but were very muted as well.
I had to wait on Clonliffe Road for about fifteen minutes or so waiting for a companion to get our tickets and so I had a good opportunity to watch the crowd coming up from the Ballybough end.
No doubt about it, I was amazed at the low turnout from Mayo. Loads of Dubs hats and flags but Mayo ones were few and far between.
Well, I was in the Hogan and there were lots of Mayo supporters there. Outnumbered by Dubs in the ground in general but the fact that it was a Dublin home game may have something to do with that. It's a possibility that we just can't rule out.
Sitting in Croke Park yesterday after Dublins 4th goal and their lead stretching to about 14 points I found myself zipping up my jacket to cover my Mayo jersey and holding my face in my hands in disbelief.
Embarrassed is far too strong a word but in a sea of blue supporters jeering Mayo wides and boisterously cheering their blue army I was going through a range of emotions.
I dont know how it looked on TV, but getting "moneys worth" or talking up the game in good footballing terms is not how I would call that first quarter. I have seen challenge matches played with more appetite than what Mayo were showing. The Mayo players out the field were going through the motions and letting Dublin walk through which was putting horrendous pressure on our own full back line.
In those first 20 minutes we were playing like it was an exhibition with some of the laziest marking, tackling and workrate coupled with some of the bad defending. We werent even tracking runs out the pitch which was crucifying us. I said earlier on in the week that a lot of big questions would be answered and I think we got a few of those big answers.
That fullback line was shambolic in the first half, and only for Dublin switched things and Keith Higgins followed his man and ended up playing fullback the nightmare could have been worse.
There is some simple things defenders should be able to do: Tackling, dispossessing, blocking, staying goal side, knowing where your man is, not playing yards off your man when you know where he is, and not playing miles in front of him, especially when there is a sweeper in front of you; is what makes an average defender. Sadly, even with a sweeper playing in front of Mayos fullback line, some of the defenders couldnt even manage those basics.
Other simplicities like catching the ball when you go up for it or even timing a long high hanging ball (usually a defenders dream) so it doesnt go over your head and leave a man through on goal is something that should be bread and butter.
Whats the point in playing miles in front of the forward your supposed to be marking if you are supposed to have a sweeper in front of you to mark that space?
Keith Higgins, dashed out and left his man when Gardiner should have been mopping up. Cunniffe made another crazy dash out and totally mistimed the ball to leave Dublin through on goal, and if Barett tried to break the ball from behind he wouldnt have gotten the wrong side of his man for that goal. Also, when a someone in possession is at full tilt running towards you with the ball, the last thing you do is run straight at him (like Gardiner did) as you will get side stepped too easily. Sometimes you defend on the back foot, run with the guy in possession, count the steps and get the hand in for the dispossession when they hop or solo.
Im not completely blaming the fullback line or Gardiner but there was definitely confidence issues in each other until Keith Higgins settled it down a bit. From then on, coupled with the fact that we woke up a bit out the pitch at least Cunniffe seemed a bit more confident and we quenched a few Dublin attacks with some tenacity from himself and Higgins. The pressure they were under came from out the pitch although Connelly scoring 3-03 is a little harder to excuse.
Before I move on I want to state again that the fullback line were not totally to blame. As well as workrate out the pitch, the handling errors out the pitch lead to the goals. At this level you can not get away with passes getting easily intercepted and turned over and Campbell has to get that right and make sure of the pass if he is going to hold on to his place. I dont know where his head was but it was out of character and I would be hoping the lessons are learned and he wont be as bad next time.
Elsewhere in defence only Richie Feeney stood up in that first half and puts the body in. Cafferkey hardly had a touch and was ghosting about the place. McManamon was breezing down the middle without a hand on him and at the very least Caff should have been helping the ball out of defence when Mayo had possession. Bizarrely Cathal Hallinan got far, far more touches in the 10 minutes he was on the pitch than Cafferkey got in the whole game. It didnt make any sense.
At midfield McGarrity at least was contesting kickouts and did Ok bar a few bad decisions when in possession. That wide he had, as well as Richie Feeneys summed up Mayos confidence in that first half but I dont have anything against them for having the courage to take on them shots.
Parsons was not at the races at all and drifted about the pitch and actually off the ball he drifted away from play with no purpose. Im not sure if he actually wants to be there as he is showing no appetite and seems to be going through the motions. Unfortunately, a few good minutes in McHale park against Down in the second half this year is all that I have seen from Parsons in a long, long time. Himself and McGarrty are not a great partnership as he doenst work hard enough off the ball. I think Jason Gibbons could be a better option at this stage of the season. Kilcullen still seems a bit behind the pace but he too is looking more and more like a serious option around the middle. That block of a certain goal was vital and he put the body in a few times out the pitch which was nice to see.
Upfront Freeman and Doherty were simply sublime and Andy Moran also showed well. Im delighted we found two great corner forwards that are not afraid to take their men on and take a score. Dillon and Campbell also had a good second half and worked their socks off. Sadly Kilcoyne seems a shadow of the player he was since his injury and will struggle to make the team come summer with the form of the rest. He still has loads of time to get the pace and accuracy back though.
In my view we still have a lot of positives although from my ranting above you wouldnt think it.
Some will say that Dublin took the foot off the gas the gas a little, whereas I think that the comeback was more down to Mayos hard work up until the last 5 minutes where we tired. In the second half we looked like a different team and found some pride in ourselves and actually began to play a little. This all came as a result of that workrate that the players finally bought into after Mayos first goal.
I also think that the players themselves learned a lot from the game. You will get destroyed at this level if you dont work hard and when we did I dont think Dublin could handle it. The Mayo defenders, and especially the fullback line had to have learned a lot from the goals that we conceded. They may also have learned a bit more about what to do with a sweeper although that may not be as apparent from the game. We learned that leaving Freeman and Doherty inside can cause havoc to a defence. Andy Moran is playing great stuff and Dillon improved from the Armagh game and will hopefully be back at his best come the summer.
I still think we have a lot of questions to be answered, and even after Sunday I would be in favour of trying things again if it means we will get it right later in the season.
When you think if it, yesterday was actually a success as we found out things that could have been learned later in the season with a lot more at steak. And I think we learned more than Dublin did.
Things I would like to see in the next few games:
- Workrate from when the ball is thrown in
- Kevin McGloughlin (among others) tracking runs
- Better decision making and handling (especially from Campbell)
- Trying Keith Higgins (or Ger Cafferkey) at full back again
- Trying Aidan O Shea at Midfield or centre forward
- Trying Cathal Hallinan at centre back, corner back or full back again
- Trying Alan Feeney at full back again with Hallinan/Cunniffe or Higgins beside him
- Jason Gibbons at midfield with McGarity/Kilcullen/Aidan O Shea
- Kilcullen getting a longer game
- Cillian O Connor being given a few minutes at corner forward
- Finding out more about James Burke and Ruaidhri O Connor at wing back
A lot done, and more to do but im hopeful we can get things right when the time comes.
Quote from: AbbeySider on March 21, 2011, 11:48:27 AM
Sitting in Croke Park yesterday after Dublins 4th goal and their lead stretching to about 14 points I found myself zipping up my jacket to cover my Mayo jersey and holding my face in my hands in disbelief.
Embarrassed is far too strong a word but in a sea of blue supporters jeering Mayo wides and boisterously cheering their blue army I was going through a range of emotions.
I dont know how it looked on TV, but getting "moneys worth" or talking up the game in good footballing terms is not how I would call that first quarter. I have seen challenge matches played with more appetite than what Mayo were showing. The Mayo players out the field were going through the motions and letting Dublin walk through which was putting horrendous pressure on our own full back line.
In those first 20 minutes we were playing like it was an exhibition with some of the laziest marking, tackling and workrate coupled with some of the bad defending. We werent even tracking runs out the pitch which was crucifying us. I said earlier on in the week that a lot of big questions would be answered and I think we got a few of those big answers.
That fullback line was shambolic in the first half, and only for Dublin switched things and Keith Higgins followed his man and ended up playing fullback the nightmare could have been worse.
There is some simple things defenders should be able to do: Tackling, dispossessing, blocking, staying goal side, knowing where your man is, not playing yards off your man when you know where he is, and not playing miles in front of him, especially when there is a sweeper in front of you; is what makes an average defender. Sadly, even with a sweeper playing in front of Mayos fullback line, some of the defenders couldnt even manage those basics.
Other simplicities like catching the ball when you go up for it or even timing a long high hanging ball (usually a defenders dream) so it doesnt go over your head and leave a man through on goal is something that should be bread and butter.
Whats the point in playing miles in front of the forward your supposed to be marking if you are supposed to have a sweeper in front of you to mark that space?
Keith Higgins, dashed out and left his man when Gardiner should have been mopping up. Cunniffe made another crazy dash out and totally mistimed the ball to leave Dublin through on goal, and if Barett tried to break the ball from behind he wouldnt have gotten the wrong side of his man for that goal. Also, when a someone in possession is at full tilt running towards you with the ball, the last thing you do is run straight at him (like Gardiner did) as you will get side stepped too easily. Sometimes you defend on the back foot, run with the guy in possession, count the steps and get the hand in for the dispossession when they hop or solo.
Im not completely blaming the fullback line or Gardiner but there was definitely confidence issues in each other until Keith Higgins settled it down a bit. From then on, coupled with the fact that we woke up a bit out the pitch at least Cunniffe seemed a bit more confident and we quenched a few Dublin attacks with some tenacity from himself and Higgins. The pressure they were under came from out the pitch although Connelly scoring 3-03 is a little harder to excuse.
Before I move on I want to state again that the fullback line were not totally to blame. As well as workrate out the pitch, the handling errors out the pitch lead to the goals. At this level you can not get away with passes getting easily intercepted and turned over and Campbell has to get that right and make sure of the pass if he is going to hold on to his place. I dont know where his head was but it was out of character and I would be hoping the lessons are learned and he wont be as bad next time.
Elsewhere in defence only Richie Feeney stood up in that first half and puts the body in. Cafferkey hardly had a touch and was ghosting about the place. McManamon was breezing down the middle without a hand on him and at the very least Caff should have been helping the ball out of defence when Mayo had possession. Bizarrely Cathal Hallinan got far, far more touches in the 10 minutes he was on the pitch than Cafferkey got in the whole game. It didnt make any sense.
At midfield McGarrity at least was contesting kickouts and did Ok bar a few bad decisions when in possession. That wide he had, as well as Richie Feeneys summed up Mayos confidence in that first half but I dont have anything against them for having the courage to take on them shots.
Parsons was not at the races at all and drifted about the pitch and actually off the ball he drifted away from play with no purpose. Im not sure if he actually wants to be there as he is showing no appetite and seems to be going through the motions. Unfortunately, a few good minutes in McHale park against Down in the second half this year is all that I have seen from Parsons in a long, long time. Himself and McGarrty are not a great partnership as he doenst work hard enough off the ball. I think Jason Gibbons could be a better option at this stage of the season. Kilcullen still seems a bit behind the pace but he too is looking more and more like a serious option around the middle. That block of a certain goal was vital and he put the body in a few times out the pitch which was nice to see.
Upfront Freeman and Doherty were simply sublime and Andy Moran also showed well. Im delighted we found two great corner forwards that are not afraid to take their men on and take a score. Dillon and Campbell also had a good second half and worked their socks off. Sadly Kilcoyne seems a shadow of the player he was since his injury and will struggle to make the team come summer with the form of the rest. He still has loads of time to get the pace and accuracy back though.
In my view we still have a lot of positives although from my ranting above you wouldnt think it.
Some will say that Dublin took the foot off the gas the gas a little, whereas I think that the comeback was more down to Mayos hard work up until the last 5 minutes where we tired. In the second half we looked like a different team and found some pride in ourselves and actually began to play a little. This all came as a result of that workrate that the players finally bought into after Mayos first goal.
I also think that the players themselves learned a lot from the game. You will get destroyed at this level if you dont work hard and when we did I dont think Dublin could handle it. The Mayo defenders, and especially the fullback line had to have learned a lot from the goals that we conceded. They may also have learned a bit more about what to do with a sweeper although that may not be as apparent from the game. We learned that leaving Freeman and Doherty inside can cause havoc to a defence. Andy Moran is playing great stuff and Dillon improved from the Armagh game and will hopefully be back at his best come the summer.
I still think we have a lot of questions to be answered, and even after Sunday I would be in favour of trying things again if it means we will get it right later in the season.
When you think if it, yesterday was actually a success as we found out things that could have been learned later in the season with a lot more at steak. And I think we learned more than Dublin did.
Things I would like to see in the next few games:
- Workrate from when the ball is thrown in
- Kevin McGloughlin (among others) tracking runs
- Better decision making and handling (especially from Campbell)
- Trying Keith Higgins (or Ger Cafferkey) at full back again
- Trying Aidan O Shea at Midfield or centre forward
- Trying Cathal Hallinan at centre back, corner back or full back again
- Jason Gibbons at midfield with McGarity/Kilcullen/Aidan O Shea
- Kilcullen getting a longer game
- Cillian O Connor being given a few minutes at corner forward
- Finding out more about James Burke and Ruaidhri O Connor at wing back
A lot done, and more to do but im hopeful we can get things right when the time comes.
Great post. :)
I think the Mayo team was badly setup. Using Gardiner as a sweeper was tactically inept.
Its hard to see Mayo not conceding big scores against good forward lines. They will score a lot -but they'll need to.
Quote from: INDIANA on March 21, 2011, 11:57:01 AM
I think the Mayo team was badly setup. Using Gardiner as a sweeper was tactically inept.
Its hard to see Mayo not conceding big scores against good forward lines. They will score a lot -but they'll need to.
I dont agree. IMO it was a good idea, poorly executed by the players due to lack of experience. Properly executed with the right man in the role will curb any attack. Thats not to say Gardiner wouldnt grow into the role either
Quote from: AbbeySider on March 21, 2011, 12:08:46 PM
Quote from: INDIANA on March 21, 2011, 11:57:01 AM
I think the Mayo team was badly setup. Using Gardiner as a sweeper was tactically inept.
Its hard to see Mayo not conceding big scores against good forward lines. They will score a lot -but they'll need to.
I dont agree. IMO it was a good idea, poorly executed by the players due to lack of experience. Properly executed with the right man in the role will curb any attack. Thats not to say Gardiner wouldnt grow into the role either
Gardiner has never been a defender per se. Always an attacker even when lined out in the backs. It was essentially giving a player a job he's not equipped to do. That was naive in my view.
Quote from: INDIANA on March 21, 2011, 12:27:24 PM
Quote from: AbbeySider on March 21, 2011, 12:08:46 PM
Quote from: INDIANA on March 21, 2011, 11:57:01 AM
I think the Mayo team was badly setup. Using Gardiner as a sweeper was tactically inept.
Its hard to see Mayo not conceding big scores against good forward lines. They will score a lot -but they'll need to.
I dont agree. IMO it was a good idea, poorly executed by the players due to lack of experience. Properly executed with the right man in the role will curb any attack. Thats not to say Gardiner wouldnt grow into the role either
Gardiner has never been a defender per se. Always an attacker even when lined out in the backs. It was essentially giving a player a job he's not equipped to do. That was naive in my view.
I think Indiana's right. The idea was odd from the beginning - Gardiner was only playing because Aiden O'Shea didn't start, so the plan midweek wasn't to play a sweeper at all. They seem to have played Gardiner as a sweeper for the sake of it, and that was a naive thing to do. Doing something for the sake of it is seldom a good reason to go something.
That said, I wouldn't read too much into it. I don't think Mayo are that far away at all, actually, although I take careful note of Moysider's post last night, wondering if in concentrating on finding out who Mayo's best fifteen are Horan has overlooked the not-insignificant detail of how they're to play once assembled. But boys - sure 'tis only the League. Loads of time yet.
Quote from: IolarCoisCuain on March 21, 2011, 01:46:49 PM
I think Indiana's right. The idea was odd from the beginning - Gardiner was only playing because Aiden O'Shea didn't start, so the plan midweek wasn't to play a sweeper at all. They seem to have played Gardiner as a sweeper for the sake of it, and that was a naive thing to do. Doing something for the sake of it is seldom a good reason to go something.
I dont think that is quite true.
From what we have seen, the teams that have gone to press the week of a game are rarely the team that starts so one can gather that Horan doesnt like to show his hand before the throw in.
I do know that those starting the games are aware they are starting that week so the teams that go to press may not tell all that is planned for games the following weekend. Hence, playing Gardiner as a sweeper was very much deliberate and not for the sake of it.
Again, if it was properly executed it could be a weapon in our arsenal should we need to call on it again. Whether Gardiner is the man for the role remains to be seen.
Just an observation, but it in any 50/50 ball the dubs seemed to shrug off any Mayo player easily. Mayo lads looked physically "slighter" as well, does mayo have a weights program in place?
It would definately help especially along the spine of the team.
Quote from: AbbeySider on March 21, 2011, 02:05:19 PM
Quote from: IolarCoisCuain on March 21, 2011, 01:46:49 PM
I think Indiana's right. The idea was odd from the beginning - Gardiner was only playing because Aiden O'Shea didn't start, so the plan midweek wasn't to play a sweeper at all. They seem to have played Gardiner as a sweeper for the sake of it, and that was a naive thing to do. Doing something for the sake of it is seldom a good reason to go something.
I dont think that is quite true.
From what we have seen, the teams that have gone to press the week of a game are rarely the team that starts so one can gather that Horan doesnt like to show his hand before the throw in.
I do know that those starting the games are aware they are starting that week so the teams that go to press may not tell all that is planned for games the following weekend. Hence, playing Gardiner as a sweeper was very much deliberate and not for the sake of it.
Again, if it was properly executed it could be a weapon in our arsenal should we need to call on it again. Whether Gardiner is the man for the role remains to be seen.
Hmm. I looked it up Abbeysider, and you're right. Horan does like the old switcheroo before games. Well, that's bad news so. I always hate that sort of messing with teams. Don't think it's every worth it.
Quote from: Chris agus Snoop on March 21, 2011, 02:32:31 PM
Just an observation, but it in any 50/50 ball the dubs seemed to shrug off any Mayo player easily. Mayo lads looked physically "slighter" as well, does mayo have a weights program in place?
It would definately help especially along the spine of the team.
Mayo have a new strength and conditioning program in place but unfortunately we are a good bit behind other counties in that aspect as from what I can see the last four years were wasted under the last management in that aspect of the game.
Quote from: Declan on March 21, 2011, 09:32:18 AM
QuoteI think its lazy analysis to suggest Connolly is lazy.
Didn't mean to suggest he is lazy - I think his style of running and manner of play looks like he's not trying as hard as other lads - maybe he is but I'll wait unti lhe poroduces in the championship to finally judge him.
If he turns out to be half the player Maurice Fitz was I'd be happy!!
I enjoyed his two late points even more than his 3 goals. That was when the pressure was on, Mayo had come back to level and had all the momentum. Diarmuid stepped up to the plate with two medium to long range point efforts and nailed them both.
Of course he has weaknesses and nobody should expect him to score 3-3 again, but he's by miles the best full forward in Dublin, and should be kept at 14 for the forseeable future.
how many of the veteran mayo players on the field yesterday have gained a pond of muscle since we first seen them? david brady types are thin on the ground in mayo it seems.
Quote from: mannix on March 21, 2011, 04:15:32 PM
david brady types are thin on the ground in mayo it seems.
Thankfully. One is enough.
Quote from: Chris agus Snoop on March 21, 2011, 02:32:31 PM
Just an observation, but it in any 50/50 ball the dubs seemed to shrug off any Mayo player easily. Mayo lads looked physically "slighter" as well, does mayo have a weights program in place?
It would definately help especially along the spine of the team.
We need to add a rack to stretch a few of them as well.
Quote from: ross matt on March 21, 2011, 08:18:11 AM
I like the way this thread has been hijacked in to "which Connacht county can talk themselves down the most"....
It's Mayo's title to lose no matter how much they say otherwise. They've a young intelligent manager who is experimenting with various lineouts of successful underage sides and still managing not to get hammered in div 1. Horan is totally focussed on the championship and will deliver I think.
If a mayo supporter said that you would be the first to say they were over confident and cocky!!
Quote from: mannix on March 21, 2011, 04:15:32 PM
how many of the veteran mayo players on the field yesterday have gained a pond of muscle since we first seen them? david brady types are thin on the ground in mayo it seems.
Off the top of my head I would say that Andy Moran, James Kilcullen, Kilcoyne and Keith Higgins all look bulkier than last year.
Of the guys that were there last year I would say that Donal Vaughan, Ger Cafferkey and Enda Varley have also improved their physique.
The rest of the new guys (Feeney, Hallinan, O Connor, Gibbons, etc) seem better conditioned in the last few months but would need another proper winters conditioning where as the likes of McGarity, Kevin McGloughlin and Gardiner may not put on as much as its just not in some peoples physical makeup to make big gains in muscle no matter how hard they try.
And anyway, the idea that you need big muscles for GAA is a thing of the past. Strong core, legs, glutes and developing power is more beneficial when the chips are down.
Quote from: AbbeySider on March 21, 2011, 04:35:46 PM
Quote from: mannix on March 21, 2011, 04:15:32 PM
how many of the veteran mayo players on the field yesterday have gained a pond of muscle since we first seen them? david brady types are thin on the ground in mayo it seems.
Strong core, legs, glutes and developing power is more beneficial when the chips are down.
Big thighs and arses in other words. ;D
You Mayo fans need a little perspective
last two results..Mayo 1-10 Armagh 2-10, Dublin 4-15 Mayo 3-13 & this place is panic stations!
Try these results we got in 2008, Dublin 3-20 Roscommon 0-7, Armagh 4-20 Roscommon 0-8
Quote from: GalwayBayBoy on March 21, 2011, 04:38:41 PM
Quote from: AbbeySider on March 21, 2011, 04:35:46 PM
Quote from: mannix on March 21, 2011, 04:15:32 PM
how many of the veteran mayo players on the field yesterday have gained a pond of muscle since we first seen them? david brady types are thin on the ground in mayo it seems.
Strong core, legs, glutes and developing power is more beneficial when the chips are down.
Big thighs and arses in other words. ;D
"An arse like a bag a cement" as Brolly once put it! :D
Quote from: REDCOL on March 20, 2011, 09:17:33 PM
Just watched the match again three of the goals came from turnovers from Aidan Campbell. He adds a physical presence but his distribution is shocking and is clearly not a consistent free taker or point scorer. He lost a world of ball all through.
The fourth goal came from Kevin Mc Loughlin not tracking a runner for the second match running, while Kevin is a fine player he cannot forget his defensive duties.
The positives are the performance of the two inside men who caused havoc.
Hmmm, where did we see McLoughlin 'forget' to track a man before, oh yes against Armagh and Paul Duffy! >:(
I also agree with Sligonian on Roscommon being favourites for Connacht. I do think we should have enough to beat Galway and London. And if it is Ros we're playing it'll be squeaky-bum time for those on seats in Hyde Park... Ros are on a roll at the moment remember.
Quote from: ludermor on March 21, 2011, 04:34:06 PM
Quote from: ross matt on March 21, 2011, 08:18:11 AM
I like the way this thread has been hijacked in to "which Connacht county can talk themselves down the most"....
It's Mayo's title to lose no matter how much they say otherwise. They've a young intelligent manager who is experimenting with various lineouts of successful underage sides and still managing not to get hammered in div 1. Horan is totally focussed on the championship and will deliver I think.
If a mayo supporter said that you would be the first to say they were over confident and cocky!!
True Luder but its ok for a Rossie to say it :)!
Quote from: Farrandeelin on March 21, 2011, 05:11:41 PM
Quote from: REDCOL on March 20, 2011, 09:17:33 PM
Just watched the match again three of the goals came from turnovers from Aidan Campbell. He adds a physical presence but his distribution is shocking and is clearly not a consistent free taker or point scorer. He lost a world of ball all through.
The fourth goal came from Kevin Mc Loughlin not tracking a runner for the second match running, while Kevin is a fine player he cannot forget his defensive duties.
The positives are the performance of the two inside men who caused havoc.
Hmmm, where did we see McLoughlin 'forget' to track a man before, oh yes against Armagh and Paul Duffy! >:(
I also agree with Sligonian on Roscommon being favourites for Connacht. I do think we should have enough to beat Galway and London. And if it is Ros we're playing it'll be squeaky-bum time for those on seats in Hyde Park... Ros are on a roll at the moment remember.
You'll probably play in Hyde park but vs Sligo instead.
Quote from: Farrandeelin on March 21, 2011, 05:11:41 PM
Quote from: REDCOL on March 20, 2011, 09:17:33 PM
Just watched the match again three of the goals came from turnovers from Aidan Campbell. He adds a physical presence but his distribution is shocking and is clearly not a consistent free taker or point scorer. He lost a world of ball all through.
The fourth goal came from Kevin Mc Loughlin not tracking a runner for the second match running, while Kevin is a fine player he cannot forget his defensive duties.
The positives are the performance of the two inside men who caused havoc.
Hmmm, where did we see McLoughlin 'forget' to track a man before, oh yes against Armagh and Paul Duffy! >:(
I also agree with Sligonian on Roscommon being favourites for Connacht. I do think we should have enough to beat Galway and London. And if it is Ros we're playing it'll be squeaky-bum time for those on seats in Hyde Park... Ros are on a roll at the moment remember.
Roscommon are not good enough to beat Mayo yet. Down the line that may change. Mayo are in much better shape then last year in my view.
A very strange game on Sunday.
When the fourth Dublin goal went in, I actually laughed things had got to such a ridiculous level - our attempts at defending were abysmal.
When I saw the team that was named, I didn't actually believe that Chris Barrett would line out at full back. It made no sense to put a guy that size in such a position, and particularly against such a physically big and strong forward line.
He was turned so easily for one of the goals, was completely on the wrong side of his man who just brushed past him as if he wasn't there.
Then there was Gardiner's outstretched arm which wouldn't have stopped an empty tayto bag in a breeze. Robbie Hennelly is usually very assured, but does have a tendency to stray from goal too much. He completely misjudged the ball for the fourth goal and got nowhere near it.
But as others have said, the problems in the defence weren't all of their own doing. There was little to no pressure put on Dublin further out the field.
Even during this awful period, we were creating decent scoring opportunties but kicked some brutal 'same ould Mayo' wides.
It's hard to judge how much of the comeback was down to the Mayo lads upping their performance, and down to Dublin easing off.
The 5 points in a row seemed to be down to Dublin allowing our men much more time to settle themselves and take their scores, but in fairness, the Mayo lads put some very nice moves together. Freeman could have even had a couple of first half goals to his name.
Freeman and Doherty provide something that Mayo haven't had for years - I don't think I remember Mayo ever having two natural goal scorers in a full-forward line. But it's 'only the league' so we shouldn't build them up too much, although Freeman has proven championship form from last year.
On the team selection debate, I wouldn't worry about it too much at this point. Horan is sticking to the policy of trying out as many combinations as possible, and the match results are of secondary importance. That's his decision to make, if it works in getting our strongest unit out for Championship, I don't think many will complain.
But it was still pretty hard to figure out the logic of Barrett at full back, and to a lesser extent Gardiner as a sweeper.
Hallinan or Alan Feeney (possibly Killeen deserves another run) should be pole position for FB now. It will be interesting to see if Vaughan goes to CHB when he returns with Caff back to FB again - I would prefer not to move Cafferkey back again.
Parsons seems to have played himself onto the team after his cameo against Down, then off the team again after his last couple of displays. The majority of his displays have been poor or anonymous. Hoping for one of his far-to-seldom big displays isn't work the risk.
Kilcullen has the physique for it but hasn't really impressed me when I've seen him this year.
I think McGarrity (who thankfully is back to his best) and Gibbons is our best pairing at the moment. Hopefully Seamus O'Shea will be back for either the Cork or Monaghan games to show if he can push himself into the reckoning. Aidan lorded it v Ros in the U21s but I'd have my doubts about how he'd get on there against an experienced senior pairing.
Dillon isn't playing great this league, but I wouldn't be overly concerned. He's proven himself enough over the year, I'd trust him to be on form when it really matters. Andy continues to impress during the league, but he's done that before. I won't be convinced until his does it during the championship.
I think our strongest 15 could be something like:
1. Hennelly
2. Hallinan
3. A Feeney
4. K Higgins
5. R Feeney
6. Cafferkey
7. Vaughan
8. McGarrity
9. Gibbons
10. K McLoughlin
11. A O'Shea
12. A Dillon
13. A Moran
14. A Freeman
15. J Doherty
Quote from: INDIANA on March 21, 2011, 08:25:43 PM
Quote from: Farrandeelin on March 21, 2011, 05:11:41 PM
Quote from: REDCOL on March 20, 2011, 09:17:33 PM
Just watched the match again three of the goals came from turnovers from Aidan Campbell. He adds a physical presence but his distribution is shocking and is clearly not a consistent free taker or point scorer. He lost a world of ball all through.
The fourth goal came from Kevin Mc Loughlin not tracking a runner for the second match running, while Kevin is a fine player he cannot forget his defensive duties.
The positives are the performance of the two inside men who caused havoc.
Hmmm, where did we see McLoughlin 'forget' to track a man before, oh yes against Armagh and Paul Duffy! >:(
I also agree with Sligonian on Roscommon being favourites for Connacht. I do think we should have enough to beat Galway and London. And if it is Ros we're playing it'll be squeaky-bum time for those on seats in Hyde Park... Ros are on a roll at the moment remember.
Roscommon are not good enough to beat Mayo yet. Down the line that may change. Mayo are in much better shape then last year in my view.
Explain that pls, werent mayo heading towards a NFL1 final this time last yr but yet you see them in far better shape..
And your comment that roscommon are not good enough to beat mayo is based on not seeing roscommon at all and seeing mayo once yday.
Quote from: SLIGONIAN on March 21, 2011, 09:46:49 PM
Quote from: INDIANA on March 21, 2011, 08:25:43 PM
Quote from: Farrandeelin on March 21, 2011, 05:11:41 PM
Quote from: REDCOL on March 20, 2011, 09:17:33 PM
Just watched the match again three of the goals came from turnovers from Aidan Campbell. He adds a physical presence but his distribution is shocking and is clearly not a consistent free taker or point scorer. He lost a world of ball all through.
The fourth goal came from Kevin Mc Loughlin not tracking a runner for the second match running, while Kevin is a fine player he cannot forget his defensive duties.
The positives are the performance of the two inside men who caused havoc.
Hmmm, where did we see McLoughlin 'forget' to track a man before, oh yes against Armagh and Paul Duffy! >:(
I also agree with Sligonian on Roscommon being favourites for Connacht. I do think we should have enough to beat Galway and London. And if it is Ros we're playing it'll be squeaky-bum time for those on seats in Hyde Park... Ros are on a roll at the moment remember.
Roscommon are not good enough to beat Mayo yet. Down the line that may change. Mayo are in much better shape then last year in my view.
Explain that pls, werent mayo heading towards a NFL1 final this time last yr but yet you see them in far better shape..
And your comment that roscommon are not good enough to beat mayo is based on not seeing roscommon at all and seeing mayo once yday.
That forward line Mayo had yesterday will do damage against anyone. If mayo can shore up the backs I expect to see them in Croker in August.
Div 4 is too low a base in my view. I'll put it to you like this. Had Mayo played Roscommon last year I think Mayo would have won.
Roscommon wouldnt have any fear of playing Sligo even though on paper Sligo are far superior. Tradition in my view still counts for something.
Quote from: INDIANA on March 21, 2011, 10:04:37 PM
Quote from: SLIGONIAN on March 21, 2011, 09:46:49 PM
Quote from: INDIANA on March 21, 2011, 08:25:43 PM
Quote from: Farrandeelin on March 21, 2011, 05:11:41 PM
Quote from: REDCOL on March 20, 2011, 09:17:33 PM
Just watched the match again three of the goals came from turnovers from Aidan Campbell. He adds a physical presence but his distribution is shocking and is clearly not a consistent free taker or point scorer. He lost a world of ball all through.
The fourth goal came from Kevin Mc Loughlin not tracking a runner for the second match running, while Kevin is a fine player he cannot forget his defensive duties.
The positives are the performance of the two inside men who caused havoc.
Hmmm, where did we see McLoughlin 'forget' to track a man before, oh yes against Armagh and Paul Duffy! >:(
I also agree with Sligonian on Roscommon being favourites for Connacht. I do think we should have enough to beat Galway and London. And if it is Ros we're playing it'll be squeaky-bum time for those on seats in Hyde Park... Ros are on a roll at the moment remember.
Roscommon are not good enough to beat Mayo yet. Down the line that may change. Mayo are in much better shape then last year in my view.
Explain that pls, werent mayo heading towards a NFL1 final this time last yr but yet you see them in far better shape..
And your comment that roscommon are not good enough to beat mayo is based on not seeing roscommon at all and seeing mayo once yday.
That forward line Mayo had yesterday will do damage against anyone. If mayo can shore up the backs I expect to see them in Croker in August.
Div 4 is too low a base in my view. I'll put it to you like this. Had Mayo played Roscommon last year I think Mayo would have won.
Roscommon wouldnt have any fear of playing Sligo even though on paper Sligo are far superior. Tradition in my view still counts for something.
Sorry to be a pain but why do you think tradition still counts for something? I agree but im interested to hear your take on it. Interesting view on mayo forwards consdering they werre up against a second string dublin backs and a dublin team that took its foot firmly off the pedal.
Quote from: SLIGONIAN on March 21, 2011, 10:12:33 PM
Quote from: INDIANA on March 21, 2011, 10:04:37 PM
Quote from: SLIGONIAN on March 21, 2011, 09:46:49 PM
Quote from: INDIANA on March 21, 2011, 08:25:43 PM
Quote from: Farrandeelin on March 21, 2011, 05:11:41 PM
Quote from: REDCOL on March 20, 2011, 09:17:33 PM
Just watched the match again three of the goals came from turnovers from Aidan Campbell. He adds a physical presence but his distribution is shocking and is clearly not a consistent free taker or point scorer. He lost a world of ball all through.
The fourth goal came from Kevin Mc Loughlin not tracking a runner for the second match running, while Kevin is a fine player he cannot forget his defensive duties.
The positives are the performance of the two inside men who caused havoc.
Hmmm, where did we see McLoughlin 'forget' to track a man before, oh yes against Armagh and Paul Duffy! >:(
I also agree with Sligonian on Roscommon being favourites for Connacht. I do think we should have enough to beat Galway and London. And if it is Ros we're playing it'll be squeaky-bum time for those on seats in Hyde Park... Ros are on a roll at the moment remember.
Roscommon are not good enough to beat Mayo yet. Down the line that may change. Mayo are in much better shape then last year in my view.
Explain that pls, werent mayo heading towards a NFL1 final this time last yr but yet you see them in far better shape..
And your comment that roscommon are not good enough to beat mayo is based on not seeing roscommon at all and seeing mayo once yday.
That forward line Mayo had yesterday will do damage against anyone. If mayo can shore up the backs I expect to see them in Croker in August.
Div 4 is too low a base in my view. I'll put it to you like this. Had Mayo played Roscommon last year I think Mayo would have won.
Roscommon wouldnt have any fear of playing Sligo even though on paper Sligo are far superior. Tradition in my view still counts for something.
Sorry to be a pain but why do you think tradition still counts for something? I agree but im interested to hear your take on it. Interesting view on mayo forwards consdering they werre up against a second string dublin backs and a dublin team that took its foot firmly off the pedal.
Freeman was class last year.
I've seen Doherty play Sigerson this year and was impressed.
Add Andy moran and Dillon and thats a serious forward line. They are strong at midfield as well. So thats a good starting point. But the problem is the backs. they were worse then us in the backs yesterday and thats saying something.
On paper Sligo are jt favourites for Connacht with Mayo. But Sligo's biggest problem is themselves. They have to believe.
Quote from: INDIANA on March 21, 2011, 10:21:24 PM
Quote from: SLIGONIAN on March 21, 2011, 10:12:33 PM
Quote from: INDIANA on March 21, 2011, 10:04:37 PM
Quote from: SLIGONIAN on March 21, 2011, 09:46:49 PM
Quote from: INDIANA on March 21, 2011, 08:25:43 PM
Quote from: Farrandeelin on March 21, 2011, 05:11:41 PM
Quote from: REDCOL on March 20, 2011, 09:17:33 PM
Just watched the match again three of the goals came from turnovers from Aidan Campbell. He adds a physical presence but his distribution is shocking and is clearly not a consistent free taker or point scorer. He lost a world of ball all through.
The fourth goal came from Kevin Mc Loughlin not tracking a runner for the second match running, while Kevin is a fine player he cannot forget his defensive duties.
The positives are the performance of the two inside men who caused havoc.
Hmmm, where did we see McLoughlin 'forget' to track a man before, oh yes against Armagh and Paul Duffy! >:(
I also agree with Sligonian on Roscommon being favourites for Connacht. I do think we should have enough to beat Galway and London. And if it is Ros we're playing it'll be squeaky-bum time for those on seats in Hyde Park... Ros are on a roll at the moment remember.
Roscommon are not good enough to beat Mayo yet. Down the line that may change. Mayo are in much better shape then last year in my view.
Explain that pls, werent mayo heading towards a NFL1 final this time last yr but yet you see them in far better shape..
And your comment that roscommon are not good enough to beat mayo is based on not seeing roscommon at all and seeing mayo once yday.
That forward line Mayo had yesterday will do damage against anyone. If mayo can shore up the backs I expect to see them in Croker in August.
Div 4 is too low a base in my view. I'll put it to you like this. Had Mayo played Roscommon last year I think Mayo would have won.
Roscommon wouldnt have any fear of playing Sligo even though on paper Sligo are far superior. Tradition in my view still counts for something.
Sorry to be a pain but why do you think tradition still counts for something? I agree but im interested to hear your take on it. Interesting view on mayo forwards consdering they werre up against a second string dublin backs and a dublin team that took its foot firmly off the pedal.
Freeman was class last year.
I've seen Doherty play Sigerson this year and was impressed.
Add Andy moran and Dillon and thats a serious forward line. They are strong at midfield as well. So thats a good starting point. But the problem is the backs. they were worse then us in the backs yesterday and thats saying something.
On paper Sligo are jt favourites for Connacht with Mayo. But Sligo's biggest problem is themselves. They have to believe.
I wouldnt be a Mayo fan but how in the name of science is Sligo joint favourites to win Connacht?
Quote from: Tubberman on March 21, 2011, 08:41:00 PM
A very strange game on Sunday.
When the fourth Dublin goal went in, I actually laughed things had got to such a ridiculous level - our attempts at defending were abysmal.
When I saw the team that was named, I didn't actually believe that Chris Barrett would line out at full back. It made no sense to put a guy that size in such a position, and particularly against such a physically big and strong forward line.
He was turned so easily for one of the goals, was completely on the wrong side of his man who just brushed past him as if he wasn't there.
Then there was Gardiner's outstretched arm which wouldn't have stopped an empty tayto bag in a breeze. Robbie Hennelly is usually very assured, but does have a tendency to stray from goal too much. He completely misjudged the ball for the fourth goal and got nowhere near it.
But as others have said, the problems in the defence weren't all of their own doing. There was little to no pressure put on Dublin further out the field.
Even during this awful period, we were creating decent scoring opportunties but kicked some brutal 'same ould Mayo' wides.
It's hard to judge how much of the comeback was down to the Mayo lads upping their performance, and down to Dublin easing off.
The 5 points in a row seemed to be down to Dublin allowing our men much more time to settle themselves and take their scores, but in fairness, the Mayo lads put some very nice moves together. Freeman could have even had a couple of first half goals to his name.
Freeman and Doherty provide something that Mayo haven't had for years - I don't think I remember Mayo ever having two natural goal scorers in a full-forward line. But it's 'only the league' so we shouldn't build them up too much, although Freeman has proven championship form from last year.
On the team selection debate, I wouldn't worry about it too much at this point. Horan is sticking to the policy of trying out as many combinations as possible, and the match results are of secondary importance. That's his decision to make, if it works in getting our strongest unit out for Championship, I don't think many will complain.
But it was still pretty hard to figure out the logic of Barrett at full back, and to a lesser extent Gardiner as a sweeper.
Hallinan or Alan Feeney (possibly Killeen deserves another run) should be pole position for FB now. It will be interesting to see if Vaughan goes to CHB when he returns with Caff back to FB again - I would prefer not to move Cafferkey back again.
Parsons seems to have played himself onto the team after his cameo against Down, then off the team again after his last couple of displays. The majority of his displays have been poor or anonymous. Hoping for one of his far-to-seldom big displays isn't work the risk.
Kilcullen has the physique for it but hasn't really impressed me when I've seen him this year.
I think McGarrity (who thankfully is back to his best) and Gibbons is our best pairing at the moment. Hopefully Seamus O'Shea will be back for either the Cork or Monaghan games to show if he can push himself into the reckoning. Aidan lorded it v Ros in the U21s but I'd have my doubts about how he'd get on there against an experienced senior pairing.
Dillon isn't playing great this league, but I wouldn't be overly concerned. He's proven himself enough over the year, I'd trust him to be on form when it really matters. Andy continues to impress during the league, but he's done that before. I won't be convinced until his does it during the championship.
I think our strongest 15 could be something like:
1. Hennelly
2. Hallinan
3. A Feeney
4. K Higgins
5. R Feeney
6. Cafferkey
7. Vaughan
8. McGarrity
9. Gibbons
10. K McLoughlin
11. A O'Shea
12. A Dillon
13. A Moran
14. A Freeman
15. J Doherty
You re making a lot of sense Tubberman. Wouldn t disagree too much with your selection either.
There are positions that I m not sure about. I would like to see more of Alan Feeney at 3. Hallihan I expected to get more time there too. He has looked assured anytime I ve seen him so I m wondering why JH would have asked Barrett to mark a much bigger man with Hallihan cooling his heels. Strange. Does Horan not think he s up to it? I wonder would Kevin Keane have figured if he hadn t got injured?
Going back to yesterday s game again, maybe we should factor in the Croke Park thing. The pitch does suit our game when we are in possession but from a backs point of view its a whole different proposition from playing away in a heavy, tighter, provincial ground. At least they ll have learned something. You really need a whole different approach playing there. If you dont keep it tight at the start you re gone. Horan was right to play a sweeper - but choose the wrong guy. We did not need another attacking wing back playing like you might an extra man if the opposition has a man sent off. Maybe Hallihan was the man or free up Keith Higgins to do it. If I was taking back a forward to do it I would get Andy to do it though on reflection he would probably be better suited to a free role around the middle.
Still some time left before a championship team emerges I feel and we may well be guessing right up to the announcement of the first ch team in a few positions. For what it is worth this is what I would like to see although I concede it will be different in a number of personnel.
Clarke,
Cunniffe,
eenie, meenie, miny or moe ( I don t know what they are thinking and I m confused myself too)
Higgins
Feeney
Cafferkey
Burke
McGar
O Sé/O Sé
Campbell
Dillon
McLough
Andy/O Sé
Freeman
Doherty
Depending on fellas getttin back their appetite and gettin fit again we could have good options in a few months. I would actually like to see a rejuvenated Trevor back in the panel. Harte might be a few months away yet. Vaughan, Howley and Barrett are going to be pressing for places but maybe not fullback. There's Alan Feeey and Hallihan and Kilcullen,Parsons and Gibbons. Barry Moran could be the joker in the pack come championship.
I d be a bit worried about our inside forwards if anything happens Freeman again. Doherty has had a great start but will be a marked man from now on and may need to take a handy point or two to add to his game. The other 'smaller' forwards in the panel seem to be easily taken out of games and seem to have fallen out of favour.
Quote from: ross4life on March 21, 2011, 04:51:14 PM
You Mayo fans need a little perspective
last two results..Mayo 1-10 Armagh 2-10, Dublin 4-15 Mayo 3-13 & this place is panic stations!
Try these results we got in 2008, Dublin 3-20 Roscommon 0-7, Armagh 4-20 Roscommon 0-8
Quote from: ross4life on March 21, 2011, 04:51:14 PM
You Mayo fans need a little perspective
last two results..Mayo 1-10 Armagh 2-10, Dublin 4-15 Mayo 3-13 & this place is panic stations!
Try these results we got in 2008, Dublin 3-20 Roscommon 0-7, Armagh 4-20 Roscommon 0-8
You are right, ya know.
Maybe we tend to lose the plot a bit when things aren't going to our liking. Still, it's just good. clean fun and we wouldn't swap our new man for anything. (Well, not just yet..)
Mayo are team building for just a few months now and there is a long hard road to go yet before we can make any sort of judgement on James and his managerial skills. (Ya couldn't say the same about his predecessor unfortunately but
sin scéal eile.)
A seasoned oul' Dub supporter put it to me as we were leaving the ground yesterday that the big difference between the teams yesterday was that Pat Gilroy had a head start of two years of team building on James Horan and we should look at the positive aspects of our game yesterday and make the appropriate allowances.
Right now, I'd settle for a Connacht title for this year and take anything else as a bonus. And Connacht could be very interesting indeed. League form won't count for much this year. Ross have a very handy side and will put it up to anyone- west of the Shannon anyway.
Sligo haven't gone away either. Walsh will have a job getting his side to put the trauma of the last final behind them but he is an old hand at the managerial game by now and if anyone can get Sligo focused again, he is the man for the job.
Connacht is a three-horse race this year- make no mistake about that.
Mayo will win Sam in 2011.
Now talk amongst yourselves.
Quote from: Lar Naparka on March 21, 2011, 11:19:34 PM
Quote from: ross4life on March 21, 2011, 04:51:14 PM
You Mayo fans need a little perspective
last two results..Mayo 1-10 Armagh 2-10, Dublin 4-15 Mayo 3-13 & this place is panic stations!
Try these results we got in 2008, Dublin 3-20 Roscommon 0-7, Armagh 4-20 Roscommon 0-8
Quote from: ross4life on March 21, 2011, 04:51:14 PM
You Mayo fans need a little perspective
last two results..Mayo 1-10 Armagh 2-10, Dublin 4-15 Mayo 3-13 & this place is panic stations!
Try these results we got in 2008, Dublin 3-20 Roscommon 0-7, Armagh 4-20 Roscommon 0-8
You are right, ya know.
Maybe we tend to lose the plot a bit when things aren't going to our liking. Still, it's just good. clean fun and we wouldn't swap our new man for anything. (Well, not just yet..)
Mayo are team building for just a few months now and there is a long hard road to go yet before we can make any sort of judgement on James and his managerial skills. (Ya couldn't say the same about his predecessor unfortunately but sin scéal eile.)
A seasoned oul' Dub supporter put it to me as we were leaving the ground yesterday that the big difference between the teams yesterday was that Pat Gilroy had a head start of two years of team building on James Horan and we should look at the positive aspects of our game yesterday and make the appropriate allowances.
Right now, I'd settle for a Connacht title for this year and take anything else as a bonus. And Connacht could be very interesting indeed. League form won't count for much this year. Ross have a very handy side and will put it up to anyone- west of the Shannon anyway.
Sligo haven't gone away either. Walsh will have a job getting his side to put the trauma of the last final behind them but he is an old hand at the managerial game by now and if anyone can get Sligo focused again, he is the man for the job.
Connacht is a three-horse race this year- make no mistake about that.
Ok, so that s Galway and what other two Lar? Roscommon and Sligo I assume based on being further along the road as regards development and last years championship? But I think it s a bit premature to dismiss Mayo.
Quote from: moysider on March 21, 2011, 11:30:22 PM
Quote from: Lar Naparka on March 21, 2011, 11:19:34 PM
Quote from: ross4life on March 21, 2011, 04:51:14 PM
You Mayo fans need a little perspective
last two results..Mayo 1-10 Armagh 2-10, Dublin 4-15 Mayo 3-13 & this place is panic stations!
Try these results we got in 2008, Dublin 3-20 Roscommon 0-7, Armagh 4-20 Roscommon 0-8
Quote from: ross4life on March 21, 2011, 04:51:14 PM
You Mayo fans need a little perspective
last two results..Mayo 1-10 Armagh 2-10, Dublin 4-15 Mayo 3-13 & this place is panic stations!
Try these results we got in 2008, Dublin 3-20 Roscommon 0-7, Armagh 4-20 Roscommon 0-8
You are right, ya know.
Maybe we tend to lose the plot a bit when things aren't going to our liking. Still, it's just good. clean fun and we wouldn't swap our new man for anything. (Well, not just yet..)
Mayo are team building for just a few months now and there is a long hard road to go yet before we can make any sort of judgement on James and his managerial skills. (Ya couldn't say the same about his predecessor unfortunately but sin scéal eile.)
A seasoned oul' Dub supporter put it to me as we were leaving the ground yesterday that the big difference between the teams yesterday was that Pat Gilroy had a head start of two years of team building on James Horan and we should look at the positive aspects of our game yesterday and make the appropriate allowances.
Right now, I'd settle for a Connacht title for this year and take anything else as a bonus. And Connacht could be very interesting indeed. League form won't count for much this year. Ross have a very handy side and will put it up to anyone- west of the Shannon anyway.
Sligo haven't gone away either. Walsh will have a job getting his side to put the trauma of the last final behind them but he is an old hand at the managerial game by now and if anyone can get Sligo focused again, he is the man for the job.
Connacht is a three-horse race this year- make no mistake about that.
Ok, so that s Galway and what other two Lar? Roscommon and Sligo I assume based on being further along the road as regards development and last years championship? But I think it s a bit premature to dismiss Mayo.
No hes definitly on about galway, mayo and roscommon for sure.
(http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn67/SLIGONIAN2007/SHEEN-WINNING-CHICKS.jpg)
Quote from: moysider on March 21, 2011, 11:30:22 PM
Quote from: Lar Naparka on March 21, 2011, 11:19:34 PM
Quote from: ross4life on March 21, 2011, 04:51:14 PM
You Mayo fans need a little perspective
last two results..Mayo 1-10 Armagh 2-10, Dublin 4-15 Mayo 3-13 & this place is panic stations!
Try these results we got in 2008, Dublin 3-20 Roscommon 0-7, Armagh 4-20 Roscommon 0-8
Quote from: ross4life on March 21, 2011, 04:51:14 PM
You Mayo fans need a little perspective
last two results..Mayo 1-10 Armagh 2-10, Dublin 4-15 Mayo 3-13 & this place is panic stations!
Try these results we got in 2008, Dublin 3-20 Roscommon 0-7, Armagh 4-20 Roscommon 0-8
You are right, ya know.
Maybe we tend to lose the plot a bit when things aren't going to our liking. Still, it's just good. clean fun and we wouldn't swap our new man for anything. (Well, not just yet..)
Mayo are team building for just a few months now and there is a long hard road to go yet before we can make any sort of judgement on James and his managerial skills. (Ya couldn't say the same about his predecessor unfortunately but sin scéal eile.)
A seasoned oul' Dub supporter put it to me as we were leaving the ground yesterday that the big difference between the teams yesterday was that Pat Gilroy had a head start of two years of team building on James Horan and we should look at the positive aspects of our game yesterday and make the appropriate allowances.
Right now, I'd settle for a Connacht title for this year and take anything else as a bonus. And Connacht could be very interesting indeed. League form won't count for much this year. Ross have a very handy side and will put it up to anyone- west of the Shannon anyway.
Sligo haven't gone away either. Walsh will have a job getting his side to put the trauma of the last final behind them but he is an old hand at the managerial game by now and if anyone can get Sligo focused again, he is the man for the job.
Connacht is a three-horse race this year- make no mistake about that.
Ok, so that s Galway and what other two Lar? Roscommon and Sligo I assume based on being further along the road as regards development and last years championship? But I think it s a bit premature to dismiss Mayo.
I think it's us he's dismissing and while I don't think we are in great shape at present I still don't think the other sides in Connacht are much better than us. If at all. Well maybe apart from Mayo who possibly have a slight edge on everyone else but not enough that they can rest comfortably on it.
Quote from: GalwayBayBoy on March 21, 2011, 11:40:11 PM
Quote from: moysider on March 21, 2011, 11:30:22 PM
Quote from: Lar Naparka on March 21, 2011, 11:19:34 PM
Quote from: ross4life on March 21, 2011, 04:51:14 PM
You Mayo fans need a little perspective
last two results..Mayo 1-10 Armagh 2-10, Dublin 4-15 Mayo 3-13 & this place is panic stations!
Try these results we got in 2008, Dublin 3-20 Roscommon 0-7, Armagh 4-20 Roscommon 0-8
Quote from: ross4life on March 21, 2011, 04:51:14 PM
You Mayo fans need a little perspective
last two results..Mayo 1-10 Armagh 2-10, Dublin 4-15 Mayo 3-13 & this place is panic stations!
Try these results we got in 2008, Dublin 3-20 Roscommon 0-7, Armagh 4-20 Roscommon 0-8
You are right, ya know.
Maybe we tend to lose the plot a bit when things aren't going to our liking. Still, it's just good. clean fun and we wouldn't swap our new man for anything. (Well, not just yet..)
Mayo are team building for just a few months now and there is a long hard road to go yet before we can make any sort of judgement on James and his managerial skills. (Ya couldn't say the same about his predecessor unfortunately but sin scéal eile.)
A seasoned oul' Dub supporter put it to me as we were leaving the ground yesterday that the big difference between the teams yesterday was that Pat Gilroy had a head start of two years of team building on James Horan and we should look at the positive aspects of our game yesterday and make the appropriate allowances.
Right now, I'd settle for a Connacht title for this year and take anything else as a bonus. And Connacht could be very interesting indeed. League form won't count for much this year. Ross have a very handy side and will put it up to anyone- west of the Shannon anyway.
Sligo haven't gone away either. Walsh will have a job getting his side to put the trauma of the last final behind them but he is an old hand at the managerial game by now and if anyone can get Sligo focused again, he is the man for the job.
Connacht is a three-horse race this year- make no mistake about that.
Ok, so that s Galway and what other two Lar? Roscommon and Sligo I assume based on being further along the road as regards development and last years championship? But I think it s a bit premature to dismiss Mayo.
I think it's us he's dismissing and while I don't think we are in great shape at present I still don't think the other sides in Connacht are much better than us. If at all. Well maybe apart from Mayo who possibly have a slight edge on everyone else but not enough that they can rest comfortably on it.
Leitrim, London & New York obviously.
Quote from: GalwayBayBoy on March 21, 2011, 11:40:11 PM
Quote from: moysider on March 21, 2011, 11:30:22 PM
Quote from: Lar Naparka on March 21, 2011, 11:19:34 PM
Quote from: ross4life on March 21, 2011, 04:51:14 PM
You Mayo fans need a little perspective
last two results..Mayo 1-10 Armagh 2-10, Dublin 4-15 Mayo 3-13 & this place is panic stations!
Try these results we got in 2008, Dublin 3-20 Roscommon 0-7, Armagh 4-20 Roscommon 0-8
Quote from: ross4life on March 21, 2011, 04:51:14 PM
You Mayo fans need a little perspective
last two results..Mayo 1-10 Armagh 2-10, Dublin 4-15 Mayo 3-13 & this place is panic stations!
Try these results we got in 2008, Dublin 3-20 Roscommon 0-7, Armagh 4-20 Roscommon 0-8
You are right, ya know.
Maybe we tend to lose the plot a bit when things aren't going to our liking. Still, it's just good. clean fun and we wouldn't swap our new man for anything. (Well, not just yet..)
Mayo are team building for just a few months now and there is a long hard road to go yet before we can make any sort of judgement on James and his managerial skills. (Ya couldn't say the same about his predecessor unfortunately but sin scéal eile.)
A seasoned oul' Dub supporter put it to me as we were leaving the ground yesterday that the big difference between the teams yesterday was that Pat Gilroy had a head start of two years of team building on James Horan and we should look at the positive aspects of our game yesterday and make the appropriate allowances.
Right now, I'd settle for a Connacht title for this year and take anything else as a bonus. And Connacht could be very interesting indeed. League form won't count for much this year. Ross have a very handy side and will put it up to anyone- west of the Shannon anyway.
Sligo haven't gone away either. Walsh will have a job getting his side to put the trauma of the last final behind them but he is an old hand at the managerial game by now and if anyone can get Sligo focused again, he is the man for the job.
Connacht is a three-horse race this year- make no mistake about that.
Ok, so that s Galway and what other two Lar? Roscommon and Sligo I assume based on being further along the road as regards development and last years championship? But I think it s a bit premature to dismiss Mayo.
I think it's us he's dismissing and while I don't think we are in great shape at present I still don't think the other sides in Connacht are much better than us. If at all. Well maybe apart from Mayo who possibly have a slight edge on everyone else but not enough that they can rest comfortably on it.
Not at all. How could he be dismissing Galway? The man knows his history better than most I would wager. Everybody knows that Galway pick up any stray ones in Connacht, even with ordinary teams by their standard. It should not be lost on anybody that Galway got as close to Cork as anybody has yesterday. Ok, Cork looked like they were sleep walking but it is to Galways credit that they didn't bother waking them up. Cuteness still counts for something. All bullshit aside, Galways 3 best players have to return. PJ, Bradshaw and Meehan would walk into any county team. I know most Galway posters dont rate him but Matt Clancy is back and gives them a lot of energy as well. something some of their more classier players do not. I like how Flaherty is willing to put Hanley into midfield as well and not accept that he was born with the number 3 tatooed on his arse.
Clearly he is dismissing Mayo but hey...., I m sure he will be able to explain it himself.
Quote from: moysider on March 21, 2011, 11:53:09 PM
[
Clearly he is dismissing Mayo but hey...., I m sure he will be able to explain it himself.
I've no problem saying that I think Mayo are best placed to win Connacht this year.
I think Sligo and Ross are in with a shout definitely but neither are playing particularly well in the league and unlike Mayo and Galway, neither are competing against top flight sides.
I don't see Galway getting anywhere this year. They have internal problems. Thos eproblems were ther before Joe kernan arrived and Fathasrta hhasn't gt anything like a settld side yet.
I'd never rule Galway out of any game until the gameis well and truly over but they are not playing with any unity of purpose and haven't been for some time. Ross will try their damndest to hold on to their crown and won't fear anyone. But they have no element of surprise left and O'Donnell would need to have them playing at full stretch now if they are to be serious contenders for anything. Remember that Horan has the least settled side in the province at the moment so Mayo have the greatest chance of improvement between now and the sar of the championships.
Mayo have the midfield and forwards to match anyone west of the Shannon and with O'Se, Varey, Ronaldson and Kilcoyne in the wings Horan has more potential upfront than anyone else.
I don't kknow the story with Conoreen or Barry Moran but if they are available all the better for us.
Mayo won't be lacking at midfield either and any weakness will be at the back but there again it's a case of finding thhe best combination rather than not having good players.
I think Sligo hasn't fully recovered from the trauma of losing out on the Connacht title last year. If they are to make serious waves this championships, Walsh should have them on a roll by now.
In order of preference, I'd go with Mayo, Ross and Sligo. Galway problems seem to be in their minds and not in their boots and it is one of long standing.
Still, I won't rest easy until they are bet and the crowd have gone home. ;D
From what I hear Moysider Clarke won't be back this year
Quote from: Mayo4Sam on March 23, 2011, 09:37:24 AM
From what I hear Moysider Clarke won't be back this year
Whats the nature of his injury?
I thought Clarke was named on the bench last weekend?
Quote from: stephenite on March 23, 2011, 10:15:50 AM
I thought Clarke was named on the bench last weekend?
According to The Mayo News he was, and according to another thread Kenneth O'Malley is no longer in the panel.
I very much doubt that would have happened if Clarke was out for the year.
Clarke was sub keeper v Dublin and I believe he is sound. Probably needs a few games.
As i was watching the replay of the match on TG4 on Monday night, it struck me that Mayo might have actually be trying to play offside in the first twenty minutes - every time the ball came in, the full back line rushed out leaving the poor plebs from Dublin in an offside position.........not sure how this new tactic is going to work out for us ;)
Quote from: macdanger2 on March 24, 2011, 12:26:04 AM
As i was watching the replay of the match on TG4 on Monday night, it struck me that Mayo might have actually be trying to play offside in the first twenty minutes - every time the ball came in, the full back line rushed out leaving the poor plebs from Dublin in an offside position.........not sure how this new tactic is going to work out for us ;)
:D