Maigh Eo -v- Doire, Ballina, 01.02.2009

[RedandGreenSniper]

I knew someone from outside Mayo would come along and ask why are we getting so worried after a narrow league victory. But for those of us who were present the final margin was flattering while Derry barely left second gear. And the game isn't being viewed in isolation. A lot of the Mayo posters would often be more optimistic but things just are going badly at the minute. I hope we can improve. I don't expect it though

[IolarCoisCuain]

Jesus lads this is some post mortem after just the first game of the year! And I thought us Derry lads were bad!

In fairness ye were only beat by a point and contrary to what a lot of people have said the last few years we actually do have alot of good players so I wouldn't be beating yourselves up too much over it.

Welcome to our world Screenexile. 

[INDIANA]

That's probably a fair point, we tend to have very good underage teams rather than very good individual players.

There was 6 or 7 very good individual players on last years minor team that some of us pinpointed 12 months ago. Unfortunately it was a few ordinary ones, and no bench that cost us. The U21 team that won AI was based around a few better players in defense and  midfield. Ditto last years team.

True, there were plenty of good players on those but how many really outstanding players? From last years minors only A O'Se could be considered to be a "star". And that's what we end up with at senior level, plenty of good players around a similar level but not quite good enough to cut it with Kerry/Tyrone.

Reasonably encouraged by JOMs comments after the game, at least he realises that we lacked shape and need to play it more directly. Whether he can rectify this over the months ahead remains to be seen.

Lads the only star on the tyrone minor team at this stage at this stage was Kyle Coney. You're selling your underage players way too short in my view. You're miles better than us at these levels. They are up there with the best of them at minor and u21 . These are two levels I've worked closely at and I know the scene in the last 5 years about who's counties have the best players and I'm telling you something goes pear shaped in Mayo once they leave these teams. They regress when they hit senior level. Not all underage players get through but more of them should be in Mayo.
No offence lads but from what I've seen up there I think at county board level you're badly organised. Also the 2004 and 2006 results at senior level seem to have created an air of despair at senior level. You've never been the same since at senior level.  I firmly believe a huge amount of it is purely mental.

[RedandGreenSniper]

In the fifteen All-Ireland finals at minor/under 21/senior since 1985 we've won one (Under 21s 2006) so, yeah, there are mental issues.  As I said a lot of the minors from last year are talented but its too early to be judging them. The Under 21's from 2006, we had only one real star - Keith Higgins. That was a solid team which was well managed. We should be able to bring more on perhaps, but they've been tried. Are management to blame then? I don't know. Its far from straightforward

[moysider]

I have this awful that the players are totally un-motivated under JOM and we are not that far away from the Cork situation. I hope not, but I have this feeling...

Have the same feeling/fear myself Maradonna - things could get very ugly but the next 2 or 3 league matches will tell alot.

The County Board will not make any moves against their Manager - and the man has been appointed for better or for worse for the year and should be allowed to see out that term.  I think the Mayo fans will not make any move. However the players might. The failure to make any changes to the backroom team during the off-season may be the critical factor.

Lads this is dangerous talk. While I was never in favour of the appointment of this management and have been critical of many aspects of their tenure so far I would be appalled by any form of militant action.
Most fans demanded and embraced this regime. Now it has to be allowed run its course. What did people expect anyway? Hope these people don t bet on horses. This form was much more obvious.
The fans will take action - passive action. They wont bother their holes going to league matches. Their was nt a murmur at the end the last day not a boo not a jeer. Contrast that to the abuse Maughan, McHale and McDonald got in Charlestown got not too long ago. The fans have been cowed. They came out of expectation the last day and if they come out again it will be more to see the Dubs or Tyrone in town than their own team. My abiding memory the last day was the announcement encouraging people to buy the Season/ stand ticket or whatever? Nobody (around me anyway) was annoyed, but they were bursting their holes laughing. Even the announcer- whom I know, was having a laugh I think. If there s anything that will wake up a county board it is debt and not selling tickets and people not showing up for matches. Lets face it Johnno is no PT Barnum. He s not going to put bums on seats. But the board cant move against him until next back- end earliest. So unless he wins a Connacht or reach a semi final he ll probably come under pressure to stand down. Achieve either of those unlikely goals he may well wish to dtay.
If the players were  to start something would be a disaster - for themselves especially and it is not the way to do business.
This has to run its natural course, whatever course that may be.

[cadhlancian]

Seconds out - Round 1 

Disappointed with the attitude to the FBD League - there are always benefits that can be gained by going out and winning matches.

Judgement is reserved though. The last two years have been extremely disappointing and JOM must start to regain the confidence of supporters from Sunday week.

Its not going to be easy to survive in Division 1 but four home games, and a trip to Galway mean that the fixture list has been kind. An opening win is a must.

Lads and lassies for FFS, why in under god is their 13 pages on a Mayo and Derry NFL game?? seriously , who cares?

[stephenite]

Seconds out - Round 1 

Disappointed with the attitude to the FBD League - there are always benefits that can be gained by going out and winning matches.

Judgement is reserved though. The last two years have been extremely disappointing and JOM must start to regain the confidence of supporters from Sunday week.

Its not going to be easy to survive in Division 1 but four home games, and a trip to Galway mean that the fixture list has been kind. An opening win is a must.

Lads and lassies for FFS, why in under god is their 13 pages on a Mayo and Derry NFL game?? seriously , who cares?

What's it to you? Seriously?

[stephenite]

Contrast that to the abuse Maughan, McHale and McDonnell got in Charlestown got not too long ago.

Was it not Golden who was with them that day?

Regardless, one of the fascinating things I've always noticed is that both John Maughan and Liam MacHale were/are/ and probably will in the future have the ability to always bring out the cranks, the abuse they took was crazy. I don't think the fans have been cowed and would be nearly certain that if the two boys were involved last Sunday they would have received the same abuse from the stands.

There is something in the makeup of certain Mayo people that light the fuse in them whenever they see a tan - that's the only logical explanation for it.

[moysider]

Jesus lads this is some post mortem after just the first game of the year! And I thought us Derry lads were bad!

In fairness ye were only beat by a point and contrary to what a lot of people have said the last few years we actually do have alot of good players so I wouldn't be beating yourselves up too much over it.

Take your point Screenexile and its no slight on Derry. Losing in the Park in Ballina is not acceptable to anybody and has only happened twice in my time attending games there over last 30 years or more and that was to the Great Kerry team. After so many epic games there down the years at club level as well to lose there so tamely was nothing less than a mess. Even though its only the first round of the league it shows a lot about the mindset of this group of players, especially considering they lost in Celtic Park twice last 18 months, the game in the Championship 2007 nothing short of a disgrace for us. A wake up call management did not take on board then and they re already muddling their way through last Sunday as well.

[moysider]

Contrast that to the abuse Maughan, McHale and McDonnell got in Charlestown got not too long ago.

Was it not Golden who was with them that day?

Regardless, one of the fascinating things I've always noticed is that both John Maughan and Liam MacHale were/are/ and probably will in the future have the ability to always bring out the cranks, the abuse they took was crazy. I don't think the fans have been cowed and would be nearly certain that if the two boys were involved last Sunday they would have received the same abuse from the stands.

There is something in the makeup of certain Mayo people that light the fuse in them whenever they see a tan - that's the only logical explanation for it.

Sorry Stephenite, I meant MacDonald. I ll Do an edit on that.

[moysider]

Contrast that to the abuse Maughan, McHale and McDonnell got in Charlestown got not too long ago.

Was it not Golden who was with them that day?

Regardless, one of the fascinating things I've always noticed is that both John Maughan and Liam MacHale were/are/ and probably will in the future have the ability to always bring out the cranks, the abuse they took was crazy. I don't think the fans have been cowed and would be nearly certain that if the two boys were involved last Sunday they would have received the same abuse from the stands.

There is something in the makeup of certain Mayo people that light the fuse in them whenever they see a tan - that's the only logical explanation for it.

I meant cowed by failure and lack hope rather than by any individual or system. Maybe the word cowed was not the best to use but apathy, resignation etc could well be applied to many football people. And they re the ones that still go to games. Around the county there are more negative feelings as well. Agree about the tan shit. But its not just Mayos. They got universal abuse for it. 

[Lar Naparka]

Seconds out - Round 1 

Disappointed with the attitude to the FBD League - there are always benefits that can be gained by going out and winning matches.

Judgement is reserved though. The last two years have been extremely disappointing and JOM must start to regain the confidence of supporters from Sunday week.

Its not going to be easy to survive in Division 1 but four home games, and a trip to Galway mean that the fixture list has been kind. An opening win is a must.

Lads and lassies for FFS, why in under god is their 13 pages on a Mayo and Derry NFL game?? seriously , who cares?

Obviously the fans who wrote 13 long pages of posts care enough to give their thoughts and opinions. Don't worry too much; these things happen in Mayo and in Derry also.

[moysider]

Seconds out - Round 1 

Disappointed with the attitude to the FBD League - there are always benefits that can be gained by going out and winning matches.

Judgement is reserved though. The last two years have been extremely disappointing and JOM must start to regain the confidence of supporters from Sunday week.

Its not going to be easy to survive in Division 1 but four home games, and a trip to Galway mean that the fixture list has been kind. An opening win is a must.

Lads and lassies for FFS, why in under god is their 13 pages on a Mayo and Derry NFL game?? seriously , who cares?

This thread s already 13 pages long so obviously 1 of us at least ******* cares. So **** ***.

[the Deel Rover]

Seconds out - Round 1 

Disappointed with the attitude to the FBD League - there are always benefits that can be gained by going out and winning matches.

Judgement is reserved though. The last two years have been extremely disappointing and JOM must start to regain the confidence of supporters from Sunday week.

Its not going to be easy to survive in Division 1 but four home games, and a trip to Galway mean that the fixture list has been kind. An opening win is a must.

Lads and lassies for FFS, why in under god is their 13 pages on a Mayo and Derry NFL game?? seriously , who cares?

This thread s already 13 pages long so obviously 1 of us at least ******* cares. So **** ***.

Fisrt thing first well said moysider couldn't have put it better myself  also good post there by maradona however when i see maradona now having doubts about o' mahonys management skills it says it all

[An Gaeilgoir]

Maradana, you are spot on a lot of things there, how many times did we see the lads bouncing the ball last Sunday. The ground was like a bog, if we are lacking in the fundamental basics of the game, it really doesn't matter who is on the county board. Also did we put out the smallest back line ever to play senior intercounty football last weekend? I am currently reading a book called the "best in the west", now they were real footballers and hard agressive men, who played fair and had pride in their jersey and wanted to win not for themselves but for their fellow county men and for their parishes. Maybe if one or two of our lads read this book instead of runnig to the media all the time we would be better off. Maybe that last comment is a little unfair, but it is so frustrating at the moment to watch the lack of leaders on the pitch and the lack of appetite in these players, christ they are only back at training a couple of weeks, what will they be like come the begining of April. We really are treading water at best, since last year.