Twistin, turnin, windin roads - Galway v Mayo 14/6/15

[INDIANA]

If JH was still in charge, neither the heron chokers nor the sheepophiles would bother me very much, this year anyway.
Neither county were up against top-tier opposition in the league and that plus the greater experience of the Mayo squad should see green and red ribands on the Nestor Cup once again.
That's easy enough to say, I suppose but both Galway and Ross are on the rise and I can't see anything in the league to suggest that Mayo will be any better than last year. But when you add in the fact that no other county in Connacht has had the same mental and physical conditioning that Mayo had during the Horan era, they should have little bother cantering through Connacht once more.
The only thing that worries be a bit is the Pateen factor. I just hope history won't repeat itself once more and that Holmes won't succeed in dismantling a top class side and manage to avoid winning a single championship match as he did during his first stint in office.
Horan never had a satisfactory league campaign so Mayo's so-so form this year wouldn't bother me if it wasn't for the shocking display against the Dubs and the fallout afterwards.
They say there's no smoke without fire and the Mayo camp must have been ablaze at that time.

Maybe I'm being unduly harsh on Holmes but his previous record is there to be seen and it doesn't inspire anyone with confidence. I'd be far happier if Connelly was the senior of the pair but it seems he's the junior partner.
Feck it anyway, I'd be getting nervous at this stage even if Horan was still in command. I've put up with too many heartbreaks down the year to rest easy until the teams leave the field. I imagine Mayo will win by three or four points but with the present management that's more in hope than in expectation.

Its top class everywhere except where it needs to be- and that's in the forwards

[Blowitupref]

If JH was still in charge, neither the heron chokers nor the sheepophiles would bother me very much, this year anyway.
Neither county were up against top-tier opposition in the league and that plus the greater experience of the Mayo squad should see green and red ribands on the Nestor Cup once again.
That's easy enough to say, I suppose but both Galway and Ross are on the rise and I can't see anything in the league to suggest that Mayo will be any better than last year. But when you add in the fact that no other county in Connacht has had the same mental and physical conditioning that Mayo had during the Horan era, they should have little bother cantering through Connacht once more.
The only thing that worries be a bit is the Pateen factor. I just hope history won't repeat itself once more and that Holmes won't succeed in dismantling a top class side and manage to avoid winning a single championship match as he did during his first stint in office.
Horan never had a satisfactory league campaign so Mayo's so-so form this year wouldn't bother me if it wasn't for the shocking display against the Dubs and the fallout afterwards.
They say there's no smoke without fire and the Mayo camp must have been ablaze at that time.

Maybe I'm being unduly harsh on Holmes but his previous record is there to be seen and it doesn't inspire anyone with confidence. I'd be far happier if Connelly was the senior of the pair but it seems he's the junior partner.
Feck it anyway, I'd be getting nervous at this stage even if Horan was still in command. I've put up with too many heartbreaks down the year to rest easy until the teams leave the field. I imagine Mayo will win by three or four points but with the present management that's more in hope than in expectation.

Its top class everywhere except where it needs to be- and that's in the forwards

Mayo went toe to toe on the scoring with Kerry last year, it was full back line that could have done better and that was probably the case in 2012 v Donegal and 2013 v Dublin also.

No O Griofa,Walsh next Sunday hard to see Galway pulling off a shock. Rip to the man that died in the car crash.

[criostlinn]

http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/galway-football-star-injured-in-crash-in-which-man-55-loses-his-life-31282305.html

RIP to man that lost his life in this accident.

Hope Shane makes a speedy recovery

[Mayo4Sam]

Very sad news and tough on Walsh personally

RIP

[Farrandeelin]

Yes and it puts all the 'rivalry' stuff into perspective.

Hope Walsh makes a good recovery, both physically and mentally, as someone else mentioned. RIP to the deceased man too.

[Goin Down]

Lough Atalia Road is still one way inbound for Sunday I take it?

[From the Bunker]

Was looking forward to seeing how Walsh had matured this year. Despite our great rivalry, you always want to see the best players on show from both team when we meet. It makes the victory (or defeat) as well as the specticle more satisfying! Hope he has no long lasting scars from this.

[larryin89]

Anyone get the season ticket email yet? Is it a use the card or print your ticket game?

[rosnarun]

just checked it now . It says Card/badge but untill  the email come its probably subject to change. Why the dely i don't know they have been on public sale for a week

[larryin89]

Not as many tickets sold as they expected I'm hearing too.

[Last Star in Tuam]

Good afternoon lads, I'm the famous (or infamous) author of that article Roger put up. Felt compelled to respond but have been away for last few days so I'm only getting round to it now.

I'm happy some of you enjoyed the article and thats it stirred a debate of sorts. The initial reaction was great as many Mayo folk enjoyed the piece. My oul lad was certainly unsure when I told him I was doing the article, even more so when I told him the first line of it!

I had to be honest however, and I think thats the main reason i was asked to do it. I didn't want to hold back and I knew that some people may not take to kindly to my stance on the rivalry. I am probably in the minority too with my stance. I had to laugh at Farrandeelins first response. I was thinking I have finally found the Mayo version of me  don;t worry I didn't take it personally so no hard feelings!

Just a few things I want to clarify from reading other posts.

I don't want resent Mayo's recent success whatsoever. In pure footballing terms, I don't even resent their victory in 99. They are worthy winners in both accounts and I can accept that.

Regarding the incident in 99, and taking into account the passion/emotion of supporters and attending sporting events, to a degree I can understand their behaviour. At the same time, if any of you have children, do you think its acceptable for a child to experience something like that at a game? My father wasn't f**king pleased whatsoever. He didn't care about the result at the final whistle. Unlike those idiots, he had a brain, its not his style to assault others, he just made sure to get me out of there and away from those c***ts at the time.

And that's been passed onto me. I've been to Castlebar a number of times for Galway-Mayo games since and the only beatings I have witnessed were on the pitch. I have never once sought out retribution of the likes or behaved in a similar way to those people. The best form of revenge in my mind would be just to see Galway win, nothing else. I'll make my way home safely whatever the result. Thankfully I can allow myself to smile or even laugh after a defeat nowadays.

It must be said however that every support has idiots in their ranks, be it clowns or bandwagon folk. But whenever I have people insisting to me Mayo are the best fans in the country, personal experiences compel me to think otherwise. That may not be fair on Mayo GAA, just how I feel.

However, I did state I met many Mayo people in recent years who are a credit to their county and the GAA. Had the pleasure of working in the Connacht GAA centre for a while and I never let the rivalry get in the way of having a laugh with these people and forming friendships.

I don't fret about Mayo winning an All-Ireland. If they do it, I will not emigrate. If they are the best team in Ireland, I will be the first person to acknowledge that. In the same way I commend Corofin for their exploits on the club scene of late.

I have no sense of entitlement with regards to Galway and success. They were magical times when I was younger but that's a long time ago and there's a good reason why that's the case. I'm in a position to say I've seen the best of times and the worst of times with Galway. Its only natural I yearn for the best but we're not entitled to it. We are nowhere near that standard, Mayo are. It is full credit to them that they are and we can only blame ourselves for where we are.

Probably should have made that more clear in the article that the neutrals opinion that they deserve to win one because they have lost 7 really irks me. I'm of the opinion that only one team deserves to win an AI and that is the best team in Ireland. Doesn't always work out like that however.

Regarding perspective, don't worry I have plenty. 7 or 8 years ago I was terrible, not more so GAA but Soccer and the likes. Sadly in 2011, I lost two uncles 4 months apart to sudden heart attacks. It hit me hard. Ever since then, i've developed a very passive response to bad results of the teams I follow. And I don't even harbour a hatred for Mayo. I just want Galway to beat them. I don't want to lose!

2013 was a bad result, but it was a fair one. I got over it and Galway bounced back in some way ever since. Mayo went on to reach another AI final which in my opinion they should have won. When it ended, where in the past I might have jumped about like a lunatic, I did nothing really. Dublin won but I thought they were lucky. If Mayo performed like they had in previous rounds they would have bet them no problem. I was probably more relieved it wasn't a replay as the Connacht GAA centre was bombarded by people looking for final tickets beforehand 

I was away in Donegal at the weekend and I first heard about Shane Walsh getting injured in the accident. Before I could even think what this meant for next Sunday, I was told that Mike Ward, a local man and very popular here, was killed in same accident. It shocked me. I didn't know him very well but I know two of his sons quite well and they are a credit to him. Right now, I don't particularly care if we lose next Sunday because people have lost a father, a friend, a genuine decent hard working man. Some things are more important in life.

May he Rest In Peace

[Syferus]

Not as many tickets sold as they expected I'm hearing too.

Mayo waiting for the home final to turn out?

[larryin89]

Last star in tuam , cheers for the life story bud . Ye will get a run in the hurling anyway buck.

[mayo.mick]

Great article Last Star in Tuam, fair play to you.

[Farrandeelin]

Fair play to you Lost Star in Tuam. That's a decent piece on the rivalry alright. I agree with you on a few things in your post. It is indeed true that whatever slings and arrows that life throws at us develops us as humans. I understand now that it was more the loutish behaviour of those fans back in 1999 that has that resentment towards the 'Mayo = best support' business. To be fair, I sometimes cringe about that. Think of last year for example, the whole county was a laughing stock for the hullabaloo regarding the replay in Limerick. Yes we may be very vocal, but it's probably because of that yearning and all the times we've been the nearly men.

I also agree with you that Mayo don't deserve an AI because we lost 7. We could just as easily lose the next 7 finals we get to unless we play to our full potential on the day and hope the other team are worse than us on the day too. But sin scéal eile.

You may have found your 'Mayo you' but you'd have to be a damn lot pessimistic than anyone else for that to have any chance!

Regarding the game itself, I think Galway will have sorted out a defensive plan. Whether it's going to be as hard to break down as Tyrone were in the league is another thing. I'm sure Galway were watching those games carefully to spot our weaknesses. Hopefully Mayo's players will play to their potential (as per the last 4 years, not this year yet however) we will win. Anything less and it will be squeaky bum time. Shane Walsh may be out, but I'm sure there are other Galway players chomping at the bit.