Mayo GAA Discussion Thread

HighKing33 wrote: »

Corofin move the ball better than most county teams - exhibition stuff and they had the workrate to match it. The kicking, use of space and point-taking was really special - if the Galway seniors could emulate that they'd be a force.

Balintubber gave so much posession away that they were never really in it. Diarmuid O'Connor I thought had a good game. He's not the biggest player in the world and probably not as gifted as the brother but he's a very clever footballer, always makes use of the ball. Not a bad thing for Mayo.

yop wrote: »

Absolutely was top notch. They will be hard stopped. The ONLY weakness I could see in them was when Tubber ran at them at pace, I can see Connolly causing problems, but some of the scores and support play was excellent. They are at a v high standard.

Their trainer, who is from Mayo, is also apparently top notch and is still only in his 30's. He could be a future Mayo manager from what I am hearing about him.

Always_Running wrote: »

He was to get Mayo u21 job two years ago but the county board turned him down and gave the job to tony Duffy instead. Duffy was part of ballintubbers management this year I might add.

Duffy has been involved with Ballintubber for a few years, it was actually another high profile ballintubber person who insisted he get the position. Join the dots.......

seligehgit wrote: »

Alan Dillon has confirmed he will stay on for another year, positive news. Quite likely he'll won't be a starter this year.

Don't no about that who will take his place?

naughto wrote: »

Don't no about that who will take his place?

They certainly have to find a few new half forwards, Dillion will make a good impact sub if he is not required to start.

What's the story with Conor O' Shea and Dirmuid O' Connor ?

Both started v Roscommon last year but were not ready I don't think.

Would like to see one of them slot in along with McLoughloin on the right and AOS in the middle.

Another possibility is, and I'll admit it's a bit far fetched and based on a very small bit of evidence, that you put Conroy in there as a runner.

In the games he came on v Kerry in 2014 he seemed to do better as a ball carrier than a man in the corner waiting for something to come his way.

As I said it's based on a very small 'sample size' of evidence and he is hitting 30 so I'm not sure how viable an option that would be.
You could have Conroy starting games at 12 and Dillion finishing them.

Higgins has to be kept at 4 to shore up the back line these days and to teach the new young full back and corner back we are getting, isn't that right

HighKing33 wrote: »

Why shouldn't Dillon start games? Why are we so quick to write off footballers in their 30s? Fact is most GAA players retire at this point because they have family and work commitments, not because of the ageing process.

The manner in which he came back from his injury in the early part of the year was exemplary, he was also the best player on show for Balintubber this year. He keeps himself in great shape and he's easily one of the best playmakers in the country. There is no way that Carolan, C. O'Shea or D. O'Connor could impact a game in the way that Dillon does, they're just not at that level.

I would agree that Mikey Conroy could offer something as a wing-half but I would also look to Adam Gallagher who I thought was very impressive during the league. Still, Jason Doherty continues to improve and adds so much to that midfield.

At some stage you have to look to the future rater than rely on the same old guys to get you through.

Mayo are at a very important point right now
The team is not too old to be past it, but neither is it full of young guns that you can plan the next few years around, as was the case with Horan in 2011.

The likes of Higgins, Seamus O Shea, Andy Moran, Dillion, McLoughlin are not getting younger or faster and the fear is that they will end up like Wille Joe, TJ KIlgannon, David Brady, Ciaran Mac etc.
All the skill in the world and long illustrious careers, but no All Ireland medals.

So with that in mind I think the focus should be on getting new young starters rather than automatically going with the tried and trusted.

Not too many players broke through during Horan's tenure although many were given chances. Only 3 starters from the debacle in Longford 2010 are no longer on the panel (Howley, Harte and Conor Mort). That's well below average churn at inter county level.

2015 Mayo GAA Fixtures.

We have the 2015 Mayo GAA fixtures page updated. Full details can be found here;

http://mayoclub51.com/mayo-gaa-2015-fixturesresults/senior-football-fixturesresults-2015/

Happy Christmas to all the Mayo gang on the forum. Bring on the FBD in January 2015:D

glack wrote: »

Keith Higgins just announced his retirement from inter county football on Twitter. Huge loss.

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He lost a bet on a stag weekend apparently. I'd say he's surprised how many thought it was true, he's only 29 so very unlikely to retire for a few years yet.

that would have been a devestating loss to the panel.
I was driving at the time and a friend text me . got the wife to read it out . she said some lad had retired from Mayo Keith Higgins!. I nearly crashed the car. I told her it was the worst Xmas ever which did not impress her
can I get something else confirmed whilst I'm on!
is cillian suspended for first league game or championship opener?

john mayo 10 wrote: »

First championship match as far as I'm aware

if that's galway in salthill with 2 games under their belt that's a problem!
also its a little ridiculous that a red card handed out by a joke of a ref last august rules him out until possibly next July!