Ciaran McDonald out of the mayo team to play sligo. Good or bad?

dodgyme

Ciaran McDonald out of the mayo team to play sligo. Good or bad?

kevmy

This thread is a bit 6 weeks ago really.

I know Liam Hayes did his best to stir it up last night.

Heres my take. He should be in the panel and used as sub. However due to Dillon injury if he was on the panel he would start on Sunday.

Having said all this I really want to let sleeping dogs lie. It does feck all good to anyone talking about it now.

I'd be much more concerned about our FB line than the un/availability of Mac tbh

john concannon

I think he would be a benefit to the panel but not the first team.My opinion is that players would get a morale boost knowing they're keeping him from starting.
He is best used as a sub but I think he is 2 or 3 years past his peak and he is a shadow of himself.If he played in the league it would have helped him but he is probably more concerned about his hair.

Bottom-line:Mayo are still All-Ireland contenders without him.And I'm from Galway :eek:

nacho libre

McDonald is a really gifted player and still has something to offer.


I think it's a farce that he is not even on the bench,yet they have room for a 36-year-old...

People criticised Maughan but at least he was flexible with regard to McDonald not playing in the league.
There were some who touted John O'Mahony as the guy to guide Mayo to an All-Ireland title - or at least a semi-final, within two years of his appointment. I can't see this happening as without full-back you won't get very far.:(

blackbelt

I think Mac is a great player but he's crocked.His back is done in and is in rag order.I also have a feeling that O Mahoney is slowly trying to refresh the team with more youth.

I agree that he should get the last 15 minutes as I think he can be a great contributor and lift the Mayo team and fans but Old Yeller's time is nearly up I think.He's 33 and if he doesn't make an impact this year,he'll end up in the glue factory along with Geraghty.

kevmy

nacho libre wrote: »

I think it's a farce that he is not even on the bench,yet they have room for a 36-year-old...

James Nallen is only 34

nacho libre

kevmy wrote: »

James Nallen is only 34

oops:o

One at only 33 is deemed surplus to requirements because the manager is "looking to the future" while the slightly older of the two at 34 is not

If the management see fit to play Nallen, then McDonald, regardless of his back issues, should at least have a place on the bench.

aidan24326

nacho libre wrote: »

If the management see fit to play Nallen, then McDonald, regardless of his back issues, should at least have a place on the bench.

I'm inclined to agree. He'd be a great man to throw in for the last 15 mins of a game, crocked back or not he is always likely to come up with a match-winning score.

UnitedIrishman

nacho libre wrote: »

McDonald is a really gifted player and still has something to offer.


I think it's a farce that he is not even on the bench,yet they have room for a 36-year-old...

People criticised Maughan but at least he was flexible with regard to McDonald not playing in the league.
There were some who touted John O'Mahony as the guy to guide Mayo to an All-Ireland title - or at least a semi-final, within two years of his appointment. I can't see this happening as without full-back you won't get very far.:(

I must ask, have the people that back McDonald saying he's gifted etc seen him play this season?

His form has been erratic to say the least and in one game missed a 13m free in front of the posts and was supposed to have played terrible all round. He's had some great games no doubting but I would rather not have the idea in my head of 'what mac is going to show up today' before every game.

Its ridiculous some of the press coverage nationally. The guy who writes for the Star, Eugene McGee I think, obviously hasn't visited Crossmolina recently. His statement that MacDonald was one of the best six forwards in Ireland currently is a bit irrational.

Without doubt, he is the best player I've ever had the pleasure of watching as a Mayo fan. He really was sensational on the top of his game, nobody could touch him. But the time is past now for him, he made the decision of not travelling to the trial game, Nallen did, look at where they're at now.

nacho libre

UnitedIrishman wrote: »

I must ask, have the people that back McDonald saying he's gifted etc seen him play this season?

His form has been erratic to say the least and in one game missed a 13m free in front of the posts and was supposed to have played terrible all round. He's had some great games no doubting but I would rather not have the idea in my head of 'what mac is going to show up today' before every game.

Its ridiculous some of the press coverage nationally. The guy who writes for the Star, Eugene McGee I think, obviously hasn't visited Crossmolina recently. His statement that MacDonald was one of the best six forwards in Ireland currently is a bit irrational.

Without doubt, he is the best player I've ever had the pleasure of watching as a Mayo fan. He really was sensational on the top of his game, nobody could touch him. But the time is past now for him, he made the decision of not travelling to the trial game, Nallen did, look at where they're at now.

Yes, i have seen him play. I believe while his form has not been great he still has the ability to do well in big games for Mayo
I think it is as much about his ambivalent attitude towards the league as it is his form. O Mahony is not as tolerant as Maughan was in this regard
Though, I bet if McDonald was a whipper snapper, O Mahony, regardless of his dislike of McDonald's ways, would bite his tongue and include him... because he'd know well it would come back to haunt him otherwise. That is probably not the case now.
Fair enough if his omission is soley down to O Mahony thinking McDonald is past it, but if that really is the case then Nallen, despite turning up for the trial game, should be gone too imo.

kevmy

UnitedIrishman wrote: »

I must ask, have the people that back McDonald saying he's gifted etc seen him play this season?

His form has been erratic to say the least and in one game missed a 13m free in front of the posts and was supposed to have played terrible all round. He's had some great games no doubting but I would rather not have the idea in my head of 'what mac is going to show up today' before every game.

There was always an element of that with Mac anyway he can mix the ridiculous with the sublime. I suppose the point is if Mayo are in an AI quarter final and 4 points down with 15 mins left, struggling for ideas then Mac would be worth the risk off the bench

UnitedIrishman wrote: »

Its ridiculous some of the press coverage nationally. The guy who writes for the Star, Eugene McGee I think, obviously hasn't visited Crossmolina recently. His statement that MacDonald was one of the best six forwards in Ireland currently is a bit irrational.

I'll agree with that a lot of people are writing stuff about McDonald and know very little of Mayo football. Mind you there could be an argument made that he is one of the best six forwards in Mayo

nacho libre wrote: »

Fair enough if his omission is soley down to O Mahony thinking McDonald is past it, but if that really is the case then Nallen, despite turning up for the trial game, should be gone too imo.

I'm not sure about that. Sometimes it's to do with miles on the clock that numbers on the calendar. Mac has worked hard all his life and has picked up a few injuries in the last few years. Nallen on the other hand has kept himself well and has a less physically demanding job. He's also been remarkably injury free throughout his career. I thought he was one of our best backs the last day. Played wing back, corner back and FB while setting up the first score and playing the full 70.

nacho libre

kevmy wrote: »

There was always an element of that with Mac anyway he can mix the ridiculous with the sublime. I suppose the point is if Mayo are in an AI quarter final and 4 points down with 15 mins left, struggling for ideas then Mac would be worth the risk off the bench



I'll agree with that a lot of people are writing stuff about McDonald and know very little of Mayo football. Mind you there could be an argument made that he is one of the best six forwards in Mayo



I'm not sure about that. Sometimes it's to do with miles on the clock that numbers on the calendar. Mac has worked hard all his life and has picked up a few injuries in the last few years. Nallen on the other hand has kept himself well and has a less physically demanding job. He's also been remarkably injury free throughout his career. I thought he was one of our best backs the last day. Played wing back, corner back and FB while setting up the first score and playing the full 70.

you're talking about the Sligo game, right? In fairness Sligo were abysmal.
Let's see how he fares against the likes of Galway.

kevmy

nacho libre wrote: »

you're talking about the Sligo game, right? In fairness Sligo were abysmal.
Let's see how he fares against the likes of Galway.

Oh I know and if Howley was fit I think he might get pushed out again. But what I trying to is just because McDonald is out and Nallen is in isn't really an argument for either to be in or out.

Both should be in the panel. Ideally on the bench. Times mightn't be ideal though and Nallen has a cool head and plenty of experience. Once he not marking someone pacy (O'Sullivan of Kerry springs to mind) he can do a job especially since we don't have a hell of a lot of experience in the backs.

pvt.joker

I think he's too busy laying pipes at the minute to play

john concannon

Nicely put.:pac: