Mayo v Kerry 2011

oicherider

So I sum it up as follows:

Mayo
Lucky with London but made it through.. Played very average but enough to win their games and blame (or genuinely due to) the weather.. Met Cork and showed hunger, desire and tenacity.. None of the shocking wides that they normally have and deserved the win

Kerry
Normal start to C'ship, met Cork and despite showing only about 20 mins of Kerry football won - I personally think Cork were looking further down the line that day.. Met Limerick again and increased the win by 3 points but seemed less convincing.. We know they have another 3 or 4 gears..
If they can find them.. Question is can they?!

I think this is Mayo's best chance against the Kingdom that I can remember.. But will they be able to show up two days in a row.. Or will Kerry hit form and run away with it again?

I reckon that Kerry could get a major fright but a good enough game that will lead them to Sam!

yop

Just heard the stat there on Sunday Game for our 2nd half performances and conceeding.

Against Galway 1 point
Against Ros 2 points
Against Cork 1 point.

Something is going to have to give, it will be a tight match I hope but Kerry will be favorites for this.

Lapin

A fair summing up OP.

If Mayo can keep within distance of Kerry at half time their belief that they can win it will probably grow in the second half. Similar to the Cork game in some ways.

But if Mayo go in at half time 5 or 6 points up, I actually think Kerry will come out and destroy them in the second half.

Its going to be a game of mental strength as much as physical strength.

Thats where Kerry have the edge. Its a cliché but there is some truth in the adage about certain teams knowing how to win. Kerry certainly do, but Mayo can take them on the day.

Syferus

yop wrote: »

Just heard the stat there on Sunday Game for our 2nd half performances and conceeding.

Against Galway 1 point
Against Ros 2 points
Against Cork 1 point.

Something is going to have to give, it will be a tight match I hope but Kerry will be favorites for this.

And Roscommon were playing into the face of Hurricane Enda too

It bodes well for Mayo's fitness to be able to preform in the second half, though. Against Cork in particular it was hugely impressive as they're the ones who usually break away in the last 15 of games. Kerry are a first half team; Mayo clearly have been a second half one this year. It makes for an interesting game.

blowitupref

Down knocked out Kerry last year no reason why Mayo can't? & don't forget they beat Kerry in the 1996 Semi final.

Stinicker

blowitupref wrote: »

Down knocked out Kerry last year no reason why Mayo can't? & don't forget they beat Kerry in the 1996 Semi final.

Kerry knocked out Mayo three years in a row 2004,2005 & 2006 and also in 1997 beating them in three All-Ireland finals (1997,2004 and 2006). 2005 was a quarter final and last time Mayo beat Kerry was in a Semi-final and this is their best change in ages. This Mayo team is totally different and the mental baggage that Mayo teams carried around is long gone I think and they will have nothing to fear except fear itself.

Downlinz

Mayo have been slow burners into games this year, they've started woefully in each game an improved immeasurably to the status of unplayable in the second shutting out everyone. If they can hang in the game from Kerrys initial flurry they can smother them out of the game and cut off the supply to their forwards.

Fireball07

Mayo have a chance, especially if they catch Kerry on an off-day or if Kerry fail to find the ability to move up gears.

But whatever about Cork, it was a great win for Mayo but Kerry's forward line is definitely superior. Everyone of them is a clinical finisher and able to score points, and most importantly create their own chances. I really don't think the Cork forwards can all do that.

The Mayo backs will have their work cut out holding them because their movement can be fabulous too but if they can.....they have a great chance. Kerry's midfield is not that strong and their defence has definite weaknesses. They can be exploited but still have serious firepower up front.

I think Kerry will win it, simply because of the superior firepower. I mean the O'Sullivans, Gooch, Donaghy, Walsh and Galvin are arguably 6 of the best 10-12 forwards in the country. Do Mayo have any forward who would make the Kerry starting team?

JMSE

Fireball07 wrote: »

Do Mayo have any forward who would make the Kerry starting team?

Could have said the same last night about Mayo fwds starting on the Cork team!

Fireball07

JMSE wrote: »

Could have said the same last night about Mayo fwds starting on the Cork team!

Well I'm not a big fan of the Cork forward line. Possibly with Goulding and Sheehan in there (and maybe Colm O'Neill).

But as a scoring forward from play Andy Moran is better than all of the Cork ones who started the game.

Paddy Kelly is good around the field but I feel he is overrated anyway (I know he's hugely rated here but I don't think he's that good). Pearse O'Neill is a great athlete, sure, but as an out-and-out forward no (I realise that's not exactly his role). Donncha O'Connor is a bit hit-and-miss, looked good at the start today but then disappeared (could be down to lack of good ball given in).

Anyway my point is I think the Kerry forwards are significantly better than the Cork ones.

teednab-el

Fireball07 wrote: »

Well I'm not a big fan of the Cork forward line. Possibly with Goulding and Sheehan in there (and maybe Colm O'Neill).

But as a scoring forward from play Andy Moran is better than all of the Cork ones who started the game.

Paddy Kelly is good around the field but I feel he is overrated anyway (I know he's hugely rated here but I don't think he's that good). Pearse O'Neill is a great athlete, sure, but as an out-and-out forward no (I realise that's not exactly his role). Donncha O'Connor is a bit hit-and-miss, looked good at the start today but then disappeared (could be down to lack of good ball given in).

Anyway my point is I think the Kerry forwards are significantly better than the Cork ones.

Donnacha has been Corks best forward this year. The ball wasnt kicked into him in the second half for him to do any damage.

spiralism

Not the foregone conclusion at all for a number of reasons:

1. It's not the AI final (not meant as a dig btw, i think there's a psychological thing there with Kerry for Mayo on the big day)
2. This is not the same Kerry team that comprehensively thrashed Mayo in those two matches by any means. Still class but that was the real heyday of that team, players have got older, retired etc since. They look a far more beatable entity than back then where the only side that could get near them was Tyrone every couple of years
3. On the basis of today's performances, Mayo would have beaten Kerry. Don't mind the scorelines, Kerry did not have to get out of first gear at all for the entire game and looked average enough for long spells against an utterly dreadful limerick side with the look of rabbits caught in the headlights.
4. Mayo's season has steadily got harder as the championship went on, allowing them to acclimatise to the level of opponents they've played. Kerry have went from Tipp to Limerick to Cork and back to Limerick, not a consistent level of opposition strength. While Mayo had to give their absolute all to win their last two matches and had to win closely fought scraps in the other two, Kerry had to put in a performance in the first half against Cork and that was about it.

I'd certainly give Mayo a good chance in that match, better than they had in the two finals anyways.

Fireball07

teednab-el wrote: »

Donnacha has been Corks best forward this year. The ball wasnt kicked into him in the second half for him to do any damage.

I agree that he has been...but I do remember a few balls going into that general area, not great balls maybe, but the Mayo defence came out on top every time.

I think Goulding is a better player than him and all of the Kerry inside forward line. And Andy Moran.

Mayo's defence did very well today though because Cork did rip Down apart. If they can defend with the same heart and tenacity + win primary ball in midfield, they will have a real chance.

teednab-el

Fireball07 wrote: »

I agree that he has been...but I do remember a few balls going into that general area, not great balls maybe, but the Mayo defence came out on top every time.

Its very hard to play well when you are comprehensively beaten in all areas of the pitch. In fairness when O Connor did get the ball, the Mayo backs swarmed around him like bees and he couldn't do anything. Mayo were brilliant in their tackling and no Cork forward looked dangerous because of their tactics.

Rebel1977

Any team would miss Ciaran Sheehan, Colm O'Neill, and Daniel goulding. If u took gooch/donaghy/galvin out of Kerry how would they cope ? Took the 2 Brogans and say connolly out of dublin would they cope ?

JFlah

Yes Mayo were good against Cork BUT a very understrength Cork that also played poorly , one swallow does not a summer make and i just see Kerry winning this quite comfortably ...Kerry might not be at peak this year but still capable of devastating bursts with a pretty unmarkable forward line .lets face it Mayo probably over achieved a little today up until half time yesterday no one rated them or would have given them a chance of troubling kerry so i really don,t think a good 35 min performance improves them as a team all that much . Kerry by 6/7 points .

Panrich

JFlah wrote: »

Yes Mayo were good against Cork BUT a very understrength Cork that also played poorly , one swallow does not a summer make and i just see Kerry winning this quite comfortably ...Kerry might not be at peak this year but still capable of devastating bursts with a pretty unmarkable forward line .lets face it Mayo probably over achieved a little today up until half time yesterday no one rated them or would have given them a chance of troubling kerry so i really don,t think a good 35 min performance improves them as a team all that much . Kerry by 6/7 points .

You're right. Kerry will have been delighted coming away from Croke Park yesterday with Cork beaten for them by Mayo who they hold the indian sign over. Now if the Dubs can down Tyrone next Saturday....

domino123

kerry are going to be in serious trouble in the middle of the field against mayo......and as every1 knows if ur beat in the middle ur beat everywhere

oicherider

domino123 wrote: »

kerry are going to be in serious trouble in the middle of the field against mayo......and as every1 knows if ur beat in the middle ur beat everywhere

The two O'Sheas playing for Mayo are Kerrymen.. Reared in their fathers home town of Killorglin.. It will be interesting to see if that will have any bearing on how they play the next day...

Sure I wonder what Maurice Fitzgerald is at.. He might come back for the day and the other 14 lads on the pitch a day off

martyoo

Any idea when this will be played?

domino123

oicherider wrote: »

The two O'Sheas playing for Mayo are Kerrymen.. Reared in their fathers home town of Killorglin.. It will be interesting to see if that will have any bearing on how they play the next day...

Sure I wonder what Maurice Fitzgerald is at.. He might come back for the day and the other 14 lads on the pitch a day off

match is on 21st ov august....ya i know there kerrymen at heart:D
kerry will struggle in the middle.....maher isnt up to it and bryan sheehan was made look very good by a less than ordinary limerick midfield.....mayo even have mcgarrity on the bench who is still imo one of the best midfielders in the country at the moment and also a real leader and inspiration when he comes on.....this game wont be another runaway victory for kerry......i wont be surprised if mayo win....i backed mayo to win yesterday:)

Cummybaby

Wonderful wonderful performance from Mayo. There have been many disappointing performances throughout the years but yesterday's victory is one I will cherish the most. Such heart and desire. Once Cork's kickouts went short I knew we had the beating of them. Kerry will probably beat us in the Semi but these lads earned my respect after yesterday.

bren2001

Excellent performance by Mayo against Cork. Last year none of the provincial winners went through, could it be the exact opposite this year? It all comes down to Dublin.

I expect Kerry to sweep Mayo off their feet. Mayo seem to have one exceptional performance every year in the Championship and they had it. It will be a much tougher test against a strong Kerry team.

I would like a Kerry Dublin final. Which ever team wins it, imo, deserves to win it with the amount of work both teams have put it. It would also be a cracker of a final.

JFlah

domino123 wrote: »

kerry are going to be in serious trouble in the middle of the field against mayo......and as every1 knows if ur beat in the middle ur beat everywhere

You are possibly right but maybe we need to give Sheehan and Maher in particular a chance to prove people wrong and IMHO i don,t think Kerry even require parity in midfield , with the forward line they have i think they are more than capable of beating Mayo with a more limited supply.

davegrohl48

One thing to ponder is if you were shown Cork - Down video and then Kerry - Limerick video you'd say Mayo had no chance against Cork and could maybe keep it tight against Kerry. Limerick should have been much closer in that game. They missed many scorable frees for instance.
Kerrys strength is their top class forwards, their brilliant freetaker and the footballing ability in posession of the likes of Tomas O'Se, Aidan O'Mahoney, Bryan Sheehan, Paul Galvin. Mayo don't have players as confident in setting up attacks.
Kerrys weaknesses are:
- Their defence has alot of miles on the clock and you'd wonder about them in the last 15 mins of a game trying to contain Mayo's pacey forwards. Aidan O'Mahoney looked tired yesterday against Limerick, that was a cruising mode game.
- Midfield, Sheehan/Maher now have to step up to face 2 O'Sheas/McGarrity off bench. McGarrity almost without fail plays well off the bench.
Mayos strengths:
- Look to be supremely mobile in second half, finally seem to have some pacey forwards with some football ability
- Can call on three big physical quality midfielders
- Have exactly the type of half back in Trevor Mortimer who can mark Galvin, he's identikat to Galvin in build and aggression. Looking forward to that battle.
- Seem to be getting comfortable with a blanket defence and then quick long ball counter attack from midfield.

yop

What did the Kerry lads think of Gooch and Donaghy yesterday? Thought they weren't at the races at all, not that they needed to be in fairness but Sullivan was top class and if he wasn't on the pitch at all then there could have been trouble.

That goal was unreal to watch.!!

keane2097

Kerry will win comfortably.

DDC1990

Looking forward to the 21st of August now. Kerry have waltzed through the Championship in 2nd Gear so far bar that first half blitz of Cork. We will definitly have to pick it up and be near our best to beat this Mayo team.

As for the question which of these Mayo forwards would make the Kerry team. I'd take McLoughlin and Cillian O'Connor in a heartbeat. McLoughlin is like Galvin in his dogged determination and spirit. He aslo chips in well in the scoring stakes. He has been an unsung hero of this Mayo team. Cillian O'Connor is something special. Nerves of steel for a 19 year old. Excellent freetaker and afraid of nothing. Would have him in Kerry in an instant.

What gives me hope however is the fact that most comments i've heard from friends of mine in Mayo are along the lines of, "We need to park the bus", "Shut down Kerry's forwards" and "Lets just keep their score down". This is the opposite of what Mayo have to do. If Mayo come out defensively, they will be crushed by Sheahan, Declan O'Sullivan, Aiden O'Mahoney and Tomás Ó Sé from long distance. Kerry unlike Cork have the players to kick those scores from 45m out. If Mayo contract into themselves these players will have a field day.

On the otherhand, if Mayo play like they did in the second half against Cork then they will run at Kerry. Win ball in a crowded midfield. And score some fantastic points. Plan to win the game, not to shut the opposition down.

Mr. Incognito

Mayo came out in 04 and 06 and tried to play football against Kerry and were comprehensly annililated.

I was really impressed with Sheenan and Maher Sunday, Sheehan in particular made some excellent fetches. They will develop into a fantastic pairing given time and Sheehan is ruthless from placed balls.

They are much more mobile all over the field too than Scanlon and Quirke.

If it comes to a shoot out Kerry will win. It's that simple. Tyrone showed the tactics you need to employ against Kerry. Isolate the half forward line by pulling your half backs into the centre or funnelling them forward to pressure the kickouts and then Kerry are reduced to kicking over their heads into space where Tyrone cleaned up the breaking ball.

Midfield will be even. The breaking ball is crucial to Kerry and Mayo showed heart and determination to harass Cosk, something they were not expecting. The Cork Game will be in Kerry's mind should they get an early lead and they will not be complacent.

Mayo caught a weakened Cork team on the hop who had one eye on Kerry. I can't see them doing it again. Kerry are just too hungry this year.

Kerry have better forwards, better distribution, better experience and a better manager in Jack O Connor. I can't see Mayo turning them over. They will run them close and have good passages of play but Kerry have a unique ability to peak at the right time. Even with Gooch and Donaghy quiet all year they ran up 26 and 20 points against Limerick and was it 16 against Cork?

If you expect Gooch to torch any team history has shown us it would be Mayo. Expect high balls to rain in and Mayo to suffer as a result.

yop

keane2097 wrote: »

Kerry will win comfortably.

Bit like your Cork prediction.....


http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=73526032&postcount=500

plasmaguy

As a Mayo person, I too expect Kerry to win. It could go one of two ways, Kerry win comfortably, or Mayo put it up to them for 60 minutes, but Kerry win by 4 or 5 points in the end.

I think Kerry are back to their best this year with their forwards firing on all cylinders. When they are like that, it's difficult for any team bar Tyrone to play well against them.

I'm afraid there have been far too many false dawns in Mayo football. They can be brillant one day, often against one of the bigger teams, albeit usually an understrength bigger team, and then get blown out of the water the next day, usually against Kerry.

There are a couple of players who have never proved themselves against Kerry in the AI, and proving yourself against Kerry is what really matters in football.

Just for once I want to see two good mayo performances in a row in the AI.

keane2097

yop wrote: »

Bit like your Cork prediction.....


http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=73526032&postcount=500

Gotta be right sometime.

plasmaguy

DDC1990 wrote: »

Looking forward to the 21st of August now. Kerry have waltzed through the Championship in 2nd Gear so far bar that first half blitz of Cork. We will definitly have to pick it up and be near our best to beat this Mayo team.

As for the question which of these Mayo forwards would make the Kerry team. I'd take McLoughlin and Cillian O'Connor in a heartbeat. McLoughlin is like Galvin in his dogged determination and spirit. He aslo chips in well in the scoring stakes. He has been an unsung hero of this Mayo team. Cillian O'Connor is something special. Nerves of steel for a 19 year old. Excellent freetaker and afraid of nothing. Would have him in Kerry in an instant.

What gives me hope however is the fact that most comments i've heard from friends of mine in Mayo are along the lines of, "We need to park the bus", "Shut down Kerry's forwards" and "Lets just keep their score down". This is the opposite of what Mayo have to do. If Mayo come out defensively, they will be crushed by Sheahan, Declan O'Sullivan, Aiden O'Mahoney and Tomás Ó Sé from long distance. Kerry unlike Cork have the players to kick those scores from 45m out. If Mayo contract into themselves these players will have a field day.

On the otherhand, if Mayo play like they did in the second half against Cork then they will run at Kerry. Win ball in a crowded midfield. And score some fantastic points. Plan to win the game, not to shut the opposition down.

There really is only one blueprint to beat Kerry, and Tyrone have perfected it and that's to crowd midfield for kickouts and crowd their forwards in general to make short passing difficult. It works for Tyrone so it should be used by Mayo too.

Kerry get frustrated when they don't have things their own way and lose their discipline and shape. So I hope Mayo can frustrate them too.

I think the Mayo management aren't dumb enough to take advice from Kerry people on how to play the game. Playing open expansive entertaining football against Kerry would be suicidal.

If Mayo win ugly then I will take it as will the over-whelming majority of Mayo supporters. If we win by a score of 3 points to 2, they will also take it.

To hell with entertaining football! Two of the most successful managers in soccer Trapatoni and Mourhinho largely despise open entertaining football. If it's good enough for them, it's good enough for Mayo.

nmjc

Mayo layed down a marker against Cork, I don't really buy the story that Cork were understrenght, everyone has being going on for years how strong their panel is but I have always felt they were a team of fine athletes and not necessarily great footballers as compared to the top class players from Kerry.
If Mayo can wait in the game deep into the second half they will grow in confidence and should push on for the win but if they fall behind early then they can kiss their chances good bye as kerry are masters at retreating back and chippin in with the odd score to keep the gap.
Mayo need to run at kerry from the off put in massive hits on the likes of Gooch, Galvin and in particular target Brosnan and O sullivan. Mayo need to instil directly from the off your not playing the same old mayo.

Now wether or not they will be capable of doing this is another matter. It all comes down to workrate desire and belief!

keane2097

You can't "not buy" that Cork were understrength, it's not up for debate.

teednab-el

nmjc wrote: »

Mayo layed down a marker against Cork, I don't really buy the story that Cork were understrenght, everyone has being going on for years how strong their panel is but I have always felt they were a team of fine athletes and not necessarily great footballers as compared to the top class players from Kerry.

Utter nonsense. You don't appear in the latter stages of championship without been good footballers. Since 2005, Cork have appeared in all the latter stages of the championship. 3 semi finals and 3 All Ireland finals all in a row. After Kerry I don't see any other team that have appeared in the semi final/final stages as consistantly as Cork.

Very easy here to say a team is no good, doesn't have good footballers after a defeat. Get the facts right, Cork were missing 3 of there top class forwards, Mayo weren't. If any team lost three good forwards they would be in trouble. Cork also looked tired the last day. If they had performed it could have been a different story. Dont see Mayo going any further in the championship though and Kerry will walk into the final.

Warper

I am having my biggest GAA match bet of the year on this one and its Kerry minus 4 @ evens.

Stinicker

teednab-el wrote: »

Utter nonsense. You don't appear in the latter stages of championship without been good footballers. Since 2005, Cork have appeared in all the latter stages of the championship. 3 semi finals and 3 All Ireland finals all in a row. After Kerry I don't see any other team that have appeared in the semi final/final stages as consistantly as Cork.

Very easy here to say a team is no good, doesn't have good footballers after a defeat. Get the facts right, Cork were missing 3 of there top class forwards, Mayo weren't. If any team lost three good forwards they would be in trouble. Cork also looked tired the last day. If they had performed it could have been a different story. Dont see Mayo going any further in the championship though and Kerry will walk into the final.

Agreed, Cork have been more consistent since 2005 than Tyrone and far more consistent than Mayo, fact is Cork have only been beaten from 2005-2011 by one team and that was Kerry bar Mayo's defeat of them last weekend.

nmjc

teednab-el wrote: »

Utter nonsense. You don't appear in the latter stages of championship without been good footballers. Since 2005, Cork have appeared in all the latter stages of the championship. 3 semi finals and 3 All Ireland finals all in a row. After Kerry I don't see any other team that have appeared in the semi final/final stages as consistantly as Cork.

Very easy here to say a team is no good, doesn't have good footballers after a defeat. Get the facts right, Cork were missing 3 of there top class forwards, Mayo weren't. If any team lost three good forwards they would be in trouble. Cork also looked tired the last day. If they had performed it could have been a different story. Dont see Mayo going any further in the championship though and Kerry will walk into the final.

I am not slagging off Cork far from it in fact, Physically they are by far the biggest and strongest team in Ireland, that is indisputable. But they are not near as good as Kerry. Dublin had them beat last year only to blow the game with a bit of indiscipline, but credit to Cork they exploited Dublin's weaknesses and won the game.

My point is that they probably lack the marquee forwards like Kerry have that swagger around Croker on the big match days. That is not an inditement against Cork as nobody else has those types of players either(Maybe Dublin after yesterday..) But for this reason they lack the scoring power of Kerry and although I disagree to the manner of Brolly's attack on Cork much of what he said had a grain of truth.

But look take nothing away Cork last year were very worthy champions and hopefully my own county can achieve a similar feat some time soon

Fr Tod Umptious

According to this weeks Kerryman Brosnan will be dropped and Enright will come in with a reshuffle of the backs.

Brosnan can the be used as an impact sub in midfield, as Quirk retire last week.

keane2097

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

According to this weeks Kerryman Brosnan will be dropped and Enright will come in with a reshuffle of the backs.

Brosnan can the be used as an impact sub in midfield, as Quirk retire last week.

I've been hearing this during the week as well, good to hear it "confirmed", I think it's a good move.

Panrich

Brosnan has been there through the league and so far in the championship. He hasn't been badly found out so far and it's late in the day to be changing such a pivotal position.

keane2097

Panrich wrote: »

Brosnan has been there through the league and so far in the championship. He hasn't been badly found out so far and it's late in the day to be changing such a pivotal position.

He was badly found out in the league game against Dublin tbh.

Regardless, there are two games left maximum this year, you can't wait for someone to be found out before making a change.

The_Kew_Tour

I really cant see Kerry getting beat...

Kerry by 4-6 points.

Cork were just utter rubbish against Mayo and had we taken a point instead of going for goal to level the game in second half we more likely would have went on to win..

The thing is Kerry wont make the same mistake if they are in trouble.

rossie1977

teednab-el wrote: »

Cork were missing 3 of there top class forwards, Mayo weren't. If any team lost three good forwards they would be in trouble. Cork also looked tired the last day. If they had performed it could have been a different story. Dont see Mayo going any further in the championship though and Kerry will walk into the final.

to be fair that was a terrific second half performance by mayo last time out, much improved from their performance against us in the connacht final, i didn't see many cork fans talking about the players missing before the game, i brought it up a few times and most cork people were happy enough that they others coming in were just as good (which we found out wasn't true), goulding was a massive loss for cork no doubt, one of the 3 best forwards in the country imo, the other two wouldn't have hugely affected the game either way imo, mayo stopped the supply coming into the full-forward line in that second half, its the same thing they did in the second half against galway in castlebar, that too was a fantastic 2nd half performance which got no credit in the media, i was there that day and the galway forwards didn't get a kick in the second half, i think meehan might have got his hands on the ball one maybe two times when he came on

Sunnyisland

My brain says kerry but my heart wants mayo.

Lots of my mayo relations be up in my house for that weekend, should be some craic.

Fowler87

rossie1977 wrote: »

to be fair that was a terrific second half performance by mayo last time out, much improved from their performance against us in the connacht final, i didn't see many cork fans talking about the players missing before the game, i brought it up a few times and most cork people were happy enough that they others coming in were just as good (which we found out wasn't true), goulding was a massive loss for cork no doubt, one of the 3 best forwards in the country imo, the other two wouldn't have hugely affected the game either way imo, mayo stopped the supply coming into the full-forward line in that second half, its the same thing they did in the second half against galway in castlebar, that too was a fantastic 2nd half performance which got no credit in the media, i was there that day and the galway forwards didn't get a kick in the second half, i think meehan might have got his hands on the ball one maybe two times when he came on

Agree 100% Mayo were collosis in defence against Cork at times albeit IMO there are still big issues regarding the full back line. But I dont think its a serious matter as the way Mayo' defence is set up nowadays they have cover all around the pitch from full forward line back. Horan is creating a tough, organised defensive unit that allows for a fluid counter attacking style that has always suited Mayo down the years

murser

Who saw Down beating Kerry last year or Mayo beating Cork this year or indeed Dublin running Tipp so close last Sunday. There is no doubt that the kerry forwards look lethal but they're only lethal if they get a supply of ball. Mayo cut out the supply of ball to the Cork forwards and all of a sudden critics reckon that the Cork forward line are poor. I reckon that Mayo will win the midfield battle on Sunday and that could prove to be significant in the end.

teednab-el

murser wrote: »

Who saw Down beating Kerry last year or Mayo beating Cork this year or indeed Dublin running Tipp so close last Sunday. There is no doubt that the kerry forwards look lethal but they're only lethal if they get a supply of ball. Mayo cut out the supply of ball to the Cork forwards and all of a sudden critics reckon that the Cork forward line are poor. I reckon that Mayo will win the midfield battle on Sunday and that could prove to be significant in the end.

If Mayo win all of a sudden they will be massive favourites for All Ireland.

murser

teednab-el wrote: »

If Mayo win all of a sudden they will be massive favourites for All Ireland.

Not sure about that. Its a terror to think that its conceivable that after all our trials and tribulations with Kerry and Cork over the years that we could beat both of them in the one championship only to loose the All Ireland again!!!.

gaelic cowboy

murser wrote: »

Not sure about that. Its a terror to think that its conceivable that after all our trials and tribulations with Kerry and Cork over the years that we could beat both of them in the one championship only to loose the All Ireland again!!!.

Ah lets worry about Kerry first