Connacht Final: Sligo Vs Mayo Match Thread

RealityCheck

Its about time there was a match thread for this game on Sunday.

Most people will be tipping Mayo but I think Sligo have a fighting chance. Sligo won't be lacking confidence after beating Galway in Pearse Stadium a month ago. They should also learn from their experience in 2010 where they were trumped by Roscommon in the Final. Don't forget many of them have won the Nestor cup before in 2007. They'll be no pushover on Sunday.

In terms of Mayo they had a facile enough win against a very poor Leitrim side (No disrespect to them). Their last game before that was a League Final against Cork, where they were well beaten. Losing Mortimer won't help their cause the next day. Its likely to have a negative effect on morale.

If Sligo play the way they did against Galway the game will be over by half time. If Sligo are to win they'll need to bring in their second half performance. It was Galways ineptitude that meant they were still in the game at half time. On the other hand they are unlikely to have as poor a half of football again.

The teams are:

Sligo
1. P Greene
2. N Ewing
3. J Martyn
4. R Donovan
5. C Harrison
6. M Quinn
7. P McGovern
8. S McManus
9. T Taylor
10. A Costello
11. P Hughes
12. B Egan
13. M Breheny
14. A Marren
15. D Kelly

Mayo
1. David Clarke
2. Kevin Keane
3. Ger Cafferkey
4. Keith Higgins
5. Lee Keegan
6. Donal Vaughan
7. Colm Boyle
8. Barry Moran
9. Danny Geraghty
10. Kevin McLoughlin
11. Cillian O'Connor
12. Alan Dillon
13. Enda Varley
14. Andy Moran
15. Jason Doherty


In this game Mayo should be pushing on proving they are All Ireland material but I think Sligo might cause a surprise. Sligo by 2.

blowitupref

Like in last year's final i expect a close game where the underdog will put it up to the favourties for long spells. The Mort may have walked but the Mayo panel is still stronger than Sligo's, experience is also key and Mayo will do just enough to win another Connacht title.

padd b1975

Mayo by 4.

Defiler Of The Coffin

I don't think the Mortimer debacle will affect Mayo too much. Sligo will run them very close but Mayo have the fitness and drive to take themselves over the line. It will be interesting to see how the midfield fare this time around.

RealityCheck

Defiler Of The Coffin wrote: »

I don't think the Mortimer debacle will affect Mayo too much. Sligo will run them very close but Mayo have the fitness and drive to take themselves over the line. It will be interesting to see how the midfield fare this time around.

To be honest I don't think it will either. I think they'll be more affected by a lack of competitive games, weight of expectation and I suspect a certain amount of complacency.

rossie1977

the full forward line of sligo won't get the space they got in the galway game and thats the key to winning and losing this game, when roscommon beat sligo in 2010 they restricted marren, kelly and breheny to just 5 points (2 points from play)

not convinced with that mayo midfield though, i know moran had a good game against leitrim but the o'shea brothers are better players than moran and geraghty imo

Fowler87

rossie1977 wrote: »

the full forward line of sligo won't get the space they got in the galway game and thats the key to winning and losing this game, when roscommon beat sligo in 2010 they restricted marren, kelly and breheny to just 5 points (2 points from play)

not convinced with that mayo midfield though, i know moran had a good game against leitrim but the o'shea brothers are better players than moran and geraghty imo

One or both of the O'Sheas would definitely be playing if it wasnt for injuries

cgpg5

Losing Mortimer won't affect morale. What do you expect? Every player to go out to play thinking gee isn't it awful Conor left and not perform to their best somehow as a result. Honestly, this is as good a Mayo team in a while and I expect a handy win. Sligo are a poor team no disrespect. Saw them inPpearse against us and we should've been at least 7 clear at h/t no exaggeration. Marron is good footballer, ok midfield and some good grafters like Harrison but Mayo is a big step up for them

Panrich

I think the fact that Sligo hammered Mayo in the last meeting in 2010 is a negative for them. That was as insipid a performance as has been seen from Mayo for years in Connacht and the players will not need to see the video to remember that night.

Fr Tod Umptious

RealityCheck wrote: »

To be honest I don't think it will either. I think they'll be more affected by a lack of competitive games, weight of expectation and I suspect a certain amount of complacency.

Are you from Sligo by any chance RealityCheck ?

You are putting a lot of faith in in-tangibles there.

The reality in this case is that Mayo are a better team than Sligo and will win the game.
What you mention above will not come into play, Mayo are far more focused that that.

premierstone

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

Are you from Sligo by any chance RealityCheck ?

You are putting a lot of faith in in-tangibles there.

The reality in this case is that Mayo are a better team than Sligo and will win the game.
What you mention above will not come into play, Mayo are far more focused that that.

I dont think he is actually Fr. but there is certainly no doubting where you are from :rolleyes:

RealityCheck

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

RealityCheck wrote: »

To be honest I don't think it will either. I think they'll be more affected by a lack of competitive games, weight of expectation and I suspect a certain amount of complacency.

Are you from Sligo by any chance RealityCheck ?

You are putting a lot of faith in in-tangibles there.

The reality in this case is that Mayo are a better team than Sligo and will win the game.
What you mention above will not come into play, Mayo are far more focused that that.

No I'm actually from Galway. Some of it is a hunch. I've absolutely nothing to lose if they don't win. All will be revealed Sunday.

Pride Fighter

Would like to see Sligo win this. But I think Mayo will have too much, even with the whole Mortimer thing over their heads.

gustavo

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

The reality in this case is that Mayo are a better team than Sligo and will win the game.

Would you have Saturday's lottery numbers while you're at it?

RealityCheck

cgpg5 wrote: »

Losing Mortimer won't affect morale. What do you expect? Every player to go out to play thinking gee isn't it awful Conor left and not perform to their best somehow as a result. Honestly, this is as good a Mayo team in a while and I expect a handy win. Sligo are a poor team no disrespect. Saw them in Pearse against us and we should've been at least 7 clear at h/t no exaggeration. Marron is good footballer, ok midfield and some good grafters like Harrison but Mayo is a big step up for them

Well its hardly going to have a positive affect in the week leading up to the Final. These things can affect players. They might not realise it at the time but they can. In saying that though knowing Mortimers character they might well be better off with him long term, but him leaving in a strop before the game isn't the best.

I reckon if Sligo play as poorly as they did in the first half against Galway it will be game over by half time. If the play like they did in the second half they have a chance. I think they'll have their homework done. They'll need to because I'm sure Mayo will have theirs done. Sligo will be bursting a gut to win a Connacht for both themselves and the manager. For Mayo it might not mean as much. Its only a stepping stone where for Sligo its a means to an end. I can't see it being anything other tight. Could go either way.

My opinions on how Mayo will be might be wide of the mark but generally speaking teams that are at a disadvantage when it comes to tough games, generally take time to get to the pace of game. That could be crucial.

castletownman

RealityCheck wrote: »

Well its hardly going to have a positive affect in the week leading up to the Final. These things can affect players. They might not realise it at the time but they can. In saying that though knowing Mortimers character they might well be better off with him long term, but him leaving in a strop before the game isn't the best.

I reckon if Sligo play as poorly as they did in the first half against Galway it will be game over by half time. If the play like they did in the second half they have a chance. I think they'll have their homework done. They'll need to because I'm sure Mayo will have theirs done. Sligo will be bursting a gut to win a Connacht for both themselves and the manager. For Mayo it might not mean as much. Its only a stepping stone where for Sligo its a means to an end. I can't see it being anything other tight. Could go either way.

My opinions on how Mayo will be might be wide of the mark but generally speaking teams that are at a disadvantage when it comes to tough games, generally take time to get to the pace of game. That could be crucial.

This. Genuinely believe a loss on Sunday won't be disastrous for Mayo in the long run as it would be for Sligo. Which is why I backed Sligo at 7/2 to win on Sunday!

keane2097

Be a lot easier for Mayo to devise a plan to stop Sligo after seeing them v Galway than for Sligo to devise a plan to stop Mayo after seeing them v Leitrim.

Fr Tod Umptious

gustavo wrote: »

Would you have Saturday's lottery numbers while you're at it?

Hardly a leap of faith to predict that Mayo will beat Sligo
If I told you that Westmeath were to beat Kerry then I'd expect the above type of response

keane2097 wrote: »

Be a lot easier for Mayo to devise a plan to stop Sligo after seeing them v Galway than for Sligo to devise a plan to stop Mayo after seeing them v Leitrim.

Exactly

gustavo

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

Hardly a leap of faith to predict that Mayo will beat Sligo

You presenting it as statement of fact is what I had issue with , but I suppose the more Mayo people with that attitude the better

cgpg5

gustavo wrote: »

You presenting it as statement of fact is what I had issue with , but I suppose the more Mayo people with that attitude the better

If Mayo turn up and play even remotely close to the best of their ability they will beat SLigo FACT. Even if they play useless they'll still very likely scrape a win. It will take something very drastic for them to lose imo

The only chance Sligo would have v Mayo if it was the first game of the champ. Mayo will have done their homework

keane2097

Think Mayo fans are getting a little too pumped up. If both teams play to their very best it's probably about a five point game, if Mayo are less than their best there won't be very much in it at all.

cgpg5

Mayo at their best are far better than Sligo, the question is though will they perform to their best. We'll see

dj30

What's the best way to get tickets to this? Ticketmaster website saying tickets not currently available. They wouldn't be sold out, would they?

blowitupref

dj30 wrote: »

What's the best way to get tickets to this? Ticketmaster website saying tickets not currently available. They wouldn't be sold out, would they?

Only 20,000 expected you should be able to get tickets outside the ground.

alchemist33

cgpg5 wrote: »

If Mayo turn up and play even remotely close to the best of their ability they will beat SLigo FACT. Even if they play useless they'll still very likely scrape a win.

Maybe Mayo will win. But if they don't, I will so enjoy coming back to this post.

km79

dj30 wrote: »

What's the best way to get tickets to this? Ticketmaster website saying tickets not currently available. They wouldn't be sold out, would they?

Tickets.ie
Got 2 earlier

RealityCheck

alchemist33 wrote: »

cgpg5 wrote: »

If Mayo turn up and play even remotely close to the best of their ability they will beat SLigo FACT. Even if they play useless they'll still very likely scrape a win.

Maybe Mayo will win. But if they don't, I will so enjoy coming back to this post.

He's not from Mayo though!

alchemist33

RealityCheck wrote: »

He's not from Mayo though!

Just mild enjoyment then

Defiler Of The Coffin

castletownman wrote: »

This. Genuinely believe a loss on Sunday won't be disastrous for Mayo in the long run as it would be for Sligo. Which is why I backed Sligo at 7/2 to win on Sunday!

Mayo have never emerged from the qualifiers though. I wouldn't go as far to say a defeat will be disastrous but in the past it has certainly weakened them mentally.

Syferus

Defiler Of The Coffin wrote: »

Mayo have never emerged from the qualifiers though. I wouldn't go as far to say a defeat will be disastrous but in the past it has certainly weakened them mentally.

They beat Cavan by three points in 2005 in Round 4. For Connacht final losers the biggest impediment was usually the almost-always six day turnaround, not their own frailties.

keane2097 wrote: »

Be a lot easier for Mayo to devise a plan to stop Sligo after seeing them v Galway than for Sligo to devise a plan to stop Mayo after seeing them v Leitrim.

It's a pity Mayo played in so many other freely available and nationally televised matches this year, then, that could have swung the entire championship their way. Phew.

Defiler Of The Coffin

Syferus wrote: »

They beat Cavan by three points in 2005 in Round 4. For Connacht final losers the biggest impediment was usually the almost-always six day turnaround, not their own frailties.

Now that I look it up they qualified in 2002 as well. The Longford game has clouded my memory!

Fr Tod Umptious

Defiler Of The Coffin wrote: »

Now that I look it up they qualified in 2002 as well. The Longford game has clouded my memory!

Well they have never got beyond quarter final via the back door where as they have proposerd better as Connaught Champions

They do not seem to get up for the qualifier like other teams do.

2001 - Lost in 4th rnd. to Westmeath
2002 - Quarter final loss to Cork
2003 - Lost in 4th Round to Fermanagh
2004 - All Ireland final - Won Connaught
2005 - Quarter final loss to Kerry
2006 - All Ireland final - Won Connaught
2007 - Lost to Derry in 2nd round
2008 - Lost to Tyrone in 4th round
2009 - Lost to Meath in Quarter Final - Won Connaught
2010 - Lost to Longford in 1st round
2011 - Lost semi Final to Kerry - Won Connaught

RealityCheck

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

Well they have never got beyond quarter final via the back door where as they have proposerd better as Connaught Champions

They do not seem to get up for the qualifier like other teams do.

2001 - Lost in 4th rnd. to Westmeath
2002 - Quarter final loss to Cork
2003 - Lost in 4th Round to Fermanagh
2004 - All Ireland final - Won Connaught
2005 - Quarter final loss to Kerry
2006 - All Ireland final - Won Connaught
2007 - Lost to Derry in 2nd round
2008 - Lost to Tyrone in 4th round
2009 - Lost to Meath in Quarter Final - Won Connaught
2010 - Lost to Longford in 1st round
2011 - Lost semi Final to Kerry - Won Connaught

It seems to be a Connacht thing. Galway have an even worse record since winning the All Ireland through the backdoor in 2011. Its usually a combination of two short a turn around from defeat and teams not being up for the challenge. Sligo might have the best qualifier record of the Connacht teams?

Interesting to note that the Nestor cup hasn't been retained since Galway in 02-03. Mayo last did a two in a row in 96-97. Its definitely a sign of progress for a team to do it. On the other hand it make you realise Connachts haven't been that easy won. 4 different winners since 2007. Will Sunday signal a change?

SomethingElse

Does anyone know if tickets will be available at the gate tomorrow? Or is there anywhere they can be bought between now and then?

km79

SomethingElse wrote: »

Does anyone know if tickets will be available at the gate tomorrow? Or is there anywhere they can be bought between now and then?

Limited number at the ground.
Got mine on tickets.ie last night

john mayo 10

SomethingElse wrote: »

Does anyone know if tickets will be available at the gate tomorrow? Or is there anywhere they can be bought between now and then?

Tickets will be on sale outside dr hyde in the morning. a limited number will be available. so be early

ConTheCat

I know Roscommon won the minor- who were they playing?

Lapin

She was no Katheryn Jenkins.

Defiler Of The Coffin

ConTheCat wrote: »

I know Roscommon won the minor- who were they playing?

Mayo - who were better in the 2nd half but didn't convert their chances

cavan4sam

jaysus tv3 commentary is painfull

68Murph68

Lots of effort but very little quality.

Sunnyisland

Sligo inching forward, mayo need a goal.

keith16

Shocking wide from Moran there...

STB

68Murph68 wrote: »

Lots of effort but very little quality.

TV3 coverage ?

Honestly does the guy who is doing the vision mixing not notice that the long angle shots are out of focus ?

I am getting dizzy watching this. Its certainly not helping my hangover.

theoneeyedman

Poor game so far mayo all thumbs varley not coping with the pressure too well

68Murph68

2 points is chronic from Mayo with all the the possession they've had.

keith16

Mayo really need to start taking their points.

Blackjack

Mayo would have been well ahead by now had we taken points instead of going for goals.

Felexicon

This is very poor for a provincial final. Everything bar the ref is pure shíte.

TV3 commentatorsare very mono tone aswell.

corny

Sligo not really watching the Mayo runners coming through.

Edit: 'Absorbing first half' according to the TV3 boys!

Felexicon

Blackjack wrote: »

Mayo would have been well ahead by now had we taken points instead of going for goals.

not really. you've gone for plenty of easypoints and missed them. two fisted wide which is unforgivable