Mayo v Galway, Connaught SFC Final, Elvery's McHale Park, Castlebar, 13th July, @2pm

Fr Tod Umptious

Well the big one for all us Connaught football folks is up next.
First Mayo v Galway final since 2009
I fully expect Mayo to win this, but like I said v Roscommon I want to see them win it comprehensively i.e that from start to finish the result is never in doubt.

I have never been convinced that this team have the mental and physical toughness to reach a third All Ireland final in a row, it’s a huge ask for amateur guys, and nothing I have seen so far in 2014 has shown me otherwise.

The half forward line is still my biggest concern, with the exception of McLoughlin it’s hard to know who will fir the other two place.
Personally I’d try Conor O’ Shea again and put Andy Moran on the left.

But the path to an All-Ireland final is not that steep right now, win here and you play Cork, Limerick, Tipp, Sligo or Laois in the QF, and then a SF possibly v Kerry, who even though they blew Cork away yesterday, are still not a great outfit.

Galway had a good win v Sligo but it’s hard to know what level they are at.
They had a poor league , just staying in Div 2.
If they lose in Castlebar then they play one of Limerick, Tipp, Sligo or Laois in the Rnd4, and if they win that a QF v Kerry, so there is an opportunity for them to build on their 4th Rnd exit in 2013.

statto25

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

Well the big one for all us Connaught football folks is up next.
First Mayo v Galway final since 2009
I fully expect Mayo to win this, but like I said v Roscommon I want to see them win it comprehensively i.e that from start to finish the result is never in doubt.

I have never been convinced that this team have the mental and physical toughness to reach a third All Ireland final in a row, it’s a huge ask for amateur guys, and nothing I have seen so far in 2014 has shown me otherwise.

The half forward line is still my biggest concern, with the exception of McLoughlin it’s hard to know who will fir the other two place.
Personally I’d try Conor O’ Shea again and put Andy Moran on the left.

But the path to an All-Ireland final is not that steep right now, win here and you play Cork, Limerick, Tipp, Sligo or Laois in the QF, and then a SF possibly v Kerry, who even though they blew Cork away yesterday, are still not a great outfit.

Galway had a good win v Sligo but it’s hard to know what level they are at.
They had a poor league , just staying in Div 2.
If they lose in Castlebar then they play one of Limerick, Tipp, Sligo or Laois in the Rnd4, and if they win that a QF v Kerry, so there is an opportunity for them to build on their 4th Rnd exit in 2013.

What's the situation with injuries from a Mayo point of view? I met Tom Cunniffe with a protective boot on yesterday so he is out I would say.

Fr Tod Umptious

statto25 wrote: »

What's the situation with injuries from a Mayo point of view? I met Tom Cunniffe with a protective boot on yesterday so he is out I would say.

Looks like Cunniffe is out alright

But the good news is that Barrett is back. Not sure about his match fitness though after such a long lay-off.

From the Mayo News

EXPERIENCED Mayo defender Tom Cunniffe is facing a race against time to be fit for next Sunday’s Connacht SFC Final against Galway at MacHale Park, Castlebar (2pm).
The Castlebar Mitchels clubman was unable to play in last Sunday’s ‘Greens’ versus ‘Reds’ final trial match as he continues his rehabilitation from an Achilles injury, and is considered to be extremely doubtful for next weekend’s game.
Chris Barrett, who hasn’t played for Mayo since last September’s All-Ireland Final, and Kevin Keane are understood to be in pole position to replace Cunniffe if he fails to recover in time.
Barrett has been training fully with Mayo in recent weeks and has suffered no recurrence of the knee injury that saw him sidelined for more than six months.
Enda Varley is also available for selection after recovering from a hamstring strain, while Jason Gibbons (ankle), Donal Vaughan (ankle) and Cillian O’Connor (hamstring) all trained fully last weekend.
However, Sunday’s game has come too soon for the unlucky Tom Parsons, who tore his hamstring in a club game in May.
The Charlestown midfielder has been working intensely to try and put himself back in the frame, but looks set to miss out.
James Horan is expected to name his team on Thursday with speculation mounting that there could be at least three changes from the Mayo side that beat Roscommon in the semi-final.
Barry Moran, Jason Gibbons, Andy Moran and Alan Dillon are all believed to be pushing hard for places.
Meanwhile, Galway have been boosted by the return of Joss Moore to full fitness ahead of Sunday’s game. The corner-back, who won an All-Ireland U-21 medal in 2011, has been sidelined since the end of the National League with a knee problem, but returned to action for Mountbellew/Moylough in the Galway SFC recently.

km79

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

Looks like Cunniffe is out alright

But the good news is that Barrett is back. Not sure about his match fitness though after such a long lay-off.

From the Mayo News

Cillian O Connor (hamstring ) ? Cries

seligehgit

Feel really sorry for Tom Cunniffe,he seems to get more than his fair share of injuries.Great news that there is such an able replacement as Chris Barrett potentially available.
Hoping Jason Gibbons get the nod in the middle,Cillian is stationed at centre forward,Kevin Mc on the 40.I'd definitely be inclined to give Conor O Shea another opportunity to prove himself.
Probably expecting Andy Moran to start,hardly likely he'll start Alan Dillon???!!
What time is the minor game starting at??12?

davegrohl48

seligehgit wrote: »

Feel really sorry for Tom Cunniffe,he seems to get more than his fair share of injuries.Great news that there is such an able replacement as Chris Barrett potentially available.
Hoping Jason Gibbons get the nod in the middle,Cillian is stationed at centre forward,Kevin Mc on the 40.I'd definitely be inclined to give Conor O Shea another opportunity to prove himself.
Probably expecting Andy Moran to start,hardly likely he'll start Alan Dillon???!!
What time is the minor game starting at??12?

Wonder would Shane McHale or Stephen Drake be better options to cover Cunniffe seeing as Chris Barret has no game time. Bring in Barrett off the bench then, get 20 mins into him. Big ask starting championship with no games played. Especially if marking someone like Danny Cummins for example.

Hulk Hands

Stephen Drakes hardly getting in now finally at his age is he? Happy Cuniffe isn't starting. Potentially two weak links now along with Vaughan in an otherwise excellent back line

seligehgit

Hulk Hands wrote: »

Stephen Drakes hardly getting in now finally at his age is he? Happy Cuniffe isn't starting. Potentially two weak links now along with Vaughan in an otherwise excellent back line

Think it's David Drake,Shane McHale played very well when he came on for Ger Caff at full back in the corresponding fixture last year,pretty one paced though.Tom Cunniffe is a big,big loss.

Hulk Hands

Ah yeah Stephens brother. Don't think he's a corner back though. Danny's a livewire but I was worried about Cuniffe on him. That he's out is encouraging. I think Horan holds the key with how he'll set up his half back line.

seligehgit

Hulk Hands wrote: »

Ah yeah Stephens brother. Don't think he's a corner back though. Danny's a livewire but I was worried about Cuniffe on him. That he's out is encouraging. I think Horan holds the key with how he'll set up his half back line.

No he normally plays in the half back line..

Hulk Hands

Looking forward to Sunday now. The trip to Castlebar is always an experience. Once you cross the border onto the twisty roads towards Claremorris, you're met with a kid at every second house waving a mayo flag at passing cars. They always look bored silly but it's the threat of no lunch from the parents inside that keeps them going. The usual hold up then outside Balla as a tractor decides to block up the road. Word is there's a group of 3 farmers in it who spend the previous months planning on how they'll annoy the travelling Galway folk. To be fair they manage it on every single occasion. Cars twisting and turning every way on the Southside of Castlebar in the aim of getting the quickest way possible out of there after the game, win lose or draw.

Once inside you have the terraces generally full and the stand empty. The Mayo folk are very proud of their new stand but prefer not to pay those ticket prices, instead admiring the fine structure from a distance. This is generally a nightmare for opposing standing fans, as you can be sure of two teenagers with flags ahead of you (is mayo the only county in Ireland where flags are still popular?), a kid with a blowhorn behind you that's been in the family since 1996, and an oul lad next to you in a Genfitt jersey that hasn't been washed since the early noughties. All the usual old phrases will be knocked around - 'sure Joyce took 10 steps every time he got a free', 'we were robbed blind in 66' and 'get into them, they're only fancy Dan's'.

But sure it's all part of the good natured Connacht final day, can't be beaten as they say

seligehgit

Hulk Hands wrote: »

Looking forward to Sunday now. The trip to Castlebar is always an experience. Once you cross the border onto the twisty roads towards Claremorris, you're met with a kid at every second house waving a mayo flag at passing cars. They always look bored silly but it's the threat of no lunch from the parents inside that keeps them going. The usual hold up then outside Balla as a tractor decides to block up the road. Word is there's a group of 3 farmers in it who spend the previous months planning on how they'll annoy the travelling Galway folk. To be fair they manage it on every single occasion. Cars twisting and turning every way on the Southside of Castlebar in the aim of getting the quickest way possible out of there after the game, win lose or draw.

Once inside you have the terraces generally full and the stand empty. The Mayo folk are very proud of their new stand but prefer not to pay those ticket prices, instead admiring the fine structure from a distance. This is generally a nightmare for opposing standing fans, as you can be sure of two teenagers with flags ahead of you (is mayo the only county in Ireland where flags are still popular?), a kid with a blowhorn behind you that's been in the family since 1996, and an oul lad next to you in a Genfitt jersey that hasn't been washed since the early noughties. All the usual old phrases will be knocked around - 'sure Joyce took 10 steps every time he got a free', 'we were robbed blind in 66' and 'get into them, they're only fancy Dan's'.

But sure it's all part of the good natured Connacht final day, can't be beaten as they say

Yeah there is something very special about the Mayo Galway rivalry in gaelic football,much like Kerry/Cork and Dublin/Meath...

ColeTrain

11 posts in and nobody has asked WILL GALWAY BATE MAYO..

davegrohl48

ColeTrain wrote: »

11 posts in and nobody has asked WILL GALWAY BATE MAYO..

Wonder has anyone ever baled hay with a Welger, ate a sandwich, had a bad pint in Tuam, n watched Mayo bate Galway all in the same day?

davegrohl48

ColeTrain wrote: »

11 posts in and nobody has asked WILL GALWAY BATE MAYO..

Wonder has anyone ever baled hay with a Welger, ate a sandwich, had a bad pint in Tuam, n watched Mayo bate Galway all in the same day?

Utopia Parkway

davegrohl48 wrote: »

Wonder has anyone ever baled hay with a Welger, ate a sandwich, had a bad pint in Tuam, n watched Mayo bate Galway all in the same day?

I once saw an auld lad eating a steak straight from his hand outside a bar in Kilmaine on the way back from a Mayo v Galway Connacht final in Castlebar. He had a pint of stout in his other hand. We still laugh about it to this day.:D

davegrohl48

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

I once saw an auld lad eating a steak straight from his hand outside a bar in Kilmaine on the way back from a Mayo v Galway Connacht final in Castlebar. He had a pint of stout in his other hand. We still laugh about it to this day.:D

Quality. Love those stories that are a simple bizarre image.

TCDStudent1

heard a rumour today that Walsh is carrying an injury and doubtful for Sunday. No idea how true that is but would be huge blow for Galway.

MfMan

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

heard a rumour today that Walsh is carrying an injury and doubtful for Sunday. No idea how true that is but would be huge blow for Galway.

He'd been wearing a protective boot for a time, giving a foot injury time to heal. Raring to go though now I hear.

Hulk Hands

Probably shouldnt mention this because Mayo are favs but both sides are tied on 44 (iirc) Connacht titles so this one is for the lead. As if there wasn't enough on the line!! Wikipedia is false btw, I'll try dig up the proper stats

seligehgit

Nah Mayo 45 Galway 44,you'll get your chance to tie it up on Sunday!;)

Hulk Hands

Found it anyway, a fairly impartial conclusion from a Mayo man putting us level

http://mayogaablog.com/?p=13156

Naux

seligehgit wrote: »

Nah Mayo 45 Galway 44,you'll get your chance to tie it up on Sunday!;)

I'd rather count All Ireland wins

Hulk Hands

I've been to 4 championship games this year, Galway vs London, Galway v Sligo, Galway vs Kilkenny replay and the Meath vs Kildare double header. At all 4 games I've seen at least two people there in a Mayo jersey. It'll actually be quite weird to see to see them worn in an appropriate place!

Syferus

At least spell Connacht correctly! Whatever anyone thinks about the g's and the u's this is the Connacht Senior Football Championship.

Galway haven't a hope if Mulholland isn't playing silly beggars about setting up to essentially have a go. The blueprint on how to slow down and beat Mayo is well established at this point and if he chooses to ignore it he will packing his bags when the season is over.

davegrohl48

Syferus wrote: »

At least spell Connacht correctly! Whatever anyone thinks about the g's and the u's this is the Connacht Senior Football Championship.

Galway haven't a hope if Mulholland isn't playing silly beggars about setting up to have essentially have a go. The blueprint on how to slow down and beat Mayo is well established at this point and if he chooses to ignore it he will packing his bags when the season is over.

Actually dreamed about this game last night Finian Hanley was ruled out for some reason.
I think Galways best tactics is to try n get 50% at midfield n move quick ball to Cummins/Walsh in particular. I think there is a massive gap in quality between Galway backs n Galway forwards. If it is loose n attacking think Galway have the better forwards. But they haven't played a Division 1 team since Cork last year. Their midfield/forwards are young n athletic so I expect them to stick with us to the end. Mayo by 2 points. Our defenders struggling in a few matchups I could see. Not sure who can mark Walsh for instance.

AngeGal

Still 50:50 about going to Castlebar, the last three weekends spent following the hurlers haven't left much energy/funds but I'll probably end up going. Hopeful about Galway's chances, feels a bit like Leinster Hurling Final in 2012 with no-one giving us a prayer. Bold prediction time, Galway to win, FO'C to be man of the match.

ColeTrain

AngeGal wrote: »

Hopeful about Galway's chances, feels a bit like Leinster Hurling Final in 2012 with no-one giving us a prayer[\quote]



That's not true. Despite Mayo hammering Galway last year, everyone who I've talked to thinks Galway will definitely put it up to us.

Diabhal Beag

Gareth Bradshaw hat-trick is a dead cert.

Nervous about this from a Galway viewpoint given how things went last year. Galway are priced just under 4/1 by the bookies which shows the difference between the sides still. Roscommon's big win away to Cavan shows that it was a good result for Mayo in Hyde Park even if it looked awful on the day.

I have major reservations about the Galway backline, they got away with it against Sligo as bar David Kelly on occasion Sligo hadn't the quality up front to exploit Galway's weaknesses.

I think Mayo will win by 6-8 points in the end but the key thing for Galway is to stay in the game early and try to bring Mayo down the home stretch. I don't believe Galway have the physicality to match Mayo at this stage and I also believe the team management will stick with the same naive approach that proved so costly in both losses last year.

Regardless of how it goes, its important Galway go to the finish and not to get too disheartened even if they lose, it looks like Tipperary in the qualifiers who will undoubtedly be a tough game but it is far more winnable than anything on the other side of the draw.

Always_Running

Should be a much more competitive game than last year however I expect Mayos superior fitness to be the difference and win by 6 to 8 points.

c_man

Wish I could head up. I'm feeling a bit uneasy for Galway given what happened last year

SeanJ09

Looking forward to this now, good luck to both teams, Maigheo Abu!

Hulk Hands

The local band being pumped out, mayo people oblivious to the fact that they're actually from Tuam.

It's phenomenal in this day and age that a stand can't be built without 8 concrete poles blocking the view

Lapin

Connaught OP ??? :eek:

h2005

Gutted I couldn't make it mostly because I'm stuck watching Eamon O'Hara. I'd prefer brolly and that's saying something.

megadodge

Jesus, the most perfect shoulder I've seen in a long time - free!!

Lapin

Awful marking there leading to Mayo point.

Lapin

The grass worked.

Kristopherus

megadodge wrote: »

Jesus, the most perfect shoulder I've seen in a long time - free!!

Shoulder to the chest. Free.

h2005

Galway need to get a couple of scores or this will be over very quickly.

megadodge

Kristopherus wrote: »

Shoulder to the chest. Free.

Shoulder to shoulder - as mentioned by both commentators.

I'm not from either county either - total neutral.

Lapin

I should have painted the wall this morning.

I'd have something more exciting to watch now.

WesternZulu

Lapin wrote: »

I should have painted the wall this morning.

I'd have something more exciting to watch now.

Get the green and red paint out then, nothing stopping you.

h2005

The ball into the galway forwards has been shocking. They've no idea what they're doing.

Lapin

Sin é.

Lucifer MorningStar

Wow Galway are terrible

donnem33

galway are having some shocking wides!!

Utopia Parkway

Galway have actually left quite a few relatively easy scores behind. At least 0-3.

megadodge

Cillian O'Connor is really turning into a superb footballer.

wicklowwonder

What's the story wih Duffy? Is he still with the Mayo panel?