Mayo GAA Discussion - Part 3

charlie14

blanch152 wrote: »

I always think it is a mistake to disregard the league.

In the forty years after 1960, there were only 8 League/All-Ireland doubles, only 16 in the entire 20th century.

However, in the 17 years of the 21st century, there have already been 7, with Dublin, Kerry, Cork and Tyrone, all completing one. That suggests there is an increasing correlation between league performance and All-Ireland success.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Double_(Gaelic_games)

It didn`t work to well for last years winners.

Some counties may have looked at the possibility of a league and championship double this year, but I very much doubt Mayo and Galway were among them.
Dublin maybe with them having such a large squad. But that is not a luxury of riches many, if any, other Div1 team has.

With the introduction of the Super 8`s, other than keeping their Div 1 status, I can see reaching a league final becoming increasingly irrelevant for most teams.
Height of Summer, dry pitches, extra games at championship intensity and large crowds are what players and supporters want to be involved in.

blanch152

charlie14 wrote: »

It didn`t work to well for last years winners.

Some counties may have looked at the possibility of a league and championship double this year, but I very much doubt Mayo and Galway were among them.
Dublin maybe with them having such a large squad. But that is not a luxury of riches many, if any, other Div1 team has.

With the introduction of the Super 8`s, other than keeping their Div 1 status, I can see reaching a league final becoming increasingly irrelevant for most teams.
Height of Summer, dry pitches, extra games at championship intensity and large crowds are what players and supporters want to be involved in.

It is easy to say that counties aren't interested in a League/Championship double, but it would take another decade before we know as no winners in that time will see the winning rate revert to the norm.

Also, it is not so much whether they are interested, but whether they should be interested. Winning tight games, even drawing and maintaining an unbeaten run brings confidence, so winning the league certainly won't harm a championship campaign, but losing to all your main rivals will only introduce/increase doubts.

charlie14

blanch152 wrote: »

It is easy to say that counties aren't interested in a League/Championship double, but it would take another decade before we know as no winners in that time will see the winning rate revert to the norm.

Also, it is not so much whether they are interested, but whether they should be interested. Winning tight games, even drawing and maintaining an unbeaten run brings confidence, so winning the league certainly won't harm a championship campaign, but losing to all your main rivals will only introduce/increase doubts.

I can see where playing in a league final may have importance for Dublin in that it is an extra game at a level nearer championship than they will not experience in the Leinster championship. But many, especially those not blessed with the pick Dublin have, will most likely look on it as a distraction with the short run in to their own championship games.
I would doubt many managers given the choice of playing in a league final as opposed to playing in the Super 8`s would opt for the league final.
End of year, supporters judge management on the championship.

Stoner

charlie14 wrote:

I can see where playing in a league final may have importance for Dublin in that it is an extra game at a level nearer championship than they will not experience in the Leinster championship. But many, especially those not blessed with the pick Dublin have, will most likely look on it as a distraction with the short run in to their own championship games. I would doubt many managers given the choice of playing in a league final as opposed to playing in the Super 8`s would opt for the league final. End of year, supporters judge management on the championship.

That's a fair point.

Some of the finals have been very good.

The one last year I'm sure was enjoyed by the neutrals sure as yourself Charlie!

Joking aside it is a tough game and it was very valuable for both Dublin and Kerry last year for different reasons.

That said Dublin have introduced nobody this year. Howard played championship last year.

Many of the guys who played the last day were around in 2011 and more accurately 2013 a point made by others here.

charlie14

Stoner wrote: »

That's a fair point.

Some of the finals have been very good.

The one last year I'm sure was enjoyed by the neutrals sure as yourself Charlie!

Joking aside it is a tough game and it was very valuable for both Dublin and Kerry last year for different reasons.

That said Dublin have introduced nobody this year. Howard played championship last year.

Many of the guys who played the last day were around in 2011 and more accurately 2013 a point made by others here.

I enjoyed it on the basis that I could have cared less which of the two of them won it

km79

Higgins not in hurling squad
Hopefully his sabbatical is now over

glack

km79 wrote: »

Higgins not in hurling squad
Hopefully his sabbatical is now over

I’d say they’ll want him for the league final.

wirelessdude01

km79 wrote:

Higgins not in hurling squad Hopefully his sabbatical is now over

Isn't that game a dead rubber? Saving him for the league final I'd say.

seligehgit

glack wrote: »

I’d say they’ll want him for the league final.

It's pretty much a dead rubber for the hurlers,the only ones with anything to play for are Down.They need to win to make the final.

Zippy's possible return might explain the delay in the release of the team although that makes little sense with the joke that the official team sheets have become.

I know for a fact he's really enjoying his time with the hurlers.

Audioslaven

charlie14 wrote: »

Galway at this stage are safe for Div 1 for next year and are in bonus territory. Other than looking to put in a respectable performance against the Dubs, I would see them not bothered about making a Div 1 final.
In fact I could see them doing their best to avoid it, just using the rest of the league to give a run to their panel while their real focus will be tuning up for the championship.

Their supporters, same as Mayo supporters, come years end could not give a toss about the league other that maintaining Div 1 status.

I don't get your logic around Galway. I think walsh will like to continue winning and if this gets them to a final he will be delighted. I think Walsh and his team will not just want to put in a respectable performance against Dublin but have a real go at beating them. i hear they feel a bit left out since the hurlers are getting all the limelight.

This is what will make it really interesting from a Mayo point of view to see how they fair against a well oiled machine. The only fear I have for Galway is that this system they have, if they fall behind and start to open up they could get a bit of a drilling. I am not sure they can play any other way or have a plan b if this is not working, so interesting times ahead.

seligehgit

Half Time

Connacht Colleges A Final

Rice College Westport 0-9

St. Attracta's Tubercurry 0-5

seligehgit

Full Time

Rice College Westport 1-13

St. Attracta's Tubercurry 0-10

First title for the coveys.Heartiest congratulations.

charlie14

Audioslaven wrote: »

I don't get your logic around Galway. I think walsh will like to continue winning and if this gets them to a final he will be delighted. I think Walsh and his team will not just want to put in a respectable performance against Dublin but have a real go at beating them. i hear they feel a bit left out since the hurlers are getting all the limelight.

This is what will make it really interesting from a Mayo point of view to see how they fair against a well oiled machine. The only fear I have for Galway is that this system they have, if they fall behind and start to open up they could get a bit of a drilling. I am not sure they can play any other way or have a plan b if this is not working, so interesting times ahead.

I may be wrong, it`s just my opinion. From being involved with Kevin Walsh at club management level once league status was assured all emphases was on the championship.
I wouldn`t say the Galway footballers are feeling particularly left out.
They are creating a fair bit of buzz with their own football supporters this year.
I get what you are saying about Galway falling behind with the defensive set up they have this year, but they do have some serious spread of shooting power up front, so out of all the teams, bar Dublin perhaps, using that system they more than most would have the forwards to go to the plan B of a shootout. It has basically been their traditional way of playing the game until recently anyway.

seligehgit

Team announced at last.

1. Robert Hennelly Breaffy
2. Caolan Crowe Garrymore
3. Ger Cafferkey Ballina Stephenites
4. Eoin O Donoghue Belmullet
5. Colm Boyle Davitts
6. Lee Keegan Westport
7. Michael Hall Breaffy
8. Stephen Coen Hollymount/Carramore
9. Seamus O Shea Breaffy
10. Kevin McLoughlin Knockmore
11. Aidan O Shea Breaffy
12. Diarmuid O Connor Ballintubber
13. Jason Doherty Burrishoole
14. Andy Moran Ballaghaderreen
15. Adam Gallagher Mayo Gaels

Team Manager: Stephen Rochford
Selectors: Donie Buckley,Peter Burke,Joe Keane and Tony McEntee.

seligehgit

With Donegal's loss to Tyrone tonight it's ATM most likely a battle between ourselves,Kildare and Donegal.We are all on -11 points difference.

Kerry and more so Tyrone aren't totally out of the woods yet.Hard to envisage a Kerry win tomorrow.

Paddy McBrearty if as it is suspected he will miss the rest of the league is a huge loss to their cause.

They missed him greatly as a fulcrum point tonight.They were a tad rudderless in his absence.

km79

Clarke togged but with tracksuit bottoms on AND he is warming Hennelly up not Vice versa
Hennelly starts id say

km79

Cillian parsons out first for photo

Seamie has sub top on

seligehgit

Had to make do with Mid West with the day that's in it.Great performance.I'll enjoy the watch back at 5.45.

Sets it up nicely for the Tyrone blanket defence next week.

seligehgit

Down 3-19 Mayo 0-14

We'll get a chance to avenge thus defeat in thy league final.

seligehgit

The break served the lads well,superb performance.More like the Mayo we know and love.Full of running on a firm dry pitch,high intensity tackling and great movement.

Rob Hennelly had a very good day,one vital first half save and solid under the high ball.Two out of three long range frees,converting the important ones when the game was still in the mix.

Young Eoin O Donoghue is playing himself into the championship team,he offers so much going forward.

Boyler was imperious ditto Leeroy.

Tom Parsons was a tad ring rusty but we know the quality we can expect from him later in the championship.

Aidan was simply immense.He got Mid West MOTM,TG4 gave Kevin Mc the peak of the cap.

Diarmuid is returning to his form of old.Andy and Doc what can one say?!Superb.

Cillian missed one easy free,hit the post and like others missed a few easy chances but kicked a beauty in the first half.

Delighted for Adam Gallagher,great show today.

Shame about the missed goal chances,the margin of victory should have been greater.

Seamie,Conor Loftus,Shane Nally,Barry Moran sprang from the bench.

No Donal Vaughan,Keith Higgins,Paddy Durcan,Evan Regan,Brendan Harrison.

TBH it was men against boys today.Kildare have some quality players Feely,Flynn and Brophy and Moolick.But they'd a lot very poor wides today and lack that bit of poise to be competitive in division one and in a Leinster championship dominated by Dublin.

Kildare are as good as relegated and one more victory may well be enough for us to stay up.

Hoping we put the Red Hand to the sword next week and banish my memories of our last encounter in MacHale park.I still have nightmares re our inability to break down that 15 man defence!

Audioslaven

seligehgit wrote: »

Delighted for Adam Gallagher,great show today.

plus 1. He seems to be taking it up a gear and a welcome option for us.

Call me Al

Oops wrong thread lol!!

yop

Great win. Performance was solid, more pace and we took out scores well. 1.14 from play I think.
AOS was top again today, really having a good campaign. Great to see Gallagher, ODonoughue and Loftus get good stints in.
Hennelly didn't put a foot wrong today.
Need a repeat performance now next week, it will be dour I expect but just go win.

jr86

That was exactly what the doctor ordered, a comfortable win against a team who were fighting for their lives. Great range of scorers too.

One more win should be enough now to retain Division 1 status, and in turn carry some momentum into the Championship

That said, there are two tough tests to come, Tyrone seemed to be a lot more engaged on Saturday evening so I'd expect nothing soft off them by now.

Looks like every team has stepped up a bit this weekend - there was a much better standard overall as teams look to properly build for Championship at this stage. I wonder will Galway's decision to go gung-ho so early on backfire later in the year like Roscommon a few years ago?

naughto

Any one think Galway will do a Roscommon on it they are peaking now for the league and will be found flat in the championship?

jr86

Similar with Donegal last year too I remember. And Derry in 2014. We'll wait and see I guess.

I do think it's telling though that 3 of the "top 4" are in a relegation battle in the league - it would appear Mayo, Tyrone and Kerry are already looking ahead to August and aiming to peak for then. Dublin are Dublin, they'll always be strong given their squad

yop

naughto wrote: »

Any one think Galway will do a Roscommon on it they are peaking now for the league and will be found flat in the championship?

Don't think so. Young squad and experience through it. Galway at the top team in Connacht at the moment and into a league final where they will go to win.
Mayo will be doing very well to beat them next May and I expect Galway to be in the AI semis this year.

naughto

yop wrote: »

Don't think so. Young squad and experience through it. Galway at the top team in Connacht at the moment and into a league final where they will go to win.
Mayo will be doing very well to beat them next May and I expect Galway to be in the AI semis this year.

With they way they are playing it looks like they have being training a hell of a lot longer than us.they are at championship pace allready how do they improve and keep that up until August

jr86

yop wrote: »

Galway at the top team in Connacht at the moment.

Despite another team in Connacht having reached 4 out of the last 6 All Ireland finals?

We'll judge Galway properly in August, not now

Fr Tod Umptious

naughto wrote: »

Any one think Galway will do a Roscommon on it they are peaking now for the league and will be found flat in the championship?

They're not exactly like Roscommon in the sense that at this stage 2 yeras ago Roscommon were all ready burn out, but I they are somewhat similar.

Essentially all league they have been close to a full squad and playing thire preferred system.

Others like Mayo and Kerry are still not championship ready.

They have a home game v Dublin which looks like a dead rubber and then a game v Kildare to come.

I'd expect them to win the latter and perform adaquetly in the former.

But then they (likely) face the real test v Dublin in the final.
That will show us if they are up to the standard required, because the standard v Mayo in May will be pretty close to that given what is at stake.