Mayo GAA Discussion

PressRun · 16-08-2021 10:07AM

Watching back the game, Tommy Conroy had the game of his life thus far. His second half and extra time performance was immense. Showed up for big points just when we needed him and was very direct. His strength and pace were spectacular - just shaking off defenders at times - and he kicked a couple of phenomenal scores at clutch moments. Ryan O'Donoghue also took the baton from Cillian well with the frees and was determined to make things happen in the second half and extra time - his turn over on James McCarthy in extra time was a great bit of stuff.

Robbie Hennelly of course had a terrific game and showed nerves of steel.

Paddy Durcan made some key interceptions and runs from the back, in particular his block at the death when Dublin were trying to manufacture a goal was gutsy stuff, as was Diarmuid's outstretched leg to keep the stray free in play for Kevin McLoughlin's point - that signalled the turning of the tide.

Padraig O'Hora is some animal at the back.

Lee Keegan was probably my man of the match, on reflection and watching it back. Bossed O'Callaghan in the second half, intercepted a Comerford kickout for a point and scored a point of his own when the comeback was on.

I definitely think Horan has a decision to make on O'Shea. He looked nervous and lacking in confidence while on the pitch. Very indecisive and was slowing the play down. The game changed when he went off and we brought the pacey youngsters on. I think Horan will start him the next day and to be fair, the opposition for the final will be a different proposition than Dublin. But it'll be interesting to see if he plays 70 minutes. Could see him getting subbed again tbh, in favour of finishing out the game with youth.

Thought we were very cagey in the first half, maybe a bit scared of conceding an early goal, but when we cut loose and just ran at them in the second half, I felt the pace, power and fitness we showed was frightening at times - there were moments when the Dubs could hardly get a glove on some of these youngsters. Young Hession was superb in this regard. Was delighted also for Jordan Flynn, who has probably had his card marked somewhat since that incident in his underage days and has subsequently probably struggled to make an impact at senior level thus far - he stood up to the plate and took his score well.

Horan also played a blinder on the sideline - made huge, courageous calls at big moments that probably shifted the game in our favour. The players buy into him big time as a manager, despite whatever criticism he has received over the years for his tactics.

It would be terrific to have Oisin back for the final, maybe the extra bit of time is a blessing in this regard, though I did hear Horan saying he'd prefer a 2 week gap between games.

We definitely have improvements to make - some of the shooting was shocking in the first half and we lacked direct running. But when we came alive in that second half, like I said, the pace and power and fitness levels were immense. And the way we applied pressure to the end and managed the game was not something I'm accustomed to seeing from Mayo teams - at the end of normal time, we had Dublin hemmed so much into their own half that they were dithering with the ball in front of their own goal, a bizarre sight I have to say. In the second half of extra time, we played them at their own game. There was never any sense of panic.

A lot of these youngsters play with no fear. They have no scars from previous losses. If we cut loose and go at it, I genuinely think we have a great chance in the final, regardless of opposition.

Finally - I've said my piece on the standard of refereeing during the game and the McLoughlin injury, but I wish him all the best for a speedy recovery. He is a huge loss for us of course, but most importantly, I hope he recovers swiftly and can get back to normal in his personal life as soon as possible.

ultrapercy · 16-08-2021 11:40AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117760724#Comment_117760724

What are your thoughts on AOS at FF? To my untrained eye(armchair tv fan who hasn't played in quarter of a century) its bound to fail. When he wins a mark he's unable to kick even a gimme score, no matter how much he's fouled it's a free out, it invites outfield players to often kick aimless balls at him that mostly go dead. Worst of all at FF AOS doesn't get many turnovers which I feel is the best part of his game. AOS is a power house who's workrate and commitment cannot be questioned but he lacks some basic skills that make it ridiculous to think he can perform multiple roles in the same game. For me he should be deployed at full throttle for 30 to 40 mins in the middle third. Whether that's as starter or sub I'm not sure. Certainly AOS coming on as sub in 2nd half catching high ball and forcing tired players to turn over ball would be some injection of adrenaline. As I say though it's easy to make tough managerial decisions from the armchair.

Audioslaven · 16-08-2021 11:55AM

Horan is some man. We are very lucky to have him as our manager and what he has done for Mayo football. He took the softness out of us when he came in and set standards, made us strong. Gone are the days of 04/06.

Some effort in the second half. If we can get tuned in from the start we have a serious chance. Conroy, ROD really came good and this is the first time they have done this at the big stage. The quality is there and they just need to do it for longer.

Fair play to Oisin McConville for calling out the ref and the tackle on McLoughlin. He must have been in some pain and a nasty tackle. He can be so proud of what he has achieved to date.

But I come back to probably one of our best players ever in a Mayo jersey... Keegan. He is just an animal of a player. The bigger the day the bigger the performance and now he has guys who are playing like him O'Hara, Durcan etc. The attitude is the most impressive part of these guys..

Lets hope Mullen is back. We need him now with Eoghan Mcloughlin gone.

PressRun · 16-08-2021 12:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117761227#Comment_117761227

I have never believed in O'Shea as a full forward. It doesn't work in big games as he isn't really a natural scorer and he's too easy to mark for top class defenders, he's too predictable. He doesn't have a forward's brain imo. Aidan's strength is his ball handling and strength in the tackle. So he is more useful out the field where he can break tackles, field, turn over ball and be something of an engine, putting the more natural scorers into better positions. I think this is the role he is most comfortable and most confident in. You could tell the last day that his confidence was slipping away with each missed shot, fumbled pass, etc. I think he prefers to be in a position where he can be more involved in the build up play rather than waiting inside for someone to let it into him.

That said, he isn't pacey and Horan is clearly going for pace with this new squad, especially for finishing out games. So I don't know if he will see 70 minutes the next day. Like I say though, Tyrone and Kerry are both different propositions to Dublin, they probably don't have the same amount of pace that Dublin have in their squad, so maybe it will suit him. Hard to know what Horan will do. My instinct says he'll start him and then sub him for a pacey youngster to run at a tired defence.

HBC08 · 16-08-2021 12:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117761227#Comment_117761227

To say he can't kick simple scores is not accurate, he had two horrible misses on Sat but if he shoots it usually goes over, he nearly always takes low risk shots or fists it over.

He'll start the final at ff and could do huge damage in there.

Too many people are writing him off because he had one bad game.Aido will not let us down.

RedDevil55 · 16-08-2021 12:43PM

Apart from a half here and there, Aidan has always struggled against Dublin. It's probably because they are so pacy and athletic around the middle third he can't get close enough consistently to win turnovers. Also Cluxton never lumped 50:50 kickouts to midfield which Aidan would thrive on. He has never been a natural inside forward. It worked at times against lesser teams than Dublin because Aidan is bigger and stronger than almost every defender out there. The likes of Fitzsimons, Byrne, Cooper, Small, McCarthy and Philly in previous years have a decade of intercounty experience and S&C behind them. They were just able to spoil him legally or otherwise.

He has a much better record against Kerry and Tyrone historically so hopefully can just write off the Dublin game from a personal experience. I wonder could we afford to not start him and then bring him on around midfield in the 2nd half?

batman75 · 16-08-2021 12:50PM

Congratulations to Mayo from a Kilkenny cat. Great to see Dublin knocked off their perch. It would be great to see Mayo claim the big one. So often the bridesmaid. Good luck to Mayo in the AIF.

16-08-2021 12:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117761534#Comment_117761534

O'Shea against David Moran for example though is a good match-up. Has the physical presence for him, and at this stage of Moran's career would be one of the few players in inter county that O'Shea more pace than

Vish81 · 16-08-2021 04:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117761588#Comment_117761588

This is a Kerrys weakness, he 33, not the type of player requires a matchup.

Hes there to be exploited by pace , not like for like ..which O Shea is, which would play into Kerry hands.

M

16-08-2021 04:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117762716#Comment_117762716

On the flip side, as a ball winner and distributor Moran is second to no one bar Fenton. Put O'Shea on him to disrupt the ball winning abilities. You are right though. You want mismatches for pace on Moran. He can play puck however if he starts winning clean ball

franklyon · 16-08-2021 07:46PM

On a side note not sure if anybody else said it but nice to see Brendan Harrison after his long layoff.

Blackjack · 16-08-2021 10:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117763687#Comment_117763687

Great to see. With Eoghan, Cillian, Jason and possibly Oisin still unavailable we’ll need anyone we can to be as fit and healthy as they can be for the final.

Audioslaven · 16-08-2021 10:50PM

Just on AOS, he has never played well against Dublin. He seems to be getting alot of bad press but I would give him a bit of space on the performance on saturday. He is not mobile enough for midfield anymore with the way we play and possibly slows us down. FF is his only position and while some will disagree, he gives us two positives on hitting long high ball and also brings a bit of fear to defenders. I read Horan said he was carrying a slight knock as well so let him knuckle down and get ready for the final. I can't see him not playing in FF tbh

BandMember · 16-08-2021 11:42PM

I see that the Cork County Board offered a final ticket to all their 2020 season ticket holders (Limerick didn't). It would be great if the Mayo County Board followed suit, but I don't see it happening unfortunately.....

Fowler87 · 16-08-2021 11:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117764732#Comment_117764732

I hope so too. My only chance of getting a ticket unfortunately. Slim and none though

happyoutscan · 17-08-2021 12:58PM

Another thing to mention is just how relaxed most of the subs were when coming on into that cauldron.

Darren Coen - who I can be quite critical of times - didn't let Philly annoy him and gave as good as he got. His point put us 2 up and what a bloody point it was. So many players wouldn't even dream of attempting that.

Conor O'Shea came on and lost possession cheaply on two occasions. However, his pressure (and a cheeky little push) on Byrne let to the equalizing 45.

Carr was disappointing with his two wide efforts and needs to do better, but he showed for the ball and got stuck in.

The way the players marched into the tunnel was like an army. No slaps on backs/high fives, they knew it wasn't over. Great focus.

What a **** team we have for the next few years.

seligehgit · 17-08-2021 01:12PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117764732#Comment_117764732

Likely to be only the cairde mhaigheo brigade.

Highly improbable for the season tickets issued from Croke Park.

Bunny Colvin · 17-08-2021 01:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117766460#Comment_117766460

I'd be one happy man if that was the case. Here's hoping.

Blackjack · 17-08-2021 01:23PM

this is interesting.

In Their Moment Of Need, Dublin's Book Of Dark Arts Was Of Little Use | Balls.ie

and this

Off The Ball on Twitter: "🏐 Dublin tried every dirty trick in their extensive playbook to hang on - like they always do 🏐 This has been a hallmark of their great sides #OTBAM Performance Rankings with @GilletteUK | #BestFaceForward https://t.co/6TOcPN2F4B" / Twitter

I mean this has been part and parcel of the 6 in a row, but it's funny how it's only now the media are highlighting it. The love in appears to have come to an end.

SYMETAL · 17-08-2021 01:56PM

The focus for Mayo should be totally on the All Ireland final. Nothing has been won yet, and they are in danger of celebrating too quickly, again.

Mayo beat Dublin in the semi-final in 2006 and went on to get hammered by Kerry, by 13 points in the final.

The win over Dublin will be very empty if they don't finish the job.

Blackjack · 17-08-2021 02:30PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117766736#Comment_117766736

Absolutely. No harm for us to bask in the glow for a few days all the same.

PressRun · 17-08-2021 02:59PM

Why do people keep talking about 06 as if that has any bearing on what's happening in 2021? Some of the players on the current squad were in junior infants in 06.

While I agree that nothing has been won yet, it's only been a couple of days since the match, I think people are allowed to enjoy it for a few days. The final isn't for another month. I think once the Kerry/Tyrone match comes into proper focus, the chatter will die down again.

tobefrank321 · 17-08-2021 03:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117761395#Comment_117761395

I think he can do a job on similar big static players, people like Donaghy in 2017, Tommy Walsh and maybe David Moran at a push. But put him on a fast player and he's screwed, not only is he a passenger, he might as well not be playing.

The modern game is about not kicking the ball away in hopeful hail mary passes to a full forward and also about starting your defence from the full forward line and O'Shea isn't good at that. If playing I'd put him on Tommy Walsh as he's bound to be an outlet for Kerry.

tobefrank321 · 17-08-2021 03:47PM

I think the extra two weeks will be a good thing for the players and management for a few reasons.

Give the legs a rest. Kerry will be that little bit more tired.
Management and can take a good long look at Kerry strengths and weaknesses.
Less pressure on everyone
Any injuries or knocks given time to heal

One of the few AI finals I'm optimistic about.

irishgeo · 17-08-2021 06:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117766460#Comment_117766460

That was ruled out in the Mayo News article I read today.

gigantic09 · 17-08-2021 06:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117766736#Comment_117766736

Dont worry the mgt and team will be fully focused on the 11th September, any suggestion to the contrary is doing them a huge disservice.

Sebastian Dangerfield · 17-08-2021 06:38PM

The emergence of O'Hora over the last couple of games has been absolutely huge. Hopefully he will be a mainstay in the full back line for a long time to come, having been on the outskirts of the team for the last few years.