Mayo GAA Discussion

Audioslaven

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122831586#Comment_122831586

There is an element of "hope" about a breakthrough but the better teams will just bring a new strategy with the proposed rules, but the top teams will execute this under the extreme pressure in a semi or final and win, because they have more skilful intelligent footballers. Alot of teams will use the league to examine the new rules and how best to play. You may get an breakthrough in the provincial games but by the time the quarters/semi come, the top teams will be well oiled. There is an element of the more things change, the more they stay the same, as one of the top teams will most likely win SAM. Paddy power has the top teams below but I would remove Galway from that as I don't think they have what it takes. Are Mayo a top team….no but can they…. possibly but there are alot of ifs and buts about us and there is nothing to suggest at this point in time that we are a top team. If you think we are, in my opinion that is "hope", I would need to see clear and consistent improvement before I would classify us in that bracket.

The likely winner will be from below excluding Galway

Kerry

Dublin

Galway

Donegal

Armagh

Panrich

Armagh came from relatively nowhere to win this year. In 2023, both Armagh and Donegal were relegated and looked like they were far from the top table. Now they are both seen as contenders. The rule change will ensure a shake up in the order but it remains to be seen who benefits the most. All to play for for any division 1 and top half of division 2 teams.

Audioslaven

What McGuinness did this year with Donegal is really impressive and if he improves the team, they should be in the mix. Armagh while not wining Ulster have been knocking around towards the end of the championship for a few years. I would disregard the league as teams use it to breed new talent. It takes experience over a year or so, to start beating the favourites in CP. Its very hard to see a new county come out of nowhere and win SAM unless they find some serious players.

You could make an case that 2021 and 2010 were handy wins for teams who never returned to the same heights. This years final has this same feel about it but Armagh would have a better over all team.

Loafing Oaf

here jn Sligo at the ballina game. Pretty dour stuff so far…

Loafing Oaf

debatable did it cross the line no goal for ballina there

Loafing Oaf

extra time

Cartman78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122849400#Comment_122849400

Called as a square ball on Rte radio

Loafing Oaf

penalties 😬

boosabum

Ballina beaten

Arkiema

what's going on in the county setup lads? Are there rumours doing the rounds of a few high profile departures from the squad? I haven't heard anything myself, just what I've seen referenced on Mayo Blog.

Westernview

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122849642#Comment_122849642

Where are the rumours coming from and who is rumoured to have departured?

HBC08

Its mad...

3 or 4 of the loonbags who comment on the blog says there's rumours and then that's it set in stone.

I only know of two (fringe) players who have opted out this year.There may be more.

Usual turnover of a squad from one season to the next.

Audioslaven

Was floating around a few weeks back that five had pulled out. Two - four would be panel players at different times and one in particular could never be consistent enough/injured - had ample opportunities.

Westernview

Sounds like another non story. Blog members are quite rightly forbidden from posting unpublished rumour details so it's pretty pointless saying there are rumours when no more can be said.

muddle84

Its just the quiet time of year and i've known of people starting rumours just to be able to talk about football at this time of year!

All the best rumours start around this time of year!

Be-Jaysus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122853869#Comment_122853869

Nobody does rumours quite like Mayo.

We are All-Ireland champions in this category of excellence..

blowitupref

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122851067#Comment_122851067

Cillian O'Connor was one name I seen posted up on the blog before the mod took the post down. He'd be 33 when the championship is in the business end next year and he has been dealing with a lot of injuries in recent years.

km79

Meanwhile in Dublin Brian Fenton has actually retired !!!!

Westernview

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122855721#Comment_122855721

He may well retire but the rumour is probably based on the fact that he is one of the more likely candidates to finish up. It would be nice if Mayo supporters would let that happen naturally.

A lot of supporters can't deal with the down season and have to engage in speculation. The rest of us have more going on in our lives.

crusd

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122855999#Comment_122855999

Hard to beleive he is 31.

With McCarthy, Fenton and likely Fitzsimmons gone too Dublin could struggle next year

km79

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122856226#Comment_122856226

time for a few Leinster teams to be brave now and go after them

Westernview

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122856383#Comment_122856383

Yes the mindset needs to change. Kildare especially seem to have lots of potential at times but the belief/conviction seems to be missing to really put teams to the sword.

manofwisdom

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122855721#Comment_122855721

Mayo News podcast saying Cillian O'Connor won't be playing for Mayo in 2025.

Blackjack

edit - just seeing the headline now on the blog. Wonder what that’s all about, will have to have a listen later.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122868427#Comment_122868427

This needs to be kept in perspective, he might have been impactful a few years ago but between injuries and other off field choices and the generation that is coming through he hasn't really done anything of note in a few years. Even when introduced as a sub he hasn't made anywhere a super sub impact that you would be hoping for.

Does feel he wants to be a bit of a Cluxton and have drama around him, but in reality Dublin needs Cluxton more than Mayo needs O'Connor (which is a good thing imo) so he should cut the attention seeking.

spakman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122870131#Comment_122870131

He hasn't said a word! How is he seeking attention?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122870230#Comment_122870230

Thats my point, similar to Cluxton in previous years his decision was made long ago, despite having the appearance of a media shy person he loves the speculation about himself. If he has made a decision why not just announce it?

Blackjack

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122870495#Comment_122870495

I'm sure there would be folk not unlike yourself that would accuse him of seeking attention if he did make an announcement, so its a case with some of Damned if he does and Damned if he doesn't.

Whatever his decision is he doesn't owe anyone outside of the team any explanation.

flasher0030

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122870495#Comment_122870495

Ha ha. What are you talking about. Cillian O'Connor is very rarely in the news. I don't recall reading anything controversial about him. This speculation about him finishing with Mayo is not coming from him. It's others speculating. You have no idea what decisions he has or has not made. You are saying he should announce whatever he has decided, but you know nothing about him. Hilarious.

Fr Tod Umptious

Well Cillian is taking 2025 off.

The poor guy was really not been himself since that injury v Clare.

I don't think Mayo are a "win now or bust" type of team in 2025, so they are not loosing an essential cog.

Hopefully he comes back refreshed in 2026 and have a bit more spring to his step.

I know he's not young and has been around for a age but hopefully he can come back and add something.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2024/1124/1482729-oconnor-opts-out-of-mayo-panel-for-2025-season/