Mayo GAA Discussion Part 2

seligehgit · 21-10-2016 07:44PM

boosabum wrote: »

Mickey Sweeney was involved with the mayo squad for a number of years under different managers from Johno to H&C. He came on as a sub in last years drawn game with Dublin and had his potential game winning effort blocked down. I think he is one of a number of very good club footballers in the county who have been tried but ultimately haven't made the grade when the ground hardened up. Hard to think he will be in a position now to push on and make a significant difference in the white hot battle of an AI final.
The issue remains that the best forwards on show in the county make the squad but aren't at the top top level required to pull a team over the line ala Joyce, Canavan, Cooper et al.

Totally agree,I wouldn't be inclined to dismiss Mikey Sweeney solely based on his physique or height.But he was on the panel for a number of years and like many forwards that have gone before hasn't been quite at the highest level.

IMO he's a nippy forward with a good skills set but he has struggled when the ground has hardened up and he's come against the country's best defenders.He could have been a hero of a monumental scale if his shot for what would have been a winner in the first game against Dublin in 2015 hadn't been blocked down.

We are seeking a forward who has that bit of magic and quality of the highest level ala Cooper,Canavan and Brogan who can turn one point losses in All Ireland finals into a victory.I am not sure he is likely to offer any improvement ultimately on what we presently have in the squad.

It is one of the joys of such thread that we can have differing opinions.:)

Time for the mantle to pass to Conor Loftus,Liam Irwin,Brian Reape,Fionan Duffy and Evan Regan.

Looking forward to Sunday.

Unless Breaffy improve I think we might be in for a shock.

The Mitchels Ballintubber game should be cracker,slight fancy for the Mitchels.

Audioslaven · 21-10-2016 08:03PM

The Talking Bread wrote: »

Messi and Maradonaa play(ed) soccer, Stringer is a scrum half.

Regardless of the case for Sweeney, using these examples to dismiss the factor of height requirement in GAA at intercounty level isn't helpful!!

Options are limited when you have smaller guys at intercounty. It's not a complete deal breaker but you limit your options. Sweeney is a nice footballer but his upper body strength is not there to trouble quality defenders.

Andy Moran is not a huge guy but he is able to field a ball and his movement is very good but ultimately he has great strength in his legs and body to cause issues. Its just a pity he is the wrong side of thirthy

Audioslaven · 21-10-2016 08:13PM

seligehgit wrote: »

Totally agree,I wouldn't be inclined to dismiss Mikey Sweeney solely based on his physique or height.But he was on the panel for a number of years and like many forwards that have gone before hasn't been quite at the highest level.

Freeman is another guy who is in the same bracket as Sweeney.

The Talking Bread · 21-10-2016 08:32PM

Audioslaven wrote: »

Options are limited when you have smaller guys at intercounty. It's not a complete deal breaker but you limit your options. Sweeney is a nice footballer but his upper body strength is not there to trouble quality defenders.

Andy Moran is not a huge guy but he is able to field a ball and his movement is very good but ultimately he has great strength in his legs and body to cause issues. Its just a pity he is the wrong side of thirthy

Wasn't really the point of my post! I wasn't indicating that height automatically rules him out, just pointing out the analogy of soccer players and scrum halfs heights being brought in as examples to defend him in this regard! Especially superlative exceptions such as Messi, Maradonna and even Stringer!

I do agree Sweeney may have a place in the squad. He should be used in the league like a couple of others on the border of the SQUAD (not just the team)to see where he is.

There are exceptions to the rule in the marginally smaller players. People would look at and point out someone like Darran O Sullivan as a "smaller nippy forward" BUT he is just about 5'10.

I remember reading something a few years ago, where he was the only player on the previous 4 All Ireland winning teams' starting lineup under 5'11.

And that may have been about 3 years ago. Since then height and strength has become even more significant arguably. Although you could argue that fielding is less of a concern since the short ball game started dominating.

As you say, Andy Moran (at about 5'9)is one of the exceptions but he has a great spring. I don't know whether Sweeney has that in his game.

I think the lads in charge will have given him every chance to prove he can compensate for this as a starting forward at Championship level so you have to go by what they see in training etc also.

seligehgit · 21-10-2016 09:11PM

It has been confirmed that the senior and intermediate finals will be played on Saturday 29th of October under lights in MacHale Park.

PressRun · 21-10-2016 09:29PM

The upcoming matches are all falling at awkward times for me. Don't think I'm going to make any this weekend or the finals next weekend.

Coillte_Bhoy · 22-10-2016 06:30PM

seligehgit wrote: »

It has been confirmed that the senior and intermediate finals will be played on Saturday 29th of October under lights in MacHale Park.

Westport/Shrule was a draw, anyone hear replay details or if final going ahead next Saturday?

PARlance · 22-10-2016 07:28PM

http://www.localstreaming.club/live-video-mayo-senior-football-semi-final-breaffy-vs-knockmore/

Localstreaming doing the business again for anyone who can't make it. BUT it only seems to be the Breaffy Knockmore game that's being broadcast.

Breaffy and Tubber for me tomorrow.

Brusna · 22-10-2016 08:20PM

Coillte_Bhoy wrote: »

Westport/Shrule was a draw, anyone hear replay details or if final going ahead next Saturday?

Michael Gallagher of the Western People intimated in a tweet about Conor Mortimer that the replay is on Wednesday.

If that is correct then the plan must be for the final to go ahead next weekend.

Personally I'd love if the games went ahead on Saturday evening cause I can get to the Saturday games but probably not the Sunday games.

I was at the Kiltimagh/Burrishoole game today. Really enjoyable game from a neutral point of view. Typical championship stuff, it had it all. Close game that could have went either way but overall I thought Kiltimagh were the better team and deserved the win but Burrishoole will feel hard done by some of the refereeing decisions.

km79 · 22-10-2016 08:40PM

Brusna wrote: »

Michael Gallagher of the Western People intimated in a tweet about Conor Mortimer that the replay is on Wednesday.

If that is correct then the plan must be for the final to go ahead next weekend.

Personally I'd love if the games went ahead on Saturday evening cause I can get to the Saturday games but probably not the Sunday games.

I was at the Kiltimagh/Burrishoole game today. Really enjoyable game from a neutral point of view. Typical championship stuff, it had it all. Close game that could have went either way but overall I thought Kiltimagh were the better team and deserved the win but Burrishoole will feel hard done by some of the refereeing decisions.

replay weds night under lights in cbar time TBC
final sat night
wonder will conors paperwork be done in time for weds night ..........

Brusna · 22-10-2016 08:58PM

km79 wrote: »

replay weds night under lights in cbar time TBC
final sat night
wonder will conors paperwork be done in time for weds night ..........

I was thinking the same thing! If nothing else it makes it intriguing. Trevor was named on the substitutes for today's game. Don't know if he came on or not.

km79 · 22-10-2016 08:59PM

Brusna wrote: »

I was thinking the same thing! If nothing else it makes it intriguing. Trevor was named on the substitutes for today's game. Don't know if he came on or not.

Trevor has been training with them last few weeks and has made a cameo or 2
He was not there today. He is injured but is also away with work this week. Don't know if he will even be back for next weekend but certainly not midweek

Brusna · 22-10-2016 09:25PM

km79 wrote: »

Trevor has been training with them last few weeks and has made a cameo or 2
He was not there today. He is injured but is also away with work this week. Don't know if he will even be back for next weekend but certainly not midweek

It may well be all over for them on Wednesday though. I thought Westport would win today and they would have but for the concession of a late penalty. CM or not I think Westport will advance to the final. They appear to be a little bit better at the moment.

km79 · 22-10-2016 09:28PM

Brusna wrote: »

It may well be all over for them on Wednesday though. I thought Westport would win today and they would have but for the concession of a late penalty. CM or not I think Westport will advance to the final. They appear to be a little bit better at the moment.

They will no doubt be favs alright I'd imagine

MaroonAndGreen · 23-10-2016 12:12AM

km79 wrote:

replay weds night under lights in cbar time TBC final sat night wonder will conors paperwork be done in time for weds night ..........

It will be done apparently if you believe twitter

seligehgit · 23-10-2016 12:41PM

Lest we forget the county hurling final is on today.

Ballyhaunis v Tooreen

Ballyhaunis going for their tenth title in eleven years against the most decorated club in our county's history.

Kristopherus · 23-10-2016 03:23PM

Fair play to Knockmore. Have just beaten hot favourites Breaffy by 0-12 to 1-7 to get to their first Co. Final in 7 years.

Kristopherus · 23-10-2016 04:30PM

Co. Hurling Final result. Ballyhaunis 2-12, Tooreen 1-15.

PARlance · 23-10-2016 05:17PM

Kristopherus wrote: »

Fair play to Knockmore. Have just beaten hot favourites Breaffy by 0-12 to 1-7 to get to their first Co. Final in 7 years.

And well deserving of it too. Breaffy were shocking though but somehow stayed in it.

They standard on show today in both games was very poor. I left on 60mins during the second game. Ballintubber hadn't scored from play at that stage.

Kristopherus · 23-10-2016 05:20PM

PARlance wrote: »

And well deserving of it too. Breaffy were shocking though but somehow stayed in it.

They standard on show today in both games was very poor. I left on 60mins during the second game. Ballintubber hadn't scored from play at that stage.

They got a goal after you left:). Final score was C/Bar 1-11, B/Tubber 1-5.

seligehgit · 23-10-2016 05:48PM

PARlance wrote: »

And well deserving of it too. Breaffy were shocking though but somehow stayed in it.

They standard on show today in both games was very poor. I left on 60mins during the second game. Ballintubber hadn't scored from play at that stage.

Totally agree the standard of play was very poor. Mitchels ground out the win comfortably without seeming to over exert themselves.Truly disappointed with Ballintubber today.

seligehgit · 23-10-2016 05:58PM

Kristopherus wrote: »

Fair play to Knockmore. Have just beaten hot favourites Breaffy by 0-12 to 1-7 to get to their first Co. Final in 7 years.

Very well deserved,better team.They had a much greater focus on footpassing and were far more direct.Most importantly they wanted it far more. Breaffy were very poor.There was at times a nasty undercurrent to the contest and some unsavoury scenes at the end.

yop · 23-10-2016 06:11PM

Terrible standard of football. Breaffy were a mess and had AOS pointing and shouting at his own team mates. Conor taken off and in reality Aidan should have been taken off. Seamus added a bit to the game when he came on. Irwin played in spits. Hennelly hit 2 nice points but took 2 from the right hand side where he was never going to score and has 9/10 times missed.
Knockmore were impressive in their heart and desire and McLoughs directed and took part in the game in a way a County player should. Certainly wouldn't write them off.
Thought ref had a poor game, AOS got nothing from him and his man should have gone well before he did. The off the ball stuff in both games was frustrating to watch.
Breaffy too slow, no ideas and no leaders.

Second game got off to a great start, Douglas was the outstanding player in that game. COC and DOC were marked out of the game and again hammered off it. Again the ref let so much go on County players.
Durkan had a fine game, Barry Moran did very little. McDonagh was solid at the back, though as above should have gone early on for off the ball stuff.

I'd put a few quid on Knockmore, if they bring the intensity and get a slice of luck they will beat Cbar.

km79 · 23-10-2016 06:13PM

yop wrote: »

Terrible standard of football. Breaffy were a mess and had AOS pointing and shouting at his own team mates. Conor taken off and in reality Aidan should have been taken off. Seamus added a bit to the game when he came on. Irwin played in spits. Hennelly hit 2 nice points but took 2 from the right hand side where he was never going to score and has 9/10 times missed.
Knockmore were impressive in their heart and desire and McLoughs directed and took part in the game in a way a County player should. Certainly wouldn't write them off.
Thought ref had a poor game, AOS got nothing from him and his man should have gone well before he did. The off the ball stuff in both games was frustrating to watch.
Breaffy too slow, no ideas and no leaders.

Second game got off to a great start, Douglas was the outstanding player in that game. COC and DOC were marked out of the game and again hammered off it. Again the ref let so much go on County players.
Durkan had a fine game, Barry Moran did very little. McDonagh was solid at the back, though as above should have gone early on for off the ball stuff.

I'd put a few quid on Knockmore, if they bring the intensity and get a slice of luck they will beat Cbar.

Is there any particular reason Douglas was not brought in last year ?

yop · 23-10-2016 06:25PM

km79 wrote: »

Is there any particular reason Douglas was not brought in last year ?

Don't know tbh, I think he just didn't impress for some reason or another and I think that his size was against him. Though I think he looks a different animal, fitness, bulk and attitude.
He will get a run this year.

From my view McLoughs aside and Durkan he was the outstanding player today.

I am very disappointed with some of the county players, for Conor to be taken off in a County semi really you should not see this. Barry M seemed intent on taking COC out of it or just been an idiot.

Seamus must have been injured.

seligehgit · 23-10-2016 06:35PM

yop wrote: »

Terrible standard of football. Breaffy were a mess and had AOS pointing and shouting at his own team mates. Conor taken off and in reality Aidan should have been taken off. Seamus added a bit to the game when he came on. Irwin played in spits. Hennelly hit 2 nice points but took 2 from the right hand side where he was never going to score and has 9/10 times missed.
Knockmore were impressive in their heart and desire and McLoughs directed and took part in the game in a way a County player should. Certainly wouldn't write them off.
Thought ref had a poor game, AOS got nothing from him and his man should have gone well before he did. The off the ball stuff in both games was frustrating to watch.
Breaffy too slow, no ideas and no leaders.

Second game got off to a great start, Douglas was the outstanding player in that game. COC and DOC were marked out of the game and again hammered off it. Again the ref let so much go on County players.
Durkan had a fine game, Barry Moran did very little. McDonagh was solid at the back, though as above should have gone early on for off the ball stuff.

I'd put a few quid on Knockmore, if they bring the intensity and get a slice of luck they will beat Cbar.

Excellent post Yop, there was indeed targeting of county players and little protection offered to same.The refereeing today was sub standard.

The county players appeared to suffering from burnout after a very long year although Kevin McLoughlin was very good today.

I was informed by several Breaffy supporters that Seamus O Shea has a groin injury since the final replay.He's had the same issue previously. He added a touch of bit to the proceedings but was well of the pace.

The placekicking on display was erratic to say the least.. Liam Irwin,Robbie Hennelly,Neil Douglas and even Cillian O Connor.

Knockmore impressed me most today yet one got the impression that Mitchels never got out of first gear today.So I'd still fancy the Mitchels to lift the Moclair cup next Saturday night.

PressRun · 23-10-2016 06:45PM

Didn't make any of the matches but did hear from a relative that the atmosphere in both games was a bit nasty, he thought the O'Connors were targted. He also said breaffy looked disjointed and their attitude was poor.

SeanJ09 · 23-10-2016 06:52PM

PressRun wrote: »

Didn't make any of the matches but did hear from a relative that the atmosphere in both games was a bit nasty, he thought the O'Connors were targted. He also said breaffy looked disjointed and their attitude was poor.

Certainly got nasty at the end of the Knockmore Breaffy game. Hennelly looked like he a got a right flaking from a few Knockmore lads.

yop · 23-10-2016 06:56PM

SeanJ09 wrote: »

Certainly got nasty at the end of the Knockmore Breaffy game. Hennelly looked like he a got a right flaking from a few Knockmore lads.

As did AOS, seemed the no 6 from Knockmore approached AOS and said something, AOS reacted and then a few Knockmore fans got stuck into him. Classless stuff tbh.
Spotted Aidan Kilcoyne come over to AOS and they seemed to shake hands and the AOS pushes him away.

Big Daddy rolled in and took AOS away but there was another episode after that again.

Really bad undercurrent in both games, refs were very weak but they had so much to watch. They needed to put their stamp on the game early and they didn't in either.
It turned the games into a poor spectacle.

PARlance · 23-10-2016 06:58PM

PressRun wrote: »

Didn't make any of the matches but did hear from a relative that the atmosphere in both games was a bit nasty, he thought the O'Connors were targted. He also said breaffy looked disjointed and their attitude was poor.

I wouldn't say the O'Connors were targeted. Cillian was up to his usual tricks. Diarmuid did get a knock in the 2nd half and he was down for a while but I wouldn't say he was targeted. Mitchels were physical but nothing more than you would expect.

Mayo GAA Discussion Part 2

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