Mayo GAA Discussion Part 2

MaroonAndGreen · 10-04-2017 01:55PM

Stoner wrote:

Exactly, one poster said it and the Galway lads burried it. They even named the top 6 and they weren't in it and Mayo are.

That was me haha, not a Galway fan!

Stoner · 10-04-2017 02:00PM

MaroonAndGreen wrote:

That was me haha, not a Galway fan!

Lol, Good man, I'll leave you to it

MaroonAndGreen · 10-04-2017 02:21PM

Stoner wrote:

Lol, Good man, I'll leave you to it

Thought it needed to be said. Of course one fans view that they are top 5 is not representative of a full fan base but it was such a ridiculous comment I was drawn into response. Top 10? Certainly yes.

MaroonAndGreen · 10-04-2017 02:26PM

There is a definite 2nd bracket of teams in the country that Galway are part of. Galway, Kildare, Cavan, Roscommon, Tipp, Meath, Westmeath, maybe even Derry, Fermanagh. I don't know where to place Cork at the moment. But any of them cannot claim to be near Dublin, Kerry, Tyrone, Monaghan, Mayo, Donegal. Could they beat them on any given day? Yes, as we seen with Galway v Mayo last year. But that second bracket have an absolute zero chance of All Ireland this year IMO. They'd need significant improvement that doesn't look likely. But sport is wonderful because the favourites do not always win!!!

WallyGUFC · 10-04-2017 02:31PM

Most people in Galway aren't getting carried away but the last year has seen definite progress, winning Connacht, gaining promotion and winning the league in Croker. But the Tipperary washout was only 8 months ago too, and the defence is still fragile. Hoofing the ball into midfield for a 50/50 contest at every kickout isn't going to get us very far either. Mayo still favourites in June but the gap is closing for sure.

MaroonAndGreen · 10-04-2017 02:39PM

WallyGUFC wrote:

Most people in Galway aren't getting carried away but the last year has seen definite progress, winning Connacht, gaining promotion and winning the league in Croker. But the Tipperary washout was only 8 months ago too, and the defence is still fragile. Hoofing the ball into midfield for a 50/50 contest at every kickout isn't going to get us very far either. Mayo still favourites in June but the gap is closing for sure.

It's very hard to benchmark when we can't see Galway play against Dublin, Kerry, Tyrone etc.

PARlance · 10-04-2017 03:09PM

WallyGUFC wrote: »

Most people in Galway aren't getting carried away but the last year has seen definite progress, winning Connacht, gaining promotion and winning the league in Croker. But the Tipperary washout was only 8 months ago too, and the defence is still fragile. Hoofing the ball into midfield for a 50/50 contest at every kickout isn't going to get us very far either. Mayo still favourites in June but the gap is closing for sure.

My own opinion would be that the league will be a struggle next year but promotion has come at the right time. The experience will stand be it good or bad. That's maybe even more so the case for Kildare. I would expect both to be in Division 1 in 3-4 years but not for the next 3-4.

That said, I wouldn't be too confident in predicting the future of the Top 5/6 Div 1 teams. It's an easy league to find yourself fighting relegation.

Nidgeweasel · 10-04-2017 04:18PM

Stoner wrote: »

RSF translated this into Roscommon being fat.

I believe that was my quip.;):(

Always_Running · 10-04-2017 07:24PM

Stoner wrote: »

Exactly, one poster said it and the Galway lads burried it. They even named the top 6 and they weren't in it and Mayo are.

TBH like Roscommon a couple of years ago, I'd fear for any division 2 team handling Mayo, Tyrone, Dublin, Kerry, Monaghan Donegal in the tackle or for pace over 70 minutes.

I thought that at a slower D2 pace Kildare still faded badly Cribbin and Moolick were going well but were bunched with 25 minutes to go.

There is no semi decent Ulster team in division 2 this year so judging Galway will be crystal ball stuff imo I think they'll both struggle to be honest and might go straight back down, staying up would be great for either. Or else one of the top 6 will need a very poor campaign, like Donegal a few years ago .

I never thought Roscommon would handle Mayo in full flight and I'm even less confident that Galway would .

RSF translated this into Roscommon being fat. Either way there is a cut to the top 6 that neither Kildare or Galway have at the moment, but they have a good amount of time .

Are you ignoring the fact that Galway deservedly beat Mayo in MacHale park last year? They weren't that far away in 2015 either when a OG separated the sides. Galway to their credit are a much improved team now under Kevin Walsh and have the potential in their panel to be a top 4 championship team in the years ahead and i suppose the objective for Mayo is to stay in the top 4 and don't fall into a lull period.

In 2014 Roscommon were competitive against Mayo in the championship but right now they have a much changed mostly inexperienced panel with a manager who thinks he can win games without any defensive system in place. In truth Ros will struggle to beat division 2 teams in the championship and will be likely well beaten by any division one team they play this summer.

Stoner · 10-04-2017 08:30PM

Nidgeweasel wrote:

I believe that was my quip.

Sorry Nidge

Stoner · 10-04-2017 08:39PM

No

Not that what's to follow will make much sense, but the lads in the west always give each other a good game. Galway are a decent team, but division one would be a real test for them.

Mayo drew in the all Ireland final, Kerry , Donegal , Dublin and Tyrone were all there or there abouts last year and in knockout football they'd be heavily favoured to beat Galway and imo it would happen with 15 minutes to go until Galway or Kildare get to grips with knockout championship football.
It's just an opinion. Galway beating any of the teams I mentioned would bother me at all. I remember them against Kerry a few years ago and they were great as far as a certain stage in the game.

PARlance · 10-04-2017 09:12PM

Beating Mayo at the start of June isn't a big scalp in terms of All Ireland or Top 4 credentials. It's all about doing it from the QF's onwards in Croke Park. The League and early Championship are only indicators of potential in my eyes.

Galway are on the up but I would be extremely surprised to see them in a Final in the next 2 years. I would liken their current situation to that of a good young lad entering a County set-up... Plenty of potential but will need 2 years at least to bulk up and be ready. Then there's the issue about the young lads temperament, in Galway's case I would worry about the urge to play attacking football and a failure to adopt a short kickout strategy.

There's a massive gap between the Top teams and the rest. I do hope Galway get close over the coming years

before failing miserably

The Rossies can have another crack then.

seligehgit · 10-04-2017 09:59PM

I think I'm in a majority of one but unfortunately I am expecting great things from our southern neighbours in the not very distant future.

Having seen the Galway lads who play for NUIG,Corofin and their under 21s up close and their promotion from division two (they pushed on well yesterday in the second half) they are a dangerous opponent on any given day.

They've bundles of talent from midfield on Conroy,O Curraoin,Flynn,Cummins,Walsh,Lundy, Armstrong,Brannigan,Burke,Sice and the brilliant Damian Comer.Young Peter Cooke and Michael Daly are frightening talents.I have heard mention that Barry McHugh is a better placekicker than Cooke,some feat but he apparently doesn't contribute greatly from general play.

Shane Walsh was pretty wasteful yesterday.

Defensively they are at this stage not quite as strong but I can't believe Kieran Molloy is still under 21,he seems to be around so long.I'd love Finian Hanley to revert to full back,Aidan O Shea might head into the square.There seems to be recurring issues with the kickouts.

I'd imagine quite similar to last year we'll have great problems breaking down their Tyrone style blanket defence.We have great issues with same.Complacency/an underestimation of Tipperary cost them an All Ireland semi final.A Connacht title will surely not be sufficient this year.

Of course there was a big difference between the standard of football in the two division finals yesterday but I've seen enough in Galway to make it an interesting trip to Salthill if we manage to overcome Sligo.

TCDStudent1 · 10-04-2017 10:47PM

seligehgit wrote: »

I think I'm in a majority of one but unfortunately I am expecting great things from our southern neighbours in the not very distant future.

Having seen the Galway lads who play for NUIG,Corofin and their under 21s up close and their promotion from division two (they pushed on well yesterday in the second half) they are a dangerous opponent on any given day.

They've bundles of talent from midfield on Conroy,O Curraoin,Flynn,Cummins,Walsh,Lundy, Armstrong,Brannigan,Burke,Sice and the brilliant Damian Comer.Young Peter Cooke and Michael Daly are frightening talents.I have heard mention that Barry McHugh is a better placekicker than Cooke,some feat but he apparently doesn't contribute greatly from general play.

Shane Walsh was pretty wasteful yesterday.

Defensively they are at this stage not quite as strong but I can't believe Kieran Molloy is still under 21,he seems to be around so long.I'd love Finian Hanley to revert to full back,Aidan O Shea might head into the square.There seems to be recurring issues with the kickouts.

I'd imagine quite similar to last year we'll have great problems breaking down their Tyrone style blanket defence.We have great issues with same.Complacency/an underestimation of Tipperary cost them an All Ireland semi final.A Connacht title will surely not be sufficient this year.

Of course there was a big difference between the standard of football in the two division finals yesterday but I've seen enough in Galway to make it an interesting trip to Salthill if we manage to overcome Sligo.

If you had seen our current full back line during the league, you should be wishing for it to stay the same. Hanley would improve it. Earlier in this thread, there was a debate about where to play O'Shea. There should be no debate v Galway - in on top of the full back at the edge of the square. He could demolish the Galway full back line.

NabyLadistheman · 11-04-2017 09:48AM

Mayo News reporting Gibbons been cut along with Plunkett & a few of the Castlebar lads. Im surprised they haven't kept Gibbons in the the squad. Dillon & Barry back on board also

km79 · 11-04-2017 09:51AM

Suarezistheman wrote: »

Mayo News reporting Gibbons been cut along with Plunkett & a few of the Castlebar lads. Im surprised they haven't kept Gibbons in the the squad. Dillon & Barry back on board also

Has Kirby moved above him in pecking order i wonder ?
I'm also a but surprised at that

Shurimgreat · 11-04-2017 01:23PM

I think the chance of an AI has passed for this Mayo team, being realistic.

Both Dublin and Kerry have phenomenal younger players coming through and Donegal and Tyrone also have some good forwards coming through.

Mayo have added some useful defenders in Harrison and Durcan in recent years but again not much in the line of new forwards who can score freely.

TCDStudent1 · 11-04-2017 01:25PM

Shurimgreat wrote: »

I think the chance of an AI has passed for this Mayo team, being realistic.

Both Dublin and Kerry have phenomenal younger players coming through and Donegal and Tyrone also have some good forwards coming through.

Mayo have added some useful defenders in Harrison and Durcan but again not much in the line of new forwards who can score freely.

Has anybody emerged from Mayo's league campaign that might get a starting spot come championship? Maybe Boland?

km79 · 11-04-2017 01:27PM

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

Has anybody emerged from Mayo's league campaign that might get a starting spot come championship? Maybe Boland?

Boland is too light
He will be a playing sub possibly depending on Alan Dillon as they are similar players
Coen and nallly will push hard
They will see game time for sure whether it's starting or subs? Probably a bit of both
Kirby could possibly have a role as a sub in the half forward line too or even FF . he isn't up to it in midfield for the summer
Conir loftus showed V little to justify inclusion
I do think we have a few more options anyway

seligehgit · 11-04-2017 10:03PM

km79 wrote: »

Has Kirby moved above him in pecking order i wonder ?
I'm also a but surprised at that

TBH Danny Kirby IMO is at best a good squad player,my opinion re Jason Gibbons has altered somewhat.He was found wanting to a great degree against the Dubs in Croker during the first half of that horror show.He has not produced performances in the big matches.Yet I'd most certainly have him in the panel ahead of Danny Kirby.

I heard this evening that Seamus O Shea was outstanding for Breaffy at the weekend,great news.His presence is badly needed.

I believe Barry Moran is still injured and didn't play for the Mitchels at the weekend.

Fergal Boland in many ways is a newer version of Alan Dillon,do we need two so similar of players?

The Mayo News podcast mentions that the panel will be cut to a maximum of 30/31 players.

PARlance · 11-04-2017 10:13PM

seligehgit wrote: »

TBH Danny Kirby IMO is at best a good squad player,my opinion re Jason Gibbons has altered somewhat.He was found wanting to a great degree against the Dubs in Croker during the first half of that horror show.He has not produced performances in the big matches.Yet I'd most certainly have him in the panel ahead of Danny Kirby.

I heard this evening that Seamus O Shea was outstanding for Breaffy at the weekend,great news.His presence is badly needed.

I believe Barry Moran is still injured and didn't play for the Mitchels at the weekend.

Fergal Boland in many ways is a newer version of Alan Dillon,do we need two so similar of players?

The Mayo News podcast mentions that the panel will be cut to a maximum of 30/31 players.

I would certainly keep Dillion even though gametime may be non existent. Boland could learn a lot by having him around.

I'm not convinced with Gibbons or Kirby but I think Kirby's positives adds a little bit more.

TCDStudent1 · 11-04-2017 11:11PM

km79 wrote: »

Boland is too light
He will be a playing sub possibly depending on Alan Dillon as they are similar players
Coen and nallly will push hard
They will see game time for sure whether it's starting or subs? Probably a bit of both
Kirby could possibly have a role as a sub in the half forward line too or even FF . he isn't up to it in midfield for the summer
Conir loftus showed V little to justify inclusion
I do think we have a few more options anyway

Would you think there should be more? For a county that are current U21 AI champions, surely you would think some players should emerge from that? Maybe it is a reflection on just how good that Mayo team are - it is hard to break into it.

km79 · 11-04-2017 11:16PM

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

Would you think there should be more? For a county that are current U21 AI champions, surely you would think some players should emerge from that? Maybe it is a reflection on just how good that Mayo team are - it is hard to break into it.

Big step up
Dublin have added very few too

TCDStudent1 · 11-04-2017 11:21PM

km79 wrote: »

Big step up
Dublin have added very few too

Yeah, was thinking that as I was writing it. I guess that it is hard for U21's to step up to a team like Dublin / Kerry / Mayo. It probably is a reflection on just how good those teams are.

I have heard from my Mayo friends that Conor Loftus is a player they think hasnt really pushed on like they hoped and his club form is fairly average. Thought he was a good player that would be pushing for a senior spot by now.

PARlance · 11-04-2017 11:47PM

km79 wrote: »

Boland is too light
He will be a playing sub possibly depending on Alan Dillon as they are similar players
Coen and nallly will push hard
They will see game time for sure whether it's starting or subs? Probably a bit of both
Kirby could possibly have a role as a sub in the half forward line too or even FF . he isn't up to it in midfield for the summer
Conir loftus showed V little to justify inclusion
I do think we have a few more options anyway

Would agree with that and think the Donegal game would back it up / give a good indication of what lies ahead.

When the chips were down Rochford went to Jason Doherty to replace Andy for the final 10 mins.
Boland started instead of Diarmuid but that will almost certainly be reversed in the Championship.
Nally got the full game which probably puts him out in front as the most likely to play the biggest part of the new forwards. Don't think he'll start towards the end of the year unless he puts in a massive few games early on.

So, no real changes to the forwards from last year bar a few young lads that might push on and offer a bit more than what was there before them.

wirelessdude01 · 12-04-2017 09:02AM

The hardening ground should hopefully see some newer/younger players make the step up. Even when I played myself i hated the winter slog and looked forward to Easter as that was traditionally when the slog fest with heavy pitches ended.

MayoAreMagic · 12-04-2017 09:46AM

Re Gibbons, I think it is a case of elite intercounty football moving away from his skillset, the same way it has moved towards someone like Jack Barry or Brian Fenton's (who footballing-wise might not be great players, but they have a rolls royce engine, are very mobile, can tackle and have good hands). Similarly, Kirby has a skillset that could potentially be useful in intercounty football. He is big and strong but mobile and direct, and can kick a point from distance.

It is nothing new to be fair, Sean O'Domhnaill was an average player for his club team in Galway when O'Mahoney came calling. It's just about filling a role for the team...

Someone dismissed Doherty there but I don't think that is fair. For starters he had a really good game in the Drawn AI final, so much so that McCarthy was detailed to man-mark him in the replay. Secondly, he is filling that Donnacha Walsh role, which is generally a role guys mature into. Walsh himself was being hounded out of the Kerry team for years, but now he is a mainstay in how they operate. I think we could see a late flourish with Doherty. I think he probably suffers from the fact that mayo don't have many other scoring outlets, while Kerry have plenty, so walsh wouldn't get as much flak for not scoring heavily, whereas we are generally hamstrung for scores.

charlie14 · 12-04-2017 10:05AM

MayoAreMagic wrote: »

Re Gibbons, I think it is a case of elite intercounty football moving away from his skillset, the same way it has moved towards someone like Jack Barry or Brian Fenton's (who footballing-wise might not be great players, but they have a rolls royce engine, are very mobile, can tackle and have good hands). Similarly, Kirby has a skillset that could potentially be useful in intercounty football. He is big and strong but mobile and direct, and can kick a point from distance.

It is nothing new to be fair, Sean O'Domhnaill was an average player for his club team in Galway when O'Mahoney came calling. It's just about filling a role for the team...

Good point.
At U12 a manager will have one or two individually talented players at a level above the rest, with the rest only their basically to "mind them".

As you move up through the grades the emphasis moves to positions and players being able to fill the positional requirements.

By the time a player gets to a Senior county squad managers are looking for players who will fill a particular role in the game plan. Bomber Liston being a classic example.
This will most often a player having to curb certain areas of his own game in favour of team tactics.
In other words, that old adage of their being no I in team.

tritium · 12-04-2017 10:17AM

MayoAreMagic wrote: »

someone like Jack Barry or Brian Fenton's (who footballing-wise might not be great players, but they have a rolls royce engine, are very mobile, can tackle and have good hands).

Not sure if serious........

http://www.gaa.ie/football/news/the-rise-and-rise-brian-fenton/

boosabum · 12-04-2017 10:43AM

Michael Dara McAuley is also someone that would fit into that bracket. The basic skill of kicking the ball is'nt something he is renowned for, yet he's an incredibly athletic around the field

Mayo GAA Discussion Part 2

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