Mayo GAA Discussion Part 2

TommyDe · 08-07-2017 11:18PM

Fr Tod Umptious wrote:

They came through the qualifiers, (two out of two home games), avoided Dublin, got a soft SF, and then put up a good performance in the final, the first back door team to o get to a final since 2010.

Don't ignore the Tyrone game because that was one seriously tight game against a very good team.

jr86 · 08-07-2017 11:23PM

TommyDe wrote: »

Don't ignore the Tyrone game because that was one seriously tight game against a very good team.

Tyrone were vastly overrated last year. As was mayo's win against them imo

mayo were poor all of last year bar two finals and even poorer this year. I hope I'm wrong but id be amazed at anything bar a QF exit. To be honest they could quite easily have been dead and buried by ht today. The forwards are brutal quite frankly

Stoner · 08-07-2017 11:55PM

Fr Tod Umptious wrote:

But as I said earlier, I don't think they have it this year, unless they are so super conditioned and super desiplined to be holding it back for later in the year.

Ahh I think they are motoring well. It's hard to get worked up for some of these games.

I'm pretty sure they'd be up for it from the start against Kerry.

Nobody is going to be as worried about Clare as they would about Kerry.
There was only going to be one winner, only one team was seriously fit. The game plan against Clare would have taken that into consideration.
The one for a Kerry game would be different

keane2097 · 09-07-2017 12:10AM

Think the well is dry myself honestly, would be very confident of a Kerry win in the QF

windy shepard henderson · 09-07-2017 01:00AM

well done today lads , turned the screw when it mattered , rochford cut through one or two guys at half time ,because the intensity in the second half was ten times what ye showed in the first

would reserve praise for AOD in midfield , taught he tired fast in the game while his fielding was exclent his movement was not , taught harrsion at the back was excellent too and his man should have been sent off for a ufc move on him in a scuffle in added time ,

lorcan mcgloughan was fantastic as was andy moran , at 33 he has some miles on the clock and still lights up the place pure heart

but two things stood out today , while it wont be a problem the next day it will be against the dubs and kerry later on , the short passing was terrible from mayo at times today but more importantly stephan rochford needs to take cillian o'connor to one side and work on his frees , you cant win an all ireland with no free taker good and all your forwards are

ye brought great atmosphere color and excitement around the town of ennis today something you rarely see in a hurling qualifier and hopefully things start to click for ye once ye hit croke park

PARlance · 09-07-2017 01:45AM

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

The problem is they will not get the luxury of a slow start v Kerry.

If they play like that then the game will be over before it starts.

That first half was very very depressing.

I think a lot of Mayo fans, myself included, and the national media are looking at this team through 2016 glasses.

They came through the qualifiers, (two out of two home games), avoided Dublin, got a soft SF, and then put up a good performance in the final, the first back door team to o get to a final since 2010.

Now everyone is expecting the same this year, a run through the qualiers to make you stronger.

But as I said earlier, I don't think they have it this year, unless they are so super conditioned and super desiplined to be holding it back for later in the year.

But I've never believed that team playing poorly were doing so as to "not show their hand", so neither do I believe it about Mayo.

Did someone hack into your account earlier today?

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

Dublin are 1

Mayo and Kerry are 2 and 3, with very little between them.

That's one hell of a turnaround.

We travelled away to a decent Div 2 team who had form coming into the match. They've also some fine footballers there that would cause anyone a few headaches. We knew the managed to go toe to toe with Kerry for a half. It was their big match and a stepping stone for ourselves.

We had a bad start, they came out fast. We got it together for an easy win in the end.

We seriously need to get things working better up front and we do need to address the ease at which teams are running through the middle but it's not doom and gloom for me anyway.

Utopia Parkway · 09-07-2017 02:23AM

keane2097 wrote: »

Think the well is dry myself honestly, would be very confident of a Kerry win in the QF

The thing with Kerry is they have a very decent midfield between Moran, Maher and Buckley (and young Barry) and they have two brilliant forwards in Geaney and O'Donoghue.

Not easy.

charlie14 · 09-07-2017 03:39AM

Lads and lassies are ye not getting a bit ahead of yourselves with this talk of Kerry in a Q/F ?
Q/F are for the last 8.
After today ye are through to the last 12.
There is another round to go before the Q/Fs against either Roscommon, if they lose tomorrow, or Cork if Roscommon win, in a neutral venue.
Loose lips sinking ships and all that.

windy shepard henderson · 09-07-2017 03:52AM

charlie14 wrote: »

Lads and lassies are ye not getting a bit ahead of yourselves with this talk of Kerry in a Q/F ?
Q/F are for the last 8.
After today ye are through to the last 12.
There is another round to go before the Q/Fs against either Roscommon, if they lose tomorrow, or Cork if Roscommon win, in a neutral venue.
Loose lips sinking ships and all that.

well infairness cork are the 4th best team in munster and no better , thrust me they are useless at the moment far worse then clare , as for rosscommon ,we wont reallly know until tomorrow but if they do lose they have about 9 or 10 points to pick up on clare from last year ,

mayo would want to seriously have to drop of todays radar to get caught

MaroonAndGreen · 09-07-2017 07:45AM

The game yesterday, my initial take after one viewing (I'll rewatch later):

Clarke outstanding on his 100th game, made a save first half that kept us from going 6 points down, and with the momentum Clare had at that time I'm not sure we would have recovered tbh. Kickouts exemplary.

Thought Harrison was brilliant, close to man of the match, Caff solid (thank god been worried about him) and Boyle solid but looks a bit leggy to me. Boyle is doing well but does it look to ye like he's not the same player as before? Keegan very good, drove us on in that crucial period before half time when we kicked two scores. Keegan is a real big game man, when the chips are down he's delivering, did the same last weekend.

Absolute blessing in disguise Vaughan got black IMO, Coen was superb, showed excellently, passed very well, his best Mayo game yet IMO. I'd like to see him keep his place now.

Tough midfield battle but when you have Aidan O'Shea in beast mode you'll win that battle. What a performance again, deserved man of the match, looks a player reborn, remotivated, and at comfort in his proper position.

Still think McLoughlin looked unconfident and uneasy despite kicking a couple of points, I think he does have a confidence problem at the moment. DOC worked really hard, took his goal superbly. Loftus showed well but also looked maybe a little afraid to take responsibility and have the final shot. Andy Moran, well what can we say that's not already been said about the man, great performance. Also his two points before half time were massive IMO, huge, momentum changers.

I think it's worth noting our first 2-8 came from play, our forward play was poor first half but that's an impressive figure and deserves respect. Clare were also very disciplined and obviously were drilled not to foul in COC range.

The slow start was very concerning, I thought we were dust to be honest and never expected us to come out all guns blazing second half as we did. Credit to whoever spoke or made tactical switches etc at half time, it worked a treat.

Anyways, a tough challenge passed. Concerns with the first half for sure but great to see the old Mayo back second half.

I just also want to say again: Aidan O'Shea you were brilliant, keep silencing your doubters, you are doing a damn good job of it at the moment.

Also just to add, thought that was a really good Clare team, no fluke they were Quarter Finalists last season. Respect to them. Munster football looks strong at the minute with Kerry, Cork (never rule them out), Tipp and Clare.

TCDStudent1 · 09-07-2017 08:02AM

MaroonAndGreen wrote: »

The game yesterday, my initial take after one viewing (I'll rewatch later):

Clarke outstanding on his 100th game, made a save first half that kept us from going 6 points down, and with the momentum Clare had at that time I'm not sure we would have recovered tbh. Kickouts exemplary.

Thought Harrison was brilliant, close to man of the match, Caff solid (thank god been worried about him) and Boyle solid but looks a bit leggy to me. Boyle is doing well but does it look to ye like he's not the same player as before? Keegan very good, drove us on in that crucial period before half time when we kicked two scores. Keegan is a real big game man, when the chips are down he's delivering, did the same last weekend.

Absolute blessing in disguise Vaughan got black IMO, Coen was superb, showed excellently, passed very well, his best Mayo game yet IMO. I'd like to see him keep his place now.

Tough midfield battle but when you have Aidan O'Shea in beast mode you'll win that battle. What a performance again, deserved man of the match, looks a player reborn, remotivated, and at comfort in his proper position.

Still think McLoughlin looked unconfident and uneasy despite kicking a couple of points, I think he does have a confidence problem at the moment. DOC worked really hard, took his goal superbly. Loftus showed well but also looked maybe a little afraid to take responsibility and have the final shot. Andy Moran, well what can we say that's not already been said about the man, great performance. Also his two points before half time were massive IMO, huge, momentum changers.

I think it's worth noting our first 2-8 came from play, our forward play was poor first half but that's an impressive figure and deserves respect. Clare were also very disciplined and obviously were drilled not to foul in COC range.

The slow start was very concerning, I thought we were dust to be honest and never expected us to come out all guns blazing second half as we did. Credit to whoever spoke or made tactical switches etc at half time, it worked a treat.

Anyways, a tough challenge passed. Concerns with the first half for sure but great to see the old Mayo back second half.

I just also want to say again: Aidan O'Shea you were brilliant, keep silencing your doubters, you are doing a damn good job of it at the moment.

I agree with coen. It'll be very interesting to see who he picks in the half back line the next day with Coen, Boyle, Keegan and Durcan all available. For me, Coen has played his way into the team in the backs now. I think Boyle could be in trouble for his place again.

Aidan O'Shea has been superb in the last 2 games. I think he's making a real effort to concentrate on football. He's not getting involved in any niggly stuff, like when he gets fouled, he's usually walking away. He also seems to be talking to the ref a lot less than other Mayo players. I am hugely impressed with the way he has conducted himself recently - maybe Bernard Flynns outburst was the best thing that could've happened him!
I don't understand why so many teams stand back from him in the throw in though.
As good as he's been at midfield, I still think you should've played him at full forward in the Galway match!

I'm not convinced about Loftus. There was one ball in the first half where he was standing waiting for it to come to him and it got intercepted. A player who is sharp wouldn't allow that to happen. He got on a few good balls and used it cleverly sometimes. But Im just not sure about him and I think Rochford is definitely unsure about him and rates Regan that bit higher.

MaroonAndGreen · 09-07-2017 08:20AM

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

I agree with coen. It'll be very interesting to see who he picks in the half back line the next day with Coen, Boyle, Keegan and Durcan all available. For me, Coen has played his way into the team in the backs now. I think Boyle could be in trouble for his place again.

Aidan O'Shea has been superb in the last 2 games. I think he's making a real effort to concentrate on football. He's not getting involved in any niggly stuff, like when he gets fouled, he's usually walking away. He also seems to be talking to the ref a lot less than other Mayo players. I am hugely impressed with the way he has conducted himself recently - maybe Bernard Flynns outburst was the best thing that could've happened him!
I don't understand why so many teams stand back from him in the throw in though.
As good as he's been at midfield, I still think you should've played him at full forward in the Galway match!

I'm not convinced about Loftus. There was one ball in the first half where he was standing waiting for it to come to him and it got intercepted. A player who is sharp wouldn't allow that to happen. He got on a few good balls and used it cleverly sometimes. But Im just not sure about him and I think Rochford is definitely unsure about him and rates Regan that bit higher.

On the bits I've highlighted, I do have slight concerns about Boyle, long time on the road now, he's still playing well but I also would nearly put Coen in ahead of him too.

Also Aidan O'Shea never got involved in any niggly stuff his whole career, I've never once seen him retaliate to the abuse he gets and lads hanging off him, it isn't a new thing IMO.

With Loftus, it was his first real start, I think its understandable he may have been a bit tentative. That should leave his game with the experience though.

TCDStudent1 · 09-07-2017 08:34AM

MaroonAndGreen wrote: »

On the bits I've highlighted, I do have slight concerns about Boyle, long time on the road now, he's still playing well but I also would nearly put Coen in ahead of him too.

Also Aidan O'Shea never got involved in any niggly stuff his whole career, I've never once seen him retaliate to the abuse he gets and lads hanging off him, it isn't a new thing IMO.

With Loftus, it was his first real start, I think its understandable he may have been a bit tentative. That should leave his game with the experience though.

I seem to remember it was O'Shea thing to nearly always pick up a yellow for some sort of silly retaliation, particiculstly in his early Mayo years. Nothing major - just kinda pushing lads away rather than a proper skelp! Maybe I'm not remembering correctly. Anyway he's been fantastic in the last 2 games for Mayo and shown great discipline. Mayo would not be in the championship today if they didn't have him in the last2 matches.

Aah yeah, it's early days for Loftus. There were a couple of instances that would worry me about him but like you said, he's young. I was a little surprised that he was taken off so early. I think Regan must be showing better form in training.

MaroonAndGreen · 09-07-2017 08:47AM

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

MaroonAndGreen wrote: »

On the bits I've highlighted, I do have slight concerns about Boyle, long time on the road now, he's still playing well but I also would nearly put Coen in ahead of him too.

Also Aidan O'Shea never got involved in any niggly stuff his whole career, I've never once seen him retaliate to the abuse he gets and lads hanging off him, it isn't a new thing IMO.

With Loftus, it was his first real start, I think its understandable he may have been a bit tentative. That should leave his game with the experience though.

I seem to remember it was O'Shea thing to nearly always pick up a yellow for some sort of silly retaliation, particiculstly in his early Mayo years. Nothing major - just kinda pushing lads away rather than a proper skelp! Maybe I'm not remembering correctly. Anyway he's been fantastic in the last 2 games for Mayo and shown great discipline. Mayo would not be in the championship today if they didn't have him in the last2 matches.

Aah yeah, it's early days for Loftus. There were a couple of instances that would worry me about him but like you said, he's young. I was a little surprised that he was taken off so early. I think Regan must be showing better form in training.

Yeah Regan must be showing well in training. Did well when he came on too, had confidence to take on his man and won us a scoring free if I remember correctly.

If truth be told, in future we are going to probably need both Loftus and Regan to be starting forwards.

PARlance · 09-07-2017 08:49AM

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

I seem to remember it was O'Shea thing to nearly always pick up a yellow for some sort of silly retaliation, particiculstly in his early Mayo years. Nothing major - just kinda pushing lads away rather than a proper skelp! Maybe I'm not remembering correctly. Anyway he's been fantastic in the last 2 games for Mayo and shown great discipline. Mayo would not be in the championship today if they didn't have him in the last2 matches.

Aah yeah, it's early days for Loftus. There were a couple of instances that would worry me about him but like you said, he's young. I was a little surprised that he was taken off so early. I think Regan must be showing better form in training.

I think you're right, he has a maturity that wasn't there before... it's easy to forget that the lad only turned 27 last month. He was a bit "reactionary" up until a few years ago.

I was quite happy with Loftus. One more decent option is all I want, I think he'll be that at least. Some very good movement from him and a fair few mistakes that can be excused for now.

MaroonAndGreen · 09-07-2017 08:50AM

Actually credit to Marty Morrissey too, showed no bias in his commentary whatsoever and I'm sure he must have been willing a Clare win so much.

Fr Tod Umptious · 09-07-2017 09:17AM

PARlance wrote: »

Did someone hack into your account earlier today?

That's one hell of a turnaround.

We travelled away to a decent Div 2 team who had form coming into the match. They've also some fine footballers there that would cause anyone a few headaches. We knew the managed to go toe to toe with Kerry for a half. It was their big match and a stepping stone for ourselves.

We had a bad start, they came out fast. We got it together for an easy win in the end.

We seriously need to get things working better up front and we do need to address the ease at which teams are running through the middle but it's not doom and gloom for me anyway.

Based on the second half they are top 3.

But look at the big picture.

A few years ago Mayo would have opened a can of whoop ass on a decent Div 2 team.
Instead they struggle for the first half and then take control

That will not work v Dublin, Kerry, Tryone etc.

Look at the league too, there was a time when they were solid top 4, getting to the SF regularly.
Now they pull survival out of the bag in the last few games.

I'd expect them to get past Cork or Roscommon, but they really need a 70+ minutes performance after that.

PARlance · 09-07-2017 09:36AM

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

Based on the second half they are top 3.

But look at the big picture.

A few years ago Mayo would have opened a can of whoop ass on a decent Div 2 team.
Instead they struggle for the first half and then take control

That will not work v Dublin, Kerry, Tryone etc.

Look at the league too, there was a time when they were solid top 4, getting to the SF regularly.
Now they pull survival out of the bag in the last few games.

I'd expect them to get past Cork or Roscommon, but they really need a 70+ minutes performance after that.

I can't recall those whoop ass years tbh, you sure it was ourselves

We have developed more into a Championship team in recent years I think but that's not a bad thing in my book. Nobody bar Dublin can go full tilt for the full year.

We've beaten Kerry, Tyrone and Donegal already this year, I've no doubt they will raise their game against one of the big guys. Whether that's good enough vs Kerry or Dublin... doesn't look likely at present but we won't be far off.

Fr Tod Umptious · 09-07-2017 09:44AM

PARlance wrote: »

I can't recall those whoop ass years tbh, you sure it was ourselves

We have developed more into a Championship team in recent years I think but that's not a bad thing in my book. Nobody bar Dublin can go full tilt for the full year.

We've beaten Kerry, Tyrone and Donegal already this year, I've no doubt they will raise their game against one of the big guys. Whether that's good enough vs Kerry or Dublin... doesn't look likely at present but we won't be far off.

Down 2012
Galway 2013
Donegal 2013
Galway 2014
Galway 2015
Sligo 2015
Donegal 2015

Anyone who can't remember Galway and Donegal 2013 must have a short memory.

They hammered Roscommon in Castlebar one day as well I think.

jr86 · 09-07-2017 09:47AM

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

Down 2012
Galway 2013
Donegal 2013
Galway 2014
Galway 2015
Sligo 2015
Donegal 2015

Anyone who can't remember Galway and Donegal 2013 must have a short memory.

They hammered Roscommon in Castlebar one day as well I think.

2013 aswell. In fact they battered everyone till the final that year, well Tyrone second half.

That year was mayo's real peak imo. A poster made a good point here before that mayo's level has been slightly dropping with every year since, and id fully agree

PARlance · 09-07-2017 09:55AM

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

Down 2012
Galway 2013
Donegal 2013
Galway 2014
Galway 2015
Sligo 2015
Donegal 2015

Anyone who can't remember Galway and Donegal 2013 must have a short memory.

They hammered Roscommon in Castlebar one day as well I think.

You've listed a few big wins over the years... nearly half of them against Galway who were in the doldrums. Who's to say it won't continue this year. In fact, we hammered Roscommon earlier this year in the League and a 9 point win against Sligo was unconvincing.

We're not at our peak but at the same time I think you have to give credit to Div 2 teams that have bridged the gap over the last few years.

Fr Tod Umptious · 09-07-2017 10:13AM

PARlance wrote: »

You've listed a few big wins over the years... nearly half of them against Galway who were in the doldrums. Who's to say it won't continue this year. In fact, we hammered Roscommon earlier this year in the League and a 9 point win against Sligo was unconvincing.

We're not at our peak but at the same time I think you have to give credit to Div 2 teams that have bridged the gap over the last few years.

Galway were no different back then than Derry or Clare are now.
A decent Div 2 team, yet it was never in doubt.

Back then you were not scratching your head at half time wondering what was wrong.

What we did to Roscommon in the league does not matter, if you want to use that as a guide then throw in the Dublin game too.

Stoner · 09-07-2017 10:20AM

PARlance wrote:

You've listed a few big wins over the years... nearly half of them against Galway who were in the doldrums. Who's to say it won't continue this year. In fact, we hammered Roscommon earlier this year in the League and a 9 point win against Sligo was unconvincing.

I'd agree. Donegal in 2013 was a hammering, beating Sligo and Galway recently is not a big deal although Galway did give Kerry a scare in CP a few years ago.
Big wins in GAA are against the three Ulster counties, Dublin, Kerry and Mayo.

And being honest they are all close games, hammerings for anyone are few and far between

PARlance · 09-07-2017 10:45AM

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

Galway were no different back then than Derry or Clare are now.
A decent Div 2 team, yet it was never in doubt.

Back then you were not scratching your head at half time wondering what was wrong.

What we did to Roscommon in the league does not matter, if you want to use that as a guide then throw in the Dublin game too.

I did a lot of head scratching at the Derry game at the time but when I looked back, we played decent and would have had them well beaten only for one of the worst displays of shooting I've ever seen. But I don't think that's a permanent problem.

I wasn't too worried at HT yesterday. Clare had Kerry in a similar position and I felt we would have enough to pull away. I didn't foresee such a good start to the 2nd half and maybe that has me more optimistic than I should be.

I'm not trying to argue for arguing sake, I just think it shouldn't be doom and gloom. I fully expect use to be able to put it up to Kerry. I fully expect us to have a stutter past Roscommon/Cork.

I think we're at danger from going from having the strongest 1-7 (player wise) to having the strongest 1-9 if Aidan keeps her lit. I think we've one of, if not, the strongest panels around.

Yes, we've big problems in attack and our defensive system needs to be addressed but with the foundations of a good defence, good midfield and good squad... There's still hope yet. Added to that, this group rarely lets us down in terms of effort on the big stage. We won't be far off but a massive QF lies ahead.

Dublin too are in decline imo and have been for more than a year. I still think there's a lot to be learned about Kerry. Mayo 4 Sam.

Eyes Down Field · 09-07-2017 11:22AM

Is Round 4 for too early for Croke Park? They could group it with another game for a double header in Dublin?

Eyes Down Field · 09-07-2017 11:28AM

Question for Mayo supporters.

Would ye rather play Cork next or Roscommon?

km79 · 09-07-2017 11:29AM

Sky sports have both sets of final round qualifiers down for 5pm and 7pm
Limerick at 7pm would be horrible

Fr Tod Umptious · 09-07-2017 11:37AM

Eyes Down Field wrote: »

Question for Mayo supporters.

Would ye rather play Cork next or Roscommon?

Roscommon

Because meeting and beating Roscommon guarantees a QF v Kerry.

And meeting Kerry in the QF is better than meeting them in a SF.

Fr Tod Umptious · 09-07-2017 11:38AM

Eyes Down Field wrote: »

Is Round 4 for too early for Croke Park? They could group it with another game for a double header in Dublin?

Most round 4 games are in CP

But I believe U2 are playing that night so it's not available.

washman3 · 09-07-2017 11:44AM

We travelled away to a decent Div 2 team who had form coming into the match. They've also some fine footballers there that would cause anyone a few headaches. We knew the managed to go toe to toe with Kerry for a half. It was their big match and a stepping stone for ourselves.

We had a bad start, they came out fast. We got it together for an easy win in the end.

We seriously need to get things working better up front and we do need to address the ease at which teams are running through the middle but it's not doom and gloom for me anyway.[/QUOTE]

People definitely getting totally carried away.
Clare are tough but in reality are only the fourth best team in Munster.
Would not beat Tipp and when push comes to shove in a championship game, they would not beat Cork. I was at both their Limerick and Kerry games. They only beat the worst Limerick team in 25 years by a point and could easily have lost it in the final minutes. That's Limerick, a team that will not get out of Division 4 in the foreseeable future. Truth be told, Kerry never moved out of first gear in Ennis, I repeat first gear. Fair enough, Clare had a fine win over Laois, then again this is a Laois team that's only a pale shadow of what they were some years back. Clare do have an excellent midfield, but unfortunately also have a goalkeeper that's nowhere in touch with the modern game. Simply cannot pick out his midfielders with a kickouts. it's only a hit and hope effort when he does. Dare I say, if Mayo had the 2 Clare midfielders they would win Sam, even though the great Gary Brennan is completely drained after his exploits with Ballyea hurlers.
I still don't buy this AOS nonsense and the media once again fawning over him.
Harrison,Barrett or indeed Clarke were ahead of him for MOTM.
For me, it should've been Clarke, Clare would have opened a serious gap on the scoreboard in the first half but for him.
AOS has nowhere near the mobility required to play midfield against the big teams. I have always said the Seamie is a far better player but now the milage is catching up on him too. Clare were a beaten docket when Aidan 'turned on the style'. The black card,the injury and the softest of goals all came within 3 minutes and completely deflated them.
Come the big tests we will see the 'real' AOS.
Watch this space.!!

Mayo GAA Discussion Part 2

Comments