Mayo GAA Discussion - Part 3

MayoAreMagic wrote: »

You stated that their footballers play the games but actually do little training. The only teams that just tog out for the games and dont really bother training are, in my experience, social teams knocking about in junior B, whose manager will have to tog himself out at full forward, complete with jeans and a pair of trainers at least once a season...

Nothing wrong with those teams by the way, however we have since learned that this team are in fact a division 2 team who operate at intermediate. So the suggestion that they dont really train, is to put it mildly, obviously not accurate.

Majority of team are dual players and train mostly for hurling. That fitness allows them to compete in AFL2 each year.They have good footballers but hurling is priority.

Why are Ballinrobe not objecting to this? If we allow this to be the norm we will end up with 2-3 super teams and the rest feeding them.

I think its an absolute disgrace. It is not the way we do things in the GAA.
Its one thing if its a move away to another county like Billie Joe or Austin O'Malley. Chuckie played for years for us travelling up and down while putting together a serious career, nobody begrudged him when he transferred to Na Fianna.

To say he has roots in Castlebar is nonsense, its 20 mins away and he still has a store in Ballinrobe. I think its clear that Donie Vaughan thinks about Donie Vaughan first. I thought the exact same when Paul McGarry moved from Kilfian to Ballina.

Even from a PR point of view its strange timing given the September hes had

happyoutscan wrote: »

Maybe Im wrong but Id have thought he would have had the manners to at least tell some of the senior players of his decision. I know that he didnt and they are not impressed with him.

In fairness, if what we heard here is true, and those same clubmates heartily referred to him as 'the gimp', I don't think he owes them much courtesy...

Reading between the lines, you would have to say that it would appear relations had soured a bit, which probably only served to help to move along. I find that sort of thing to be bad form to be honest. A bit of in-joking is one thing, and is sometimes required to keep guys grounded, but players should be given respect also and the above situation sounds a bit nasty tbh. Playing for the home club is all well and good, but you should be enjoying the thing also, otherwise what are you doing it for?

Personally, I don't begrudge him the move. County football is one thing, but club football is intertwined with all the little things from our day to day lives. It is easy passing judgement, but I'm sure there is another side to it also. From what I have heard, he is a very honest and straight guy. Id be of the mind to give him the benefit of the doubt rather than assuming the worst, which appears to be the default setting of many in the media.

Jaden wrote: »

*WARNING:* Aimless Speculation ahead.

I suspect that Donie won't feature heavily at IC level from here on in.

* Age is not on his side, hitting 30.
* Temperament is working against him.The AIF sending off is viewed by many as the primary reason Mayo lost. A needless, pointless sending off when a cool head was needed.
* The mercenary nature of his move won't endear him to management.
* Mayo have a strong squad when it comes to backs, they may have options here.

To my mind, what he was doing in the AI final wasn't him losing the rag. It was in fact a deliberate reaction to a guy that was on a yellow, who had just committed a very heavy foul.
Vaughan was going in, as we see a lot of seasoned players doing these days, to make sure the guy was getting the red, and probably pick up a yellow himself in collateral damage. What went wrong is Small didn't see him coming and so wasn't able to brace himself, and also happened to turn away slightly before connection was made, which made it look a lot worse. He also should have looked to push him rather than the awkward action he tried to do. He does it correctly and small gets into a tangle with him, they both get yellows and mayo have 14-15. Because of that I don't really buy into blaming him personally.

MayoAreMagic wrote: »

To my mind, what he was doing in the AI final wasn't him losing the rag. It was in fact a deliberate reaction to a guy that was on a yellow, who had just committed a very heavy foul.
Vaughan was going in, as we see a lot of seasoned players doing these days, to make sure the guy was getting the red, and probably pick up a yellow himself in collateral damage. What went wrong is Small didn't see him coming and so wasn't able to brace himself, and also happened to turn away slightly before connection was made, which made it look a lot worse. He also should have looked to push him rather than the awkward action he tried to do. He does it correctly and small gets into a tangle with him, they both get yellows and mayo have 14-15. Because of that I don't really buy into blaming him personally.

You are suggesting that he got a straight red for gamesmanship gone wrong. Great result for the game if so as nobody wants that sort of thing where people are trying to get others sent off.

km79 wrote: »

He im was a massive loss in the final and the final replay
That’s tells you all you need to know
One of our most consistent and important performers at croke park

Jesus if we were to cast aside all the members of the panel around 30 who had got carded this year there wouldn’t be many left

Pure hogwash

A few years ago many here were writing him off.

He had lost his place in the half back line and was tried at midfield and his form was poor.

I think injuries and lack of form form full backs allowed him to re-establish himself in a new system.

What is in store for him next year I don't know.

Audioslaven wrote:

I think Vaughan's issue will be other panel members coming in ahead of him. He has been super for us but it will be interesting to see. You would have to think Durcan will get better and be a starter, Coen will be pushing as well. Will Barrett still wait in CB. I hope we get someone new to push in the back line as well. It will make it super competitive

I thought that this year he was very good. He had a robust approach to his play and it was consistent this year.

Couple of years ago he'd play very well at midfield one week and the next game would pass him by, he'd show great distribution one day and nothing the next.

He was foolish this year in the final, but he had his best season imo up to that, an improved player and imo a starter, he's a very physical player and TBH that's a huge part of Mayo's game he has that toughness that comes with age.

It's a great interview with Lee Keegan, I listened to it today.

In other news, the Mayo News is reporting that Kevin Keane is back training.

http://mayogaablog.com/?p=22199

Rochford's interview on OTB last night.
http://www.offtheball.com/stephen-rochford-mayo-2017-to-2018

Happy Christmas all. Here's to more of the same in 2018 (with maybe a little less heartache )

Mayo News article re some of the new and not so new blood drafted into the senior squad for the early stages of the FBD while the lads enjoy their well earned break.Nice to see Knockmore's Peter Naughton get an opportunity,he has always impressed when I've seen him in action.

http://www.mayonews.ie/sports/31351-mayo-off-for-holiday-break

They're not bringing 70 lads. They're bringing 25-30 squad members and their partners. Throw in a few of the selectors, backroom team etc etc and there is your 70.

seligehgit wrote: »

The FBD is all about experimentation,most if not all of the squad travelling are known to the management.Their credentials are known and they are at this stage a long time on the road so a rest is well due.It is beyond futile in the extreme having those lads anywhere near the FBD league.

And yet most of them players will see game time in round 3 and 4 of the FBD.

manofwisdom wrote: »

Yes i was adding in the selectors and backroom team members which is why i said lads instead of players, bare in mind i was working off the link provided by seligehgit that doesn't mention partners.




Experimentation this time of year no doubt but it is still the start of the competitive season and with no college sides involved it might be a more useful competition this year. Out of interest who is left to manage,coach,train and lay out the tactics for the players that will line out v Galway on Jan 7th?

Stephen Rochford I'd imagine manofwisdom.He is staying put for the second consecutive year.

If I recall from the last few years the main squad players were only involved peripherally in the FBD league even in the latter stages.

Is Alan Freeman back in the panel?

Has he more time to commit to the cause?