Mayo GAA Discussion - Part 3

A solid if not particularly spectacular performance.

Our midfield hardly won one of our own kickouts off David Clarke's kickouts,likely to be a real issue if we go deep into the championship.

TBF Ger Cafferkey had a solid outing,a squad option but surely Brendan Harrison is in a pole position for the full back position.

Our full back line tonight looked a bit creaky.Eoin O Donoghue IMO should be a certainty as a championship starter.Chris Barrett is his main competition.

Stephen Coen was solid but tends to get a nose bleed when he gets within shooting distance.TBF his utility is working against him.It's doubtful he'll start in the full back line come championship,the half back line is ultra competitive with Michael Plunkett coming into the reckoning as a serious alternative to Colm Boyle.

Diarmuid's skilset is spectacular,his ability to handpass off of either hand,footpassing and another lovely second half score.His workrate is immense and distance covered off the richter scale.

Matthew had a solid if inconspicious inter county debut.I do believe his future is bright.

Fionn McDonagh impressed yet again with his willingness to get on the ball,his directness when attacking the goals.He has a beautiful languid style and took his score with aplomb.His lack of fear in taking on a shot was exemplified in his attempt off his weaker right foot.

Aidan O Shea is doing so much unappreciated hidden to the eye donkey work.His linkage of play is very good and he took his score from the mark in great style.

He moved between the full forward line and the full back position in the later stages.A truly selfless top performance by Aidan.He has never looked in better shape physically.

Jason Doc freetaking was on the mark and as usual his workrate was top class.

Andy Moran produced another performance that demonstrated why he is a former footballer of the year.

Tough night out for young Colm Moran who is in the infancy of what is potentially going to be a great stint playing for the green and red.

Very tough end for Evan Regan,looks like he may have dislocated his shoulder yet again.Hopefully it is far less serious.

He struggled to win his ball inside or he has a tendency to be lazy in his tackling leading to fouls.His shot selection continues to let him down.Unfortunately he tends to put the head down rather than looking up and oft it leads to turnovers.

Brian Reape came on and yet again had the confidence to take the shot on and take his score.More league minutes for Ciaran Treacy and James McCormack.A welcome return for Kevin Mc.

Good to see Seamie O Shea and Conor Loftus itching for action amongst the substitutes.

Big shout out for all the Cavan folk who made the journey.We'd a very pleasant convo with Dara McVeety's loved ones during the match.Lovely score to open the proceedings and he'd a very decent game while trying to hold down Aidan.

Onward to Croker to face a wounded animal.Yikes I'd imagine Jim Gavin may start not far off his strongest available team to make a statement of intent.We've an atrocious record in recent league matches against the Dubs.I'd like us to have a real go and I believe that's how James Horan will set us up.

TBF it was a cracking contest in Tralee.

seligehgit wrote: »

Onward to Croker to face a wounded animal.Yikes I'd imagine Jim Gavin may start not far off his strongest available team to make a statement of intent.We've an atrocious record in recent league matches against the Dubs.I'd like us to have a real go and I believe that's how James Horan will set us up.

TBF it was a cracking contest in Tralee.

I'm interested to see both line outs for the Dublin match. I'd say Gavin will field a strong team after what transpired in Tralee. Wouldn't be surprised to see Cluxton back in the mix. He won't want another loss.
Not sure what Horan will do. He could go strong as well and have a proper crack at them. Alternatively, it could be a good opportunity to give the youngsters a taste of Croke Park against a Dublin team that will want to win. See what they're really made of.

PressRun wrote: »

I'm interested to see both line outs for the Dublin match. I'd say Gavin will field a strong team after what transpired in Tralee. Wouldn't be surprised to see Cluxton back in the mix. He won't want another loss.
Not sure what Horan will do. He could go strong as well and have a proper crack at them. Alternatively, it could be a good opportunity to give the youngsters a taste of Croke Park against a Dublin team that will want to win. See what they're really made of.

From what I can see presently Mayo are one of the few teams that can go toe to toe with the Dubs believing they can beat them. I imagine there will be a strong temptation from Horan to field a side made up of as many old hands that know the Dubs inside out and lay down a marker.
On the other hand he will know that there is going to be no place better than in their back yard to find out just what he has in those young lads coming through, with an eye to the championship.
A tricky choice for him, but one that practically every manager in the country would love to have, but haven`t the luxury of the talent available to Horan.

crusier wrote:

Dublin always have an extra gear for Mayo and can always finish them off. This young Kerry team is the threat to Dublin going forward and if Mayo can't beat Galway where are they in reality. Mayo are living in the past. It's February and the ****e talk from mayo has already started. A few league wins V the two weakest tream's in the league and a weak Tyrone and we have to start listening to this crap again. Groundhog Day!

Thanks Crusier. It's always helpful to read your posts as a counterpoint to the intelligent analysis in here. I look forward to the year ahead. Mind your blood pressure now. Would hate to loose ya.

km79 wrote: »

I prefer not to read them hence ignore list unless quoted ..........
There are a fair few lads worried now alright after the reality check Dublin gave them last August
No extra gear even needed .........

Also I am fairly sure Charlie 14 is a Dub so it wasn’t even a Mayo supporter talking us up

Charlie 14 is a Donegal man and a very good poster to boot.:)

seligehgit wrote: »

km79 wrote: »

I prefer not to read them hence ignore list unless quoted ..........
There are a fair few lads worried now alright after the reality check Dublin gave them last August
No extra gear even needed .........

Also I am fairly sure Charlie 14 is a Dub so it wasn’t even a Mayo supporter talking us up

Charlie 14 is a Donegal man and a very good poster to boot.:)

My point stands . It wasn’t a mayo supporter talking us up . It was a neutral.

I suppose when you see the absolute PUKE being served up by our neighbors it’s no wonder they love watching and talking about us

km79 wrote: »

I prefer not to read them hence ignore list unless quoted ..........
There are a fair few lads worried now alright after the reality check Dublin gave them last August
No extra gear even needed .........

Also I am fairly sure Charlie 14 is a Dub so it wasn’t even a Mayo supporter talking us up

Seligehgit got it in one.


From knocking around with Mayo lads in years gone by, (and many many pints in Mick Byrne`s Castlebar) I would have a bit of a soft spot for Mayo, but when it comes to the GAA I call it like I see it.


Not like some of them Dubs that wouldn`t be beyond attempting to lull you into a false sense of comfort

kippy wrote: »

Looked like Regan did the shoulder again alright which is unfortunate.

I don't mean to be harsh, but is Regan ever going to make it? He always seems too light and things never seem to go his way.

Coen fluffed one great chance where he pulled up early and could have went a bit further or looked for the goal.



Not sure if he is the finished article for this team as what's his best position?


He could possibly grow further into the team over the years but given the talent we have coming through, he needs to put down a marker and stake a claim for a jersey.

finisklin wrote: »

Coen fluffed one great chance where he pulled up early and could have went a bit further or looked for the goal.



Not sure if he is the finished article for this team as what's his best position?


He could possibly grow further into the team over the years but given the talent we have coming through, he needs to put down a marker and stake a claim for a jersey.

Also agree on this, he is a fantastic athlete with a serious engine but that's enough imo. When he gets inside the 45, its almost like he starts to panic a bit and looks to offload.

James Horan let the cat out of the bag on the podcast re open training sessions.TBH I'd seen the lads training in the distance from the warmth of the clubhouse whilst racking my head in vain for answers at quiz nights.:D

I'm not too sure he truly wants us paying homage.:)

TBF the point is entirely valid that Ger Caff suffered greatly with that hamstrung injury.

Again it is entirely valid that down through the years on occasions he's been left very isolated and offered little protection in the full back line.

He's suited towards a certain type of player.

Most certainly not a big physical player ak Donaghy or a very zippy player but I hope he continues to prove some of us wrong going forward.

feargale wrote: »

Can anybody tell me if Mayo played London in the hurling league this weekend and the result please. Thanks.

I've dropped somebody in the know a text. I'll PM you when I get a reply.

Ok lads with Aidan getting the captaincy this weekend any takers that for the proposition he should retain it for the year?

Personally think that the captaincy isn't all that important nowadays.

The high horse brigade wrote:

Until they have a bad day and need someone to stand up and be a leader

Each and every player that gets a match day jersey needs to be a leader. The ceremonial thing of a captain is only needed for coin toss really and walking some steps on occasion.