Mayo GAA Discussion - Part 4

ToBeFrank123 wrote: »

Our Achilles heel has always been the last 10 or 15 mins against Dublin.

Even when we beat them in 2012, we ran out of steam in the last 10 mins and just about clung on.

Other games we threw away leads or just clung on for a replay or extra time.

So if I was the Mayo management, I would seriously focus on this period. They probably do that already, but its where its been won or lost in recent encounters.

I'd nearly prefer us to be 3 or 4 points down at the 60th minute and ending the game the stronger. I'm not sure we have anyone on the bench to match what Dublin bring on, which is why I think again Dublin will close this out.

We were 6 down with 63 minutes on the clock in 2015...

flasher0030 wrote: »

Ya. That's annoying, but always going to be the case.
I wouldn't worry about tickets yet. Same thing happens all the time at music gigs. Big fanfare on the morning of a sale, but then plenty of tickets become available.
Nothing better to create publicity and buzz around an event, than to play along with the "almost sold-out" mantra.

Well this is it. I'd be fairly confident clubs will come through for a lot of people before the end of the week, but it is a shame that sunshine supporters create this feeling of unfairness around it though. But selling tickets through online websites and centra and the likes will create this free for all where people who don't go to games all year end up getting tickets to the big days out, while the fans who have followed their teams around the country have to sit at home. So many of them are utterly shameless about it too.

PressRun wrote: »

Seems to happen every year unfortunately. A lot of people come out of the woodwork around semi final and final times, lots of people who don't attend games all year but want to be able to say they were there when Mayo beat Dublin/won the all ireland, likewise on the Dublin side I'm sure there are plenty who just want to be there so they can say they saw dublin do the 5 in a row or just want to be there because Mayo v Dublin is a bit of an occasion now. I know of a few who got tickets this morning who haven't been to a single game this year, a couple of them wouldn't even go out of their way to watch it on television but because there's an atmosphere and excitement around this fixture, they want to be there just to say that they were. And then there's the touting...
Unfortunately a lot of fans who attend games all year end up losing out.

Perhaps that is the case for the final but I'm not sure if that statement washes for the semi final.

82,000 plus capacity stadium.

Core Mayo support all year round including season ticket holders is at a maximum 10 to 12 thousand (league attendance)

Not sure what the equivalent is for Dublin but it sure does'nt add up to 82,000 plus.

You're always going to get occasion supporters but in all honesty they don't get a fraction of the enjoyment out of such a fixture as year round supporters.

The anticipation and nerves have never been as bad.

Diarmuid O'Connor coming on as a sub in the 2017 final gave us a big lift - a quality player coming on with fresh legs.

I think when you're playing Dublin, you have to leave at least 2/3 quality players coming in fresh for the final 20/25. There's definitely an argument for it, especially with the fact we have such a little turnaround this year.

I'd leave Higgins off until then, bring him on and give him a role further up the pitch. Eoin O'D will do fine in the corner. Maybe Ruane and Andy too (wouldn't be against starting Andy though). McLoughin is another candidate obviously because of last Saturday but with Doherty gone, that's probably a no go.

PressRun wrote: »

Seems to happen every year unfortunately. A lot of people come out of the woodwork around semi final and final times, lots of people who don't attend games all year but want to be able to say they were there when Mayo beat Dublin/won the all ireland, likewise on the Dublin side I'm sure there are plenty who just want to be there so they can say they saw dublin do the 5 in a row or just want to be there because Mayo v Dublin is a bit of an occasion now. I know of a few who got tickets this morning who haven't been to a single game this year, a couple of them wouldn't even go out of their way to watch it on television but because there's an atmosphere and excitement around this fixture, they want to be there just to say that they were. And then there's the touting...
Unfortunately a lot of fans who attend games all year end up losing out.

As long as you're not sat beside them then you're alright. The good thing about the Season Ticket is that you're ususally in with the Mayo support and people who attend most games.

jr86 wrote: »

It's funny in one way, in that when you sit back and think about it, it's actually quite a lot of hassle and expense to go to a final. Potentially long journey, queues for breakfast, insane queues for bars, a huge rush to meet people/collect tickets/ drop off tickets, all for over an hour and a half at an event you wouldn't watch 99% of the year. While young people won't care about a lot of that , and of course the proper fans won't care, you'd have to think it'd be very tedious for older people with a passing interest in the sport at best

Funny how the human mind works when it comes to perceived social norms and social acceptance however. People would gladly pay a few hundred quid for a day that'll more revolve around getting a nice family Instagram photo outside Quinns!!

They see it as a day out more than anything and getting the chance to be part of an occasion. It's the fear of missing out and the need to be involved in something that everyone else is talking about.

Edgware wrote: »

Not forgetting the selfies or waving if they are seen on the big screen

(Don't mind me - just spying Dub curious to see if ticket situation is same and seems it is with club members and loyal supporters being taken for granted.)


The big screen one is good. Sudden transformation of grieving person into preening Kardashian - and that's just the Galway men

Deleted User wrote: »

As someone rightly pointed out earlier there are only about a max of 12,000 die-hard Mayo supporters who try to get to every game. So if the "occasion junkies" didn't come along you would be looking out of theCusack stand at 68,000 Dubs. Be careful what you wish for.

Croke Park is big enough for everyone. Just enjoy the occasion.

Don't worry, I will be enjoying the occasion. I would like if the people I know who also attend matches all year get to enjoy it too.

On the game itself, I don't know exactly how it will go but I feel a lot less optimistic about it than I felt coming into the Donegal game last week. As the week wore on last week and the vibes I was hearing, I just had a good feeling about it and felt there was going to be a reaction.

If we weren't carrying so many injuries and had maybe one more week to prepare for this game, I might feel a little happier about it, but as it stands, Dublin have a fully fit squad and basically just had a kick about with Tyrone last weekend where they rested many of the players who will probably start against us.

Whereas we just played a highly physical game and I think a lot of emotion was involved in it too. I think the lads were absolutely determined to win that game and were very up for it and it can take time to come back down from that high. The quick turnaround means they've only had a few days to sort out any aches and pains as well as parking the emotions from that game.

Now maybe it will work in our favour and create momentum that will push us on and perhaps Dublin will be a little undercooked, but I can see fatigue eventually showing at some point late in the game and us kind of fading out of it when Dublin run their bench tbh.

That all said, I'm not ruling anything out. Supposed to be a wet day, which might slow down play and would maybe suit someone like Seamie O'Shea and his physicality. But I think Jason Doherty will be sorely missed in that scenario. A great man for a wet day, loves breaking tackles and winning dirty ball. I actually don't think we have a like for like replacement. Kevin McLoughlin, while clever and quick, is not as strong a physical presence as Jason and I don't see Diarmuid playing 70 minutes (if he plays at all). Will be interesting to see if Mattie Ruane gets put in, but again, dunno if he will have a full game in him either. If he had a full summer of football behind him, I'd feel more optimisitc about his chances of matching up with Fenton, but as it stands, I don't think it's realistic. But I also don't think Seamie is the answer there either because he's not mobile enough. So not really sure what can be done about that particular match up.

Philly McMahon might pick up James Carr, which could be a rude awakening for James. Would be very nervous about Darren Coen's chances against the Dublin full back line as well. I think I would still hold Andy in reserve, especially if it's wet and a bit more physical on the day, as his movement might give the Dublin full back line something to think about when they've already had a bit to do all day, but could see Coen getting a torrid time. Seems to be a confidence player who needs everything to fall just right - if he scores the first attempt, he'll score them all, but if he misses, he'll miss everything for the rest of the day. I don't see any of those Dublin backs giving him an inch and you can be sure they'll be getting in his face and ear too. You'd have to wonder what being hooked so early the last day will have done for him too.

Paddy Durcan to pick up McCaffrey surely? Not sure what the story will be with Lee, maybe Kilkenny? O'Callaghan will need to be looked at also. Not sure if it's a game to start Higgins in or not? I feel like he might be targeted if he plays. I just feel like he has been a bit of weak link lately and I don't know if I really trust him to hold his own anymore. I thought O'Donoghue did well when he came on for him after the black card the last day.

A lot to think about.

Bunny Colvin wrote: »

ST money is taken out of the account today...I hope?

Ya, I believe so with tickets available from 3

Edit: some have theirs available already. Just rechecked, 303

Season tickets are up logged in and printed mine off 308 AA

PLenty of tickets on ticketmaster now
even seats together in the Upper Cusack / Davin