Mayo GAA Discussion

I'd imagine one of the main targets for the rest of the league (besides 2 more points) will be trying to play Cillian, Aidan or/and Tommy (potentially Mattie too when we see how he comes back) into a bit of form. They're all in desperate need of something, be it a fluke goal from a shot dropping short, a ball bouncing in off their knee or a POTM performance to try and get a spark going and get a little confidence up.

We could certainly play with any 3 from RO'D/Conroy/McHale/Towey/Carr/Irwin (/Quinn, hopefully he'll be given a chance to show where he's at) for the last 4 games, but I wouldn't expect it and not sure it'd be in our best interests for he year ahead. Cillian needs at least a couple of starts if he's to get anywhere close to where he can get to.

McStay gave injury updates including Carr after the Dublin game ~2 weeks ago (no idea if the 'another' you mentioned might have been after that). At that point they were looking at Round 4 (Tyrone next week) or Round 5 (Roscommon) as possibilities for James.

Injured his knee in the club championship last September. Don't think it was ACL but had to get some sort of surgery.

Don’t think he’s a part of the panel this year.

I’d agree he was unfairly lambasted for that effort. People have a tendency to be overly critical of lads that take low percentage shots and miss, and yet be critical when people don’t take those same shots. 🤷🏼

That’s what I understood also

I agree with the contrast between Kerrys long kicking and our ponderous approach. Kerry may have better long kickers but I think the main problem is our obsession with soloing. I see it at underage as well where a player takes that extra unnecessary solo and runs into trouble - either with a delayed kick into the forward line or getting bottled up and overturned.

Aidan drifting out the field is also part of it. The counter attack visibly slows when he gets the ball. I believe if he was replaced by McHale or Towie the attacks would be much slicker. We will never know until its tried though.

The lateral passing is also a thing but the soloing as well. Eoin McLoughlin for example is guilty of it. Makes some great runs but then takes that extra solo when he should release the ball and then he gets dispossessed.

Even if McStay were wedded to the idea of playing Aidan he should have a plan B in the event that he got injured. It's no use leaving it until championship.

If we pick up 2 more points and no doubt we will he will surely have to mix things up a bit.

It's unclear if EMcL will ever develop that decision making as he took up the sport fairly late. When he was in close to goal in the first half the better option was to fist it over but he blazed it wide. Not sure what he was trying but an easy point missed.

I remember a few tap overs alright when a goal chance was possible. Usually top teams have forwards that have goal on their mind when they get the ball and only take the point when the goal chance isn't on. That needs to be encouraged.

Strongest 15 with everyone available in my opinion.

Positions in defence quite fluid depending on opposition

Reape

Coyne Brick Callinan

Paddy McBrien Hession

DOC Carney Flynn

Boland

Conroy McHale

Carr Rod

A primary ball winner is the missing link. Ruane's form has been off for too long. Touhy - developing but not quite there yet.

Conroy needs a chance to play himself into form but Towey also deserves another couple of chances in the league to stake a claim. Need 4-5 players who can take a score.

O'Shea is really slowing down the play at this stage but has a role as an impact sub down the line. Sadly Cillian is looking well off the pace, but again could play himself back into contention with an injury free run as a shooter of his ability is worth his weight in gold.

McLaughlin is some athlete but the basic skills of a Hession are vastly superior and if he stays fit is the superior option. Coen, good back up to have.

The league is the time to coach players to make better decisions themselves. Rather than try to prescribe every moment. Brickenden made the wrong decision twice there. First to take the mark and second to shoot. And the players around him failed to show leadership or back him up by making themselves available. Massive coaching opportunities there which if taken could benefit the team more in the long run than having every decision prescribed from the touchline. If the management team make all the decisions players will never make them for themselves and you will have a weaker team. Last year we had a team that mentally wilted many times under pressure. Like they did not have the autonomy to play what was in front of them and had nothing to fall back on.. This has vastly improved this year and by not taking on every decision the management are perhaps giving them space to evolve their on field leadership. I hope so at least.

Not to say in May or June with a championship on the line you dint want management giving guidance. But you don't want it to be a crutch, and in round 3 of the league, with 2 wins already under the belt, give the players the space to learn

It's almost as if Hession was returning from a layoff. A bit early to be judging him on his return.

An outside view on Mayo's age profile. Wouldn't agree in Diarmuid's case but the overall point seems to chime with idea of McStay not having too many older players on the field at the same time.

A bit of a bugbear of mine is this recent enough trend of writing "an article" based on a few comments someone made in a podcast. You would have to listen to the podcast to get a proper reflection of what was said.

Including Diarmuid is daft and discussions regarding the roles Aidan and Cillian will play this year is hardly groundbreaking. I think we all know that that's something McStay needs to get right by the Championship.

It’s a cheap clickbait article and the fella making the comments doesn’t sound like he has a clue about what he’s on about.

The older part applies to the need to move in a different direction as much anything. I don't see him evolving with different systems.

But I think but pace wise and stamina wise he is really struggling now to last beyond a half hour and I believe age is a factor there. Even playing inside he is unable to get out in front of his man. Out the field he cannot track a player. There aren't that many older players than Aidan playing to a high level that I can think of. James McCarthy is the same age but is naturally much more athletic and mobile.