Mayo GAA Discussion

Westernview · 23-02-2024 10:23AM

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.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2024/0222/1433905-are-mayo-passengers-holding-back-teams-evolution/

RedDevil55 · 23-02-2024 11:11AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121806124#Comment_121806124

Sure we must have the youngest team/panel in division 1. Aidan, Cillian and O'Hora are the only outfield players in their 30s.

PARlance · 23-02-2024 11:21AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121806124#Comment_121806124

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.

Westernview · 23-02-2024 11:29AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121806380#Comment_121806380

That's not the point. It's about having the older, slower players on the bench. Despite some good individual play the forward line as a whole is not functioning properly, especially the full foward line. And it will be very difficult to develop an attacking style of play while Aidan is named up front but drifting back the field and pulling the shape of the team with him.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121806449#Comment_121806449

He says the same thing in the podcast. I'll be interested to see the team named for sunday. Hopefully some changes will be made up front.

Blackjack · 23-02-2024 11:45AM

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.

RedDevil55 · 23-02-2024 11:49AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121806513#Comment_121806513

Aidan has not played well the last two games so by all means we should try something different. Just a bit lazy to put it down to age IMO. Is he any slower now than 2 or 3 years ago?

There are several players older than Aidan around the country still performing to a very high level.

Westernview · 23-02-2024 12:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121806645#Comment_121806645

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.

RedDevil55 · 23-02-2024 12:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121806728#Comment_121806728

As I said, he didn't play well the last two games so I'd be in favour of trying something else. However, saying he can't get out in front of his man is just plain wrong if you watched the Galway game. Even vs Dublin he won a few balls out in front. Didn't win any vs Kerry that I remember but neither did Tommy and we know that's not due to lack of pace.

Paul Conroy and Chrissy Mccaigue are a year older, Karl O'Connell, Mick Fitz, Conor McManus are 2 or 3 years older.

Anyway back to the article, I don't think it's fair saying McStay is too loyal to the older lads. Aidan has been replaced midway through the second half of every game, Cillian has only had 3 cameo appearances. Everyone else who has played is under 30 so not old at all.