Mayo GAA Discussion

I'd agree McStay seems to lack ruthlessness despite his army background. But we have seen twice previously in Mayo football how player power gets rid of managers who show an extra edge to their style. Whoever was appointed would have to be backed by the county board against that happening again - especially if it was an outside appointment. We had a detailed lengthy process to arrive at McStay so not sure how that can be improved on. I'd rather see McStay continue with some changes to the backroom for another year at least.

Speaking of the county board I find it noticeable how quiet they have been in recent times. Maybe that's a sign of things running smoothly but I would have thought there would be more communication from the PRO/Secretary/Chairman on matters off field. Apart from annual conventions it's very difficult to gauge how things are progressing regarding the centre of excellence, underage coaching, commercial fundraising etc.

Motivation isn't the problem. Mayo are probably the most motivated team out there. There's something seriously lacking in Mayo club football that produces very few genuinely good forwards. I struggle to think of a team where you had more than one very good forward and a decent enough one at the same time. The few games I saw of the club championship last year on TV were absolutely pathetic from an attacking standpoint and it has been borne out for many years with very few Mayo teams going on to win a Connaught title.

There needs to be a root and branch review of coaching as far as I can see looking in from the outside. Maybe its happened already as the minor team this year looked a fairly stylish bunch. Hopefully they aren't too reliant on young Kobe and there's others stepping up to the plate.

McStay won a club all-ireland and brought connacht championship to Roscommon. Like him or not, he was the most qualified candidate

Nonsense. The car pushing thing was completely overblown. McDonald had that team the fittest they had been in years. We played the semi final that year in a sulk and allowed a nervous Donegal team who never won a semi-final to go on and win their first all ireland against a very average Dublin team. Yeah blame the management for that.

"Accepting less than the best is one of the reasons why we haven't won Sam in over 70 years" So after not accepting those managers we went on to win the all ireland then did we? Since McDonald we've had Maughan twice, Jack O'Shea, O'Mahoney, Horan twice, Holmes Connelly, McStay twice. Yeah it's definitely the managers that are the problem.

So who should have got the job instead of McStay then? Second place candidate Ray Dempsey only lasted a few weeks in Limerick.

Whinging about referees and calling for manager sackings is never going to bring an all Ireland to Mayo.

With moran gone from Letrim will he end up on any mayo set up?

Good footballer and got better with age but lets leave it at that.

Kildare commenced a process of appointing a new Senior Footballer Manager tonight be interesting to see will Andy Moran be one of their candidates?

If that's the case he won't have much of a CV . Will need more than that to be a credible applicant.

Connaught Telegraph doing as they do best specultiing that Andy Moran has left Leitrim to link up with Kevin McStay's set up for 2025. For that to happen one of Rochford,Buckley will have to step down/leave and Moran would be a down grade on both of them in truth.

What about the Corofin coach that replaced McHale?

At a time when we're likely to see a big shift in tactics due to tweaks in the rules (though no clear path yet on what those final changes will look like) I'd be excited to see what Donie Buckley can do next year. He's exactly the man you'd want coming into the unknown like this.

Studies the game (& other games) as closely as anyone in the country, learns from & builds upon best coaching practices globally & constantly shifting & updating his coaching to keep it fresh & progressing for lads working under him for multiple years. Expecting a move to the new 12v12 setups and handling counter plays to how others might try and manipulate free runners under the new system will be something I'd expect him to shine at.

Fingers and toes crossed Donie isn't going anywhere.

St Brigids in Roscommon fans also as in the 90s he led them to their first county title since the 60s and was involved in their first ever Connacht title won in the 00s. Mayo hadn't reached All Ireland senior final since 1951 before he became manager and a good few of that 1989 senior team was part of 1983 U21 All Ireland winning managed by John. RIP

Agreed. It's crazy.

Tyrone have had a couple of interesting moves straight off the training ground that have worked wonderfully well for them… though even then it's a rare sight for them rather than a common one.

It'll be interesting to watch if the new 'advantage' change or just the 20/45 positioning change manage to make it through. The advantage in particular (especially if combined with a 4 point goal) could see an increase in use as it gives a huge opportunity to attack sides & not having to fear the turnover so much.