Mayo GAA Discussion

Well assume just made an ass of me, whatever about the rest of you. Are Pearses more beatable opponents for Ballina (or Strandhill, just to be on the safe side this time)?

I'm not clear on what you are saying there. You say its still likely that the winners will come from the top 4 or 5 teams which is what I'd agree with. In other words with rule changes it's still the best teams most likely to win. But you also suggest an increased chance for teams inside the top 10 with rule changes. I'd argue that the likes of Roscommon cork cavan won't be within an asses roar of winning it no matter what new rules are brought in. The top teams willl logically have the best long range kickers outside the 40 for example. Mayo may slip down the order on that point but hardly below the teams I mentioned there.

There is an element of "hope" about a breakthrough but the better teams will just bring a new strategy with the proposed rules, but the top teams will execute this under the extreme pressure in a semi or final and win, because they have more skilful intelligent footballers. Alot of teams will use the league to examine the new rules and how best to play. You may get an breakthrough in the provincial games but by the time the quarters/semi come, the top teams will be well oiled. There is an element of the more things change, the more they stay the same, as one of the top teams will most likely win SAM. Paddy power has the top teams below but I would remove Galway from that as I don't think they have what it takes. Are Mayo a top team….no but can they…. possibly but there are alot of ifs and buts about us and there is nothing to suggest at this point in time that we are a top team. If you think we are, in my opinion that is "hope", I would need to see clear and consistent improvement before I would classify us in that bracket.

The likely winner will be from below excluding Galway

Kerry

Dublin

Galway

Donegal

Armagh

What McGuinness did this year with Donegal is really impressive and if he improves the team, they should be in the mix. Armagh while not wining Ulster have been knocking around towards the end of the championship for a few years. I would disregard the league as teams use it to breed new talent. It takes experience over a year or so, to start beating the favourites in CP. Its very hard to see a new county come out of nowhere and win SAM unless they find some serious players.

You could make an case that 2021 and 2010 were handy wins for teams who never returned to the same heights. This years final has this same feel about it but Armagh would have a better over all team.

debatable did it cross the line no goal for ballina there

Called as a square ball on Rte radio

Ballina beaten

Where are the rumours coming from and who is rumoured to have departured?

Was floating around a few weeks back that five had pulled out. Two - four would be panel players at different times and one in particular could never be consistent enough/injured - had ample opportunities.

Its just the quiet time of year and i've known of people starting rumours just to be able to talk about football at this time of year!

All the best rumours start around this time of year!

Cillian O'Connor was one name I seen posted up on the blog before the mod took the post down. He'd be 33 when the championship is in the business end next year and he has been dealing with a lot of injuries in recent years.

He may well retire but the rumour is probably based on the fact that he is one of the more likely candidates to finish up. It would be nice if Mayo supporters would let that happen naturally.

A lot of supporters can't deal with the down season and have to engage in speculation. The rest of us have more going on in our lives.

time for a few Leinster teams to be brave now and go after them

Mayo News podcast saying Cillian O'Connor won't be playing for Mayo in 2025.