Mayo GAA Discussion

Touhy comes across as an agreeable sort but without a huge amount of backbone. Delegates complain so he reacts to pacify them, if Andy complained he'd do similar probably. But this can only cause friction when he should have shown leadership and said 'we appointed management to pick the squad so lets let them get on with it'

He was also wishy washy over the COE. Initially said Lough Lannagh, then switched it to MacHale park after Lannagh was (correctly) ruled out by Moffatts requested assessment report. Then when land was made available in Bohola the board sheepishly go along with having it there despite much or any discussion or feasibility assessment as to whether its the right location.

It's easy to see how decisions like the stand and resulting crippling debt occurred over the years by various board executives.

It is very disappointing news about Kobe from a Mayo supporter's perspective. It's too easy for the Aussies to pick up Irish players but everything is set up for the AFL clubs to drain international potential.

There should be a financial fee back through the GAA and get that allocated to the club and county that produced them. There must be a cap on the number of players signed each year. GAA don't seem to want to tackle this and more than happy to reopen the international rules and get more money off that and leave the clubs high and try.

I don't know how you can do this unless the players are contracted but they should not be going ahead with the international rules until something is done.

I don't think GAA can afford to go professional but tax breaks should be first thing the GPA and GAA need to lobby the government for. Then I know there were things done for certain players in other counties to keep them like Clifford and McShane. More of an effort can be done to keep them. It's also very unfair on clubs and counties that produced these players, but I agree it's very hard to stop a young lad wanting to play a professional sport, even though my view that's its awful game to watch. There are a lot of advantages to staying at home too if you are a high profile player with sponsorship and gigs that they can get. Ending the international rules would unlikely end it but the GAA should make it as difficult as possible for them.

Its the club that have nurtured these players really and not the county. The County takes over at 15 yrs onwards but the underage structures within the club have taken the players to a good level that enables these players to progress/trial at county level. The guys who had these players at u6 onwards should be very proud of what they have helped to develop. Also some players are coming late to the county scene and only by 18/19 are they physically conditioned (S&C) to go for county trials. The club is the real backbone for the development of all players who compete at different levels - a good example is one of our finest talents over the last 20 years… Keegan

I don't really remember what the story was with Clifford at the time, but he has said in recent years how the AFL thing didn't interest him. He was probably just more of a homebird and didn't fancy moving so far away. Don't see what special deal he could have gotten.

Intercounty players have landed very good jobs for decades in various fields. There are multinational companies in Mayo, banks, Andy Moran owns a few gyms and plenty other options too.

I believe that was in 2021 so he had about 4 years senior intercounty done by then. Clifford was highly rated since his first year at minor as well.

Hard to know how to view this. If Carr and OConnor are fully fit then its probably a good move. Their recent injury history would suggest otherwise though.

https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-41736375.html

Not exactly a ringing endorsement of our goalkeeping and forward options looking towards the next 3 years.

You'd wonder why Andy took the job on if the talent pool is so limited. Carr was definitely more injury prone than EMcL. Andy played with all 3 of them as well. I hope its not a case of the heart ruling the head.

Exactly. I keep hearing this "incentives to stay" nonsense with Clifford. He's a teacher.

There's this idea that Kerry throw a load of money at good young players. When in fact they lose more players than anyone else. They've just lost a star all Ireland minor and someone who just scored 3 from play in a Kerry county final at 17. So someone equally as big a prospect as McDonald.

What's the idea? That some local business man throws money at players off the books and it comes out in scandal like the story about the Mayo players living rent free in a Dublin warehouse? Or they get money from a broke country board, at the expense of other loyal long-standing players? Or they get money from the GAA, at the expense of other counties and someone in HQ decides who's deserving and who's not? These "money" arguments to entice these good young players to stay literally have no logical standing

Illogical, but that's exactly what happens!! It might not be cash in the hand, but it could be benefits, free digs in Dublin for example just like you pointed out!

If he has promised them that then I give up all hope of improving on the last few years! Nobody should be guaranteed a spot!

I think Andy sees them as the best footballers and on his first interview he mentioned getting the best players playing for mayo. He is doing that now. I totally agree with you but it will only be realised on a big game that these guys have their best days behind them. He is making the same mistake as Mcstay and not looking to fully develop young talent and persist with them, build his own squad and get total buy in from a bunch of young bucks to have a proper crack. He should be looking at Conroy, ROD, Carney, Callinan, EML to be his new leaders and step up and add in new talent ….not AOS , Cillian, Hennelly etc

It's hard to believe that we don't have any keepers in the county better than RH, unless he has improved greatly since moving to Dublin. Because to be honest RH was a liability when he was in goal which cost Mayo at least 2 All Ir., he was allways suspectable with a high ball. Murphy of Donegal is one, the 2nd when Rochford dropped Clarke for the replay,

Is the thinking the new rules will suit him?

I can't see it myself the likes of the breaffy keeper or the ballina keeper should be given a chance,he's had his chance.