Mayo GAA Discussion Thread

padd b1975 · 09-03-2013 11:06PM

Two wins should see us safe.

It might be no bad thing to not make the play offs. It would keep us low on the radar come championship time and dilute the hype of an easy Connaught Championship.

Carolan looks like a decent find, just about the only plus from tonights match.

Barlett · 09-03-2013 11:16PM

Did we dominate midfield? What were the main failings of the team? Miissed the game

Defiler Of The Coffin · 09-03-2013 11:19PM

Just in from Newry. Very disappointed with Mayo's performance tonight, another game left behind that should have been won. In the first half we just couldn't seem to get quality ball into the forwards, we are badly missing Moran and Dillon in this regard. Mickey Conroy was constantly being pushed out to the sidelines and yet again the missed goal chances proved crucial at the end. It looked like a few of our players had quiet games, Feeney and McLoughlin weren't their usual selves. The subs did well for the most part but Freeman did us no good at all, he didn't seem up to the pace tonight and made a few costly errors.

On the plus side our midfield worked well, the Down players seemed afraid of O'Shea whenever thundered through like a train and Cathal Carolan is almost certainly a shoo-in for the championship, very impressed with him tonight.

Conditions were poor tonight but it seemed to affect Mayo moreso than Down, we seemed to slip and spill a lot more than Down did. Credit to Down for powering on towards the end but the cynical fouling on O'Shea at the end was disgraceful, should have been a straight red instead of a yellow.

Also, one of Down's points was certainly wide, perhaps even two!

Fowler87 · 10-03-2013 12:10AM

Relegation battle certainly ahead now more so than last year. I still think we'll be fine but its worrying the lack of goal chances and not being able to battle to the end. Wonder is it fitness issue?

ColeTrain · 10-03-2013 12:27AM

Didn't make the trip but saw it on the box.

Very disappointing to lose that game as I thought we dominated the second half.
First half started well but we weren't able to hold any ball in the forward line, because of poor passing and Down crowding us out. Again, it has to be highlighted this is affecting us more now without Dillion and Moran. When they return we'll notice the difference!
Our attacking play was much more fluid in the second. Moran came onto a game and the forwards were getting on the ball much more. It just seemed to slip away from us at the end but I will give credit to Down for hanging in there and being clinical when they had to be.#

Standout player for us was Aiden O'Shea, brilliant throughout and has to be one of the best players in the country on current form.
Carolan done very well too, it was his first start and he looks a player.
The defence were good, O'Malley hadn't a thing to do.

Frustrating night, a draw would have probably been enough but what can you do. The attention now turns to our home games which will decide what division we're in next year.

yop · 10-03-2013 12:39AM

Again another loss where we should have won, can't seem to put teams away and let them all drag themselves back into games. the last 2 scores, the 1st been as soft a free as I have seen, were just stupid from our point of view. Same thing against Tyrone. I know they are young lads so maybe we can give them the benefit, but when you are staring relegation then benefit of the doubt can't be waited for.
O'Shea was immense, B Moran was effective and took a lot of hits. Felt that Down were lucky with that challenge on Cafferkey, he was off his feet and hit him straight into the side of the head, very dangerous.
MAYBE at this stage I should lighten up on Donal Vaughan, but again he was caught in possession and caught for lack of pace. I can't see him helping our cause. Keane played well when he came on.
Thought Carolan had a great came, Micky Conroy was his usual buzzing self and DOC was steady, just hoping, like last year, that he doesn't be only a "league player".

I wouldn't panic, we are still ok and if you look back on the games we really should have won them, I honestly couldn't give 2 highland UFCKS about a league at this stage, we want to stay in Div 1, but there is one thing and one thing only we need to prepare for.

Once that team gets onto a good open, drier pitch in summer, it will cause havoc.

cat in the sack · 10-03-2013 12:46AM

mayo cause havoc, :eek:

ColeTrain · 10-03-2013 12:48AM

cat in the sack wrote: »

mayo cause havoc, :eek:

http://images6.fanpop.com/image/photos/33500000/Dave-chappelle-dave-chappelle-33530376-600-399.jpg

Barlett · 10-03-2013 02:53AM

yop wrote: »

Again another loss where we should have won, can't seem to put teams away and let them all drag themselves back into games. the last 2 scores, the 1st been as soft a free as I have seen, were just stupid from our point of view. Same thing against Tyrone. I know they are young lads so maybe we can give them the benefit, but when you are staring relegation then benefit of the doubt can't be waited for.
O'Shea was immense, B Moran was effective and took a lot of hits. Felt that Down were lucky with that challenge on Cafferkey, he was off his feet and hit him straight into the side of the head, very dangerous.
MAYBE at this stage I should lighten up on Donal Vaughan, but again he was caught in possession and caught for lack of pace. I can't see him helping our cause. Keane played well when he came on.
Thought Carolan had a great came, Micky Conroy was his usual buzzing self and DOC was steady, just hoping, like last year, that he doesn't be only a "league player".

I wouldn't panic, we are still ok and if you look back on the games we really should have won them, I honestly couldn't give 2 highland UFCKS about a league at this stage, we want to stay in Div 1, but there is one thing and one thing only we need to prepare for.

Once that team gets onto a good open, drier pitch in summer, it will cause havoc.

Maybe and I hope you're right but if this team gets relegated I'd be surprised if they make an All-Ireland Semi Final, hope things improve, no signs yet that there has been progression from last year

tacofries · 10-03-2013 07:21AM

awful quiet tonight lads.... missed the match because of work again but was it really that bad?? any sign of a team that could win am all ireland?

Defiler Of The Coffin · 10-03-2013 01:51PM

tacofries wrote: »

awful quiet tonight lads.... missed the match because of work again but was it really that bad?? any sign of a team that could win am all ireland?

Unless we get two decent wins out of the next three matches I would find it hard to see us progressing very far in the championship, the confidence will be gone. Big questions are being asked now and it's time for the players to step up. The return of Moran and Dillon aren't going to be any sort of panacea unless the entire forward line ups its game. We're seeing the Mayo of old returning where we can't close out games at the crucial moments. The team is good enough but at the moment we seem to have regressed from last year. It's all well and good peaking in August but not if it leaves us in Division 2!

Fowler87 · 10-03-2013 03:22PM

Defiler Of The Coffin wrote: »

Unless we get two decent wins out of the next three matches I would find it hard to see us progressing very far in the championship, the confidence will be gone. Big questions are being asked now and it's time for the players to step up. The return of Moran and Dillon aren't going to be any sort of panacea unless the entire forward line ups its game. We're seeing the Mayo of old returning where we can't close out games at the crucial moments. The team is good enough but at the moment we seem to have regressed from last year. It's all well and good peaking in August but not if it leaves us in Division 2!

Ah sure weren't we in Division 3 in 96 and look what happened in September :pac:

But in all seriousness it would be a real dampener to lose Division 1 status not only for continued progress under Horan but nowadays, a need for competitive (to a lesser extent) action with the top teams before the Championship comes around is essential to make any push for August/September.

Agree its a worry 'old' problems are arising again IMO ever since that near Dublin comeback in the semi final last year. Few doubts in some minds maybe

Defiler Of The Coffin · 10-03-2013 09:24PM

Fowler87 wrote: »

Ah sure weren't we in Division 3 in 96 and look what happened in September :pac:

But in all seriousness it would be a real dampener to lose Division 1 status not only for continued progress under Horan but nowadays, a need for competitive (to a lesser extent) action with the top teams before the Championship comes around is essential to make any push for August/September.

Agree its a worry 'old' problems are arising again IMO ever since that near Dublin comeback in the semi final last year. Few doubts in some minds maybe

I know your tongue was in cheek but it's a tougher road to the All-Ireland now than it was in 96, no quarter finals to contend with back then!

Relegation would set us back in more ways than one, confidence will be gone this year while we would be deprived of badly needed competitive games with the big teams next year. It wouldn't be the end of the world but I can see Mayo slipping back into the wilderness for a few years if it does come to pass.

Damn, reading that back it sounds depressing

Fr Tod Umptious · 11-03-2013 11:49AM

Defiler Of The Coffin wrote: »

I know your tongue was in cheek but it's a tougher road to the All-Ireland now than it was in 96, no quarter finals to contend with back then!

Relegation would set us back in more ways than one, confidence will be gone this year while we would be deprived of badly needed competitive games with the big teams next year. It wouldn't be the end of the world but I can see Mayo slipping back into the wilderness for a few years if it does come to pass.

Damn, reading that back it sounds depressing

I think you are being a bit over pessimistic there to be honest.

I have always though that progress in this years league was not as important as it was last year.

Last year Mayo had a long lay-off until 24th June before they played Leitrim in a semi-Final so the extra game in a the league semi-final and the final were required. And last year the aim was the top 4 at least in the league

This year they are out of the gate straight away on May 19th and have as tough a run to a Connaught tile as is possible, therfore a top 4 league finish eventhough desirable is not a must to keep them sharp. Division 1 status and player experimentation should be the goals of this league season.

they have already done a good bit of experimintation this year but the problem is that they have now got themselves in a bit of a hole. I had expected them to win 3 of their first 4 but instead they have lost 3.

They really need to beat Kildare at home next week and I see no reason why they can not, after that they could beat Donegal in Castlebar and that will be enough.

As for the Down game if was depressing to watch, but as the same time Down had a player that was really on top of his game that made the difference. Mayo still dominated midfield and lots of areas for most of the game.

Again the forwards need to step up and start taking points from distance when the opportunity arises, like always too much running down blind alleys seems the norm.

GBXI · 15-03-2013 11:04AM

Any idea when the team will be announced? Assuming Ger Caff is out for the game...

ColeTrain · 16-03-2013 02:34AM

GBXI wrote: »

Any idea when the team will be announced? Assuming Ger Caff is out for the game...

Just saw it on Facebook.

James Horan has made four changes to the team that lost to Down last weekend for this weekends clash with Kildare. David Clarke comes into the side in goals in place of Kenneth O'Malley, Seamus O'Shea lines out at midfield in place of Richie Feeney with Aidan O'Shea reverting back to centre-half forward, Tom Cunniffe replaces the injured Donal Vaughan while Evan Regan comes in to the side in place of Enda Varley. The Mayo Senior Football team to face Kildare in Round 5 of the Allianz Football League at 7.00p.m. this Saturday 16th March in Elverys MacHale Park is as follows:

1) David Clarke - Ballina Stephenites
2) Chris Barrett - Belmullet
3) Ger Cafferkey - Ballina Stephenites
4) Keith Higgins - Ballyhaunis
5) Lee Keegan - Westport
6) Tom Cunniffe - Castlebar Mitchels
7) Colm Boyle - Davitts
8) Barry Moran - Castlebar Mitchels
9) Seamus O'Shea - Breaffy
10) Kevin McLoughlin - Knockmore
11) Aidan O'Shea - Breaffy
12) Cathal Carolan - Crossmolina
13) Evan Regan - Ballina Stephenites
14) Jason Doherty - Burrishoole
15) Michael Conroy - Davitts

16) Kenneth O'Malley - Ballinrobe
17) Kevin Keane - Westport
18) Michael Walsh - Ardnaree
19) Shane McHale - Knockmore
20) Jason Gibbons - Ballintubber
21) Alan Freeman - Aghamore
22) Cathal Freeman - Aghamore
23) Richie Feeney - Castlebar Mitchels
24) Enda Varley - Garrymore
25) Cillian O'Connor - Ballintubber
26) Alan Murphy - Ballinrobe

James Horan - Manager
James Nallen - Runner
Tom Prendergast - Selector
Donnie Buckley - Trainer
Dr. Sean Moffatt - Doctor
Liam Moffatt - Physio

eastmayo · 16-03-2013 10:37AM

Aiden o shea should be left at midfeild..good to see c o connor back on the subs bench anyway.id say mayo by 2.

Fr Tod Umptious · 16-03-2013 11:10AM

Can't figure O' Shea at half forward.

Last time he was there was really to accommodate Gibbons at midfield in my opinion.

But this time it looks like an odd move in such an important league game

Blackjack · 16-03-2013 08:50PM

seems Kildare have hit 1.4 without reply and lead by a point at half time.

Seperately, here's an interesting article for fans of GAA's leading talents over the years.

Defiler Of The Coffin · 16-03-2013 09:43PM

Mayo are in dire straits now. 14 wides to Kildare's 7? Another game without a goal? Losing the game by a point after leading by six points in the first half? What the hell is going on?!

We've lost 4 games on the trot that should have been won. Confidence must be very low at the moment.

Mayo aren't kicking points from far out enough. We're trying to burrow our way in through the defences. It was noticeable against Down and from I heard tonight it was the same story. Billy Fitz is saying that we're not making the final pass to the man who is best positioned to stick it in the net and it's costing us dearly. It absolutely has to be James Horan's first priority at the moment. We're in serious trouble otherwise.

km79 · 16-03-2013 09:49PM

Defiler Of The Coffin wrote: »

Mayo are in dire straits now. 14 wides to Kildare's 7? Another game without a goal? Losing the game by a point after leading by six points in the first half? What the hell is going on?!

We've lost 4 games on the trot that should have been won. Confidence must be very low at the moment.

Mayo aren't kicking points from far out enough. We're trying to burrow our way in through the defences. It was noticeable against Down and from I heard tonight it was the same story. Billy Fitz is saying that we're not making the final pass to the man who is best positioned to stick it in the net and it's costing us dearly. It absolutely has to be James Horan's first priority at the moment. We're in serious trouble otherwise.

The goals have really dried up alright. Isn't that why Conor Mortimer was not being selected last year.....change of system to score more goals and he did not see him as part of it.....

davegrohl48 · 17-03-2013 12:02AM

It seems like we need to work like crazy through some basic schemes to get goals. The lack of at least one goal per game is looking like a proven problem at this stage and not just a run of bad luck. Horan is studious so I would say that's going to be all the focus from midfield up for next few weeks.
Lack of a proven target man at full forward is the root source of the problem, can't create their own score or can't lay one on for the corner forwards so the square ends up dominated by the full back.

Fowler87 · 17-03-2013 12:03AM

Relegation looms now lads. After a great 20 mins an incident rocks this Mayo side again for the rest of the game. This time twas Conroy missed goal chance/point not given which lead to the Kildare revival who got a goal from a very debatable free from a Higgins couter from the back.

But to play without a half forward in the 2nd half ya don't deserve to win any game regardless of style of play. Horan too slow to make changes and Feeney and O Connor were needed on alot earlier.

km79 · 17-03-2013 12:05AM

davegrohl48 wrote: »

It seems like we need to work like crazy through some basic schemes to get goals. The lack of at least one goal per game is looking like a proven problem at this stage and not just a run of bad luck. Horan is studious so I would say that's going to be all the focus from midfield up for next few weeks.
Lack of a proven target man at full forward is the root source of the problem, can't create their own score or can't lay one on for the corner forwards so the square ends up dominated by the full back.

We have become very reliant on Andy Moran . Such a shame he got injured last year or who knows .....:(

seligehgit · 17-03-2013 01:04AM

Very depressing,James Horan was very slow to make changes,can't fathom why he continues to tinker with his best midfield partnership Aidan o Shea and Barry Moran.We continue to turn over too much by going into contact before releasing the ball.Forwards failings continue with endless runs into cul de sacs.Free taking was abysmal,Michael Conroy only seems comfortable to score points via his hand.Totally agreed,our lack of goals is very worrying.Relegation seems inevitable,Cillian o Connor's return was a light at the end of the tunnel.

Barlett · 17-03-2013 03:58AM

The most frustrating thing for me is the fact that every game sees the same bad habits, running into blind alleys etc. We looked so directionless tonight, no lead
er on the field and tbh a very poor performance from management too, although that is becoming a common occurrence .

davegrohl48 · 17-03-2013 07:57AM

In terms of improving consistency the team will have to be rearranged.
1. AOS back to midfield
2. Dillon/Moran back in, but in longer term this is a sticking plaster solution.

NabyLadistheman · 19-03-2013 02:18PM

Was at the game on Saturday. Shocking performance after the first 20 minutes. Our forward play is absolutely clueless. At one stage Doherty won a free just inside the 45. He looked up to take it quickly only to realise he was the furthest player forward and had nobody inside to pass it into? Couldn't actually believe what I was seeing. Horan had taken Conroy off who was actually doing alright.

Serious question's need to asked of the management at this stage. They came in, got the squad well conditioned and as physically strong as we ever have been. We have been very poor on the line on a number of occasions, think back to the All-Ireland final, the numerous times last year and this we have had an extra man and how he has been applied? Horan has been tactically poor in how we played against Tyrone also this year. Now we face into 2 toughest matches to date to try and secure our safety in division one. Losing matches we should be winning is a worrying trait at this time of year.

GBXI · 19-03-2013 02:34PM

I have to strongly disagree with the Conroy comment (and I'm not one to criticize players who do their best). However, in my opinion, Conroy should have been taken off at half-time. If I'm not mistaken he hit 4-5 wides on his own. The goal chance he missed in the 1st half was unforgivable, total lack of composure.

If you were to question Horan's subs, it would be the taking off of Evan Regan, who looked like the only player (in his 1st Senior start) who had confidence in his free-taking and general shooting ability.

The player's confidence looks shot, which doesn't bode well for next week-end, but they have a week to get it right again and they certainly owe Donegal one.

NabyLadistheman · 19-03-2013 02:37PM

GBXI wrote: »

I have to strongly disagree with the Conroy comment (and I'm not one to criticize players who do their best). However, in my opinion, Conroy should have been taken off at half-time. If I'm not mistaken he hit 4-5 wides on his own. The goal chance he missed in the 1st half was unforgivable, total lack of composure.

If you were to question Horan's subs, it would be the taking off of Evan Regan, who looked like the only player (in his 1st Senior start) who had confidence in his free-taking and general shooting ability.

The player's confidence looks shot, which doesn't bode well for next week-end, but they have a week to get it right again and they certainly owe Donegal one.

Fair enough, my viewpoint was at least Conroy was in positon and wining his own ball. I agree with you on the sub of Regan. A free kicker off the left-hand side is something which hasn't been addressed since Mort's departure, another issue which management have failed to address. I presume Cillian will be taking duties into the summer, provided he is fully back to fitness

Mayo GAA Discussion Thread

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