Mayo GAA Discussion Thread

Long time reader on this thread, so may as well throw in my opinion. Be relatively happy with the league so far, always felt the first 2 ties were going to be tricky, away fixtures against 2 decent teams who were always going to have more work done that us at that stage. We could have got something out of either tie had a few things gone our way. Felt last Sunday was a must win, and was relatively happy how it went. Only time i was a bit worried was directly after half time, leading at half time was a huge plus after playing against a strong enough breeze. seemed to take 10 minutes for them to get going again, played a few dodgy passes, the goal chance Hennelly saved seemed to spur us into life again. On the point of the long range frees, he's well capable of landing them on a day he's striking the ball well, but i felt once he missed the 3rd one, the first with the wind behind him, that was the time to change free taker. wasnt our best day in the middle, but i think that was O'Shea and Gibbons 5th game weekend on the trot, so maybe a bit of tiredness there. Freeman had a great game, he's our stand out option at 14. I think a win is nearly a must again this weekend, bring a bit of momentum into the Cork tie, which with the way they're going, is going to be the best guage yet of where we're at, the rustiness of the first 2 tie's should be gone, should be getting closer to others fitness wise, big home crowd on a bank holiday weekend, great chance to set down a marker.......just need to get out of Mullingar with the points first!!

padd b1975 wrote: »

Realistically, Mullingar should be one to strengthen the old points difference.


Probably jinxed it now, but Westmeath's confidence must be nearly shot at this stage.

Confidence levels can't be too high alright however they gave a decent showing against Dublin in Mullingar so maybe this game will be closer than some expect.

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

Great to see Freeman put in a top class performance, just as he did v Tyrone in August.

Hopefully he can keep that level of consistency up all year.

Having him and O' Connor on top form for the Championship would be a huge benefit.

It would make picking the full forward line a much easier task than it has been to date.

Even after one game think Gallagher should only be half forward Will do his best work there But things looking bit better upfront

Will the U21s be available next sunday if playing on Wednesday.

Higgins for sure should be back locking down one corner Its a specialist role that you only see the value of when other players less equipped try n take on that role. Two of our best players have been disasters there. Vaughan few seasons ago n Boyle this year just to show how few players can really excel at it. Now with the black card rules, having a good full backline will be something seen as giving All Ireland winning potential. Forward lines are scoring heavy, three full rounds of Div1/Div2 nfl show this. Counter attacking football which relies on quality of your half backs, we have the best in the country n they've another season of refinement done. We've a good freetaker to come back in and if looked at closely in last twelves games an in-form full forward in Freeman. Locking down the full backline, midfield mobility and more kick out options at half forward are our three big issues right now

seligehgit wrote: »

Can't fathom out the switching of Keith Higgins! Mind boggles.

Plus he's not really a kickpasser or scorer and his runs are best when he receives the ball looking towards goal

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

Hold on
I thought after the all Ireland that it was an accepted fact that Higgins was the future of the half forward line ?

What has changed ?

The black card rule is the major change and the other is that our full backline is shipping serious scores in games.
Chris Barrett/Cunniffe may return but it would better to be settling the team now and not hoping Barrett/Cunniffe fix it.
Also Adam Gallagher being a good option for half forward.
Yes last season it looked like a good call, I though that too. I just think the direct impact of having Higgins breathing down the neck of oppositions best corner forward is more valuable this season than last season.
Three rounds of league 1/2 are pointing towards shoot outs in the summer. So your forward line can indeed play well and rack up 1 - 17 but lose to scorelines like 2 - 15. Keeping the opposition scoreline down is now much more about skilled pacey defending and Higgins is one of the best in the country at that. Counter attacks will be coming through quicker than ever before (Black card - Bodychecking/Quick free prevention) meaning defences won't have much time to set and organize so it will be pretty regular that guys in the full backline get isolated 1 on 1 against Division one standard forwards. Needs a serious defender to save the day in that scenario, under these rules.

padd b1975 wrote: »

I wouldn't worry too much about another stroll through Connaught.

Didn't really cause that many problems last year apart from a sluggish 20 minutes against Tyrone.

You could say they strolled past the rest in Connacht because Mayo hit the ground running last summer and then arguably peaked against Donegal.

MaroonAndGreen wrote: »

Our best 15 imo is:

1. Hennelly/Clarke
2. Barrett/Cunniffe
3. Caff
4. Higgins
5. Keegan
6. Vaughan
7. Boyle
8. Aidan O'Shea
9. Seamus O'Shea (ran close by Gibbons)
10. McLoughlin
11. Moran
12. ?????
13. O' Connor
14. Freeman
15. Conroy

There is a vacancy in the half-forward line that someone needs to grab, at the moment Adam Gallagher looks the most likely to do so. Alan Dillon when he makes his return will have something to say about it though (find it astounding hes being written off by some without even seeing him yet this year). But the likely solution IMO is Keith Higgins to be played in the half-forward line with Cunniffe and Barrett taking the two corner-back spots when they return to the panel.

Im not convinced by Adam Gallagher yet, yes he has the talent, but is a little light. And its alot of pressure for a 19 year old in his first season.

Love to see some means of accommodating Barry Moran in the team. Agreed Alan Dillon is more than likely going to be used as impact substitute this year. Is there a possibility any of the Mitchels lads can force their way into the team? The success or otherwise of the team as always will
be dependent on whither we can resurrect sufficient quality in the forward line.

davegrohl48 wrote: »

Ya its a ridiculous turnaround Higgins has to be put back on Dessie Dolan

Exactly, Higgins won't work at half forward under the new rules...shocking the amount we're leaking every game

Drake on for Keane n Boyle goes back in full backline I dunno thought Boyle had shown corner back doesn't suit him

Nobody wants to defend in half back line only Boyle. The black card rule is suiting forwards and our full back line is under enough pressure because of this. we will win but nothing to be getting excited about

km79 wrote: »

Traffic mental so said I'd post my thoughts !
Hennelly is a massive worry now . Every high ball is panic stations. It can't have been missed by managers and he will continue to me targetted in the summer.
Harrison is a good addition but it's time to get Higgins back in his best position.
Half back line is best in the county. Keegan is a joy to watch.
Not fully sure of gibbons is up to championship level but a decent cover option.
Forward wise it's time to forget about Varley and Conroy ! What do they offer ? How many more chances will they get.
If we need a score to win an all ireland I would not like to see either coming on.
Conroy can not seem to go for a ball without sliding to the ground. Cost us the 3rd goal.
And Varley is generally anonymous.
There are other options now who deserve a chance more than them .
The 2 gallaghers , Sweeney, Tom King , Evan Regan are all pushing for a squad place ahead of them. Or should be ......

Yeah I'm still in the dunnes car park, have moved about 2 car lengths so far...