There’s a wild storm heading right across the country on Friday but, once it has cleared away, we’ve a weekend of football involving Mayo teams to look forward to here in Dublin.
From my own selfish perspective, it’s kinda nice that all of this action takes place within walking distance of where I’m based in the capital. One of the matches is on up the road at Parnell Park while the other two are on down at Croke Park.
Here’s a quick run through the essential details of the weekend’s three Mayo-related football games.
The first match is the one in Parnell Park, which is the LGFA Lidl National Football League Division One opener against Dublin. Throw-in at the Donnycarney venue is 2pm where Cavan’s Maggie Farrelly is ref. The match is being streamed live by the LGFA (details here, match pass costs €11.99) and the link for match tickets is here.
Later on Saturday evening over at GAA HQ we get to see the men in competitive action for the first time in 2025. It’s exactly seven months today since we last played a competitive inter-county match at senior level so that alone means it may take some a while to get reacquainted with heading off to shout for Mayo once again.
That’s to say nothing of the new rules, which are set to get their first proper road-test in competitive conditions this weekend, in our case against what’s set to be an extremely new-look Dublin side.
Throw-in at Croke Park is 7.30pm and Down’s Paul Faloon is the ref. The match is being shown live on TG4 and the link for tickets is here. Our match against the Dubs forms part of a triple-header at the venue on Saturday, by the way, with the All-Ireland Junior football final throwing in at 3.10pm and Dublin’s NHL opener against Antrim getting underway at 5.15pm.
On Sunday it’s back to Croker for Crossmolina’s refixed All-Ireland Intermediate club football final against Ballinderry. This one has a 1.30pm throw-in with Tipperary’s Seán Lonergan officiating.
It’s hard to know what to say about this game, given the immense shadow cast by the tragedy which has preceded it and which, to be honest, renders much about the contest moot.
I know some have been chatting here on the blog about making sure to get to this game as well as the one on Saturday night, with some talking about delaying their journey back west to do so. That’s a great idea – anyone who has ever been touched by grief (and, let’s face it, who hasn’t been?) knows that solidarity and community support are hugely important at such a time. A big crowd of supporters from all over the county would be a real boost to Crossmolina on Sunday.
If you are planning on going along to Croke Park for this game, the ticket link for it is here. The final will also be streamed live by TG4 on YouTube so I’ll embed the feed here on the blog for ease of viewing.
We’ll be covering all three of the weekend’s football matches on the podcast. We’ll have Final Whistle pods from all three games up on Patreon for club members soon after they’re over.
Finally, while the footballers are all up here at the weekend, the county’s hurlers will be keeping the home fires burning. They open their NHL Division Three campaign on Saturday against Cavan, with this one getting underway at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park at 1pm that afternoon. The ticket link for it is here.
The best of luck to all the Mayo teams in action this coming weekend.
yew_tree says:
January 22, 2025 at 9:23 pm
Safe travels to anyone making the trip. There will likely be games cancelled (this one should be ok) due to large scale power outages and damage to infrastructure. Experienced meteorologists are stating they have never seen anything like this forecast for Ireland so don’t underestimate it and stay safe everyone. Up Mayo.
Clare says:
January 22, 2025 at 11:05 pm
Safe travels to all..
So hard to know how it will go we are missng guys so good chance for the newbies and I feel espcially Towey to stand up and take their chance that's what the league is all about.
Dubs not sure how they will line up.
I feel we have a slight advantage with a younger team and speed for the new rules but then again Dubs are always fit this is a 50/50 game hard to call..!
Gizmobobs says:
January 23, 2025 at 12:29 pm
I'd imagine both teams will have plenty of fresh faces. We will presumably be treated to the first 15 only today, subs remaining the 3rd secret of Fatima :)
Western Gael says:
January 23, 2025 at 2:13 pm
If game goes ahead, Dublin will blow ye away (excuse the pun). Unusual for Dubs to be out of a championship so early, add that with no team holiday and your left with a Dublin team raring to go in early January.
Mayo Focus says:
January 23, 2025 at 2:24 pm
We'll see Western Gael :)
I don't know if it's just me, but am just feeling a bit flat about us. Need to see new faces. Don't want to see any Sigerson Players being flogged! The objective from the league should be to blood players (Vahey especially needs some games) & start developing a gameplan to suit the new rules. Couldn't be bothered if we were relegated. Blooding players is more important when all is said & done, if we are to be in the mix in July!
Jr says:
January 23, 2025 at 3:02 pm
Towey,Towey, poor lad a lot of expectations on his shoulders.
Hope we try new lads in the league but it will not give them a proper chance if too many are introduced at the one time.
Clare says:
January 23, 2025 at 3:10 pm
@Western Gael
Could say the same about us was the worst exit from championship in like 15 years or something last year the game v Derry I like to try block from memory..
We also have a point to prove and make or break for mcstay & co this year.
Dubs have their own issues to. I don't know how we will do sat with guys missing but certanily don't think Dubs will 'blow us away' as you say.
On Towey I think it's more of hope and it is a great chance for him to show mcstay he has skills just needs more confidence!
Nephin says:
January 23, 2025 at 4:33 pm
Gizmo. Do we not have to name the team on Thursday morning or does that only apply to championship.
TsuDhoNim says:
January 23, 2025 at 5:17 pm
@Nephin: Yeah. That's still Championship only.
Some comments last year it needed to be brought in for league too to help aid the promotion (which is truly dire from HQ so far this year given the potential excitement around the new rules), but with all the other changes swirling around that one never got touched.
catcol says:
January 23, 2025 at 5:36 pm
Am I mistaken in thinking the Allianz teams were announced on Thursday nights in 2024?
And, in any case, how in the name of God, would management not be in a position to name a team at least a week ago? Seven months since we played, surely they know their team now, and if guys aren't cutting off their right hand to get into the 26 and be available, round the clock, they shouldn't be anywhere near McHale Park.
Willie Joe says:
January 23, 2025 at 5:37 pm
New pod up on Patreon, Mike chatting with Andy Moran about Mayo, Monaghan and more.
Jr says:
January 23, 2025 at 5:39 pm
I think the goalie going forward will lead to more hand passing across the field.
Don't be surprised if at the end of the league that the goalie is confined to his own half.
TsuDhoNim says:
January 23, 2025 at 5:59 pm
@catcol: Friday's (usually 6pm) for the league and Thursday's (2pm-ish) for the Championship.
https://x.com/search?f=live&q=here%20is%20the%20mayo%20senior%20football%20team%20to%20face%20(from%3Amayogaa)%20until%3A2024-03-31%20since%3A2024-01-01%20-filter%3Areplies&src=typed_query
catcol says:
January 23, 2025 at 6:43 pm
Thanks TSU!
Nephin says:
January 23, 2025 at 7:57 pm
Thanks TSU.
catcol says:
January 23, 2025 at 10:26 pm
Armagh have named their twenty six for Saturday I see.
Willie Joe says:
January 24, 2025 at 10:14 am
Midwest are reporting that the Dome has been flattened by the storm.
Willie Joe says:
January 24, 2025 at 10:21 am
Report from RTÉ on the destruction of the Dome here: https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2025/0124/1492671-connacht-gaa-dome-destroyed-during-storm-eowyn/.
John Prenty confirms in this report that the facility was fully insured and they intend to rebuild it.
Clare says:
January 24, 2025 at 10:26 am
Omg that's terrible about the dome hope everyone is staying safe! Great that they will rebuild it never seen any kind of wind like this before crazy stuff..
Jr says:
January 24, 2025 at 12:12 pm
Hope dressing rooms etc are ok, I understand Mayo doing a lot of their training there.
Grainne Uaile says:
January 24, 2025 at 2:47 pm
Is the Crossmolina game being streamed anywhere?
Willie Joe says:
January 24, 2025 at 3:29 pm
It’s being streamed live by TG4 on their YouTube channel, Grainne, so I’ll embed the stream here on the blog for anyone who wants to watch it.
Grainne Uaile says:
January 24, 2025 at 4:35 pm
Thanks Willie Joe. That's great