The thing about the split season is that there’s now an interminable gap between the conclusion of one inter-county campaign and the start of the next one the following year. Our last competitive fixture was played in the middle of June last year and it’s only now, over seven months later, that we’re playing our first competitive match of 2026.
I liked Rob’s line in the scene-set podcast show earlier in the week when he said he was done with the whole business of bigging up every meeting between ourselves and Galway. Far better, he reasoned, to think about this as no more than a League match where the main issue worth concentrating on was who’d leave with the two league points rather than who is playing whom.
That said, games against Galway are always significant.
Today’s National League Division One opener at Pearse Stadium isn’t as important as last summer’s Connacht final nor will it be as consequential as a Nestor Cup decider rematch, should it occur, this coming May. But the early rounds of every Division One campaign are, for sure, all about getting points on the board and both teams will be heading to Salthill today with that clear aim in mind, rather than adding another gripping chapter to the West’s El Clásico story.
There are also some interesting sub-texts to today’s meeting. In particular, from our perspective – and, at least in part, for them as well – there’s the Andy Moran angle.
The last few years haven’t been easy ones for Mayo fans. Our stilted, overly controlled playing style was difficult to warm to and our penchant for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory time after time made it difficult for supporters to have the kind of belief in the current team that everyone had in the group of players who gave us so many great days from 2011 onwards.
Little wonder that in recent years so many of that huge support base melted away. So much so that, as Andy Moran prepares to lead the line for Mayo for the first time this afternoon, the support the team currently enjoys isn’t a world away from the numbers following them when James Horan took the reins a decade and a half ago.
There was so much to like about that earlier team – from their heart, dash and workrate to their obdurate refusal to back down from whatever challenge they faced. As players Andy Moran and Colm Boyle epitomised those values (and more) and the notion that they could now imbue similar principles in a new generation of Mayo players is something that surely has the power to raise supporters’ spirits anew.
As well as this – and this is a point I’ve been making to all and sundry in recent weeks – it also must be the case that any Mayo fan who can’t get enthused by Andy Moran can’t realistically have blood running through their veins. We’re all in this together, right?
It’s that kind of feelgood factor that faces its first real test this afternoon.
Padraic Joyce’s antics on the sideline in Tuam last Sunday showed he still has no intention of giving an inch any time he encounters the Green and Red. He certainly won’t want to see Andy leaving Salthill later today having led his charges to an opening round win over his more seasoned charges. From PJ’s perspective, he’s got us under his thumb and that’s where he’ll want to keep us.
Both counties are fielding teams featuring a blend of experience and youth, partly by necessity but also by desire. From our point of view we simply have to widen the panel and we have to give the opportunity to players who are capable of exploiting the revised playing rules to the full.
The lads getting their chance today will know full well that they’ll be under the microscope. But that comes with the territory at this level and, in their own different ways, they’ve all done sufficiently well in the warm-up games in recent weeks to merit getting the nod for this League opener.
The best of luck to all of them, in particular Eoin McGreal and Darragh Beirne who are both making their National League debuts at Pearse Stadium today.
The Andy Moran era will, no doubt, have its ups and downs over the next while. That’s only to be expected, not least when management’s aim will be to ensure the team adopts a more positive playing style. By its nature, such an approach has to be riskier than the ultra-controlled approach that went before.
It’s so hard, given the seven-month break from one season to the next, to know how today might go. However, with the palpable uplift in supporters’ mood since Andy was appointed, this opening round League game is surely one for fans to feel positive about.
That feeling of positivity will get an early shot in the arm if the lads do the business in Salthill today, which hopefully they will. So it’s all aboard on the Andy Express, first stop Pearse Stadium at 1.45pm today. Up Mayo.
Catcol says:
January 25, 2026 at 8:24 am
I’m on board!
On the 8am train from Dublin to Galway. Sunshine forecast for Galway in the late afternoon.
Brighter days ahead!
Rock says:
January 25, 2026 at 8:30 am
Totally get where Rob is coming from in relation to the gravity placed on a first round league game. He’s right of course, no question about it.
But - this run against Galway has really begun to grate with me. The narrow losses. The little head rub after a score. And Joyce himself.
It’s not win at all costs, not yet. But I’m all for putting down a few markers today.
Catcol says:
January 25, 2026 at 8:48 am
Rock, McBrien at midfield will take no prisoners.
WestKerry says:
January 25, 2026 at 8:51 am
Isint great to have the intercounty back again.
Mayo & Galway is never boring!
Looking forward to watching it after our own game.
Everyone starts at the bottom of the mountain again.
Enjoy the day!
SM says:
January 25, 2026 at 8:54 am
Complete waffle from Rob on the pod during the week.
Consecutive Connaught final losses 2 years on the bounce to Galway.
Galway are our no 1 rivals currently and we need to take them down this year in a Connaught final. Not too concerned about today.
If we lose every single match in the league but find a few players along the way that will do.
Maigh Eo Abu
Pullhard says:
January 25, 2026 at 9:18 am
Great read Willie Joe...by God you have words at will. I'd nearly bring the boots with me today if it would help after reading that just to get one over on the old enemy!
Travelling Wilbury says:
January 25, 2026 at 9:37 am
My hope for the early rounds of the league are to see to a good physical and tight backline alongside forwards showing good imagination when they are in the opposition half. i.e. very little lateral passing and lads willing to take the shot on outside the arc.
Louis Gunnigan says:
January 25, 2026 at 9:47 am
Predictions and analysis largely go out the window in advance of the opening league game, as it is months since a county has played in a meaningful match, squads have changed, management teams have changed, pitches are heavy and the weather is much colder and wetter than it was last summer.
It's just different territory and until the teams are up to the pitch of the game, we just don't know. Which, of course, is one of the factors that will bring us in droves to a cold, windy, soggy Pearse Stadium this afternoon. We will be there because we dare to hope.
I got an early league football fix last evening, as two of my sons were going to Croke Park and I ventured along. We got there as Meath and Derry were resuming hostilities after half time. The rain was belting down and a swirling wind made long range shooting a lottery. Meath looked physically stronger and, on a night like last night, that was an important advantage. They ran out 3 point winners in what was a decent performance. Derry stayed in it, but they seem to have slipped back again from a disappointing 2025. The ref came in for stick from both sides, so nothing has changed there. There were breaches, frees brought up 50m for "actin da bollix" infringements, and some decisions that were hard to fathom. It was that sort of game.
In the main event, again it finished with a 3 point win, but the team that played the better football in the 2nd half lost. Dublin sleepwalked through the 1st half, carved open for the game's only goal and went in 6 down at the break. It could have been more, but Donegal's No. 10 Ciarán Moore (yes, we remember him) seemed to have left his shooting boots behind him when he left the Hyde last year. Daire O'Baoill at 12 missed a few as well, but both of them had been given the freedom of the park by an entirely new Dublin half back line.
Brennan brought on 3 subs for the start of the 2nd half and they made a big difference, scoring 8 from play between them, of which Luke Breathnach bagged 5. He will need the attention of a tight marker when he comes to MacHale Park next week. Con O'Callaghan ended the night with 8 points (5 from frees), which was impressive on a difficult night for shooting. Dublin's forwards were particularly good on pressing the Donegal backs throughout and Donegal seemed to resemble 2025 Mayo at times in the way they slowly transitioned from defence to attack. Their main difference this year was that they sometimes switched to a kicking game and most of their scores came at the end of these moves. Why they didn't do this more was a mystery, as they found holes in Dublin's defence when they did.
So the pointers for Mayo next Sunday are that Dublin will press high when the ball is deep in Mayo's back line, but a fair bit of this is coming from a very high 1/2 back line. Kick passes over the press will find acres of space in the middle 3rd. Dublin have a few handy shooters that will need to be shackled. Pressure on the ball coming out of the Dublin centre field will be necessary.
And for the trip to Donegal, we need to play against them like everyone else played against us last year. They are physically strong, but when they arrive slowly at the 40m arc, their shooting strategy is absent. They have, however, done some work on kick passing, and when they use it, they are dangerous.
Focal scoir: All 4 teams tonight got pinged for breaches in the 2nd half, when the games were there to be won. It seems to be a thing that players momentarily forget about when the battle is at its height. If it happens to our lads, they are not alone.
Ontheditch says:
January 25, 2026 at 10:13 am
@wj. Well said. I think there is a strong positivity about this new era under Andy and co. Supporters will have to be patient, but I do feel Andy is making the effort to bring everyone on board, hopefully it's 'the express' but once we get to our destination, we'll be happy. The journey starts today for sure.
Clare says:
January 25, 2026 at 10:20 am
A good few mayo ones on the train from Dublin nice to see !
You Three says:
January 25, 2026 at 10:23 am
Lovely read WJ, really looking forward to it now. 7 months is a long time on the dry!
Paddyjoejohntom says:
January 25, 2026 at 10:41 am
The talk around Eyre square is that Clarke is in for Hennelly
Bogman says:
January 25, 2026 at 10:52 am
The long break as competitive football returns today. We are in our usual situation of not knowing what to expect from Mayo but perhaps a renewal of belief that the downward trend of the last few years will be reversed under Andy. Best of luck to all involved today.
You Three says:
January 25, 2026 at 10:57 am
Happy to see the pints have started early PPJ
2 hops says:
January 25, 2026 at 11:00 am
Is there a deLoreon parked close by Paddyjoe. 😊
Supermac says:
January 25, 2026 at 11:10 am
@PaddyJoe bloke at the petrol station told me Richie Feeney being parachuted in at number 26 and Pearse hanley spottrd in arrivals at knock airport this morning. You heard it here first!
Ever the optimist says:
January 25, 2026 at 11:33 am
No easy games in the winter months in this league. Jimmy McGuiness is doing precisely what he did last year in striving to bag enough points early on to ensure survival.
Galway fans I've encountered aren't too enamoured with this match, some shrugging it away in dread, as a matter of fact. It'll be dogged and tough, that's for sure. As it stands there's a long arduous campaign ahead and nothing will learned early doors about any particular team.
I've a feeling it'll be Mayo claiming the win today.
Thedarkyfinn says:
January 25, 2026 at 11:38 am
Hoping for some green shoots today - Mayo by 5 or 6 !
JP says:
January 25, 2026 at 12:00 pm
It's the most excited I am about new players and strength of our potential since James Horam 2011.
We've been let down in other years where we didn't have enough solid 7/10 standard players. Guys that you can just put on the field starting or bench and get a contribution.
Maumtrasna View says:
January 25, 2026 at 12:17 pm
New Year, new season and new manager, wishing Andy & co best of everything for their term in charge.
Management should have no problem motivating players today, this is our biggest Derby! & we've been bested by them too often in recent years.
Mayo players are bred to beat the maroon and white. They need to fight like dogs today, while keeping cool heads.
Want to see them breaking fast from defence with the 3 up using the big spaces in Salthill to take their man on and driving for scores. And hope we've left the slow ponderous build-up behind.
FhiftyShixty says:
January 25, 2026 at 12:36 pm
Hoping for a good start for Andy today, would be great to get an early one of Galway and pj. Mayo by 4
Finding Sam says:
January 25, 2026 at 12:50 pm
Best of luck to Andy and the Mayo team today. Great atmosphere around the city and it looks as if Mayo supporters have travelled in big numbers. A win against Galway would be a huge boost and it would get the Andy era off to a very positive start. That won’t be easy of course and like so many games against our old rivals there’s unlikely to be more than a score or two between us at the end.
Ontheroad13 says:
January 25, 2026 at 1:03 pm
The pitch in salthill looks very good, conditions might not be to bad for hopefully a good game of football, looking forward to seeing how the likes of mcgreal, morahan and byrne go today.
Justoutsideballagh says:
January 25, 2026 at 1:09 pm
Big day for Andy and the team. Expect a battling performance and result could go either way. At least not much expected from Mayo outside the county this year so hopefully we can surprise a few people, especially our neighbours!
FW says:
January 25, 2026 at 1:13 pm
Sitting here in the stand,perfect (as much as it can be in January) day for football.Very slight wind going from stand across to open terrace.
Ontheditch says:
January 25, 2026 at 1:20 pm
That's as good as it gets in salthill.@FW. Thanks for the update. Great interest in this game.
Oilean acla says:
January 25, 2026 at 1:27 pm
Maith thù WJ.
Will Galway 'bate' Mayo- sin é an cheist?
Bainigi sult as an cluife
Mhuigeo Abù!
Supermac says:
January 25, 2026 at 1:31 pm
Coen starts ahead of brick. Coyne on bench
Glorydays says:
January 25, 2026 at 1:33 pm
Best of luck to Mayo today as we start our Allianz National league, not too worried about the result as long as we see a good attacking performance with no lateral passing. Was talking to a few heads at Mass its all positive as we start the Andy Era
Mayomessi says:
January 25, 2026 at 1:34 pm
Get ready for takeoff. Wishing management and the players a fine season and let see were it take us, no pressure just go out and enjoy it.
Tuamstar says:
January 25, 2026 at 1:34 pm
Tierney and D'Arcy gone now too from today's squad..
Definitely a Mayo by 5 win
Chesneychet says:
January 25, 2026 at 1:38 pm
Conncannon seemed to suggest we are looking at young players in the league, assume Tierney and D'Arcy cant really show the managers much at this stage. I would expect Mayo to win given the team we are playing but these games are usually tight. Andy Moran seemed to suggest he was looking too, the real action begins in the Connacht Championship but I dont think either manager wants to drop to Div2 either.
MO2023 says:
January 25, 2026 at 1:46 pm
Tough afternoon for the Hurlers. Laois 5-15 Mayo 0-1 at half-time
Supermac says:
January 25, 2026 at 1:48 pm
Have to be winning this today really. Its a Galway b team. No excuses
2 hops says:
January 25, 2026 at 2:06 pm
I don't think our first sub will weaken us much.
Two pointer says:
January 25, 2026 at 2:11 pm
Eoin McGreal looked like a boy out there. Unfortunate injury but he is far too light and skinny for this level of football. At least a year, probably two needed in the gym .
Unstoppable says:
January 25, 2026 at 2:14 pm
Completely forgot Tommy Conroy was playing until he get on the ball just now...
Glorydays says:
January 25, 2026 at 2:15 pm
Mayo defence overcomplicating things Paddy Tally will have words at half time
Plunkett says:
January 25, 2026 at 2:30 pm
Tuohy playing well
Ontheroad13 says:
January 25, 2026 at 2:31 pm
Not a bad 1st half, looking to move the ball fast at times and we have kicked some good points, carney is top class to have the awareness to shoot when the hooter was about to go was very good. Full back line are under pressure though, mcgreal did look a bit light out there hopefully the hamstring injury isn't to bad because hes so similar to Keith Higgins.
Michael1381 says:
January 25, 2026 at 2:31 pm
Cracking match so far. Great scores, moving the ball quickly and a good spread of scores (mostly from play). Hopefully we can keep it up because I can see Galway coming back into this game in the second half.
GBXI says:
January 25, 2026 at 2:32 pm
Watching on TV but the difference Hennelly makes compared to the last few seasons is night and day. It's not just the long range frees but his kickout accuracy and variation is top level.
2 hops says:
January 25, 2026 at 2:33 pm
Going nicely. Not quite coming off for Tommy yet but he's trying. Rest of forwards contributing well. Midfield breaking even and we're doing better on breaking ball.
Could be tighter in defense,and what a monster second free from Hennelly.
Some more of the same please.
FW says:
January 25, 2026 at 2:35 pm
Have to see it again this evening on telly but i don't think I've ever seen a score from as far out as Robbies 2nd 2 pointer.
KM79 says:
January 25, 2026 at 2:38 pm
Very good
We will be entertaining if nothing else this year now that we are finally playing the new rules
Lack of experience and physique will catch us but we might win Connacht
Lacking pace and fire power in half back line today
I’m not convinced at all by Plunkett . He is very one paced.
Bob doing very well midfield.
We are playing well
Aido is vital for this set up
We have nobody else to do what he is doing
It’s prob madness playing him in the league but they have to learn to play together too I suppose
Willie Joe says:
January 25, 2026 at 2:40 pm
It was Tick Higgins in 1975 territory, FW!
KM79 says:
January 25, 2026 at 2:40 pm
WJ I think I may have been using the wrong email to log in as my McDanger photo we not showing up on posts so just checking this is the right one
Gizmobobs says:
January 25, 2026 at 2:41 pm
Moving the ball souch better than last few years. Even kicking it sometimes.
Galway fairly poor but not our problem. Defence being opened up quite easily the biggest concern and area to work on.
Willie Joe says:
January 25, 2026 at 2:42 pm
It’s working okay now KM79.
KM79 says:
January 25, 2026 at 2:42 pm
Thanks it was wrong email
Culmore says:
January 25, 2026 at 2:50 pm
What's the point in putting O Shea at midfield for throw in.
Maumtrasna View says:
January 25, 2026 at 2:55 pm
No quarter here. Galway never give up on the scoreboard when they get the chance to run it up on us.
GBXI says:
January 25, 2026 at 3:00 pm
@culmore because he wins most of them.
Green&red says:
January 25, 2026 at 3:01 pm
I must say, although it’s very early in the Moran era there are a lot of things to like from the team.
Firstly we are kicking the ball and our accuracy seems to be well up from last year. Secondly our composure and decision making is very good. Plenty of dummy moves and accurate passing.
Our winning of breaking ball on kickouts has been outstanding. Great to see although I caveat that Galway are missing a lot of bodies around the middle.
We are kicking 2ps which is a huge plus. Excellent from Carney at end of half,
The only question I have, what in gods name were we at the previous 3 years?
Early days but plenty of positives to take!
Joe says:
January 25, 2026 at 3:06 pm
Well Hennelly will be a big plus for two pointers for th year ahead.
dreamysleepynightysnoozysnooze says:
January 25, 2026 at 3:09 pm
Will we be able to see it out or will it be the classic thing of blowing a lead from a winning position?
Maumtrasna View says:
January 25, 2026 at 3:11 pm
Foot off the gas!!!
Michael1381 says:
January 25, 2026 at 3:12 pm
Letting them back into the game. Can see us losing this if we don’t wrestle back control.
Ontheroad13 says:
January 25, 2026 at 3:20 pm
Can't win a ball around the middle for the last 15 mins putting our defence under serious pressure
dreamysleepynightysnoozysnooze says:
January 25, 2026 at 3:21 pm
When did we last score a point? Very poor second half.
Michael1381 says:
January 25, 2026 at 3:30 pm
Great result. Fantastic stuff from Robbie but Jesus Christ we almost gave that game away!
Joet1480 says:
January 25, 2026 at 3:30 pm
Well, the unhingedness has returned.
Ontheroad13 says:
January 25, 2026 at 3:32 pm
Made it hard for ourselves like usual, to be fair bob touhy and conal Dawson won some vital balls near the end we need to nail down our number 3 and 6 though because they are very important positions. We scored 1-1 in the last 15 mins thats a worry
KM79 says:
January 25, 2026 at 3:34 pm
We are such a ridiculous team
2 hops says:
January 25, 2026 at 3:35 pm
Well the crazy batshitness is back anyway...not boring no more. 😂
Left Boot says:
January 25, 2026 at 3:36 pm
Great result, very good 50 minutes but the passing was atrocious at times, passing to player who could be bottled up several times & getting turned over is awful to watch. The younger players were outstanding, future does look bright now, well done to all the players & Andy & backroom team.
evergreenandred says:
January 25, 2026 at 3:36 pm
Em ..... I don`t know why we always have to give away what was hard earned?
Will that aspect ever change?
BazHam says:
January 25, 2026 at 3:36 pm
Hennelly was absolutely superb!!!!
that second have from 50 mins was shocking!
galway must be raging they did not win that and it was henelly the difference.
are we the only county that shits themselves once we past the 50 mins mark and are up by 10+.
I know it's the first game of the year, but this is a mid thing.
anyvways will take the win onwards and upwards
Thedarkyfinn says:
January 25, 2026 at 3:36 pm
Great result and some great performances, the fullback line looked ropey from the start and Joyce trageted it in the 2nd half. Came through the Galway 15min purple patch and saw it out. Lots to like and lots to improve on.
Justoutsideballagh says:
January 25, 2026 at 3:36 pm
Why was Flynn taken off? We took foot off gas and nearly paid dearly but great to get off win a winning start.
GBXI says:
January 25, 2026 at 3:36 pm
Also, the full back line is very weak 1 on 1. Hession got absolutely roasted there today. No height or aggression in there. Ryan was very good and Touhy caught some good ball. Conroy very disappointing. Fenton Kelly has real elite looking power.
Culmore says:
January 25, 2026 at 3:37 pm
Still crazy ends to our games.
Willie Joe says:
January 25, 2026 at 3:38 pm
POTM poll is up now.
FreeTheEastBank says:
January 25, 2026 at 3:40 pm
That was a great win to get 2 poi ts like that in the first game makes life alot easier.
Touhy showed something! goal for Aidan and Beirne with 1-1 i think maybe 1-2?
Great 2 pointers as well
Wasn't perfect but exciting to watch again and far more direct football.
I know you can say we cant always frame every Galway v Mayo game in terms.s of the historic rivalry but I am never sure anyone really believes that in either County.....
Ever the optimist says:
January 25, 2026 at 3:43 pm
In context, a winning start..the rest is totally immaterial. Two points in the bag...
Lahanman says:
January 25, 2026 at 3:43 pm
A good 2 points in the context of the league. But old mentality there couldn'tsee out the game. Nearly through it away in the end. Robbie hennelly man of match says it all. Galway wont be too upset their second team really put it up to Mayo..Mcbrien needs to go back to FB and coyne obviously will strengthen it aswell.
Joe says:
January 25, 2026 at 3:47 pm
In fairness massive swings in games were common place throughout the league last year
dreamysleepynightysnoozysnooze says:
January 25, 2026 at 3:51 pm
I'm glad we got the win, but Galway were not playing with a full deck there and nearly nailed us in the stretch. It was the same story with not being able to protect a lead and lacking composure when in control, and you can't say "it's only the league" because it's the same thing going on years now with Mayo. Hopefully getting out of that one will give some confidence but it's a woeful habit that has cost us dearly in the past and will again in the future if it isn't stamped out.
GBXI says:
January 25, 2026 at 3:51 pm
Totally agree re McBrien Lahanman. He's lost at midfield and badly needed at full back.
Jr says:
January 25, 2026 at 3:54 pm
As regards seeing our the game we did start two rows to stop Galway momentum
Backs will tighten up
Galway 13 played puck.
Roco88 says:
January 25, 2026 at 4:00 pm
Overall positive result
Positives
1. Hennelly a 2 point option albeit a little hit/miss
2. Callinan super driving forward from HB as was Morahan
3. Tuohy I thought battled really hard throughout- one of his best performances for Mayo. My MOTM
4. ROD at HF really knits it together
5. Darragh Beirne very clever footballer. Hope to see a lot more of him
Areas to work on
1. Defence very leaky against a 2nd sting Galway attack. I’m still an advocate of McBrien there but we can’t be giving up at least 6-7 goal chances per game
2. Tommy Conroy didn’t have that burst of speed today. He’s been out for over a year at inter county level so hopefully with time he’ll get back up to speed
2 hops says:
January 25, 2026 at 4:09 pm
I think Bob needs McBrien or some other similar tough guy along with him at midfield. I know we could badly do with him at fb but it's either him or Jordan as partner for Touhy imo.
Jordan will kick scores from half forward, although so would Cian McHale I suppose.
Anyway a win on the road with lots to work on is not a bad way to start our campaign.
Well done Andy,Colm and team.
Ontheditch says:
January 25, 2026 at 4:21 pm
We come away with our two points. The game was very open, could have gone either way. Galway will be a different animal come championship time. I'd agree with all of Roccos points above. Lots to work on before then. There was a spell in second half when we couldn't win a kickout. Mullhern at 11 absolute class for Galway, the complete gaelic footballer. McBrein needed at 6. Tuohy showed a fair bit of bite today, maybe Carney out there with him. Beirne played like an experienced hand, picked his spot very cool for the goal. Morahan had is moments at 7. ROD brilliant. Sam Callinan gave his usual 100 percent and Jordan Flynn deserves a mention for putting in a good shift.
I expect more experimentation next week, plenty to work on but we have two points in the bag
Quay school says:
January 25, 2026 at 5:22 pm
Great start to new era
Willie Joe are you sure it was 'tick' Higgins
I thought it was the other
Doesn't really matter
Great to see Rob doing it
Ontheditch says:
January 25, 2026 at 7:36 pm
The other being westport man Mick Higgins who was also a very good hurler. Tick was the Claremorris Higgins?