We’ve reached Round 7 in this year’s Allianz League and today all of the many issues – and there are plenty of them – that remain to be decided are all set to be resolved a bit after 5pm this evening.
In Division One the only tangible issue sorted heading into today is that Derry are already relegated. The question of who accompanies them down to Division Two next year has four counties – ourselves included – sweating ahead of this afternoon’s final round.
Nobody’s in the final yet either. Along with Galway, Donegal and Dublin we’ve a dog in that particular race as well, depending on who is where when the music stops.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s wind back to what’s on the menu for us today.
This afternoon we entertain Donegal – for the first time in the League at Castlebar since 2017 – in a match that’ll be reffed by Cavan’s Joe McQuillan.
Throw-in at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park is 3.45pm (all four games throw in at this time) and the match is being streamed live by Spórt TG4 on their YouTube channel. Because it’s on YouTube I’ll embed the stream here on the blog for ease of viewing. There’s also radio commentary of the game on Midwest.
It’s worth zeroing in on what’s at stake for us in this game.
First and foremost, we head into this afternoon unsure if we’re going to stay up this year. That said, a loss won’t definitely relegate us but a defeat to Donegal combined with Kerry beating Galway, Armagh beating Derry and Tyrone beating Dublin would.
Those four results coming off might be regarded as a tad unlikely but such an outcome is hardly incredible either, especially in this division where all manner of strange results have already been recorded. Weirder things have, indeed, happened.
That means that we need to go into this game with the clear aim of getting the win that will guarantee our top tier survival. A draw would almost certainly be enough but a win – which, if we get it, would be our fourth from seven outings – should be the aim. Just to be sure.
Given that we were rooted to the bottom of the table after two rounds of matches with no league points in the bag at that stage, a win today would see us end up after seven rounds with nine points. That would have to be viewed as pretty good going.
If it occurs, it could, of course, also land us in the Division One final at Croke Park this day week. Like the relegation scenario, this isn’t a far-fetched notion either. Indeed, it’s less of a stretch than the one involving our possible demotion.
All that needs to happen, assuming we beat Donegal, is for Galway to lose to Kerry or Dublin to be beaten by Tyrone. Seeing as both Kerry and Tyrone need to win (with the latter doomed even if they do providing Kerry and Armagh win as well), whatever Galway and Dublin get out of their respective outings today will be hard gained.
Like the relegation scenario, though, whatever happens elsewhere is out of our hands. We should be looking to win no matter what today and, if results elsewhere mean we end up in next weekend’s final, then that’s how the chips fall.
The other imponderable that has come up ahead of our game is Donegal’s motivation heading to Castlebar. Do they want to be in a League final? How far are they willing to go today to avoid such an outcome?
Seeing as the only way they can be sure of missing out on Croke Park next Sunday is losing today to us, the logical conclusion, if one accepts the proposition that Jim McGuinness really does want to avoid this, is that they would head into today’s game with defeat as their aim. Can you see that happening? No, me neither.
The team they’ve named for the fixture hasn’t got them fully locked and loaded but this isn’t a shadow selection either. We’ll definitely need to be on our game properly to secure the win we need today.
A win would have value for other reasons too. It would be our third victory on the spin in Castlebar which, despite not being able earlier in the campaign to remove that irksome monkey off our backs in the form of our inability to beat Galway at the venue, is a definite improvement in our home form.
It would also mean that the momentum we’ve established since Round 3 would be maintained as we head into the Championship. A campaign that, don’t forget, starts for us in just a fortnight’s time.
Back to that last meeting in the League at Castlebar against Donegal – a day in which we also needed something from the game to keep us up – it’s worth recalling that 14,000 punters packed into MacHale Park that day in 2017.
We’re unlikely to see a crowd of that magnitude at the venue this afternoon but it would be good to see an attendance of over 10,000 at it. If this happens, it would be proof that the Mayo support is trickling back as the summer action approaches.
We could do with a big vocal crowd there today and we could also do with another performance from the lads that will give the fans something to shout about. The matches against Tyrone, Armagh, Kerry and Derry have provided a renewed sense of hope about where Mayo are at and where they’re headed this year. A win over Donegal today would add to that.
Right, time to face the car west. Safe travelling to everyone on the road today and here’s to the right result for us in Castlebar. Let’s get it done. Up Mayo.
Mayotillidie says:
March 23, 2025 at 9:48 am
Hopefully a win, and not get to league final. Good chance it be Galway as opposition in Final, and like to keep power dry for Connaught final
Km79 says:
March 23, 2025 at 9:52 am
Going to be a weird atmosphere today!
Moose79 says:
March 23, 2025 at 10:12 am
Exactly KM. Don't know what to feel. Would like to see progress particularly with score taking, but don't want to be in a league final. I get some people do, but it's of very little value in the long run.
Boleyboy says:
March 23, 2025 at 10:16 am
Good post Willie Joe. Two observations: A draw WILL keep us safe (not almost ). You don’t mention Kerry as final contenders where as I’m going to go out on a limb and predict a Mayo v Kerry final!!
michaelincork says:
March 23, 2025 at 10:39 am
Ah come on lads. I'd love to be in a league final and wouldn't it be great to beat Galway in it ??
Culmore says:
March 23, 2025 at 10:43 am
Half a donegal team with a poor forward line, should beat that team eith ease. NO MURPHY, mcBrearty, Gallen, Morgan, OG Gallagher, Langan, NcGee, McFADDEN/FERRY and more missing.
Catcol says:
March 23, 2025 at 10:52 am
HELP!! Any spare tickets ONE, out there?
Ticketmaster looping me out, and, would you believe, SuperValu in Castlebar have no paper to print them
Pullhard says:
March 23, 2025 at 10:53 am
It's a smashing day for some football!! I love days like this, watching Mayo in the sunshine and a little bit at stake. It's a wonderful antidote to all the mad stuff going on in the big bad world at this time.
I'm predicting league final v Dublin.
Catcol says:
March 23, 2025 at 11:00 am
OK sorted now. A man from Hastings Insurance happened to be passing by!!!
Rusty Bridges says:
March 23, 2025 at 11:03 am
Catcol there was a poster called HowSheCuttin or something like that on previous thread who had a ticket as they couldn't make it today. Perhaps Willie Joe could put ye in touch :)
TsuDhoNim says:
March 23, 2025 at 11:10 am
@Boleyboy: First prediction I've seen for that one. Fair play.
It'd just require the same results in the other 3 games for any 'us being relegated scenario' (with the Kerry win being by at least 3 points to at least tie Galway on score difference - they've total score for already, so tied score difference enough for Kerry to come out on top there) just with us beating Donegal instead to join them.
Clare says:
March 23, 2025 at 11:10 am
Best of luck guys today we should win this.
We have to win anyways to avoid relegation.
If we're in league final go for it I think it will be a Mayo v Dubs final.
Don't want to see Galway till / if we get to connacht final.
Catcol says:
March 23, 2025 at 11:15 am
Thanks Rusty sorted now.
Retrocut says:
March 23, 2025 at 11:18 am
Just win.
And if we do, bring on the league final
Hopefully against Galway
Why fear them? They still can't win finals in croke Park, make them win one.
Psychological edge if we perform.
Now Dublin will beat Tyrone realistically so we shouldn't have to worry about it
Moyside says:
March 23, 2025 at 11:20 am
Get the win, we have to anyhow just to be certain of staying up. If we end up in final, go to win that too....if it happens to be against the neighbours, who cares, beat that lost twice in little over a month, would be extremely satisfying hearing Joyce moan about it....we should not be apprehensive playing anyone, anywhere or anytime. Football is for winning. Don't know about ye guys, but I ain't certainly afraid of playing Galway...
Mayonaze says:
March 23, 2025 at 11:20 am
Main thing for me is to see fringe/new/new-ish players getting more game time and impressing. Priority in the league is building out your squad, ‘staying up’ is secondary for me (provided we bounce back up immediately) but obviously the ideal scenario is that you get both. I wouldn’t take much from seeing a strong Mayo performance today cruising to a win against opposition merely making up the numbers. Now, you never know, Donegal might come charging into this one today. I wouldn’t rule it out. Now or early championship isn’t the time to be peaking. Keep that for June/July. I’m not bothered if we end up in the bottom two on 7 points.
Gizmobobs says:
March 23, 2025 at 11:30 am
Mayonaze, not sure you'll see that as Tsu highlighted earlier we've went with what's essentially managements starting team from the off.
We've used the lowest number of players in D1(26), and joint lowest on number of players to see >1hr of grass (23).
7 players have started all games, and this could have been closer to 11 if Flynn, Coyne, Carney & O’Shea were available.
BatetheBlanket says:
March 23, 2025 at 11:32 am
Imagine a competition where teams may not want to get yo a final, that says ot all, there needs to be at least 2 weeks break from leag to 1st round of the championship, the ideal solution is that the group toppers are the winners, no final to be played and 3 points rather than 2 for a win.
2 hops says:
March 23, 2025 at 11:39 am
I don't particularly want to see us in a league final , but definitely want to keep the winning run going. This is the time you want the wind in your sails....never saw any advantage to losing games. Get the win , keep hold of the feel good factor and let the cards fall where they will.
Up Mayo!
Jr says:
March 23, 2025 at 11:57 am
Today is a big game for Galway, very poor record against Kerry lately and you have the oNeill factor as well.
New York tommy says:
March 23, 2025 at 12:23 pm
Anyone have the link to watch the game
Gizmobobs says:
March 23, 2025 at 12:30 pm
Here new York man https://www.youtube.com/live/9_zOxasFVUw?si=v4xZ7zZnMIo4Gpr6
James Fleming says:
March 23, 2025 at 12:38 pm
How's she cutting have you still got that ticket
Willie Joe says:
March 23, 2025 at 12:52 pm
New York Tommy - I’m going to embed the live stream here on the blog (as I’ve already said I’d do in the piece) so all you’ll need to do is hit play on it.
Bogman says:
March 23, 2025 at 12:53 pm
Progression is the word of the day. Need to keep our momentum with another win today. Donegal playing games which is their perogative but could backfire in the championship. Will we see any of Diarmuid, Conroy or Durcan? Would be nice to see a couple of them for 20 minutes. Get a win and the rest is out of our hands.
Nephin says:
March 23, 2025 at 12:56 pm
Thanks WJ. I find it a great help.
New York tommy says:
March 23, 2025 at 1:00 pm
Thank you
TsuDhoNim says:
March 23, 2025 at 1:14 pm
Delighted to see DO'C included.
https://x.com/MayoGAA/status/1903796899045413306
2 hops says:
March 23, 2025 at 1:27 pm
Ya, great to see DO'C included.
Blustery day in Castlebar...the better kickers of 2pointers could win the day.
Km79 says:
March 23, 2025 at 1:28 pm
Hard to see Durkan or Conroy making much impact this year now . Will be well short of match fitness
BatetheBlanket says:
March 23, 2025 at 1:39 pm
Can I ask this question, when did Conroy get that ACL tear ( Spring 2023 ? ) some reason he seems to be out for so long at this stage, Duncan recovery also seems to be very slow.
Willie Joe says:
March 23, 2025 at 1:45 pm
Just to confirm the named subs list: 16 Adrian Phillips 17 Conor Reid 18 Diarmuid O’Connor 19 Dylan Thornton 20 Eoghan McLaughlin 21 Eoin O’Donoghue 22 Fergal Boland 23 Jack Carney 24 Niall Coggins 25 Paul Towey 26 Seán Morahan.
James Fleming says:
March 23, 2025 at 1:56 pm
Interesting subs bench
TsuDhoNim says:
March 23, 2025 at 2:04 pm
@BatetheBlanket: Tommy featured in all 14 league & Championship games for us last year, starting 11 of them, following the original ACL issue.
He's out now recovering from a separate surgery late-ish last year rather than still from the original '23 ACL (possibly related, no specific details I've ever heard mentioned around it).
1985 says:
March 23, 2025 at 2:12 pm
Conroys cruciate injury was in 2022 I’m fairly sure
Clare says:
March 23, 2025 at 2:17 pm
Conroys ACL was in 22. The injury he has now not sure what it is but hopefully he recovers well.
In fairness to Durcan don't think he is out that long ACL injuries are very serious and you can't rush them back before they are ready he is coming along well though McStay said.
Great to see Diarmuid O connor back!
Mind the House says:
March 23, 2025 at 2:27 pm
Mayo to win by a point and qualify for the league final with a negative scoring difference.
Michael Gallagher says:
March 23, 2025 at 3:05 pm
Thanks Willie Joe for putting the match on the blog, also for naming the team subs.
FW says:
March 23, 2025 at 3:05 pm
I'm a little worried about this one.
A lot of the Donegal lads playing today are getting their only realistic chance to nail a jersey for the summer.They will be going hell for leather.
Too much consideration being given to do we want to be in a league final.Play the game,win it and take it from there.
If we're safe or in a league final with no major injuries I'll be happy.
I hope the team aren't as complacent as a lot of supporters.
It Means Nothing to Me says:
March 23, 2025 at 4:15 pm
This has the air of a challenge match about it, narry a shoulder seen yet.