Think I have Galway as favourites, a little further down line, but on saying that, No Walsh, Comer, Conroy, this galway team no world beater either. A win here be brilliant, but finding a way to win, close games be more important, Cant keep losing games by a point, for example Donegal last year, Galway in last 2 connaught finals, Dublin in the group stages in the Hyde, Derry in a penalty shootout after game ended in draw. We have had positive results in the last couple of year, beating Tyrone in tyrone, Kerry in Kerry, also had shockers Cavan at home,
Need to be more consistent, and when we playing division 2/3/4 teams need to be putting these away easily, but too long Mayo struggle with these kind of team, but win against the division 1 teams away from home.

Patience is needed. We have new management, a new style (by the looks of it), and new players. Losing games in Division 1 isn’t the end of the world, and even relegation to Division 2 wouldn’t be a disaster if the long-term plan is to bed in younger players over the next few seasons. The standard in Division 2 is far higher now than it was when we were last there in 2021.

I’ve no idea how Sunday’s game will go, but I’d expect a typical January clash in Salthill — a heavy pitch and a strong wind advantage for both teams in each half. I’m not expecting a classic, and I certainly won’t be getting too upset if we underperform or too excited if we win. We’ve peaked in the league often enough over the years to know it rarely serves us well later in the season. This is about learning what we need to improve on and getting game time into as many players as possible.

I've said it before, and I'll repeat it: if Andy is serious about new blood in the squad, something's got to give. There are at least four and possibly five panelists (who have seen FBD action) who would be on my release list. That's in addition to the already announced/known departures of Reape, Reid, McLoughlin, and Neary.

Moy2pointer.relegatuon is a no no for me for exactly what you stated above regarding the strength of teams in division 2 and the possibility of struggling in division 2 and making the idea of not making top 16 teams for championship a reality and then all that follows that. Win Sunday and take pressure off early

@Catcol: Just to expand on those a touch in terms of turnover...

We'd be looking at Colm Reape, Conor Reid, Davitt Neary, Eoghan McLaughlin, Eoin O'Donoghue, Niall Coggins & Shairoze Akram not involved this year (yet, at least) from last years 32 that saw League or Championship minutes for us.

Or Ciaran Boland, Conor Reid, Davitt Neary, Dylan Prendergast, Eoghan McLaughlin, Eoin Gilraine, Evan Ivers, Ewan Duffy, Jack Mulchrone, John Vahey, Kevin Quinn, Niall Coggins, Niall Treacy & Sharoize Akram who would have been involved in the 48 (possibly lots more we never saw named) we knew doing similar pre-league challenges/early season work last year.

No doubt - I don’t expect us to be relegated, but if we want to blood new players and implement a new style, it may come at the cost of a few losses and people need to realise that. I am just saying division 2 wouldn’t be the end of the world if we found ourselves in it, there’s no chance we’d be at risk of being relegated from it or of missing out on a Sam Maguire spot if we did go down. In fact, seven of the eight teams that reached last year’s quarter-finals and 3 of last years semi finalists spent at least one league season in Division 2 in the previous four years, with Kerry the only exception.

Mayo will make a league final.

They will be bouncing under a new manager and fresh start.

The annual debate will then happen around winning the league or playing in a final.

I cannot understand this, Yes Munster is different but winning a national title which there is only 2 can only benefit players.

Mayo & Donegal look like the top 2 for me.

Was Eoghan McLaughlin left out or did his performances for Westport prompt a re-think?

Mind the House I had thought he had been recalled? But perhaps not.

As a bench option/impact player, he would be very useful IMO.

Can't beat Galway often enough & by enough! Would like to see us give them a good tonking but am more interested in our style of play. I really detest Galway the last few years especially.

Mind the House think he is back in, but he is injured currently (since the county final) if I'm not mistaken.

It is never pleasant losing to Galway, but I'd swallow it (begrudgingly and mean-spiritedly) if we did and got the win in Championship. I don't think we'll be relegated, but I do expect a few losses and much ensuing drama on here.

I hope we are nowhere near a final this year to be honest, it's just a distraction we don't need. If the GAA themselves took the competition seriously and gave it the respect it deserves I'd think differently, but they don't, so why should anyone else?

Thanks TSU for those extra names I hadn’t mentioned from last year’s panel.

Would you agree that some established names could depart if the list of new players is lengthy?

WJ - when did the seedings change for the championship ? I must have missed it somewhere. Its sounds a significant change. How will the draw look like after provincials ?

On the Galway game I'd go with blooding 3-4 from the start and introducing 1-2 others as the game progresses and keep a similar model for rest of league ...

WJ - when did the seedings change for the championship ? I must have missed it somewhere. Its sounds a significant change. How will the draw look like after provincials do you know ?

On the Galway game I'd go with blooding 3-4 from the start and introducing 1-2 others as the game progresses and keep a similar model for rest of league ...

Apologies with the double post - gremlins playing with my laptop !

Id be happy to see us stay in Duv 1 and blood new players and strengthen the panel wouldnt worry about league finals. Would we great if we could do an Offally on Kerry later in the Summer as they go for no 40

Think a few of our established players may be under pressure this year with the emergence of the young guns.
Diarmuid
Stephen coen
Mattie ruane
Cillian
Towey
Aido
Maybe even Carney and Flynn may be under pressure to keep there starting spots.
I hope Andy is brave enough to pick whoever is in form even if that means picking a newbie over an experienced player.

Tsu Dho Nim
I think you could add kevin Quinn to that list as well. I kevin Quinn and Evan Ivers were involve of match day panels in the league last year and were part of the championship panel. John Vahey another Breaffy goalkeeper left during the year I believe. Think we have 26 players still from last year.

Id agree with that Horans Hat.

All the guys you list there, fine servants they have been ought to be under huge pressure, we are looking at going on 4 years of massive underperformance now so it needs to be a case of 'what have you done for me lately?' not 'remember that great game player x had back in 2016.

Being completely honest about it the only players I would say in thd whole squad that I would consider 'safe' are ROD, McHugh, Coyne, McBrien. Everyone else should be looking over their shoulder

I hope to see a ruthless side from Andy or we aren't at anything.

@Catcol: Yeah.

20-25 lads to be trimmed from the challenges (some back to 20s or to a dev squad, so not exactly year over stuff) and only about 15 names I'd pick with any great confidence from that ~25. So all sorts of room for lads with some years under their belt to fall the wrong side of a tight call. Could just as easily be 0 of those lads too, some calls really are on a knife edge and could go either way.

(I'd imagine we'll have some very unhappy with both senior and 20s calls this year given how tight so many of them will be)

@Mayomessi: Spot on for them being involved. They just didn't get the minutes to make the 32 list mentioned.

Never quite sure where to draw the lines on those where a lad gets named in a Championship 26 but doesn't see a minute. Likely value in tracking it (they're getting a full ~5 months extra hard training of more impact than listing based on the 13 or 16 league minutes other might have played), but not something I've done to date. I might try and add it for this year just to have it down the line and be able to break the groupings up more meaningfully.

@Thedarkyfinn: This year.

A whole new All Ireland Series at play once the Provincials wrap up. Basic rule between the start of the new All Ireland Series and the Quarter Finals is you can lose once but not twice.

The 8 Provincial Finalists get drawn (at home, Provincial Winners & Losers all even at this point) against the next highest 7 league sides and the Tailteann Cup Champions Kildare, or the next 8 league sides if Kildare make a Leinster Final.

In a perfect world you win R1 at home, get a lucky R2A draw at home (50/50) and win that, then head up to Croker for QFs, SFs & a Final avoiding a repeat Provincial Finalist (likely Galway if we make it) and whoever we'd have faced in R2A (if they happened to win their R3 games after the loss) where possible.

https://www.gaa.ie/article/gaa-master-fixtures-schedule-for-2026
***************************************
All-Ireland Championship

Round 1 (Eight Games)
23-24.05.2026 (Sat/Sun) & 30-31.05.2026 (Sat/Sun) *
The eight Provincial Champions and Runners-Up shall be drawn to play at Home against the eight teams in (b) above.
*The finalist from the Munster & Connacht Provincial Finals will play their Round 1 games on the 23-24.05.2026, and the finalist from Ulster & Leinster will play their Round 1 games on the 30-31.05.2026.

Round 2A (Four Games)
13-14.06.2026 (Sat/Sun)
The eight winners in Round 1 shall be drawn to play against each other in Round 2a, with the first team drawn having Home Venue. The draw will be subject to the avoidance of repeat Provincial Final pairings.

Round 2B (Four Games)
13-14.06.2026 (Sat/Sun)
The eight Losers in Round 1 shall be drawn to play against each other in Round 2, with the first team drawn having Home Venue. The draw will be subject to the avoidance of repeat Provincial Final pairings.

Round 3 (Four Games)
20-21.06.2026 (Sat/Sun)
The four losing teams from Round 2a will be drawn to play the four winning teams from Round 2b, and a draw shall determine the Home Venue for each pairing. The draw will be subject in the first instance to the avoidance of repeat Provincial Final pairings and, where possible, repeat pairings from Round 1.

All-Ireland Quarter-Finals
27-28.06.2026 (Sat/Sun)
The four winners of Round 2a shall be drawn to play against the four winners of Round 3, subject in the first instance to the avoidance of repeat Provincial Final pairings and where possible repeat pairings from Rounds 1 and 2.

All-Ireland Semi-Finals
11-12.07.2026 (Sat/Sun)
The four quarter-final winners shall play against each other in the Semi-Finals based on a draw, subject to the avoidance of repeat pairings from the championship, where possible.

All-Ireland Final
26-07.2026 (Sun) – (Replay 08.08.2026 (Sat))
The winners of the All-Ireland Semi-Finals shall meet in the All-Ireland Final.

Venues for Tier 1 Venues for the All-Ireland Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and Final shall be determined by the Central Competitions Control Committee.

Think Mayo should be looking to win this really. Galway look like they'll be down most of their top players bar maybe Kelly and McDaid. Seems like there will be no Walsh, Comer, Conroy, Thompson, Maher, Cooke or D'Arcy.

This league should be used for two things: sorting out our midfield and finding three scoring full forwards . The midfield was of huge concern last Sunday. I think Thornton could be a good player there, but we need to have lads for the breaking ball. Darren McHale was excellent for that last year, if we could have two more of him. Hopefully Conroy regains his scoring form. Cian McHale could be a very good player and hopefully they play Irwin full forward

Once again, thanks TSU!

Round 2A could be very interesting. Take Kerry as an example; canter through Munster, win Round 1with ease and then are drawn away against Tyrone, a Tyrone team that might well have scraped through the first round (say after extra time and a penalty shoot out). Spicy.

@Catcol spicy indeed. However the loser of that hypothetical Kerry v Tyrone game would still have another crack at getting to a quarter final (against one of the winning teams from Round 2B).

This new format is very difficult to easily explain IMO :) . But I kinda like it

Our most important game really if we get over London is the Roscommon semifinal. Making the provincial final is so important now!

In my opinion, our biggest and most consistent failing over the last 3 or 4 years is our tendency to play to the level of our opponents. We've shown we can always rise to a Kerry or a Dublin or an Armagh, home or away. But just as easily fall to a Cavan, a Monaghan or struggle against a Leitrim. We play to the level of what's in front of us and that points to two things for me...... 1, a lack of ruthlessness, and 2, playing in spells during games, but not consistently throughout the 70 mins.
A lack of ruthlessness to go out against the smaller, weaker teams and bury them. Hard and early, and keep the boot on their throats. This lacking has led to us losing in close games and allowing beaten sides back at us again, when they should be dead and buried.
Not playing regularly and consistently throughout the full game leads to us "easing" up and being complacent. Drifting out for 10 mins, not keeping the scoreboard ticking over, going 15 or 20 minute spells without a score. This failing leaves a bad team hanging on and in the game.
If we can address these two major flaws during the league I believe it will lead to more wins and better confidence. As for a win this Sunday or not? I am betwixt and between. I'd take a loss as long as it meant we beat them later in the year.
The one thing I do want to see however, is 3 or 4 new faces in every round of the league. Put them in, trust them, let them learn and make their mistakes, but keep putting them in.

I have not got a clue how we will perform this year. New management and loads of new players in the pipeline. I hope I am right about Andy that he is very positive man that can bring the best out of players. I appreciate the local knowledge of the contributors on this blog keeping me and others like me informed of upcoming talent. There is no doubt that football is strong in Mayo thanks to the people involved at a club level. Their sacrifices are never really appreciated.
If we have learned anything from Kerrys clean sweep of the football titles it is that character wins matches. The old adages stand. Its not won till the fat lady sings. Never say die. I think Andy can impart this to the players especially our young guns. The greatest threat is that the old guns are pals. I hope he has the courage to pick the best players at the risk of offending old friends. He may have to be ruthless which may not suit him. But the old heads may be needed when the chips are down. Whatever happens we have a great year to look forward to as is usual with Mayo football. Here's hoping this is our year.

I'll stick to my guns in that defensively i thought we were ok last year. We didn't ship big scores and teams didn't look like they would take us apart. Hennelly for Reape doesn't weaken us and as a defensive group the likes of Coyne, Hession, Mchugh and Durcan are a battle hardened lot. I'd add Mcbrien but id be unsure of where Andy intends to play him.
If we can maintain last years defensive performance then it doesn't need a whole lot of improvement in our attacking play to get us competitive again. We really should have beaten Galway in Connacht and only went down by a single point to Donegal at a time when it felt like we had little attacking threat and no interest in 2 pointers.

The early signs are positive in an attacking sense. I was thinking of which players might thrive under Andys mentorship and Towey comes to mind. Nothing more than a hunch but Towey is my bolter for the year.

I hope we can sort out a decent kick out strategy. Seeing 4 Galway men closest to our goal with Livingstone about to kick out did nothing for my blood pressure on Sunday.

I really think there will be something different about them this year. I feel it im me water.

By the end of the league, I expect we will have a fairly battle hardened squad capable of causing an upset or two. Survival in division, connacht title and qf appearance would be a good first year of new management.
McBrein to be a banker player in terms of leadership. I can only see Andy playing him chb or midfield. Team selection for Galway is fascinating

Is Ethan Henry still playing football, was on minor team of year not so long ago.

New pod up on Patreon. Rob is in the chair for this one, joined by Ed and Billy Joe to set the scene for the inter-county year ahead.

@Culmore: Yeah.

Ethan an ever present (playing every single minute) in Mayo Gaels' 5 Championship games last year (the 3 group games, the Rel Playoff against Charlestown and the Rel Final against Ballyhaunis).

The type of lad you'd imagine the new rules would suit down to the ground (big, strong & accurate), but didn't quite explode with them on the scoring front managing a single two pointer and two singles for the year (I didn't see Gaels this year so that could be tactical rather than just player driven).

Word was he was in and around the county development panel last year, so not far away from the action/level. You'd still give himself and Jack Fallon from Gaels a decent chance of pushing next year if they could put a run of form together. Talent there for sure.

I think Mayo will win and as we are blending in new talents I know we will have Eoghan McLaughlin and Conor Reid and the lads that are back up players not named for this year and we have a total of up to 45 players to choose from It will be the 2nd or 3rd year before we deliver Sam Maguire under Andy Moran and winning Connacht this year is important and getting to an all Ireland semi final and then in the 2nd and 3rd year win Connacht again along with staying in division 1 and then push on and win it and in his final year in charge win FBD League and Allianz league and Connacht and get to an all Ireland semi final and then go all out

From a Galway perspective - I would say I haven’t been as pessimistic about us going into a season probably since before the 22 season.
We’ve lost several important squad players - Heaney, Culhane and Sweeney have all made huge contributions down the stretch in games for us (Dublin qf in 24 a prime example where the last two scores that won the game were kicked by Heaney and Tomo).
Matthew Thompson gone until after Connacht & won’t have county level training under his belt when he comes back.
No idea how Comer is fixed - had hamstring surgery last year.
Paul Conroys future up in the air - but imagine he will give it one last year.

Our biggest problem is that apart from Thompson we haven’t any new blood coming in up front that are good enough for county senior level.
We still rely on Walsh to do the magic on his own and Finnerty and Comer (if fit) to chip in.
When that doesn’t happen we’re in trouble. We can’t expect Shane to win games for us on his own. Certainly not now when he is in his 30’s and struggling to stay fit.

I’m not worried about this weekend - result is irrelevant with so many missing. It’s looking ahead to championship that I’m worried about.
Mayo a good bet this weekend if odds are decent given the likely makeup of the two teams.

We are reaping what we have sowed at underage in recent years. We haven’t been good enough since the AI u20 win in 2020 - the minors in 22 being the outlier.

Plunkett..........I fully agree, what a joy it would be to find 3 consistently scoring full forwards during this League. Oh, and a solid midfield pairing as you say.

Yeah Galwayman, none of the mood music coming out of Galway is good this year.

The 8-9 absent frontline absentees this week coupled with the enthusiasm of a new manager bounce means I am confidence of a fairly comfortable mayo victory this Sunday.

Will be a different story in a connacht final tho if we meet there again, you would think at this stage PJ has learned to save lads like conroy/walsh/comer for later in the summer to manage their injuries mileage. There is absolutely nothing to be gained from playing Conroy in league for example (ditto for us and AOS tbh)

Could be a last sting in Galway this year but it does feel like they've let things go stale and haven't freshened things up in last few years.

Any other Matthew thompson type breakout stars to come through this year

Unusual for Mayo to have such a clean bill of health for the time of year. Panel not too far off full strength

@Galwayman. Honest assessment of where Galway are at. Im a bit surprised that ye have not got a flow of newbies coming through but maybe there will be a few surprises

@Galwayman

Yes good honest post .
I'd say ye will still make the business end this year though .

Lads there's rarely any more than a kick of the ball between these two, don't expect this weekend to be any different.... Careful not to fall in to the trap of overconfidence.

On the Galway mood music, I’ve heard a lot of low key optimism over the years during the league with injuries throughout but come championship everyone has recovered! So come May I fully expect a fit Walsh, Comer, Maher etc

I do think 2026 is a last roll of the dice for the elder statesmen in the Galway camp. Conroy, Walsh and Comer specifically. All 3 will be 32 or older this year and there is significant wear and tear on Walsh and Comer. My gut feeling though is they have missed the boat

On the upcoming Galway players Colm Costello from Dunmore has to be the obvious inside man option. He was on the 2022 AI Minor team and he’s been doing his stuff since at club level and county underage games since. He’d be a similar level to Hurley, Lydon.

Good post there Galwayman. It's the kind of thing we like to hear about opponents: dropouts, injuries to key players, mood music so so.

Any yet, I fear Galway this year. Normally, I'm very bullish when we play Galway: yes we can beat this lot, we're better than them, who do they think they are, and so on. The thing about them is that they are battle hardened; they're on the road a while now and the squad have acquired a certain mentality and can tough out a lot of games. Bit players can step up when needed. Yes, they have lost big games, ones they should have won, but they've been getting to the business end and taking scalps along the way. Mayo on the other hand, will have a number of talented youngsters who have a lot of learning to do at this level, and, putting it mildly, have not been at the business end, since '21 really.

Galway may be vulnerable on their first outing, but they will be a dangerous animal later on.

"Mood music in Galway is bad". Jesus the league hasn't even started, I wouldn't listen to a word of that until the Connacht championship is done!

Galway beat us last year in the championship without Walsh or Comer, and John Maher was even taken off at half-time. No matter what 26 players are named on either squad, it’s going to be a tight game on Sunday.

Andy will definitely be targeting it as two points we can take. I doubt overconfidence will creep in but we will be gunning for a win. Not to say Galway will not have their house in order come championship time.
I thought Finnerty was very ring rusty last Sunday. Might be a pointer to where the Galway panel are but I agree no complacency.

Overall, I liked the look of Daragh Joyce last Sunday. I think he might be the one to make it. I haven't really been knocked out by any of the newbie midfielders, but I've only been a TV watcher and other who were at the games may have a more rounded view.

Andy may very well continue with McBrein at midfield. Carney as a partner. Well need two fielders at 10 and 12, Flynn and Dawson for me.
Joyce, Tuohy Thornton Howard all good on a panel.
Team selection will be interesting

Anyone know if the ATU Galway/ DCU Sigerson game on YouTube tonight? Or is it just the all-Ulster game available?

@JoeG: Just the UU vs Queens game on tonight. Was really hoping DCU GAA TV would pick up the other, but no such luck.

Got shifted up to Padraig Pearces at 8pm too, so won't even get feedback from any of the Galway based folks we often might.

Thanks Tsu. Was really hoping to be able to watch that one. UU V Queens it is then.

Is admission to stand in Pearse Stadium open to all comers - first up, first served? Anyone?

@Catcol

Yes I am wondering the same it seems to be the case . Just says general admission on my ticket anyway . Meant to be raining on Sunday so you definetly would want the covered stand there .

All league matches (bar Croke Park) are always general admission, first-come, first-served.

The days of depending on Damien Comer are well gone, he hardly kicked a ball in the last few years..
I agree Thompson is a huge loss, but I believe he will be back for a Connacht final ( if needed)
Early days in the league is all about getting lads back , Finnerty is just back, hence the run out last Sunday, I'd expect him to be in the 26.
Johnny Heaney has been a great servant but he was sparingly used last year, same as Sweeney and Culhane.
This Weekend I'd expect a weakened Galway, without Walsh, Cooke, Maher, Comer, Thompson, so think a strong Mayo will shade it..

My biggest concern is our midfield. Our kickout strategy is one dimensional and we are lacking power in that area. One option is to break ball and have a strategy to maximise our ability to win dirty ball. We are often lacking a loose player in front of the jumping pack who is ready for a ball breaking in that area. Conversely we should also have a loose player at the back of the pack in the event of a ball clearing the midfield. Too often we are out of position in that area.

Galway are without a lot of first choice players due to opt outs and injury so we have a real opportunity to leave Salthill with 2 points. We have to cut out a repeat of any technical errors that cost us dearly last Sunday. Let's not beat ourselves as has happened too often in recent years.
If we can hold the head I fancy our chances.

In relation to our problems at midfield - would be interesting to see in last year's championship games how many clean catches our midfielders and the opposition made.
Also how many breaking balls did we pick up and the opposition pick up.
I have a feeling that not picking up the breaks - which is the job of half backs and half forwards was our biggest problem.

@bogman. I thought they tried that strategy in fbd with reasonable success. I would say it's something they are working on, so let's hope we have some success there on Sunday.
I have to disagree with you on why we lost that final, not the technical breach imo. We set up too good scoring chances before that, in one case taking a shot which was the wrong option, and in the other, failing to convert an easy scoring chance having done the hard work.

Team Against Galway Last Year

ROUND 2: Mayo 0-16 Galway 0-26 (Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, 2/2/2025).
MAYO: Colm Reape; Not Available
Sam Callinan Should Start
Rory Brickenden ????
Enda Hession; Should Start
Stephen Coen, Sub
David McBrien, Midfield
Seán Morahan (0-1) could be a sub
; Donnacha McHugh (0-1) ????
, Matthew Ruane; ???
Conor Reid (0-2), Dropped
Fergal Boland, could be a sub
Davitt Neary (0-3); ???
Paul Towey (0-5, one 2pt), could be a sub
Frank Irwin (0-1), lucky if he is in panel 4 Sunday
Ryan O’Donoghue (0-3, frees). Should Start

Subs: Darren McHale unlikely to b involved
Diarmuid O’Connor could b a sub
Eoghan McLaughlin dropped
Bob Tuohy could be a dub
Cian McHale should start

a lot of changes in a year that we reached a league final against kerry who won the all ireland /league & 3 club champioship

is it change for change sake

the stone age didnt end because all the stones where gone !!!!

Thanks Willie Joe.

I think Heaney is a big loss from the Galway panel. From a Mayo perspective, I always worried about him because he always did damage to us in every game he featured. I agree he has drifted from the starting 15 as of late, but, he was the one player whether starting or coming off the bench, that always hurt us. A great attitude, tough both physically and mentally, aggressive, hard running and can play anywhere from midfield up. I'm not sorry to see him gone.
Maher will be a big loss for Galway this weekend too. Probably one of the best front 8 players in the country in that he can play anywhere from midfield to half forward, knits attacks brilliantly, runs forever, can fetch, take a belt and score off either foot. A huge work rate and an engine that never fades.
It's only the league and will have no bearing on how the Connaught championship plays out, but, given the Galway absentees, our full panel, the slight doubts about PJs term this year and a freshness about the Andy/Boyler set up, I feel we really should be going all out for the win. We haven't beaten Galway since 28/01/24 and have only won twice in our last 6 league and championship meetings. With the Dubs coming to town on Sunday week and a difficult trip to Letterkenny following that, these may be the easiest two points to get before we go away to Monaghan. And nothing is ever easy against Galway!!

I agree on Heaney. If he decided to move back to his dad's home county I think we'd find a role for him.

You’re right, Pebblesmeller — he’ll be a huge loss for Galway, but from a Mayo point of view I won’t be sorry to see him go. He’s the one lad who always seemed to deliver the killer blow against us when the tight games were in the balance.

Billy Joe on the pod stated that if a team is not kicking quick ball into the forwards it is also clear that the defense is not used to dealing with quick ball in training.
If a team kick passes you need to do it from the right part of the field to cater for turnovers.
Passing the ball around between midfield and the arc is an unwelcome consequence of the new rules.
There will be more changes to play now that coaches have a full year of the new rules.

The only thing we can say with absolute confidence is that it will be a dog of a game on Sunday because of that wretched salthill venue...so exposed and always a victim of the elements, there is a freakish nature to every match there as its always lashing or gaelforce wind and its a case of who adapts.
No doubt a lot of the analysis here on sunday night will be around who played better with the wind and rain

Such a pity Tuam isnt up to scratch as its a much better venue for football

Mayo guaranteed a bit of interest in the Sigerson semi-finals with UCD and UoG drawing each other in the QFs. Hopefully a few others to join them there too with 3 of the top 4 favourites featuring some of ours.

DCU (Darragh Joyce & Finbar McLaughlin), UL (Cathal Corless, Cathal Keaveney, Colm McHale, Conal Dawson, Cian McHale, Diarmuid Coggins, Dylan O'Brien, Eoin McGreal, Frank Irwin, Jack Melvin, Hugh O'Loughlin & Sean Morahan), UCD (Darragh Reilly, Diarmuid Duffy, Niall Hurley & Sam Callinan) & UoG (Conor Meaney, Dara Hurley, Tom O'Flaherty, & John MacMonagle) all still with potential Mayo presence next week.

Tue 27th
DCU v UCC, DCU Sportsgrounds, 7.30pm

Wed 28th
UL v Maynooth, UL Grounds, 6.30pm
UCD v UoG, Belfield, 7.30pm
TUD v Queen's, Grangegorman, 7.30pm

Thanks TSU for that update. Stakes go up next week

Has anyone any idea will team be announced tomorrow? Im really looking forward to this. There's a great feel to whats going on within the camp.

I still dont understand why Eoghan McLoughlin was dropped he was one of Westports best players

@Samantha Maguire: No requirement/deadline for the announcement of League teams, so with a new CO (formerly PRO), new manager and new team it'd be an impossible one to guess how far in advance we might see that. Anytime between now and Sunday afternoon.

For Championship HQ will officially release lists by noon on Friday themselves (but it was often after lunchtime last year when they published those, so take the official details from the Master Fixture List of noon with a pinch of salt).

@Glorydays: Impossible to know where Eoghan would have sat after the year he put in. He'd spoken about being let go, but every chance he might have been (or possibly was) called back in after putting in a (for me) Player of the Year string of performances in the Club Championship.

The nasty injury means it's fairly irrelevant. He'd be missing regardless (and given Mike mentioned on a previous pod he's receiving the support of the county medical team, it sounds for all intents and purposes could be part of the panel). Fingers crossed the recovery tipping along as well as possible and the next few months it continues in the right direction for him. I'm sure the entire county wishing him nothing but the best.

There are lads on the Galway panel from the Aran Islands, Leitir Mor, Indreabhan and An Spideal, playing a match in Tuam would suit people from Ballina more than those folk. Time to move on at this stage. On the match, Mayo are flat out since October. Galway will have less done so I expect a Mayo win. I would say PJs priority will be a fit and fresh Comer, Walsh, Conroy, Maher, Darcy, McDaid, Kelly, Finnerty, Thompson for May. Injuries have killed us the last couple of years

Big Mike - the weather conditions in Salthill are the big issue. A lot of games there are ruined by a strong breeze blowing in from the Atlantic. I've rarely been to Salthill when there isn't a strong breeze.

@Big Mike

I still would not undrrestimate Galway sure ye beat us in Connacht last year without Walsh & Comer. Ye beat us at weekend yes only FBD but we have not beaten you since 2024 .
Was it not in 2023 that PJ kept saying ye had alot of injuries but came bouncing back and made the final...

Salthill. Great spot in summer and to live but yes, very open to the elements and it's usually a big factor

In saying that, is McHale park the second windiest main county ground in the country? I feel like there's a big wind 80% of the time

There's one in Waterford that's exceptionally windy altogether but it's only used by the footballers an odd tine

@southmayo exile, its central though for the people and areas I’ve mentioned and with the lights going in I don’t think it’s going to change any time soon. The Rugby ground has always been the same and the team use the wild conditions to their advantage, not sure what the upgraded Dexcom will be like. I get that it ruins games but last summer against the Dubs was a really special occasion even that qualifier against Mayo in 2023

Big Mike...it would be a first for two Galway lads to start an argument on a Mayo blog, so I'll keep it to this...
Playing in Pearse stadium to keep a few lads in Connemara happy is a terrible excuse..
It's an awful journey from North Galway for a huge percentage of Football followers, and let's be honest Sean Mulkerrin isn't living on the Island so its not as if he is back and over on the boat.
We know Pearse will get the majority of games and unfortunately have to accept that now, but Galway GAA made a terrible decision in upgrading it years ago and unfortunately with the wind and the traffic its never a great place to go...
I'd expect Mayo fans to outnumber us this weekend especially with the new manager bounce .

I was more talking about the supporters Tuamstar. There are quite a few including islanders travelling to watch every Galway game and a bus organised by Lallys with mainly Connemara people travel to every Galway game. Castlebar is closer to get to from Renvyle than Tuam. I know!!

Galway have named their team.

Gleeson
J McGrath
Fitzgerald
Glynn
O'Laoi
McHugh
Molloy
Kelly
Tierney
Silke
Mulhern
O'Flaherty
F McDonagh
Finnerty
O McDonagh

Substitutes

Flaherty
Cogger
Hernon
Mulkerrin
McGlinchey
Barrett
D'Arcy
S McGrath
Mulryan
Walsh
O'Conghaile

Lots of regulars missing, especially in the forwards...good to see three newcomers starting with three more on the bench...

New pod up on Patreon, Mike chats with Colm Keys in this one.

Our Patreon club members will by now have received notification of our competition for two free match tickets for the Galway game, courtesy of our podcast partners EBS.

Gleeson,J McGrath,Fitzgerald
Glynn,McHugh,Kelly,Tierney,Silke,Finnerty all first choice championship starters for Galway on that named starting 15 this weekend . Walsh,Darcy another two first choice players named on the bench.

Hate Salthill only game I enjoyed there was when we hammerd them in 2013, Tuam Stadium all the way, that game in the pissing wet in 1999 will live in my memory till I die.It was packed to the rafters, McDonald and Pat Fallon came in as subs in the 2nd half and changed the game , we bet the All Ireland Champions in there back garden but sadly took Cork for granted in the All Ireland Semi Final.

Looks like quite a few regular starters on that Galway team and Walsh named on bench I'd say Galway will be favourites at home to .

That Galway team looks strong, even with some big names missing like McDaid, Maher, Comer, Conroy, Thompson and Cooke. When you look at the squad they potentially have on paper, it’s hard to understand why some of their supporters are so downbeat about their chances this year. Outside of Kerry, they’re as good as anyone.

Looking at Galway team two things pop into mind .
Fair play to Joyce for rewarding lads who done well in FBD but also well done us and our second pick for doing so well against lads whom are good enough to start this weekend .

Southmayo made great point about kickout s .
I dont think u need two 7ft lads midfield , definetly one big lad , but the success will be the breaking ball .
I think were far better primed and experienced this year with halfback options of Loftus, Durcan, Dawson, Mcbrien, Sam, all lads whom can forage dirty ball and know how to win breaks .
The halfforwards likewise should be nimble on their feet , like out best halfforwards at winning breaking ball were Kevin Mc, Jason Doherty and Cathal Carolan era . None monsters buy when where to be at got under Parsons and Seamie to win it.
No midfield will get more than 3 clean catches so work a partnership and have lads ready to get breaking ball.
Be it Carney/moran/Thornton as the big fielder and Flynn/Joyce type to gather breaking ball and attck , there's plenty options once we have game plan.
The idea of Mcbrien midfield make sense but just think n06 suit him and us better to be attacking the ball from deep, much like it suited Jimmy Nallen better , raiding from deep.
Anyways looking forward to the team selection

@Moy2Pointer

It's not far off what Galway will be using in the championship this summer.

Maher,McDaid are two obvious ones to come in. Thompson might be back from his studies. Doubtful if Cooke will be around. Conroy probably in his final year with Galway, injury prone Comer is injured again I think he'll have to call time on his county career also

On their All-Ireland chances they'll have to change their style of play that was more suited to the old rules than new rules

Mc Brien at 6 should work but remember last year for the mid portion of the league we were complaining how anonymous he had become there...his opponents often spent their time perched near the sideline and McB had to leave the centre channel to mind him.
I'd be inclined to start him at mf. I think we need his abrasiveness there to complement the likes of Carney,Bob or Howard.

I think either 6 or 9 will work for McBrein. He is a serious quality player who can be of major influence in a game. Going back to the days of Ray Prendergast we've being thrown good players back to 3.
The experiment with him at midfield is worth a further look against top opposition. As well as starting and finishing attacking movements, he is a good reader of a game. Sam Callinan very effective at 4, I'd be leaving him there, McGonagle and Morahan more wing half backs as is Loftus.
Bu we have options, cover and strength on bench.

Galwayman while I appreciate where you are coming from, and am not hearing much optimism coming out of Galway at the minute, I don't believe a word of it either 😄 That's a damn fine team that's been named for Sunday, and I would consider Galway favourites based on that, and the home venue. That said, I'm looking forward to see how our guys do in their first big game under the new management. I think most of the Mayo people are with Tuamstar on the venue!

For me, Connacht is where it's at this year, and I don't expect Galway to give that up without one hell of a fight. They will be very keen to keep Andy in his box, and in addition, as you have said, it is last chance saloon for some of those players like Conroy and Walsh - it really is now or never for them. (Hopefully never!)

At the risk of being slagged, I always think as a football fan what a huge shame it is we have never really seen Damien Comer at his best for a good, long, interrupted period of time. His career has really been dogged by injury, and I think had he at any point had a clear run, we would be regarding him as being among the all-time greats of the game. He probably is already that, in fairness, for a lot of Galway people.

@anne-marie cute galway hoorism

Andy is nearly outStayn McStay with delaying naming of his team!

Ya comer was everything we wanted o shea to be as a fullforward but the only men to ever put it properly up to Comer had to be Chris Barrett and the Harrison a cupa year later .
Harrison was also an awful loss to injuries as he was such a great modern defender but injuries cut his time short