As you eluded to @williejoe the fixture congestion is a joke. Can someone please enlighten me and I've asked this before why isn't someone held accountable? It's not like it's being run by fifa (though sometimes it looks like it). I hear complaints from every party in gaa and nobody coming with explanations. It's like the government blaming the banks for problems well guess what... the banks are buildings, somebody is running them. Anyway regarding the game i think we might fall a bit short and though I agree we should be going all out for every final i feel circumstances might mean we come home empty handed but a good performance and no injuries is probably the next best thing to winning. Good luck lads.

My view is we tog a middle eight with seven players over six foot, plus Aidan at full forward.
Beat Kerry like how we beat them in championship, tog a tall team.
Win the kickout battle 60:40 giving them a lot to make up for with their superior forwards.

@no doubt, i recall there being a vote on retaining the league finals last year and Mayo GAA voting in favour! So we can't complain now. I don't get the underdog status unless there's thinking we're looking to throw it, since 2022 we've had the better of them, star players and all

With no pre-season competitions this year the league should have started a week or two earlier and finished up sooner also to give every team at least two weeks prep time for the championship.

@ Mayomagic my thoughts precisely

As mentioned above the scheduling is an absolute joke.Some of our players looked gassed early in the 2nd half last weekend.Flynn and Aido looked out on there feet and have very little time for recovery playing week on week.
With regards Aido at full forward can we please launch one or two high balls in on him this weekend.
It's an awful waste having him in there and no chance taken to pump in a few long balls on him.

It's a real bonus to be in a league final. The game will have the competitive edge of a quality championship game. There is opportunity to fine tune our starting team and bench going forward. Bookies have us at 16/1 for Sam, making us a quarter final team and all going well, that's about right imo.
But the chances of silverware on Sunday are much better. There are still problems to iron out in defence, possession from kickouts, the stats wouldn't look good for us, and leader of our pack of forwards at 11 is not solved.
Carney and Ruane are doing their own thing these days and throwing in some valuable scores too.
Definitely a game we can win but either way, a valuable pointer to our championship chances

Kerry will always want to win a final and I think all the more so this one, because it’s called after the great Micheal who’s one of their own.

Great game for us before 2 games with 4th division opposite which shouldn't bother our boys after we get over the first 20 mins!
As regards the fixtures why couldn't they start the league in September? That way all the championship lads should be well rested and new players could be tried out. It wouldn't be as important to being available for club as it would be for championship imo.

@ Neiphin, they will be gunning for The Micheal Cup for sure, but from their league form alone they are beatable.

@Bonni Biyler agree they are beatable and we usually up our game when facing good teams and when we are underdogs . I think we will sneak it mayo by 2 .

@ Hope you are right Clare, by 1 will do me.

Does this go to penalties if level after extra time?

Well done Mount St Michael. A great achievement

It does, Bonni, like it did last year. That would be the ultimate indignity for this competition were that to happen again.

Is the match on tv

4 pm

@Craggy boglands: Yeah. All 4 Division finals will be on TG4.
https://www.tg4.ie/en/irish-tv-schedule/sport-schedule/

Thanks for that mate

We should look forward to a league title,after all it is the second most important title and Mayo are the league specialists,all the best for Sunday,we must acknowledge that the management and players have done us proud,much better than Jimmy is losing matches,up Mayo

@Bonni Boyler yeah a point would do me to..

Looking forward to being back in Croker on Sunday especially since we didn't make it last year.

Good experience for the guys to

I should possibly start gambling.
I predicted this final in January.
F all of the details correct but it's results that count.
Definitely rowing back on that Monaghan prediction.

"FrostTHammer says:
January 3, 2025 at 12:48 pm
Right, let’s get the 2025 predictions out of the way. 2024 was a Galway Mayo final so I taking that as a 50%, even though iirc I rolled back on it before the end of January, after we thumped them in Salthill.

League
Champions: Mayo – 2 years ago we got 8 points from the same set of fixtures as our first 5 this year. I think we’ll do similar if not surpass that.

Other Finalist: Kerry – I think it’ll be very tight and likely come down to score difference. I don’t think Kerry will travel well, but they won’t get tanked either, and they will give someone a hiding at home.

Relegated: Dublin & Armagh
I think the Dubs will struggle. Croke Park is a great advantage when you are the better team, but I don’t think they are as far ahead as they were.
The celebratory atmosphere around Armagh will I think leave them vulnerable to being caught at Home.

Connacht: Mayo
Leinster: Dublin – vulnerable but not that vulnerable.
Munster: Kerry
Ulster: Armagh – the confidence from last year might see them breakdown a door they have been knocking on.

All Ireland
Champions: Kerry – a few days ago I would have said Galway, but after reading the comments here I’m not as certain, and I’m worried Joyce may have flogged them too hard last year. Unfortunately I think it might be one of those years, and the lucky All Ireland winners will be whoever we meet in the final. First Mayo Kerry final in nearly 20 years.

Tailteann Cup: Monaghan – almost certainly the best team that might end up in it. Hat tip to Sligo though, I think they’ll give a right crack."

I know the league has been getting a lot of negative press but I do love going to Croke Park for a big game.

Looks like a good day weather wise on Sat.

The GAA really is peculiar when you consider Mayo are out in championship in a week and Kerry are out in Portugal on a training trip.

The GAA need to sort the schedule next year it's the next big issue.

On the game from a Kerry perspective,

Kerrys trajectory has gone upwards since our last meeting in Castlebar.
Both the Armagh and Galway games have been very positive.

Our kicking and movement has been very good.
David Clifford kicked only 3 points off Johnny McGrath on Sunday.
He was however involved in alot of the play but others stepped up.

A player i mentioned here last year Dylan Geaney is a nailed on championship starter now and is flying along with his older cousin Paul.

Midfield is the big concern with our injuries and the form of Mattie Ruane.

On balance though I do expect a Kerry win because of our loss in last years semi final and the will to bring the new Michael O'Muircheartaigh cup to his home county.

Mayo are well able to put it up to kerry . Kerry may have improved the last few games but so have mayo.

If you said to me after we got beaten out the gate by Galway that we would be in a league final I would have actually laughed to be honest just could not see it happening.

Fair play to the guys & management for turning it around .

We have beaten them 3 out if the last 4 times says it all that they are beatable and we can do it . Suits us being underdogs to sure.

It will be tough not saying otherwise .

Ok yes the cup is named after one if their greats but that does not mean that mayo don't have the same will to bring some silverware across the Shannon to.

Hope there is a big mayo crowd there on Sunday think there will be more of a mayo crowd then kerry .

I'm still going with mayo to win and Ryan o D man of the match with Mattie Ruanne not much behind him.

Though still the focus has to be on Sligo the following week yet Kerry are swanning off to Portugal the following week . Hope GAA fix the schedule for next year .

A nuisance of a fixture. Not in the sense that we can turn our noses at it because it’s a national title and it’s nice to win them, but because of the ludicrous Gaa calendar. Some of our lads looked wrecked last week and now we are out again against a team who walloped last year’s AI winners and runners up in the last two games, who are heading off on a training camp next week to prepare for a provincial championship where they would beat the pick of the other 5 counties. Meanwhile we return to prepare for a potentially tricky championship game. I expect a result somewhere similar to the last time Kerry beat us in a league final except that it will surely contain more scores under the new rules. I dearly hope I am wrong and Mayo have surprised me this year by winning 4 and drawing 1 league game and I would be thrilled if they surprised me again on Sunday Maigh Eo abu

We can talk up our chances against Kerry all we like, but I fear we could be in for a tanking next Sunday.
Following our poor start to the league we definitely had some great performances to get ourselves to 7point, but if Donegal had any interest in getting to the final last Sunday, we would be playing division 2 football next year and that's the truth of it.
We now find ourselves in a final that we didn't need, while looking over our shoulder to our 1st round championship game seven days later.
The GAA top brass have a lot to answer for!

Once 6 o clock comes on Sunday the competition that nobody wants to contest will be a distant memory. It's all about championship and Jimmy mcguinness know s exactly what he is doing. He has already got the celtic cross unlike alot more. We couldn't avoid it. We had no choice. My worry going into championship is that a number of players have not shown me that they will stand up in championship football. They are. Mchale. Boland. Towy. Bob toughy. Reid. . No Tommy conroy is seriously worrying. Big lack of scores up top. If Ryan get s shut down.... we are in trouble apart from mattys form. Irwin is not prolific either. Callinan s defending or lack of is another concern. I know this management is great at all big upbeat interview but all the above points concern me

Hope Mayo nail it on Sunday, what a boost in confidence it would be for those young guns.
Hearty congratulations to Mount St Michael young women, & management, Claremorris on a fantastic win, it was a brilliant game.

Ticketmaster are not fit for purpose as far as GAA games are concerned!

I totally agree with you Joe G

I've mixed emotions on this one but we've ended up where most teams didn't want to be one week out from championship.
Throw in Kerry looking very impressive in their last 2 games.
Both teams will go hard for the win .
Kerry will have a break afterwards and Jack O Connor has a great record of winning the league and then going on to go all the way in championship afterwards.
My hope is to scrape a win but realistically I'd like a good performance. New bucks get game time in Croker and no injuries for the Sligo match .
Great to get to Croker but championship is where it's at .
Safe travels all

Hon Maigheo

Kerry have had a stop/start campaign. Word has it they're doing a double heavy training session on the morning of the match and sure won't most of them be thinking about the Algarve. On top of that Jack has said he might not even bother going to the match and the Cliffords and Geaneys are more focused on buying beach towels up in Dublin. Yerra - Kerry by 7.

expect the same Team to start as last Sunday, it would be good to get an update on the injury front, in terms of Paddy and Tommy.

Looking forward to seeing what we are like playing with the new rules in Croke Park, obviously the first night v Dublin we were missing a lot and not very familiar with then new rules.

Sorry folks in advance and slightly off topic but are there any tickets available for McHale park tomo? Or does sold out mean sold out?

Again I'll go on about the fixtures as it's really eating away at me. Why are the gpa so quiet on it all and Tom a mayo man. Any business would have fired them long ago. Not fit for purpose. Rrrrrrrrrrrrrr

I expect sponsors, Allianz, will be disappointed with the negativity from some counties around a national competition the brings the 8 Premier counties in the country together.
Kerry go out to win every game they play and in fairness McStray has always recognised the league as a great competition.
I expect we will see changes next year, whether it be scrapping the final or giving all counties the two week break.

If Mayo can prevent Kerry getting easy goals they have a good chance. Conceding 3 goals like we saw last week won't do it against Kerry. Kerry will go for early goals to put ye on the backfoot, if that can be avoided Kerry are beatable. All through the league they have been targeting goals. I expect both teams will be keen to avoid any injuries that would derail the season. I think it will be an open game and Mayo needs to come out on top in midfield to win. Safe travels to all heading up for the match.

It’s just a very poor spectator sport in general , it needs a total revamp imho , to hell with tradition . Tradition has dictated that teams only get going for the semi final stage of the main competition,it’s pure daft , it’s piss poor . League should be the main competition from spring to autumn . We have a great game crying out for a proper competition, with regular 20k crowds very achievable if done right .

@Ontheditch: Some questionable framing around that whole conversation of teams pulling the handbreak.

https://x.com/StatsAndSolos/status/1904670671214436499

Kerry had more rotation away from their top 15 players for minutes this year in their R1 & R2 games (with the top 15 only making up 65% & 60% of their minutes respectively) than Donegal had in their match against us (66%).

A lot of chatter about Mayo being relegated for sure if Donegal had gone for the match & not made the selections they did, despite the fact they put out a much smaller fraction of minutes for their most used players (29%) against Tyrone in the previous game that would have potentially seen us safe by R6. A lot too about Galway pulling the handbreak for the last 3 games when the selection against Dublin in R6 suggests they went for that game and just fell short (motivation a key factor too along with selections, so understandably enough).

A lot more nuance required for those pulling-up conversations than I've seen most in the press come close to touching upon. Though no question we need to see that fix to the scheduling. Still crazy it didn't happen after the Mayo/Roscommon backlash years ago.

Tomorrow's rugby game sold out months ago, JoeT1480.

Thinking tactics on Sunday we did plenty right in the game a month ago in Castlebar although Kerry are up a notch since then,
Enda did a great job on Paudie the last day - same again
Donnacha on D Clifford
I'd bring Eoghan Mc in on Gavin White

I'm sure we will be pushing up on their kick out and looking to force them long. Vital we win the midfield battle and the breaking ball.
Crucial we mind the house. It wont have gone unnoticed in Kerry that we looked vulnerable against Donegal last week with their runners from deep.

Kerry 2/7 at the bookies. Mayo 5/2. We are not without hope. If we can create a bit of havoc and chaos at the right times I'd say we have a punchers chance at least.

Mayo team that played kerry in group stages, are we sticking or twisting C. Reape; J. Coyne, S. Callinan, D. McHugh; S. Coen, E. Hession, D. McBrien; J. Carney, M. Ruane; F. Kelly, D. McHale, J. Flynn; A. O’Shea, F. Irwin, R. O’Donoghue. Ryan was excellent that day, so assume they have a special plan for him come final, hammer the hammer you be hearing from them. Like to see a little more from Irwin, and nail down his spot.

Clare, while we definitely improved after the Armagh game, I thought we were poor against a disinterested and second string Donegal team last week. Midfield is a massive worry for us as we are not imposing enough around there nor are we winning enough of our own kickouts - Donegal rinsed us at midfield last week. Chickens are going to majorly come home to roost in that area again at some point this season, a problem going on years now.

Kerry kicking the ball well and moving it quick, going for goals all league, and I expect the same on Sunday. If we manage to contain Paudie, it would be a good start.

@dreamysleepynightysnozzysnooze

Yeah it was mixed bag v Donegal we nearly relegated ourselves sure .

But if we play the fast pace high press game & bring the chaos and if we contain the Clifford's we have every chance..

A good performance and game time to players coming back I'll be happy.

Eoin o D should be given a chance in defence again.

Crowd estimate ? 15k ?

If its a Nice day maybe closer to 20k

I don't understand this chaos concept. The game is much more structured nowadays and for the most part consists of 'plays' once you are in possession. It's variation in those plays that have come against us. We almost go into slow build up lateral passing mode once we win possession.
The new rules have imo opened up reward for long pass direct play as an option. Kerry have an advantage on us there. It's all about getting the mix right. We have ball winners in our front line. I hope we use them on Sunday. We are well capable of going toe to toe with kerry

Kerry should have the greater scoring power, but If Diarmuid O'Connor and Seán O'Shea we should have the edge around the middle. Bookies have Mayo +4 at 10/11 seems very generous.

Expect Management will name what looks like the starting team for now so same again as last week more or less, with possibly Neary coming in for Kelly or Flynn (if he took a knock last weeks game).

@JoeT1480. I would say there will be a few tickets outside the ground. I will be there myself but i have gone to lots of all ireland finals and other events in ireland and the U.K. and have always got a ticket. I remsmber getting a ticket for the euros final in 1996 outside wembley stadium. My advice is to get there early and mingle. Best of luck.

Whether we like it or not... its a devalued competition because of ridiculous fixtures created by the hierarchy of the gaa. So for me it's.... get a bit of experience into the new lads around croke Park. Hopefully no injuries and move on quickly to the sligo championship game. Result means absolutely nothing to me it's all about championship

If my memory is correct Germany won the game courtesy of the golden goal.

It's a day out. Enjoy it and take it all in. Three weeks ago nobody expected it, so if you're going, or if you're not able to, just soak it up and cherish the moment. It's invaluable experience for some of the young ones playing.

@Ever the Optimist Agree 100%, enjoy the day out for what it is. Always nice to get to Croker and soak up the atmosphere. Hopefully the Sawdoctors will be playing at the end.

Thanks WJ.
That's the plan Jimbo, hang around and make a slight nuisance of myself!
We'd planned to be out of the country this weekend when the tickets went on sale so I don't bother getting one.
With the weekend that's in it I don't want to be away sunday too so I'm hoping to get my fix tomorrow.
Looking forward to Sunday but there's a lack of jeopardy in it all the same. The GAA could make more of the league, home and away games for all teams and then maybe a final to top it off but as it stands at the moment with the championship next weekend it's a very strange place.

Mayo U17 team playing Leitrim this evenings

Thomas Williams Westport
Conor Coghill (VC) Breaffy
Cian May Ballinrobe
Cahair Tighe Ardnaree Sarsfields
Declan Duffy Kilmovee Shamrocks
Barry Langan (C) Ballinrobe
Dara Flanagan Eastern Gaels
Adam Kelly Ballyhaunis
Ben Holmes Westport
Ryan O’Donnell Balla
Fionn O’Cinnseala Westport
Conor Hession Kiltimagh
Fionn Conlon Ballyhaunis
Patrick Garvey Castlebar Mitchels
Oran Murphy Ballintubber

SUBS:

16. Eamonn Óg Monaghan Ballyhaunis

17. Sean McCann Balla

18. Maidhc Óg Staunton Tuar Mhic Éadaigh

19. Jack Noone Claremorris

20. Ben Joyce Castlebar Mitchels

21. Conor Jordan Ballina Stephenites

22. Dara Dawson Wesport

23. Tony Carey Ardagh

24. Fiachra Ó Cinnseala Westport

Come on Mayo

The rugby game will affect attendance at the league final…? Lots of mayo fans I know heading to Castlebar tomorrow and making a night of it. Be sore heads Sunday morning not able to drive to Dublin.

Is it just me or is the live viewing of the minor match gone down

OK it's back, power cut or something to that effect

What time is the Mayo minors playing at

James Fleming, started at 5.30
Mayo 5-1 up. Ist half live on midwest radio twitter space. 2nd half live on Fm radio

it gone off twice, when off in 1st minute and back after 15 minute, when again at 17 minute now enter 21 minute. so only watch 3 minute so far. it BACK AGAIN

Mayo fielding in midfield has been 1st class. Both Adam Kelly and Ben Holmes. Holmes is very tall and mobile and is a son of Pat Holmes.

Agree very impressive fetching. That's about all that's been 1st class though, so far.

Who in their right mind would bother going up to the game on Sunday when the real action is on the following Sunday.
Living in Dublin I'll definitely pop along and see how we handle the wide open space of Croke Park. We hopeful will also find out a bit more about ourselves as we prepare for championship football and pray to God we don't have any injuries.

https://x.com/MayoGAA/status/1905681714757689390/photo/1

Team named.

Team named no suprises, more interested in subs bench.

Jeez this ref is giving them every call. His bias is ridiculously obvious

What is the latest score in the Minor game

Scrap The league final nonsense..
Give the Trophy to the team that finishes Top of the league Table.

I totally agree Mike H

12 pts to 08 to Mayo. Leitrim black card
On midwest

Mayo 0-12 Leitrim 0-7, Mayo are struggling, not taking control of the game. Fionn o Cinnseala and Ben Holmes the standouts

Latest on the game please

14 to 10@ 27 minutes

15 to 10 up. Black card, 2 frees for 3 up infringement and wind easing proving costly for Leitrim.
But win first day out so onwards and upwards.

Thanks folks

Ben Holmes great athletic tall midfielder that we don't produce loads of.
O'Cinsealla oozes class at 11, excellent footballer. Apart from them though you'd be concerned enough, don't see too many outstanding players, and they're missing a true talisman scoring forward.
When you compare this team to let's say the last few minor teams.
2022, Ronan Clarke, Niall Hurley, James Maheady Dara Hurley
2023 - Tom Lydon and Darragh Beirne
2024 Kobe
All huge volume scorers to give you big scores from play out of nothing, don't really see anyone on this team with that potential

Lots to work on, they will be tougher game to play in for sure. The team may need a bit more gelling, They had 6 of last year panel, 4 of them in the back line but seen very nervous at times.

Well done youngfellas...a couple of national titles at the weekend now would top off a good week.

Did'nt see the game, but liking the reports and description re. Ben Holmes. In recent years we have been be moaning the lack of size and physicality in our underage teams, which is going to be even more vital now under the new rules, with the gaining of possession in the middle third so important. The signs this year are much more promising, and we can now add Ben to Oliver Armstrong, Seamus Howard, Hugh O'Loughlin and others from our U20s.