I was genuinely looking forward to this game, but the squad announcement has taken the wind out of my sails. Just one change to the 26—and that only due to injury. If we only used two subs (neither injury-related) against Galway, why not at least offer someone else from the extended panel a chance to step up and make a case for themselves?

Where have Eoin O’Donoghue, Morahan, Niall Coggins, and Akram gone?

As the saying goes, Doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different outcome? That’s the definition of insanity.

I am glad we are going with a settled team, this is championship.

Bench is top heavy with midfielders, between starting and bench must be 8/9 lads that usually play midfield.
Hope Diarmuid 's is not another long term.

@Tony, they were never going to make wholesale changes to a squad they felt was in touching distance of winning the last game.

Good to see Bob on the bench. You'd imagine he is really suited to these new rules at midfield and brings much needed height to that section. Hope to see him get some game time. He knows where the posts are too.

Have to say very disappointed Eoghan Mc is still out and rumors floating about that the injury is bad. He is badly needed in the half back line. Hopefully Paddy picks up where he left off. Actually, we're very light on corner backs on the bench. Surprised Morahan is not there in place of Dawson or Reid.

I agree with the lads on the pod earlier this week. Changes of approach/personnel are needed up front and it is disappointing to see the same huge number of converted midfielders playing. Strong argument to say that Ryan is the only natural inside forward named in the team and many say his best position is 11. Like, would we not be more balanced with Coen on the bench (adding much needed experience there), Carney at midfield and Boland at 11? Or Ryan at 11 and Towey in the corner?

Underwhelming bench. Reid and Tuohy are very similar players despite having Thornton and Irwin who offer more in my opinion. Hopefully Durcan gets a run. It seems some players can’t get dropped while the likes of E O Donoghue can’t get a game no matter how he plays even though he is more of a natural corner back than Brickenden for example.

Would it not be best to rest Jordan Flynn? I thought he looked flat out v Galway . He's a great player but he's played in nearly every game.

Disappointing not to see Diarmuid O ' Connor .

I agree with most of the sentiments above from Clare, CDR, Tony and GBXI but though I wou,ld have made changes and tried to get a more balanced 15 out there, I think we are just going to have to accept that as this was the last chance to change things up that management are willing to die on this hill. As usual we'll be there supporting but this game but this game should have been used as a reset imo.

Hard to know for us how lads are performing in training so no point speculating on who's making the match day 26 .
With the new rules primary possession is huge and an area we've consistently struggled so I'm glad to see Bob back in the squad ..
Think it will be like the Sligo / Leitrim games where we may just play well enough to win and then hopefully up the performance for Tyrone.
I expect Paddy to feature for the second half and hopefully Tommy gets back in contention for the Tyrone match .
Hopefully we'll see good support in Longford for the u20s later

Very deflated seeing that team.

What does it say to the lads on the bench and extended panel when players who consistently underperform keep getting picked? I don't like naming names but there are four players in the starting 15 who are having bad years, and are consistently playing crap. These four lads get picked every week.

This match is probably our last opportunity until January to try something out and guess what, we're not trying anything...

Roll on a new management team

Diarmuid having a very stop-start run of things with the injuries and Tommy's status continues to be the 3rd secret of fatima

Otherwise squad is at full strength, with paddy d raring to go. Cavan meanwhile are missing their 3 best players.

Mayo to get up and running with a 7 point win...

Mayo 1-22 Cavan 0-18
Neary the goalscorer

...won't be able to travel with club commitments in Dublin so it will be Midwest and smoke signals for me

That panel has a much more settled look about it. Team of the future if these guys can be held on to.
No disadvantage to be heavy on midfielders, we need to sort possession from kickouts, they'll give us options.
I'm glad Eoghan McL is not been rushed back and no indication in westport that its more than quad. Maybe Jordan Flynn will be substituted, i agree with Clare, he could do with break.. I don't know how posters expected to see DOC. Hamstring is 5 weeks min and it is recurring injury.

Be hoping Paddy starts,

Well, my question earlier this week, as to where Bob Tuohy was has been answered. Thanks Kevin! Tuohy should be revelling in the new game as his fielding abilities are top class. He needs game time too.

Losses of DOC, Tommy, Eoghan, weaken the panel, but then again, panels are what it's all about.

Let the men who are on this panel stand up and be counted .The bold hearted Men from the Co.Mayo .Lets all stand together in all kinds of weather

Would love to see Tuohy getting a run and bring utilised properly. Has demonstrated for years that he’s a capable person for mid if given the chance. Bit too late this year I’m afraid

I think it's an absolute disgrace

The obvious call is to move McBrien to his best position at fullback and have donncha mchugh pick up darragh mcveety out the field, cavans biggest threat

How do “Tommy will be togged for Cavan game “

Same old, same old. Nothing to see here move on. Unless he is injured it is impossible to think that Eoin O’Donoghue, is not in the panel. He has serious potential and must find it soul destroying to see lesser talents block his path.

It would also be great to see more of Akram. He has a fire and desire that we need to see.

But, we are where we are. Sure let's see what happens. Careful now... blah, blah, blah. "And so we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past".

While disappointed that we have not been more adventurous, I am not sure that there is much argument for some of the players being mentioned above to be in the top 26.
Attacking play/players are what is needed, if players like E McL, TC & DOC are injured then not much that management can do. I think that the mindset is what is most important rather than who is named. We will only know this once the game begins on Sunday. This is driven by the management so now is the time to deliver.

Very deflating squad announcement I have to admit. There is obviously no consequences for poor performances in previous games when you see some of the names on the starting 15 and bench.
Reape, Brickendon, Ruane and Flynn are all very, very lucky to be given another starting spot along with Boland and Towey from on the bench.
It beggars belief why Irwin is not starting in this game. Played all league, scored in every game, could play out in the middle and inside but now he gets to warm the bench?? Our best two performances at corner back this year came from EOD but now he's nowhere to be seen. I just don't get it. A man said to me that it's harder to get OUT of the Mayo team than it is to get IN it, and that's where we have things arseways. McStay has missed a real chance to set a marker to the squad by making 4 or 5 starting changes in a game we are going to win anyway. Instead he has decided to go with the same shite we've been watching all season.
For any Man Utd supporters out there, this has the look and feel of the last days of Ten Hag as manager. Uninspiring, blunt, pragmatic, toothless football where even the wins feel like a loss. You knew the end was coming for Ten Hag by his team selections and tactics, in that he wasn't doing himself any favours with his decisions. This has the same feeling for McStay. I hope I'm wrong but we look like a sick dog waiting to be put down. I really hoped there would be a big reaction from McStay after the Connacht final defeat but it seems he's sticking with his path.

Mayo having both a home a home & London rose it the "Rose Of Tralee" but in next year 2026 Mayo vs London Connacht football championship fixture is going to be on.

Thanks Martin , I keep forgetting about that one .

Very hard to keep mayo fans happy. It will be down to style of play now. Good to see McBrein back. Brickenden strengthens up the back line and gives a bit of height.
Bob Touhy will see game time, and hopefully he will impress enough to put down a marker

Ah lads, you are fairly defining the squad as no win no fee.
Same lads who haven't performed there again.
The lads without pace retain their places despite being turned inside out, hess moved to 7 after doing so well at 4 .midfield as poor as ever seen, Mchale, Towey Boland essentially same players, Reid, Tuohy, Thornton and Ruane likewise .. variety is spice of life but Mcstay and Rochford like plain spuds .

Same old whinging.
I really don't know why anyone involved should even bother.
Used to be the best supporters in the country. Now we must be by some distance the most ignorant and ungrateful.
Absolute disgrace. Probably the first anyone around has used that phrase appropriately.

Was Bob Touhy injury for the past 2 month, I haven't seen him in a match day panel for ages. How many minutes of football has he got this year, I know Rochford like to bring on player with a few minutes to go.
I can understand why Frank Irwin haven't been brought in 2 or the 3 Championship game thus far when he played in nearly all the league games. And what the Story with Kevin Quinn, a player who never plays, I'm not how sure how many matchday panel he was selected on but never plays, must be a record. At least this management has made 7-8 championship debutant this year and drops them a week later. They select midfield player on our bench yet bring on the smaller players when get getting clean at midfield against Galway,

If we can't beat Cavan at home, we'll thats it for this year and current Management FACT. Nice to see Sam and Enda in half back line, they are not corner backs. Would like to see Carney or Flynn at midfield with Ruane in forward line, also if scores not coming fairly freely get Towey and Boland in before half time. Should be a 6 to 8 point win.

Am I the only one who thinks that McStays hasn't got the confidence to make any meaningful changes. Surely it can't be the case that none of the other players on the panel are not being considered for selection.
Loyalty can only get you so far and I have a feeling management are two stools on this one!

How do you maintain people are ungrateful FrostyT . Most people who comment here have seen club footballers , the skillsets they have and the way current management are mismanaging them and destroy the morale and soul of this team with slow pedestrian football, choking the Arc and then allowing teams to force us to shoot from distance without any alternative game plan.
People here see the talents of Irwin, ROD, Flynn, Carney, Ruane, Callinan but what we are seeing it a pale shadow of them players due to repetitive subdued stagnant game plan.
All wr wanted was change change things, try things, Morahan, Coggins, Irwin, unleash some pace and freshness to the team rather than several midfielders in different positions and asking them to shoot from outside the arc before destroying their confidence

Every county slows things down at times to conserve energy and upset opponents.
The old style high tempo is not feasible in the new rules.
Team changes are rightly kept to a minimum as with all counties.

Who exactly are we supposed to be grateful to .is it a management that individually and collectively have failed to win a Connacht title in 7 attempts.I know personally and I would imagine most people on here have spent a small fortune supporting mayo teams over the last 40 odd years where as those currently in charge are well looked after for their efforts.No one ever said it was an easy job but because people comment on the structure and the at times strange decisions of the current regime to then call them ungrateful is completely ludicrous

Every single game this season that I can recall management have named the exact same team that started the last day, excepting any obvious injuries. Complaining about that is ignorant.

The Mayo team that played the Connacht Final worked as hard and were as determined as any Mayo team ever, so to turn around and absolutely slate them as if they had lost to Longford is the very definition of ungrateful.

Turning around and say "what have we to be grateful for" is the definition of entitled.

Enda Hession is one of my favourite players on the team. A player in the same mould as Keith Higgins. Only difference is that Higgins was a scoring threat. For some reason, Enda Hession doesn't score very often and is actually starting to look nervous the closer he gets to goal. Not sure what can be done to get him to push on his game and recognise it is important to get his name on the scoresheet?

Well it's the game plan more than the players that I'd have issues with. Management have seen enough great games in the last couple of weeks to know we are playing a new game. I do think we have the players to execute a ' new rules' game plan.

Good point about Hession LondonEye. He scored a magnificent goal against Tyrone a few years ago, and he has the capacity to do damage, but his potential hasn't quite been realised. Maybe the move to half back will enable him to do different things?

Can’t understand why anyone could be unhappy with the team / panel named. They played their best game of the season v Galway so what changes could be expected. Whether they are good enough or not is another matter but we will find out on Sunday. Cavan have been preparing for this for 6 weeks while Mayo had to overcome the disappointment of losing to Galway after a huge effort. I have strong doubts as to whether Mayo or Cavan will get anything v Donegal or Tyrone so a win on Sunday is imperative if we are to progress to preliminary quarter final Best of luck on Sunday and of course to our u 20 team this evening

As for spending a fortune supporting Mayo teams well I would say that is a matter of choice Nobody has put a gun to my head to say I have to travel to support Mayo. Anyway a colossal amount of Mayo games at all levels are on tv so no need to travel if you don’t want to . You can just criticise them from the couch in front of the TV. I wonder did all the Louth fans who supported their county team since 1957 complain about it being a waste of money or the Leitrim fans who have just one Connacht title in close to a hundred years.

Looks like a good crowd at the Under 20 game. Mostly from Louth I’d say but a nice Mayor crowd here too.

Caught out badly for that Louth goal and had a decent chance to score one but saved.

Very negative comments from many on the selection.
I’d be hopeful although prefer Flynn or Carney to Coen at midfield. I think they’re just a bit better at fielding and Coen can play anywhere in the backs. Also happy to see Towey and Boland still on the panel. I think we’ll need them at some stage tomorrow or at least one of them.
Hoping to see a bit more of Kelly too. Tuohy must be doing it in training or for the club but hasn’t delivered yet come championship. Hope he proves me wrong. Regarding players people want dropped, my guess is they’re seen as having more in the bag than newbies. I would stick with them but maybe only give Flynn a half per game until there’s a gap in the schedule. He’s a lot of credit in the bank. Lads running themselves to the ground for 35 or 40 can be the difference. We see rugby now using the bomb squad early in the 2nd half. Tell some lads to pace as if they’re coming of early.

It's a very predictable line-up, never any real change is there?

My expectation is Mayo by twelve

Shame about the second goal, looked like they were forcing it a bit after that. Hopefully a few converted goal chances in the second half.

Magnificent fielding in the middle. Mayo need to keep the scoreboard ticking over with point opportunities.

For the first time in as long as I can remember I won't be going supporting the team on Sunday.
A combination of expenses
The meaningless nature of the fixture
A total disbelief that current management are going to get us anywhere and the chronic risk averse style of football has put me right off.
I will have Midwest radio on as a paint my shed.
I really really hope the players can let loose in the next few games and show how good they can be.
The reality is under this management team only Aido has improved.
Everyone else has either stagnated or gotten worse.
We are miles off where we need to be.
On the cusp of the championship starting proper I've never been as pessimistic about our chances.
We could have a very good team but the players are been played out of position and in a tactical straightjacket.

Nevermind the weekend, there's a match on now! If there's a sight better than Mayo stripping ball and turning over I've not seen it

Felt again tonight the backs were taking too much out of the ball. Thought we selected too small considering Louth's size and power.
Great for Louth, there first final since 1957 at any grade.

Very entertaining U20 game this evening, didn't get the goals this time. We could have won it but Louth lorded midfield especially in the first half and were that bit more direct in their attacks. Another gallant display by Mayo.

Just home from the Longford and I thought the refereeing by yet another Ulster ref was poor at best. Cavan and Louth nearly next door neighbours but without the animosity of fellow provincial. Haven't had a chance to look back yet but pretty sure Nial Hurley got pulled for steps after maybe 7 or 8 minutes when through on goal when I thought at most he took four and a half but a few minutes later the Louth no11 goes 7or 8 steps and has his shot saved for a 45. Without using it as an excuse I thought throughout Louth got the calls. I still wish them well in the final.

JoeG it was a fair call for steps with Hurley

Made that point earlier Jr. Big step up to senior but hopefully few will come through

What ever happened to the 18/19/20 year old playing senior football like from the recent past.

Paddyjoejohntom. Then it was an awful call on the Cavan no11.

I am old enough to remember Jimmy Duggan.

Have been a glass half full advocate all year, but think after the last 2 games I'm broken. All our shortcoming are repeatedly the reasons we're falling short at every level. Got away in several occasions with the u20s ( not for a minute blaming the young lad's ffs I'm not that thick) of teams running straight down the middle at our defense. Our unbelievable ff line covered over this flaw with there scoring. At senior le el its the same thing over and over and over that's making us fall short. I'm done not that it matters. Thanks WJ your a amazing man for all you've done for the county. There's men that have got large salaries that have done a lot less for the " cause". Over and out.

So FrostHammer, you think it's perfectly normal to play Irwin in a critical position throughout the league, he performs well, in many people's eyes he becomes a real option for Championship but yet we don't see him at all, even when we're getting cleaned in the middle? Or Akram gets dropped in to a Championship game from literally nowhere after not being in a panel for 9 years? Or Brickenden disappears from the panel for months but pops up for the Connacht final? Or the total dereliction of duty from our management team to try a 2nd keeper while their 1st choice costs us big time in games, eg Kerry, Sligo & Galway? You think that's OK but anyone who criticises it is ungrateful? Maybe it's that attitude, lack of ruthlessness and low expectations and acceptance of poor standards that has seen us regress back from being a top 4 team to barely be a top 8. Maybe the real problem is with those who do not criticise, who are happy with regression.
I've bought my 3 match pack and will go, as I have done for EVERY game this year, and as I have done for over 40 years. And I'll criticise if I want.

Pebblesmeller , the problem is if people go with a negative attitude, it translates onto the pitch. In Croker there’s too much noise overall or on muted days the fans are too far away to really affect players but in provincial grounds the groans are heard and worse still you can hear gobshites telling the players what to do on the mic. This doesn’t just affect Mayo but many teams. However contrast that with the spectacle dished out in the Ulster final this year; a game for the ages. If fans go in looking to egg on a big performance it can happen. Some of our greatest performances of the last 10+ years were because we were almost perpetual underdogs and our fans rose when the players rose. Should the fans need to wait to rise the team?
On a side note 25 degrees forecast, we need to run the full bench. 55 max for Aido. Same for midfield, need lads coming in by 55. Fans might get frustrated at the sight of lads performing well being replaced due to GPS call but in that heat it absolutely has to be done.

No doubt says:
May 16, 2025 at 10:33 pm
What ever happened to the 18/19/20 year old playing senior football like from the recent past

---------
Changing the grades from U21 and U18 to U17 and U20 hasn't helped in that regard.

Stating the obvious,this is a must win game-lose and our season limps to a sorry end, and, probably, the end of McStay and Co. We should win, but Cavan are no pushover, have had some good results and some very narrow defeats-take them for granted at our peril. The team, if it starts as published-definitely not a game for experimenting. I am glad to see Hession listed at half-back, as I think that is his more natural and effective position. What puzzles me, is that we have a lot of tall converted midfielders, but am surprised to see both Ruane and Coen named at midfield, as they won't win us many kick-outs. I'm disappointed Thornton Is'nt given a run there, as he has looked one of our better fielders, in his few appearances. Maybe Bob will get drafted in there. Like many others, I am mystified that Irwin Is'nt a starter, as he was one of our better and most consistent scorers in the league and he is also a useful fielder. With our U20s unfortunately now out, we should consider adding Howard and O'Loughlin to the planer for future games-both outstanding fielders.

Very well said pebblesmeller.Being grateful or ungrateful isn’t relevant to anything.The players play by choice and I would imagine it is a great honour to represent your county playing the game you love and the management also get involved by choice and as we know inter county managements are now very well looked after.i remember coming out from great wins and some terrible losses but being grateful or ungrateful never came into it .The crowd at games react to what happens on the field.they are not going to be dancing in the stand waving flags and singing the green and red as we walk the ball back and forth across the 45 metre line .The negatively has accelerated since the 21 final and the mcstay/ rochford style of play has turned more and more people away.personally I just don’t believe we have the players in crucial positions at the minute and it will take a few years to rebuild

1985 there were times last week when that was exactly what Donegal did was walk the ball back and over despite the overall game being a classic and no one’s complaining about Jim. The simple fact is if the opposition have time to set up defensively then we need to be patient. Dublin under Gavin we’re the best at breaking it down with their triangles, slightly easier with 12 v 12 but still requires patience. The games are higher scoring now so less cause for frustration. Galway often play it back and over and not many complaining about Joyce these days. We in Mayo were known for lifting our team and bringing the chaos. If people want to be negative why bother coming. After all it’s only a game and these lads are amateurs. Professional soccer players on huge money fair enough although they’re human too.

..Recently heard about mental health issues in the League of Ireland and it’s very high. https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/study-reveals-nearly-two-thirds-35216942
Can’t imagine GAA is miles away playing a somewhat similar sport as amateurs.
I recall as a player on one particular team if I could hear a coach groan at a mistake I’d make another. Same for players hearing fans groan, some will be thick skinned enough to block it and others will allow it to affect their game.

True shuffly deck but I suppose the difference is that Jimmy’s winning matches

Mayo to win by 10

It was a big question last time out; so if we win the toss tomorrow, do we play with or against the wind? (assuming the wind is strong enough to matter).

The big difference for me is the heat right now. Do you really want to be needing scores after 60 minutes running around out in that sun.

Our possession game could be crucial just for conserving energy. The Louth game two years ago is the game I'm thinking most about; that was the last time I remember it being super hot; but iirc correctly we had 3 pretty nice days in Hyde last year, 2 trips to sunny Salthill and a dream day in Killarney.

I don’t think the wind will be a factor but how early each teams runs the subs will. Light lads like Boland and Towey could make hay as opponents tire.

Is the Galway v Dublin game televised this evening does anyone know?

GAA+ Joet

Cheers Gizmo. The heat has me killed I'm heading in for the evening.