Thirty seconds.
That’s how long we were into Kevin McStay’s post-match chat with a flock of journalists after the Galway match when the first ball of the season was hopped in his direction.
“Kevin, I heard somebody say in the first half that this is Mayo’s year . . . ” smiled Philip Lanigan of the Irish Daily Mail.
Cue an outbreak of laughter from the journalists and the Mayo manager.
“Right, next question!” chuckled McStay. “Unless you have a good follow-up!”
“There’s no eternal truths now in round one, I can assure you,” he mused. “But it’s better to have two points than to be chasing them.”
“Dublin next Saturday will fairly sober us up,” he added. “But if we were going into that game with zero [points] then everything gets a bit tighter. So maybe we can look at it now through a slightly different lens.”
This Saturday evening we will find out what the view through that lens looks like. Mayo haven’t beaten Dublin at home in the National League for 12 years and the Boys in Blue have won on their last four trips to Castlebar (2015, 2016, 2018 and 2020).
As Colm Boyle said on this podcast earlier in the week, Dublin always seem to really narrow their focus for this fixture, regardless of what they’ve achieved the previous season. You can be sure that this weekend won’t be any different, especially after Dessie Farrell’s makeshift team were turned over by Monaghan in their own backyard last Saturday night.
So what are we looking for from Mayo?
It’s five years since they last won their opening two matches in a Division One league campaign. A first MacHale Park win over the Dubs since the night that Conor Mort’ broke Jinkin’ Joe Corcoran’s scoring record would cement Mayo’s place at the business end of the league table.
It would also help to bolster confidence amongst the squad ahead of the trip to Tralee a fortnight later, confidence that would have been dented after losing two of their last three championship matches last season.
Saturday night will also be a chance for some players to press their case for inclusion in teams and squads later in the season; players who were either sidelined through injury for most of last year or are new arrivals to Camp Mayo.
Like these two ‘project’ players who are at different stages of their development, but could become key pieces in Kevin McStay’s 2024 jigsaw.
Rory Brickenden
‘Brick’ started all of Mayo’s first five matches last season.
Then the versatile Westport defender injured his shoulder after a tangle with David Clifford during the second half of Mayo’s win over Kerry, and didn’t kick a ball for the rest of the inter-county season. That was on February 18 last year.
It was obvious though from the first six weeks of Kevin McStay’s first season that he liked the cut of Brickenden’s ‘jib’ and thought there was a place for him in his defence. So it was little surprise when the 24 year-old was selected for active service last Sunday.
If Brickenden is fit, and playing well, then it gives McStay the option of stationing David McBrien at number six. And frees Sam Callinan up to man-mark a dangerous forward, line out at wing-back or roam to his heart’s content.
Those that know the UCD Masters student well can’t speak highly enough of him; his attitude, commitment and application are second-to-none. If he can mix it with everyone from Con O’Callaghan to David Clifford to Oisín Gallen to Shane McGuigan to Conor Cox over the next few weeks, Mayo will have solved another issue ahead of the flight to New York.
Diarmuid Duffy
THE last time that Mayo beat Dublin in Castlebar, the curly-haired Ballinrobe lad was in First Class and busy trying to break into the Robe Rockets’ Under-8 team.
Fast forward 12 years and the former Irish javelin champion has made his National League debut and looks like he has all the raw materials to make the grade sooner rather than later.
Anybody who saw Duffy develop in Ballinrobe and make his mark with the Mayo Under-17s two years ago won’t have been one bit surprised by his rapid rise to the senior ranks. His natural ability and intelligence, along with his long-distance runner’s engine, and total focus on his chosen sport, have always marked him out from the crowd.
He can also play everywhere from wing-back to full-forward and that versatility makes him a valuable asset to Messrs McStay and Rochford. A First Year Veterinary student in UCD, the 19 year-old could have a busy few months ahead.
MayoMayo1 says:
February 2, 2024 at 10:42 am
Not enough discussed about the tangle between Clifford and Brickenden. Great to have him back, hopefully this year he can really kick on and nail down that starting spot.
JP says:
February 2, 2024 at 11:31 am
For a tall guy Rory Brickendon is surprisingly quick over 20 yards, obviously with his height he'll never be quick over short distances like 5-10 yards or quick to turn.
I'm a fan of having plenty height in the team as I've posted numerous times. It's a game played in the air, there's a certain quality to just having height everywhere. I think it is something elite that we can bring to the table.
Maybe some thing of social factors but Mayo people always seemed taller than average anecdotally. Just remember looking downhill from Quinns pub once and it looked that way.
Mind the House says:
February 2, 2024 at 11:40 am
I don't see Brickenden as a "project" player.
I think if he's fit then he fills a space in the back line.
I thought he was improving game on game before he was injured last year. He is more of the old fashioned stay at home defender which is fine by me.
More of the same defensively tomorrow night please.
Mind the House says:
February 2, 2024 at 11:43 am
@JP
I remember James Horan saying once that Brickenden was one of the quickest in the team. As you say his height would be against him at times in short distances and on the turn.
Important we get our match ups right in that respect.
JP says:
February 2, 2024 at 11:47 am
Conor Reid, Diarmuid Duffy and potentially Frank Irwin are our current project players in my view. What I seen the other night from Frank Irwin was very promising. He was playing with real confidence and impact at a level just below inter county.
Ontheditch says:
February 2, 2024 at 3:12 pm
Brickenden fastest man on Westport senior team in sprint.
He's definitely progressing up the learning curve, his speed can get him out of tight situations.
Good performances in the league and sigerson will do his confidence and self belief the world of good.
Galway had a period of dominance in second half and failed to put it in the scoreboard.
Sam Callinans stability at 6, has taken a lot of pressure if midfield role.
Once we have points secured we will have to look at cover for Callinan. McHugh, Hession are ideal cover for wing half backs
Achill75 says:
February 2, 2024 at 4:20 pm
On the Ditch
Brickenden definetely not as quick as the 2 McLaughlins or even Keegan .Dont know where you picked that up from that hes the fastest in Westport.Played well last week but does he lack aggression on the top players like David Clifford, Paul Mannion or Shane McGuigan.Thought he was bullied by Aido in the club quarter final.Will see how he goes as the year progresses.
Achill75 says:
February 2, 2024 at 4:28 pm
Would like to see this team the weekend, think Tommy needs a rest
1.Reape
2.Coyne
3.Callinan on Con
4.Brickenden
5.Durcan
6.McBrien
7.McLaughlin
8.Carney
9.Tuohy on Fenton
10.Boland
11.Flynn
12.Irwin
13.Towey
14.Cillian
15.ROD
TsuDhoNim says:
February 2, 2024 at 4:50 pm
@Achill75: Haven't seen the lads doing competitive team sprints at full pace in a few years to do a direct comparison but not the first time I've heard folks lauding Rory's pace at that kind of level. I can't say I've seen him hit Eoghan's speeds in game but it might be a case of harder to notice as much in the defensive positions as it is when attacking.
One random anecdotal example from James Horan: "Rory is one of the fastest players around, so no one will beat him on speed." - https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-41074988.html (sub needed, though opening in incognito will usually allow you see a page like this).
JP says:
February 2, 2024 at 5:08 pm
Tall guys with good technique can be deceptively fast once they are upright and into their full stride.
Thedarkyfinn says:
February 2, 2024 at 6:11 pm
Same team as last week bar Towey in for Tommy, Coen named again and not Reid
Louis Gunnigan says:
February 2, 2024 at 6:12 pm
Just announced, the Mayo team is as follows:
Colm Reape, Knockmore
Jack Coyne, Ballyhaunis
David McBrien, Ballaghaderreen
Rory Brickenden, Westport
Paddy Durcan (C), Castlebar Mitchels
Sam Callinan, Ballina Stephenites
Eoghan McLaughlin, Westport
Bob Tuohy, Castlebar Mitchels
Stephen Coen, Hollymount Carramore
Fergal Boland, Aghamore
Jack Carney, Kilmeena
Jordan Flynn, Crossmolina Deel Rovers
Aidan O’Shea, Breaffy
Paul Towey, Charlestown
Ryan O’Donoghue, Beal and Mhuirthead
FrostTHammer says:
February 2, 2024 at 6:16 pm
Team on twitter has Reid.
Team on the Mayo GAA website has Coen.
Not clear which is correct, but the positional changes suggest it's the Twitter Team.
Louis Gunnigan says:
February 2, 2024 at 6:18 pm
MayoGAA Twitter has the same players but several named in different positions. Not that numbers on jerseys count for much these days!
Louis Gunnigan says:
February 2, 2024 at 6:19 pm
You're right FrostTHammer. Hadn't spotted that
Willie Joe says:
February 2, 2024 at 6:23 pm
Well spotted, FrosTHammer! I'd say you're correct and that the Twitter version is the right one (on the website they say it's one change to the team so that's consistent with the team named on Twitter too).