With no National League matches on this weekend and Mayo sitting proudly on top of the Division One table after two rounds, we can afford ourselves the small luxury of letting our minds wander beyond the current campaign and how we’re gearing up for the summer to come.
We indulged ourselves in this way on the podcast this week, with Rob and I spending time with Eddie Gibbons and John Finn to reminisce about the exploits of the All-Ireland winning U21 Mayo team of 1983. Forty years on, they remain one of my favourite Mayo teams of all time.
If you’ve already listened to the pod then you’ll quickly appreciate why this is so. That Mayo team was stocked with serious performers who brought an array of talent to the field. Strong and resolute at the back, dominant in the middle of the field and blessed with a variety of attacking options up top, they were an exciting bunch.
They were such a great team for a supporter to follow.
Perhaps their most admirable quality, however, a point we touched on with Eddie and John on the pod, was their strength in adversity. While this attribute wasn’t really tested at all during their canter through Connacht, it certainly was in the semi-final against Kerry and again in the drawn and replayed finals against Derry.
From Padraig Brogan’s harsh dismissal early in the second half against Kerry in the All-Ireland semi-final, to the shock of seeing victory snatched away from them at the death in the drawn final at Carrick-on-Shannon, to fighting back from three points down in the second half of the replay, this young Mayo team showed character in abundance when it was most needed.
They played like champions. It’s little wonder they ended up as All-Ireland champions.
I’ve often wondered in the years since 2011 why we emerged as one of the leading counties in the game at national level. What was it that propelled us to prominence in the decade that followed and made us – despite our inability to make it over the line – such a force in Gaelic football for several years?
James Horan’s arrival as manager ahead of the start of the 2011 season was certainly a major factor. Raw material helped too, with so many of the players on another All-Ireland winning team at U21 level – this time the 2006 vintage – coming into the senior ranks at the right time.
But I think it’s reasonable to dig deeper than that.
To my mind, as I said on the pod, the Class of ’83 deserve to claim a fair share of the credit for altering the county’s outlook, a change in direction that ultimately saw us mutate from also-rans who might, the odd time, surprise everyone – themselves included – by outperforming in a big game, only to revert to type the next day out, to a team that pursued ultimate glory relentlessly.
John O’Mahony is the obvious first link in this respect. An All-Ireland winning manager at the tender age of 29 in 1983, by the end of the decade he’d led us to our first senior final since 1951. It was under Johnno’s stewardship that Mayo fans first began to dream big once again.
The team that started the 1989 final contained within its ranks six of the players who’d featured on that historic day in Irvinestown six years earlier. Augmented by the All-Ireland minor winning team of 1985 (whose achievements deserve a special podcast episode too at some point down the line), those players backboned the side that lost out narrowly to Cork in the county’s first senior final appearance in 38 years.
It’s easy to trace the link from then to now. Without 1989 – in which John Maughan was involved in a coaching capacity, his inter-county playing days already sadly cut short by injury – there would have been no 1996.
That near-miss was heartbreaking but it proved beyond doubt that we could compete nationally at senior level. It was, surely, a lesson not lost on James Horan, who won an All-Star for his performances in that campaign. As manager, it was his drive and energy, as well as his keen eye for developing young talent, that marched us to within inches of the summit, more than once.
To close this particular loop, however, mention must be made to Mayo’s current manager, Kevin McStay, who, of course, was also one of the alumni of the Class of ’83.
Kevin didn’t start in either the drawn or the replayed finals against Derry, as he was still recovering from an injury he’d picked up in the semi-final against Kerry. In Eddie’s telling of it on the podcast, Kevin got injured when Padraig Brogan – a big unit as well as an outrageously talented player – dropped from the skies on top of his unfortunate teammate.
But Kevin did make an appearance off the bench in both Carrick-on-Shannon and Irvinestown and he was one of the stars of the team earlier in the campaign. Indeed, so prominent were his showings at U21 level that he was drafted straight into the senior team for that year’s Connacht final against Galway.
Like the rest of the 1983 side, Kevin had that same winning mentality. He was one of that Band of Brothers and has the Celtic Cross to prove it. As supporters’ thoughts switch back to the here and now, those of a certain vintage who still recall so well that storied 1983 U21 success will hope that those same battling qualities will be in evidence at senior level this year when our mettle is tested.
Nephin says:
February 9, 2024 at 7:30 pm
Enjoyed this podcast. The lads talking about Ger Geraghty and how good he was just reminded me of all the great prospects we lost down the years. Ted Webb rip. Pierce Hanley and Oisin just to name a few. Many others too that I can’t recall at the moment.
Mayo 36 says:
February 9, 2024 at 9:23 pm
Ger Geraghty was a loss in 89 but it was up front where we had problems that year. Just couldn’t score frequently enough
Jr says:
February 9, 2024 at 9:45 pm
Sometimes the lads that don't play are better then the lads that do.
All counties loose players, here in Meath, Shane O'Rourke to injury and Conor Nash to Australian Rules.
We banished Connor Mortimer, surely a compromise could have been reached, it is not as if we had great forwards.
Nephin says:
February 9, 2024 at 10:56 pm
Well JR. when the boys say Ger cleaned Ambrose o Donovan twice and got the better of Jack O in California it’s good enough for me.
JoeG says:
February 10, 2024 at 7:17 am
Mayo 36, I think the loss of Jimmy Burke during the '89 final was the difference.
My Ball says:
February 10, 2024 at 7:56 am
I remember Eddie Gibbons playing for The Neale .
He wasn't blessed with pace but a powerful man .
Ger Geraghty was up a different class , Probably in my top 4 best players that I ever saw wearing the green and red Jersey.
@Jr ... Banished Conor Mortimer???
The game moved on , if a forward is beaten for a ball , he doesn't stand up with his hands on his hips looking at the defender running up the pitch ...
Can't believe I'm actually taking about him and Ger G in the same post .
Ger was honest, talented and modest ...
Color was one of those
Mayo 36 says:
February 10, 2024 at 12:58 pm
JoeG. Not sure Jimmy Burke going off early in 89 final was detrimental to our chances of winning. Cork had the better forward s and anytime we got close they responded with a score
FreeTheEastBank says:
February 10, 2024 at 1:02 pm
There is no sign of that 1983 final anywhere in youtube.I was hoping to see some clips at least.
Willie Joe says:
February 10, 2024 at 1:26 pm
Sadly, I don’t think there’s any footage available of the 1983 final, either the drawn game or the replay.
Gizmobobs says:
February 10, 2024 at 1:40 pm
Nice calm weekend this week for a change :)
Challenge game last night, Sigerson night before and next week again before the Kerry game. Grand way ease into it with Tyrone the week after.
Clare says:
February 10, 2024 at 1:55 pm
@Gizmobobs do you know who they played in the challenge game and how it went?
1985 says:
February 10, 2024 at 2:51 pm
We actually were in front twice in the second half of the 89 final and Larry taken the goal chance we almost certainly would have won .jimmy Burke was a huge loss that day .he was causing big problems early on .I was in the canal end that and can’t help feeling that had won that day we would have won many more .I remember a Paul McGrath point that day for cork that everyone behind that goal were sure it was wide.no Hawkeye in those days
Sean burke says:
February 10, 2024 at 4:00 pm
Is the schools CF on today ?
JP says:
February 10, 2024 at 4:12 pm
Schools Connaught A final is tomorrow between St. Geralds and Claregalway. Then a Mayo contingent with Nuig in the Freshers final on Thursday.
Gizmobobs says:
February 10, 2024 at 4:28 pm
Sligo in Sligo I think Clare. Mostly fringe players I believe
FrostTHammer says:
February 10, 2024 at 5:44 pm
I saw the comments on the footage of 83 above and thought maybe just maybe Reeling In The Years.
Sadly no luck.
But the "football" final starts around 14:00.
It would probably be classed as "distressing viewing" these days.
https://youtu.be/rJr6GWQOlCE?si=Y-ClI77nFTWgQ9vw
https://youtu.be/rJr6GWQOlCE?si=-S8rvXxLAadjs33x
Quay school says:
February 10, 2024 at 5:55 pm
McBrides football club in chicago caused alot of pain for mayo
Tuamstar says:
February 10, 2024 at 8:00 pm
Enjoying the podcasts but playing catch up on this one ATM.
Hope it's OK to promote a fundraiser we're doing in Tuam at the moment here, Willie Joe.
It definitely may be of interest to Mayo fans thinking of travelling to New york this summer.
We have return flights for two, four night hotel stay , and two thousand dollars spending money ..
Check out all Tuam Stars socials .. Draw closes in five days..
Again I apologise if I'm overstepping the mark here...
It Means Nothing to Me says:
February 10, 2024 at 9:13 pm
@1985: I think there’s an argument to say that the luck needed deserted us that day. Cork hit the uprights twice and both efforts bounced over for points; we did the same but both shots rebounded back into play. Anthony Larry’s effort was also inches wide of being a cracking goal.
The margins were tight that day.
Willie Joe says:
February 10, 2024 at 9:57 pm
No need to apologise at all, Tuamstar! For those interested in taking part in this fundraising draw, the link for it is here: https://twitter.com/iDonate_ie/status/1754832458225160421.
1985 says:
February 11, 2024 at 9:13 am
I would say luck deserted us on alot of days .yea i remember those posts incidents.I was directly in line of Larry finnertys shot that day and was sure it was going in .Padraig brogan was another player that could have made the difference that day .I think he played in the opening game that year against Galway but wasn’t involved for the rest of the year.on his day a fantastic player who never fulfilled his potential and of course John maughan who was injured.we played a clearly injured TJ kilgallon at centre back that day
Great ball says:
February 11, 2024 at 10:38 am
I'm afraid Mayo football, looking at the last 2 championship campaigns are probably going through a 2007 to 2011 kind of era until a few lads come through again.. Woefully missing a real killer inside forward, a midfielder and no 6
Tubberman says:
February 11, 2024 at 10:43 am
Rod and Tommy Conroy (potentially) are as good, if not better, than the forwards we had from 2011 onwards.
We are lacking in midfield alright, hopefully Carney grows into the position, not sure Ruane is going to recapture 2019-2021 form.
6 should be sorted, we have options with McBrien, Callinan, Brickenden, Plunkett and Loftus ;)
FrostTHammer says:
February 11, 2024 at 11:22 am
I know that we should stick to football, but someone did ask where the promising players of the 70s and 80s.
My understanding would be that they left the county, and it's really only around 1989 where we start to see people staying in Mayo, and it becoming easier to stay a part of the county when outside it.
It's not imo a coincidence that Mayo football has been on a high the last decade, and Castlebar was recently named the best place in the country to live.
We are doing an awful lot right. Both footballing and society wise. Might be difficult to see sometimes, but when you compare across the decades it's really hard not to be impressed.
Mind the House says:
February 11, 2024 at 12:23 pm
@1985
Regarding being right in the line of Larry Finnerty's shot and thinking it was going in.
I saw the other night Robbie Hennellys free at the end of the 2014 Kerry semi final replay. For all the world I thought that was in but it fell short.
Same as Cillians free at the end of the 2017 final. For all the world it looked in and even when it bounced off the post it went straight to a Dublin defender.
The rub of the green definitely wasn't with us at times.
1985 says:
February 11, 2024 at 1:21 pm
Alot of that 89 team came from the 83 under 21 team and the 2006 under 21 team provided the backbone of our senior team for the next decade.Not sure the 2016 under 21 winning team have provided us with quite as many big game players but having said that I would be slightly more positive about our chances this year after the first two games .it will be fascinating how we handle Clifford next weekend.even though we beat them easily last season when Clifford came on he was kicking points while being marked closely .would like to see how mcbrien would match up to him
Achill75 says:
February 11, 2024 at 1:28 pm
Is the Geralds match on a stream online? Once again schools football in Connacht get very little coverage in comparison to McRory and Corn Ni Muiri cups.
FrostTHammer says:
February 11, 2024 at 2:11 pm
@Achill75 - @Tsudhonim posted the below on Discord.
Quick reminder of the Gerald's vs Claregalway link (€10 to buy, but lots of cracking young players on show on both sides) in advance of the post game Podcast a little later....
https://page.inplayer.com/connachtgaa/item.html?id=3719742
FrostTHammer says:
February 11, 2024 at 2:14 pm
@1985
James Horan, on the Examiner Podcast last week,spoke about the topic of how young players can find it difficult to find their feet when entering a squad full of their childhood heroes.
He was talking about Dublin but you would imagine that it was with Mayo that he experienced it.
1985 says:
February 11, 2024 at 2:28 pm
Probably Frost T but that happens with all counties and in most sports.Andy Moran Alan Dillon Ronan mcgarrity came into a mayo squad containing ciaran McDonald David Brady and James nallen .the changeover has to begin somewhere
2 hops says:
February 11, 2024 at 3:25 pm
Well done to St.Geralds...not a great week for Maurice.
Opt2misteek says:
February 11, 2024 at 3:39 pm
2hops- Diarmuid is part of the St Geralds management team-great result!
sean burke says:
February 11, 2024 at 3:45 pm
Well done to Geralds , watched it on the stream , conditions as always a problem this time of year but as boyler said in commentary it was a day for grinding it out and they did that successfully .
I honestly think a lot of people are thinking it but not saying it (rightly so in many respects ) , we have a talented bunch on the way soon as there are a few individuals who are showing all the signs , its a few years away yet mind .
Tuamstar says:
February 11, 2024 at 5:38 pm
Many thanks Willie Joe .
Jr says:
February 11, 2024 at 6:01 pm
@ Sean Burke, I agree ,a lot of young talent with Gerald's, Colman's and Crossmolina, Murdeachs and Ballinrobe
The trick will be to bring them through.
Sean burke says:
February 11, 2024 at 6:11 pm
Yes JR , also throw in the minor team of 22 along with a very promising minor player this year . Im not suggesting there is any guarantee with any of them of course but i cant help noticing there are a right few serious footballers amongst the next generation possibly 2026 -2028 type thing . Pure wild speculation perhaps but lets see how the under 20s go this year as a starting point . Ive a hunch they might do very well .
Jr says:
February 11, 2024 at 6:49 pm
Sean I have a fear that the Claremorris young lads will be lost to the county like so many before them.
What a pity that would be.
Willie Joe says:
February 11, 2024 at 7:03 pm
New Final Whistle pod is up on Patreon, in which Mike chats with Colm Boyle, Man of the Match Dara Neary and St Gerald's joint managers David Joyce and Diarmuid O’Connor.
Mind the House says:
February 11, 2024 at 8:01 pm
@Sean Burke
The future is bright no doubt about that. Some talent there alright. The likes of Morahan,Mcmonagle,Mortimer Jnr,Ronan Clarke,Maheady, Darragh Beirne, the Hurley brothers,Macdonald Jnr, Dolan ,Diarmuid Duffy. There will be a few I've missed as well.
Hon Mayo
TsuDhoNim says:
February 11, 2024 at 9:31 pm
Can easily throw in a few more from Shane Cunningham, Gavin & Joe Forry, Yousif Coghill, Dara Neary & Ryan Gibbons from today along with Paul Gilmore, Eoin McGreal, Jamie Clarke, Tom Lydon & Colm Lynch from recent minor sides. A lot of crazy high potential lads bouncing around and a few great coaches seeming to be bringing the best out in lots of them.
Jr says:
February 11, 2024 at 9:51 pm
Don't forget the Hurlers
2 hops says:
February 11, 2024 at 10:44 pm
Great potential in this group of 17-21 year olds no question about it,so management of the various underage teams have an onus on them to play to the various strengths of these players. I'm convinced we have lost a few this past few years because of the style of play they were asked to adopt to. Backwards and lateral is not in a youngfellas playbook when he is growing up and dreaming of bettering himself. He wants to develop his strengths and become even better at what he does well and knows he does well,only to make a Mayo squad and have his first instinct coached out of him. So let's hope these lads push on and are encouraged to do so.
JP says:
February 12, 2024 at 9:04 am
Is it harsh to say after U17 high potential lads cannot be combining soccer and Gaelic football?
High potential Kerry or Tyrone lads are with Gaelic football only.
The other thing is to concentrate the SnC. Like how are lads getting to the end of u20 even the age of 21 and the crucial SnC component of leg strength is way below what is required?
If a player has a lot of work to do on leg strength he needs help to make up that deficit by skipping matches and doing strength work instead. You've a longer road to lift your leg strength if you're also going to have a lot of matches workload.
FrostTHammer says:
February 12, 2024 at 12:34 pm
@JP
It's a little harsh. The reason a lot of guys are playing soccer is because it's a lot less serious than GAA.
Gaelic football has become a little too intensive to describe as a hobby, and at that age a lot of lads are probably wondering if they want to make that commitment long term.
Unstoppable says:
February 12, 2024 at 2:47 pm
I maybe don't rate the current Mayo football team as highly as others on here but I am as optimistic as I've ever been about the future.
We are back producing good minor teams and traditionally that has been our strongest grade. We have had a few good teams lately and I'm delighted that James Horan is working with the u20s. James may lack strong in game management but I don't think anyone has brought through as many players as James has. He turns potential into an All Ireland starter.
The future is bright.