I know I'm going to get shot down for this and I know who the assassins will be but reading spillane piece earlier and he's right with most of it but it got me thinking again about the Galway game. If(ya i know) everything played out exactly as it did apart from 2 incidents 1) soft penalty and 2) Hession goal chance missed that would have left Galway looking forward another 6 points tho we can never say they wouldn't have got them but my point is those 2 moments were what could be called tiny margins and if they had gone in mayos favour more than likely mayo come out on top. Now Galway are in spillane top 4 (mine too) and mayo barely register and keep in mind that would be every other part of the game staying the same. Again tiny margins.

Sorry all that's probably more suited to one of the earlier threads and probably time to move on

@No doubt fully agree !

@NoDoubt a lovely place for Mayo to be.
Championship starts next weekend,after such a beating in the League our defeat against Galway is not a total momentum stopper

My cavan buddies reckon they are defeated already, unless they are trying the yerra talk, riddled with injuries to key men notably Gearoid McKiernan/James smith which leaves them with no starting midfielders.

Though you would think they surely can't be as bad as they were in castlebar last year when mayo beat them in 3rd gear. They have taken some big scalps the last few years in ulster tho so they are dangerous

It hard shake the Galway game, really disappointing result, done 90% everything right, but that last 10% the killer. Not first match happened either under McStay in last 3 years, especially in Championship . I like the guy, think he a lot of Class, and not against Rochford, like a lot on here. But need to win a big game, soon. Tyrone away would be a big game, A Donegal win, would constitute a big win. If we won both these match (big ask), then I think pressure be off this management team. But need to start playing like a contender, limping over Sligo and Leitrim not good enough, need to show everyone we mean business, and next Sunday ideally start point.

@NoDoubt you are right. I was delighted with the Connacht final result. We played well. The outcome was determined by small margins and decisions going against us. But such is football. There is a job to be done in terms of the mental conditioning of the players. To remove the lack of confidence in taking a punt be it one, two or three pointers. Looking at the provincial finals it seems to me that you have to be able to take a few two pointers, be willing and able to take on the backs to bear down on goal opportunities, and take your opportunities when they arise. Confidence building is the key to coming top of our group. I like the run in we have. Cavan first, then Tyrone, then Donegal. We can beat Donegal or any other team for that matter. The lads need our support. Mayo needs to believe in this team. Let us look forward with a positive attitude.

We need to be brave around still seeing the season as having plenty games and weeks to play out. Also very few players deserve to be fully certain of their place and hence we can still be brave with giving opportunities to players. Cian McHale got no proper shot this year and got injured. If we end up in a game with extra time we seriously think he's not in our top 12 attacking options around the panel?

Fully agree @nodoubt. The reaction since the Connaught final has been mind blowing. Most posters assumed we would get hammered but when we showed up and performed (albeit old failings coming to fruition) the players and mgmt still got slated.

Even on the podcast I could not get over the negativity as if we were beaten out the gate. The championship starts now, we certainly need a top-place finish to get the supporters back on board.

Any word on Sean Morahan or Eoin ODonoughue?
Neither in the 26 last week. Not sure if they are injured or not selected.

Having watched Morahan down the years im in no doubt that he is a top prospect. Has the bite required, that others are missing.

I really think if this was professional soccer the team would be more open to new bolters from club football.
My God do we overstate the SnC and experience aspect. If a club player is not fit enough to start is he fit enough for the last ten mins?
In pure maths it's just statistically impossible that we have the best panel available right now.
Press a magic button and let's say we see some championship manager performance ability level numbers and form for the best 40 players over the past 3 months that are willing to train and play senior and are fit enough for a sub role.
It's just basic common sense that there's two or three options right now that are well ahead of two or three in the panel.

@Clubman51 agree.

Yeah the podcast was very negative I do get it though . Loosing a 4th connacht in a row was not nice to see . Though now the dust has settled we weren't beaten out the gate like everyone thought we would be I include myself in that!

I just wanted a decent performance from the guys and we got that .

Cavan are a decent team but it's really a must win for us .

I think the Dubs will beat Galway and pull an upset in salthill I'd never write them off they have Bulger back to . They will be fuming to after the way they lost to Meath .

I agree re Sean Morahan , ya just know when a player has a certain bite about them , that steely thing in the arms ( I know that’s not really a good way of articulating what I’m trying to get across ) , I look at some of the lads been touted as starters and it’s the opposite that little biteen weak about what they’re doing , ya just can’t have that as a county player nowadays , you need to be sure of yourself and what you’re capable of .

Am I right in saying that as the u20 game is on Friday evening that had we any u20 players on the senior panel that they wouldn’t be allowed to play on Sunday against Cavan?

@CDR: Yup. There's a 60 hour lock-out between Senior Championship & u20 Championship games.

That's partly one of the reasons the game ended up Friday instead of last weekend along with the Tyrone Kerry semi-final. Louth's keeper Markey was on the bench for the Leinster Final (with McDonnell, Callaghan and Grimes Murphy having been involved through the year so a small chance of them featuring too) so that ruled out the weekend game while exam pressures (hopefully a euphemism for excessive celebrations) ruled out a potential Wednesday meeting for the sides requiring the semi (and final as a knock on impact) to be pushed to later dates than originally planned on the Master Fixture List.

It suggests Mayo had no issue with the Friday/Sunday clash, so no big plans to rush any of the 20s lads in.

@CDR,I think there's a 48/72 hour rule for player welfare...but it's over to TsuDN for clarity on that one.

Cheers lads. Hopefully no issue and we win both games.

I also think a fit Morahan should be a starter as should Fenton Kelly.
On another matter. Is it time to rethink the warm-up? IMHO it's far too long and far too intense especially before a game in the present weather conditions. A curtailed session would surely grant players like Aido an extra 10-15 minutes longer at full output. Can't think of other team sports where so much time and effort is put into a warm-up session.

@JoeG: Not nearly enough knowledge to speak on that one personally.

The fella we'd have responsible for a lot of that comes with over a decade in professional rugby (Bath & Munster) and some professional soccer experience (Cardiff City), as well as lecturing students to perform across all sports, so I'd imagine he'd have a fairly well-rounded view on it.

Not sure that I've ever seen a rugby team or soccer team for that matter expending so much energy before a game. We constantly hear complaints that a week isn't enough recovery time after a 70 minute game but think it's OK to go again 10 minutes after a 20minute slog.

There's no consistency to team selection under this management team. After 3 years at the helm they should know the championship starting team bar injuries.

Clubman51-from word I’ve heard is that there both fit…

Hard to get anyways excited about the Cavan match. Mayo should easily reach the knockout stages and only then does it get exciting. The next games are just so pointless.

Does anyone know if Bob Tuohy is still on the panel?

In a game that can go to extra time the warmup should be deliberately extra easy and the same on a hot day.

Catcol he was one of 4 standby players for the Galway game.

@dejavu who were the other standby players?

Thanks DejaVu.

Clare, don't think the Dubs can beat Galway. Their defence is in disarray and they can't win primary ball from their kickouts. Galway will rip them apart from midfield up.

Dublin will give Galway a game

TSU - that's PJ Wilson you are referring to, I take it. His LINKEDIN profile describes him as "Head of Athletic Performance, and Head of Strength and Conditioning" at Bath Rugby. He seems to have had those roles also at Munster. Skills implicit in these roles are: Strategic Planning, Management Consulting, and Team Leadership. Bit of management speak there, but his bio is pretty impressive. I think we are doing well to have him.

@catcol: Yup.

Seems to get on well with the group just watching the body language from afar and the few times anyone (management or players) have mentioned him it seemed fairly glowing, so fingers crossed all going great there.

As the match is not being televised we should have a big attendance on sunday. I watched both the ulster final and the leinster final anf ehat struck was the great vocal and loud support for the 4 teams involved. this add to the game. Mayo supporters need to be very loud in support of the team. Mayo to win by at least 6 points.

Plunkett, the other 3 were Eoin O'Donoghue, Cian McHale and Tom O'Flaherty.

That’s promising, seems Cian is over his injury.

@Ever the optimist yeah you could be right there.

Was really great to see Louth lift leinster and a packed leinster final for the first time in years!

@Jimbo yup agree will be there doing the day trip from Dublin on the Sunday!

Looking on the positives, we are probably in a slightly better group that if we won Connacht. Cavan is a must win (70:30), Tyrone win will be tough but doable even in Omagh (say 50:50). Don't see us beating Donegal at the moment (30:70). After that you just dont know. Predicting Kerry, Monaghan and Galway or Armagh to win other groups so the question is who are the 2nd place teams. If we can come second in the group we'll have a good chance of proceeding.

The group stages will hopefully throw up a couple of cracking games.

Could be a kick in the Dubs, underestimated Meath and everything fell Meaths way.

Somebody somewhere is going to throw a spanner in the works in the group stages.

I cant see Derry losing all 3 group games as many are predicting, they will win at least 1 group in the group of death and turn that group into a bloodbath. Similarly I don't see any team in that group winning all 3 games.
I could see that group all coming down to scoring difference or head to heads.

I think in our group, it basically all comes down to cavan game this Sunday, if we somehow fail to win there we are done, however if we win as expected then I think the top 3 is a done deal as cavan will be finishing bottom.

Theres really no difference between coming 2nd or 3rd, I'd be happy enough with a pQf place this time around as there is likely to be some ordinary enough teams in the pot this time around

It appears to me that to win the group is now more important than ever, you avoid an extra game plus the potential PQF 2 v 3 matches will have quite a few big guns in there. I think only 1 from 8 that won a PQF in the last 2yrs (TsuD) have made a semi so the odds are against you if you don't top it and even more so now with these groups

We're not the only county having difficulty retaining possession from kickouts. Press up makes it high risk to go short and the long kickout is becoming a bit of a lottery. If you win more than 50% your doing well imo.
Great to see the old skill of high fielding back in the game. Much more exciting than winning a line out in rugby.
Now why don't we throw a few good balls into O Shea on Sunday.
I hope the management are learning that we are playing a totally different ball game under new rules

My four for this weekend
Kerry
Down
Dublin
Mayo

A win on Sunday is essential that would as good as secure us a place in the PQF. From there, we’ll need to hope Galway don’t finish top of their group. Ideally, we finish 2nd and Galway finish 3rd, or vice versa. In either case, we avoid playing any teams from the so-called “group of death,” since we can't face Galway again.

Assuming Kerry top their group, that would set us up for a PQF against one of Meath, Roscommon, Cork, Louth, Monaghan, Clare, or Down. If we can’t beat any of those sides in a PQF, then we’ve no real case for being in a Quarter-Final anyway.

A loss on Sunday and our season is over, there is no recovering from that.

The tougher the games, the better for us. Let's find out what we are made of. 3rd in group is not very ambitious, in fairness.

Almost no point hoping for an easy draw somewhere. It only prolongs the inevitable and might drag us all back up to Croke Park for another inevitable defeat.
When you look at some of the Ulster teams in action, you can see how far ahead they are on tactics and coaching.

Even Antrim found a new way to get the short, quick, kickout. Keeper gets organized, defender places ball on tee and kick gone before the opposition know what's going on - they defender even ran out and because he was unmarked, the keeper kicked the ball to him as one stage.
We have a keeper who stands over the ball to see whats going on, watches everyone make a run, then takes a run up only to find out that all the runs are covered and he is out of options.

We have yet to see a single new innovation from this Mayo team all year - almost everyone else has tried something, at some point. All Mayo seem to do is get penalized for breaking the rules or lose out because the opposition know the rules better than we do.

Im not sure how many lads are in the backroom team, but surely there is someone whose job it is to do some R&D work to improve tactics?

@InExile: Using his modelling (slightly more accurate than the bookies on predictions this year and the last few years, so in the right ballpark) StatsAndSolos modelled out 5000 sims of the Championship.

https://x.com/StatsAndSolos/status/1922033424207908893

In that, we were looking at being in the pQF (so not topping the group in 1st or finishing last in 4th) in 3870 of the 5000 (so 77.4%).

pQF opponents (taking into account blocked pairings from Provincial Finals and Group Stage meetings):
Roscommon (617)
Louth (517)
Down (495)
Cork (441)
Armagh (354)
Meath (347)
Dublin (330)
Monaghan (273)
Clare (245)
Derry (127)
Kerry (124)
[Galway, Donegal, Tyrone & Cavan all avoided if possible]

Managing a win in the pQF or topping the group to reach a QF, we ended up in 3116 of the 5000 runs (so 62.3%).
In those, our opponents were:
Kerry (851)
Monaghan (644)
Armagh (503)
Dublin (466)
Louth (143)
Down (123)
Derry (113)
Roscommon (109)
Cork (85)
Meath (50)
Clare (29)
[Galway, Donegal, Tyrone & Cavan all still avoided if possible]

@Tsu
Not an exact science i know but statsandsolos buest guess is a 'Monaghan v Mayo' quarters final, you'd take that all day long.

That's a very good twitter account to follow, there predicted scores are generally very consistent

Tirawleybaron unfortunately i would have to agree with your comments.i am finding it impossible to be in any way optimistic about our chances from here in.we have had the same issues for the last few seasons without any obvious attempt to correct them.while we don’t have ball winning midfielders at present there should have been some form of kickout strategy developed at this stage.There appears to be no structure to our attack.Alot of it seems to be totally off the cuff.The performance against Galway was an improvement on the Sligo/ Leitrim displays but with 15 minutes to go we are level with a strong wind behind us but didn’t know how to win the game.To me this season is inevitably heading in only one direction.

@TonyFreeman I agree with your logic, except one thing. Am hoping get knocked out in the group, though it is unlikely :)

Hoping Galway get knocked out!!

@Tirawleybaron
Yet to see a single new innovation?

What about Hession's hand signals and particularly the one where he puts the ball above his head?
It has us all guessing never mind the opposition.

@mind the house haha if you don’t laugh you’ll just cry

@ Mind the House :-)

That's not new lads... he's been doing that since he was a child!

@TsuDhoNim - thanks for that comprehensive set of combinations. Makes sense to me!.

Donegal. 4/6
Tyrone 11/4
Mayo 10/3
Cavan 25/1

Group betting to win the group . (Boylesports)

Galway 13/8
Dublin 2/1
Armagh 9/4
Derry 8/1

We beat Donegal already this year?

Galway, Dublin, Kerry, Cork and Longford are I believe the only teams that beat us in our last meeting.

Mayo
Mayo
Sam Maguires coming home to Mayo

If you are determined to enjoy something then there's a chance you might. But if you are convinced that everything is sh*te then it doesn't really matter which side of your anus your head is.

Playing much better than last year imo and results would suggest the same.

#BringBackTheBandWagon

It's now a game of calculated risk. If we are prepared to take those risk we are competitive to QF imo
Rochy not known to take risks.
The players at the end of day will be told 'it didn't work out for them
This game is last chance to start taking those risks.

As Martin Brehony said last week in a fair article in the Independent, Mayo could have 2 points next Monday and Galway 0.

Initially I thought ye be sound for Cavan. But personally think ye’re goose is cooked. Couldn’t beileve McStay came out after the final, and openly stated to media that he targeted that game for 8 months!! …i’m convinced he’d give his bank card pin, if the person asking held a microphone.

Massive problems with ye’re goal keeper whose confidence must be on the floor. No tried or tested back up option. Game is in Castlebar. Cavan win all day long.

Predictions for this weekend .

Kerry by 9

Galway v dubs ( can’t make up my mind )

Mayo by 12

Clare v down to draw .

Western Gael - I don’t think even the most pessimistic, anti-McStay Mayo supporters are that downbeat about our chances. We should beat Cavan, but unless something drastically changes, it could be our last win of the season every other game could well be against genuine All-Ireland contenders.

@Western Gael ah now our goosed is cooked ?

We won't win sam but we will get to a pre quarter final at least. We will beat cavan .

Why will Cavan win all day long ? They are a decent team but I heard they have 2 of their best players injured .

Reape has issues to work on but I wouldn't blame just him. It's not his fault we have a poor midfield who can't catch a ball. That's the reason why Reape was trying short kick outs because the long ones obviously we couldn't catch !!

Doubt his confidence is on the floor. Everyone expected us to be beaten out the gate by half time v Galway and we would have won if it wasn't for that ' so called penalty 'given to Galway !

Galway are hot favourites for Sam yet only beat us by 2points yet our goosed is cooked ?

We will win it mayo all day long will on Sunday . Looking forward to a day out and welcoming back our great captain Durcan !

Outside of All Ireland Finals the last time we lost to Ulster opposition in the Championship was Tyrone in 2008.

Western Gael.
I don’t agree with you on the result on Sunday but fully agree on your opinion of McStay. Hahaha.

If only we could leave out the all Ireland finals

Clare .. you talk more about Galway here than I do !
Every post nearly has a mention of Galway...
Fair enough I suppose we must be your favourite 2nd team..

If there's any kick in Dublin you'd expect it on Sat.

I just can't see how they'll have fixed their deficiencies like midfield in the past few weeks.

They are weak were Galway are strong.

Having lost to them in the league i cannot see Galway losing again.

As for the others,

Mayo
Clare
Kerry

Do the Rossies normally travel in decent numbers ?

@WestKerry
The Rossies do support in decent numbers and generally irrespective of how their team is going.

The fine weather and the novelty of a trip to Killarney means you should expect a good crowd of them Saturday.

Ahh that's brilliant,

Really hope they do,

Really enjoy mixing with opposing fans when they travel to Kerry.

@Tusmstar that's not actually true in fairness i dont but whatever you like to think doesn't bother me..!

I just mentioned the facts about our most recent game but sure twist the comment the way you like !

Dubs will run the legs off Galway like they did a few weeks ago.
Full forward line of Finnerty, Thompson and Tierney won't score enough against most of the top teams. A bit like ourselves though they have a decent record against Ulster teams outside of finals. Getting Walsh back would be massive imo. Cooke might be difference maker in terms of the big one but without Walsh or Comer I doubt it is enough.

With the new rules, it wouldn't surprise me one bit if all three of galways games were decided by the last kick of the game. And given how Galway beat the Dubs last I don't think they will make the same mistakes again at the death.

Want to say Dubs but very uncertain so I will go with a draw.

Sunday will throw light on a lot of issues haunting Mayo at the moment.
Fielding in midfield
Managing the last quarter
Putting the difference between the two teams on the scoreboard. though I wouldn't go as far as Sean Burke on that one.
Management panel selection. Baffling would be my description, Akram in today out tomorrow, Other panelists appearing for the first time. We've had a league to sort out our best 25 for championship, put were still pussy footing around with the bench.
Injured players? Durcan should see game time we can afford to give mcLaughlin another couple of weeks and DOc out for a longer haul with recurring hamstring issues.
Hard pitches and injuries. In the interst of player welfare will McHale Park be watered before game. It should be.

If Paddy not fit, or won't be fit, then should he be on the 26 match day squad. So really hoping to see him next day. Because very hard on him if he has to come on against Tyrone or Donegal with no match before. Live in Galway, so little sick of stuff I been listening to over last week and half. And I for one can't wait for Cavan game, but we need to be professional, and not play like Leitrim and Sligo

An obvious answer to our lack of forward incision is Cillian but that ship has sailed under present setup seemingly. Our dearth of decent shooters from outside the arc points to some of the U20s but it's too early and too late as well this season. I'm not sure if he's willing or available and his choice must be respected but if available a fit Conor Loftus ticks the boxes. Top player, experienced, terrific distribution and great scorer who looks like his game was made for the new rules.
Is he back with Crossmolina or has he decided understandably to stay away for a year?

@ JoeG Heard Loftus was back for Deel Rovers. Wonder will we see him back for Mayo before the end of year.
Would be a great addition. Dublin V Galway will be fascinating. Could go down to the wire, think the Dubs will not go down easy in this one.

That’s good to hear Conor was back for Crossmolina Bonni, great actually.

The All Ireland series starts on Saturday - all teams are on zero points just now. At this stage do the provincials really count for anything? To win, even to compete in an AIF, we have to play six, possibly seven. That’s the league all over again in terms of game numbers, with more breaks, though not, if we go through a preliminary QF.

So panels are very important. In Paddy, Tommy, Conor, we could have three fresh additions. Our newbies this year can all play a role, some a bigger one than others: Davitt Neary, Dylan Thornton, Frank Irwin, Conor Reid, Fenton Kelly, Sean Morahan, Shiroize Akram. Dawson and Coggins could have something, and maybe Bob Tuohy will challenge, if he was on the ‘extras’ last time out. Finally, the U20 full forward line could be a nuclear option.

That’s not nothing.

Rochy did offer a little bit of insight into the Loftus situation a couple of months ago. I'm summarising here but it was a very much "we are supporting him with everything he needs, the door is always open". So I'd doubt we'll see Conor back in the green & red jersey this year.

It would be wonderful to see Conor back. He is missed for sure & would be good for a 2 pointer or two, which is another added element this year. He showed remarkable courage to score that pen in the All Ireland final, given all he went through

@ Rusty B, that penalty lives rent free in my head.

Looking back at the 2016 all-ireland final, I noted what a strong bench we had, Rob Hennelly, Chris Barrett, Kevin Keane, Stephen Coen,, Evan Regan, David Drake, Alan Dillon Conor O'Shea, Barry Moran, Alan Freeman & Conor Loftus. That my real worry for this Mayo team, going forward, can we get a bounce from our bench. Not naming names, but not a 15 man game, and has not been for years. Galway strength in depth the most impressive thing about them, and this only really developed in last 3 years. Guys on bench now, either good enough to contribute, or not and someone else need a go

Dubs will stretch Galway, but the west's awake and Galway support in glorious salthilll will have a say. The Pearse Stadium cross wind will be something Galway are well familiar with. Walsh would be a good boost

@mayotillidie: If the injuries tidied up a little and this year, we'd be looking at a bench of:

4 of Eoghan McLaughlin/Sam Callinan/Paddy Durcan/Stephen Coen/Rory Brickenden/Fenton Kelly/Conal Dawson/Eoin O'Donoghue/Sean Morahan (with 2 of those playing & 3 likely outside the panel that day)
3 of Tommy Conroy/Frank Irwin/Cian McHale/Darren McHale/Fergal Boland/Niall Coggins (with 1 playing & 2 likely outside the panel)
3 of DO'C/Davitt Neary/Dylan Thornton/Bob Tuohy/Conor Reid (with 1 playing & 1 likely outside the panel)
Phillips

Impossible to do apples to apples comparisons with years ago, we'd all have a distorted view of players from the past (positive or negative) based on what happened well beyond that day in question, but not sure if I'd consider the current panel anywhere near as weak as many others seem to. That's a group capable of challenging if we can keep lads fit and on the grass when needed.

There's a lot of experience, a lot of talent, a lot of pace and a lot of potential among those names, more than enough that we should be managing a bounce (or 3). We haven't come anywhere close to seeing or maximising the potential of this panel, whether that's injury/tactics/morale/bad luck (I don't buy that, but included none the less) or something else driving it.

3 of Tommy Conroy/Frank Irwin/Cian McHale/Darren McHale/Fergal Boland/Niall Coggins/Paul Towey*

Big slip missing Paul there.

Entirely an error on my part, no Freudian Slip or judgement on the player (deserves praise for always being willing to take the shot when it's on - something we've given out about Mayo players not doing for years - even if they didn't land the last day) intended.

@tsudhonim. It's a coincidence for me that you mentioned players from the past as I was listening this morning to Anthony moyles interview on the square ball podcast and it struck me that when he was talking about his time with meath he said the team was being judged on the great 80s and 90s team and how it was unfair and probably affected his team and said it was 2020 before that comparison stopped 20 years or more afterwards. I couldn't help but think mayo are in the exact same position with many supporters and plenty on here expecting the current players to be on a par with the lads from the previous decade. Well most are not but I suppose that doesn't mean we have to limit our hopes.

TsuDhoNim - Agreed on Towey — hopefully management gives him another shot this weekend to make things right. On another day, one or two of those efforts go over and we'd all be singing his praises. At least he’s willing to have a go, rather than just turning back and recycling possession.

Won't knock any lad that has a go and misses. Towey may get a full game against Cavan and maybe Boland too and lets see where their at. Nothing to lose at this stage. Unleash the chaos and see where it takes us.

As Boyler said, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.

So the Tyrone game Is on Sat 31st at 7pm why is it on so late !

I suppose it arranged for tv
But surely the two county boards have a say. Getting the sums right more important than supporters

@on the ditch

Yeah your right that's probably it . Though it's a trek up to omagh at the best of times let alone the trek back at night and no train or bus services etc at that hour !

Tyrone will have much bigger support I'd say now .

That's for sure. Annoying

The Western has it down as being on GAA+. which is consistent with Donegal Tyrone next weekend. Although GAA+ itself has nothing listed yet for either, but generally that's the last place to get updated.

There is a chance Walsh will play but only if its necessary as it may well be!
I dont think we will see Comer unless we need a win in the last game to go through but you never know. The Dubs have great attacking players but it will be in midfield and defence where we will test them. Wind is showing as light but it often says that ye there is a strong breeze on the day. I am hoping we start the match at championship pace not like against Mayo but that game will stand to Galway come Saturday. I expect Mayo to beat Cavan and seal at least 3rd place. I would be disappointed if Mayo dont win that game, again the recent high tempo game with Galway will stand to Mayo.

@on the ditch

Yeah for sure annoying ! Won't make the Turone game now you'd really need to stay over night up there if you don't drive!

@ Clare. 17 000 capacity and maybe 5000 mayos? I'll be happy if we get Donegal in Roscommon. It's a fair pitch, great stand, and we have an OK record there.
Can't believe all the negative comments re Sunday. We're not worlbeaters, but we showed some spark v Galway, winning our group is an achievable target, and either way we'll be a better team going forward.
So why all the negativity, we were never going to lift Sam under current management.