Wonder, what is the chance of seeing Flynn, O’Shea next day, does Jack Carney have a injury, is Paddy Durcan & Tommy Conroy close to return. What D’OC out for a long time. is Jack Coyne still on panel. Love to see Conor Loftus back as well, but that going to be a hard personal decision. E Hession and M Plunkett, still on panel, or injured. While great to see new starters, such as C. McHale, C. Reid, and Neary, to deepen panel, need to start getting a system that works for us, and maybe the missing soldier are going to make a difference, but that an if.

Both Flynn and AOS will likely start the next day as its now a must win, and both are available just rested.

I don't think they are a panacea to all our issues though.

We still don't have the quality/spread of scoring forwards required. While Flynn in particular is good for at least 1 long range screamers a game, he and AOS not going to make any substantial difference to the scoring output.

In defence, I'm not calling out anyone by name but there are 2 defenders there in particular who have had countless chances and for the life of me I simply don't see them as county quality. As well as that we seem to be making the same mistakes with Callinan we made with Mullin, ie using one of our finest athlete's as a man marker even though they aren't suited to it. If he is put on Canavan or McCurry the next night it will be a similar story, he is being misused.

On a more positive note, I do like the look of Morahan back there, would like to see him get a run of games as I think the cornerback jersies are very much up for grabs either side of McBrien

Callinan is a middle 8 box to box guy, we have seen him get far too many roastings now to consider him a specialist man marker

For tyrone then...we need to win but we also need to persist with 4 or 5 of the newer guys who have been putting their hand up so far, so would give Morahan/Reid/Neary/Towey the entire league and gradually roll back in the established starters. I'm a Boland fan but he's not a young fella anymore, we really need to get more consistency from him at this stage. I'd persist with him as he is actually willing to shoot but another 1 or 2 outings like Sunday and he will get squeezed out again

The next day then...

Reape

Hession
McBrien
McHugh

Callinan
Morahan
E McLouglin

Flynn
Ruane

Reid
Boland
Neary

Towey
AOS
RoD

For me, everything we do from here on in must be towards winning the Connacht title. Relegation or not, our aim must be getting to that final in prime condition with all our big guns at their peak. We have been here before where we have been almost relegated (remember Mclaughlins last kick in the last minute of the last game v Donegal to keep us up?) and yet gone on to have a brilliant end of season. On the other hand we have won the league and then crashed and burned in the Championship. If we can win the Connacht title this year, it would represent success and stem the tide of negativity. It would keep us relevant. It doesn't feel it now, but a Connacht title is within our capability.
I looked back at our last two starting 15s in the 2024 Championship and there were 7 players who lined out in those two games who were not even togged last Sunday (by contrast Galway were missing two from their AIF line up!). If we can get those 7, plus maybe Durcan back, and have another 2 or 3 from Neary, Reid, Morahan, Irwin and Towey, we could look a completely different animal.
So if it were up to me, I would sacrifice league points and our Div.1 status if it meant we reached the Championship with all our senior lads fit and injury free, PLUS, having Neary, Reid, Morahan, Irwin and Towey as starting 15 contenders. Granted, we'd take some grief and maybe tankings along the way, but, if you want make an omelette you've got to break some eggs. 1st round Sligo at home, get over that and we have Leitrim away before a Connacht final at home v (most likely) Galway. A Galway team who would find it very hard to take us seriously after last Sunday, and, a Galway team with eyes totally focused on winning the All Ireland, not so much a Connacht title.
Where we are at the minute, a Connacht title would be very, very, welcome.

P.S. The msot important man we have now is our new S&C man. He has to get all our lads approaching peak condition for that Sligo game. Not before it!

I listened to the podcast and I picked up on a few points that I think worth highlighting. The only way the younger lads get a taste of real combat is to put them out there so they can experience the standard required for playing an all Ireland final team like Galway. Win loose or draw they have to get that exposure without the comfy blanket of the experienced players and when else are you going to get to do that other than the NFL. So I say stick with the plan and coming close the end of the league some teams might take the foot off the gas to avoid a league final. Only issue for us are those teams like Donegal and Derry might also need points. Long term I am worried however that we have built a squad that still fundamentally based on a running game and many of the new rules seem to work against that.

Anyone know what the situation is with ronan Clarke? He was on the 21 team with morahan and was a top class freetaker. I think he injured his ankle early last year but I haven't heard anything regarding the mayo senior panel. I would imagine he should be making strides at this point.

Our lack of planning for the new rules is alarming as is the manner of our defeat to Galway.
We have no system and very few players showed any fight.
We have shown no appreciation of what is needed for the new rules
Look how quickly Armagh learned from the Galway defeat.

@No doubt: Ronan would still be underage for the 20s this year, he was a big part of the '22 minor side.

He was heavily involved in Moy Davitts' run to the Intermediate County Final (& replay) this year, scoring in all but one of their games (including all knockout games). He finished 18th top scorer in intermediate, though predominantly from frees. His teammates Cian McHale 1st and Brian Reape 20th also scoring well for them to be the only side to have 3 in the top 20 scorers, with Ronan providing a fair number of the assists for the lads along the way. A little surprisingly, he was playing much deeper than many of us would have predicted (or liked - I'm trying hard to bite my tongue on my personal thoughts on that one. I wasn't a fan) spending a lot of the year as an extra body around midfield.

He had clearly put in a lot of strength work, looked a much bigger lad than most would recognise from his minor days. All sorts of potential there and one to keep an eye on for the future for sure, once he can get those ongoing injuries to behave. Sadly, I believe we'll be looking beyond the 2 to 3 month window where this year's 20s kick into action for that to happen. Crazy & heartbreaking to think a lad with the talent and that was due (injuries relatively close to the start of the campaign the last 2 years before this) to be a 3 year 20 looks likely to end up passing the grade without seeing a minute of game time.

I’d go along with that supermac . Boland was awful unlucky in one sense , he took the shots on though , possibly forced the shot a bit , small biteen more composure needed . He’s worth persisting with imo and personally I wouldn’t usually be shouting for him to start but there’s something telling me there’s a chance boland might come good with new rules . Look time will tell . Callinan and Stephen coen are concerns they are not turning in the performances needed .

Thought provoker. Is Aidan O'Shea under the solo and go an absolute problem for the opposition?
Also, will inside line players have to track a bit less with the 3v3 must stay up?
Think there's inside line players need looking at again under the new rules. Justin Healy, Brian Reape. Pure inside line players that the old rules hindered.

Supermac I'd put money on Boland being dropped the next day. Give me a man any day of the week who is prepared to take on the shots over a man who passes both the ball and the responsibility, but I fear going on past patterns, he might be punished.

Agree Boland should still be given another chance at least he kept trying to go for the shots.

Was a sad sight seeing Coen running down the tunnel straight after the red card don't blame him though.

@JP: "Also, will inside line players have to track a bit less with the 3v3 must stay up?"

Yeah. The early stats are showing the 'total distance' down alright, though a variety of other measurements (stuff like High Speed Running [HSR], Sprint Distance, Max Speed) that could mean the 'demands' are still up... just different.

The flip side of that is that middle 8 players are seeing a total distance bump of 10-15% (on their already taxing ~8.5km per game), so despite the communication and logistical challenges it would pose you could see teams running rotations or frequent swaps on who the 3 up are to spread the loads.

Good pod and great to get the insights from two who played but one slight criticism is when four are talking at once the listener can’t hear anything!

As for Mayo against Tyrone I’d love to see:

1. Reape
2. Hession - for kick out and bringing ball out of traffic alone
3. McBrien - come championship he will end up there anyway!
4. EOD or Morahan
5. Callinan
6. McHugh
7. McLaughlin
8. Tuohy - another left foot option important to stretch attacking play around the arc
9. Carney - time to see if he can take charge in the middle
10. Reid
11. Ruane - freedom to attack, and work hard on breaking ball
12. Neary - the bright spot so far and think he has the pace and power for summer
13. McHale - another option on the left to stretch play
14. Irwin
15. ROD

I’d be interested to hear how many of our attacks are down the left side of the pitch, obviously titled that side due to ROD, I think it’s key we have a few lefties the other side to stretch play and be an option for a point that have to be marked. Currently we get players into those positions who either can’t or won’t score and the opposition focuses on 2-3 of our key players who are often surrounded and under pressure. Spreading the play is key to create that space.

Who marked Maher on Sunday?
Was it McHugh

Boland was very influential against Dublin.
I would say that had a huge bearing in Galway naming Liam Silke to start ahead of John Daly given that Silke marked him out of it in last years Connacht Final. I was impressed with Conor Reid who took the game to Sean Kelly in the first half although I know Kelly carried a lot of ball going the other way. I was also impressed with Frank Irwin, first time seeing him, big strong lad and seems to have a good football brain, made a lot of unselfish runs off the ball to open up for runners.

Agree Tsu, teams that manage the workload of the middle eight will fare well, players interchangeably from the full forward and full back line into half forward/back line are needed. That is one area where I think we could do well if worked on.

Maher’s influence was overstated by some here. Conroy was still the main man. I think it McHugh marking him and on one occasion Conroy scored off his left and taunted him. That said McHugh is normally a very tight midfield man marker when asked specifically to do that.

People are getting carried away with Boland having an off day shooting. He’s not afraid to have a cut and the previous day was our best at that as he was in last year’s league bar maybe Ryan. Both he and Towey are really suited to the new rules and one of them should be on the pitch at all times, both some of the time. We probably need AOS for variation so something has to give (maybe Irwin’s starting slot) come summer. Another case of over reaction, knee jerk stuff.

They key to simmer championship football will be scoring two pointers. Summer conditions will make it easier. The percentage 'play' will be to set up 'two point' opportunities. The teams that thrive will be teams that break quickly and have players able to take two pointers. We are miles away from achieving these targets.
Continue to work on shooters from distance. It will be far easier to create a two point scoring chance than a three point goal chance.
In fact there is a strong argument imo for awarding 4 points for a goal.
We're playing a new game but are Mayo?

Thanks tsu that's great analysis. I was hoping he would be making a mark at senior by now but going by your info he has time yet

Supermac and MayoMayo1
I'm happy to go with either team as long as players who have gotten too many chances are not starting. Callinan will be playing in the Sigerson final next week so he should be rested and maybe give Akram a chance. I still remember the fantastic display he gave when we won the u21. I noticed also that he was picked on the Mayo News Senior Club team of the year so he obviously is going well.
As I said before I would rest ROD and let someone else have a go.ROD will be back. The important thing is to give lads a chance and maybe someone will put their hand up that will make a big difference. I know some might not like me mentioning the foreign stuff but look at Man City without Rodri. One or two players could make all the difference and we are not that far away. Any of 8-10 teams could lift Sam it's that close.

I have a feeling that you will not be allowed a 2 pointer from a free when rules are reviewed before championship.
2 for a free as against 3 for a penalty doesn't make sense.
Maybe that was why originally it was 4 for a goal.

@JR agree it's crazy. Though guess if we had guhs whi could shoot 2 pointers we wouldn't mind.

In fairness to Towey he got one.

I think it really screams sour grapes when we’re complaining about 2 pointers. It’s a great idea and good for the game. Just because it’s not beneficial for us doesn’t mean we should scrap it

@plunkett. Yeah we were beaten out the gate in all areas v Galway. If we had guys who could shoot 2 pointers wouldn't be saying they should go.

Does make the score look mad though!

As I said before, I think 2 pointers are just daft. Its such a fundamental alteration to the game. And arbitrary. Why not 3 points for a long shot, and 5 points for a goal? Or go decimal - 2.5 points for a long shot. what is the obsession with having high scoring games? Should Hurley follow suit and introduce a 2 pointer? And if you think that's unnecessary for that sport why would you consider it necessary for football.
Would we have won an all Ireland in the teens were the 2 pointer applied retrospectively? Or maybe we were hammered out the gate by the dubs because they scored more 2 pointers? Those matches seemed mightily close, buy maybe that's just a figment of my imagination? I can certainly envisage a lot of the games in the future that should be competitive becoming dull drubbings decided by long boots and fickle winds.

For me, the biggest problem with football was blanket defending. The 3/3 takes care of that. And we have seen evidence of that working. Scoring was up even without 2 pointers.

Sam Callinan, was he carrying a knock or just selected to start for the UCD Sigerson team? His form, along with others, is concerning for Mayo. Where do you play him? Can he be a sticky comer back?? Is he a wing back? What is he? Whatever it is the tendency to run into traffic and get turned over needs addressing

*just NOT selected

Agreed 100% Plunkett...

The lamenting on here is about the 2 pointer rule is pure sour grapes, its only because Mayo are so bad at it people want it gone. Coaches will have to earn their corn

It's here to stay, for 2 reasons...
- it rewards quality long range shooting
- it forces the defenders to be drawn out to put the heat on the kicker, leaving more space in behind and thus more goalscoring opportunities

The prime example of the dilemma defenders face was seen in the shane walsh 2pt score from the throw in, you see Coen automatically sprinting to protect the penalty area instead of meeting Walsh who had all the time in the world. Defenders are now forced to make a decision and come out and stop this

I do agree that there shouldn't be 2 point frees though as most county forwards now can tap those over for fun.

@Mayonaze he could still be not in his best form after the knock he got in the Ballina game v Collera in connacht broke several ribs apparently maybe knocked his confidence. It was some hit.

I never actually understood the hype around callinan. He has potential and has had good games but he’s clearly not ready to be a hugely influential member. He should definitely get league time but when championship comes he should be used as a sub. He’s too young for centre back and he’s not a corner back. For me Hession, McHugh, McLaughlin for the half back line.

2 pointer rule, is good for game, but bad for Mayo, at present. But something hope will suit us in future. If that long or short term, who knows

As a matter of interest does anyone remember a positional switch or a substitution by this management that had a positive outcome.personally I can’t think of any

Calinan maybe he is just not ready to be a starter back. Very young lots to learn.

Hession in full fitness has to be a starter.

This is Sam callinans fourth season with the senior team

Sam came in for UCD last night and played a significant role.
Blooding new players will always be painful but will be beneficial in the end.
Neither Sligo or Leitrim seem to be motoring very well at the moment.
Hope our management team are at as many vof the Sligo games as possible.
Our target is the first weekend of April, everything must be geared to that.
Galway nearly beaten last year

Again Sam is being asked to play a role that doesn't suit him. We've spent years shoehorning players into roles because of attacking ability. But under the new rules especially, we need some dogs in the full back line. For me, McHugh McBrien & possibly Eoin O Donoghue. I'd trust them in a one on one battle. Brick doesn't have the physicality IMO. Coyne is aggressive enough but not sure. Callinan as a wing back, absolutely.

Think back to Colm Boyle. He played some games under O Mahony in full back line. He was atrocious. But playing in half back line where he was comfortable, he was sensational.

Moral of the story is to pick the players in their best positions. If you have too many half backs, then use them as impact players. Don't put them in full back line..they're going to be exposed

@Jr: You'd have to imagine Leitrim are in for a rough season.

Fantastic young talent coming through with the likes of McNulty and Honeyman (a tall, powerful ball winner & an incredibly natural scorer, both excelling in Sigerson - wouldn't we all love a few of those), but they'd a couple of key players emigrate for the year (Plunkett & Dolan), the keeper (O'Donnell) switch back home to Cavan, & it all sort of led to a domino of lads stepping away from the panel.

Think it's 11 of last year's players they're down. Tough for any side, but incredibly so with the smaller player numbers Leitrim would have to work with. With 9 of those lads having started in last years league final, so not exactly lads walking for a lack of minutes type of thing.

With the talent from last years 20s & what's coming down the line from the schools team Colman's were playing the other day, they've plenty to look forward to coming down the line. You'd worry about this year, though. Short term looks challenging.

I was just looking through the archive and stumbled upon minor in 2018. Jack Carney frank Irwin and Enda hession came through from that year. 1 or 2 other names that played a bit at adult level for mayo but no longer involved. Some good current club players listed there.

What really stood out was enda hession was no.15 in all games in 2018. He scored 2-16 in the four games. He put up 2-5, 0-6, 0-4 and 0-1. By the time he played his only u20 game in 2020 he was wing back.

I did some googling and found him playing corner forward for Colman's winning Connacht A title but all his senior football with garrymore has been as a defender.

Is Enda a guy that can score. I wonder what the reason was to convert him from full forward line to full back line. I guess at this stage it would probably be too big if a project to convert him back. I get why he plays there as great attacking option running at teams but we have others that can do that also whereas not plenty fully of forwards.

Bad day at the office all round.
Games in January & February mean absolutely nothing in the overall scheme of things though.
Look at Galway this time last year.
We have loads of lads to come back. I honestly believe we will pull out a huge performance and win the Connacht final in Castlebar (would not be surprised if Ros beat Galway in the semi either).

In saying that - while Galway fielded a stronger team than us - they have more to come back than people may think.
Looking at their starting team the last day (game was pretty much done and dusted by the time they made changes) - 5 starters from AI final did not start - Glynn, Tierney, Comer, Finnerty & Mulkerrin.
Also Cian Hernon is injured - he will probably be a starter this year - Joyce loves him.
Then John Daly, Kieran Molloy & Tomo Culhane who won’t be starters but are serious options off the bench. None of those three saw game time either.
Not as many first choice lads as us but still and all decent lads to come back

Will there be a preview pod for Colmans Summerhill Connacht Colleges A Final on Saturday. schools football in Mayo not getting the attention it deserves.Hopefully a big crowd from Claremorris and South Mayo get out to support Colmans.

After loosing the Connaught Final last year McStay came out and said Sean Hurson was the best referee in the country. Last Sunday when Diarmuid O Connor got hit late he more or less defended the referee's handling of it. He's more interested in not upsetting anyone than he is in standing up and fighting for his team. Bet he can't wait to be back in studio four in RTE next year.

@Sam og: You could throw in a few words on Gortnor Abbey in the C & St. Tiernan's in the D too. Amazing to see the Crossmolina schools both making it through.

We're also fortunate to have UCD (Niall Hurley & Raef Donnelly) vs DCU (Darragh Hoban, Gavin Murphy & Lorcan Silke) in the Freshers Final and DCU (Finbar McLaughlin & Darragh Joyce) vs UCD (Sam Callinan & Diarmuid Duffy) in the Sigerson Final coming up soon to keep us distracted. Though a couple there as expected starters that might not be in a position to tog with recent injuries.

@TSU…Clarke had a decent season with MD and I agree I felt he should have been deployed closer to goal. I’m taking from your message that he’s injured again?? What’s the story? Was looking forward to seeing him involved with the 20’s

Any idea when next 20’s challenge/pre-season game is on?

@Mayonaze: Ouch. Two really tough questions.

I'm not sure a simple yes or no would cover the first, things are always nuanced, and would certainly push me past where I'd be comfortable in terms of keeping the house rules. I think I probably flirted closely with them in the original post. As mentioned, it'd be heartbreaking to expect a lad with that much talent & ability to miss out on a grade like this completely. Excited to see how the new rules might suit him for Moy Davitts' next intermediate push later in the year. They'll once again be my favourites for the grade, ever so slightly ahead of Davitts & Kilmeena.

For the latter, that type of information doesn't ever tend to get shared out in public. The folks involved put in months of unbelievable work so you'd hate to ever think a stray comment could lead to undermining it or allowing their competitors to potentially get a leg up on them.

A number of the expected lads (DB, Rio, et al) would still be involved with Claremorris in the PPS final, another still involved with the upcoming Freshers Final (OceanFM had some audio coverage from Gavin Cawley in the Sligo ATU vs UCD Freshers Semi, with Oisín Cronin starring for Sligo with 5 from play & Niall Hurley starring for the winners UCD with 6. Though other reports had Niall at 4 so pinches of salt when we can't watch directly. Mayo lads shining either way) where both of those will be streamed & otherwise lots of positive reports coming from the camp on the games they have played (pretty frequently at this point, pretty much a challenge a week). One of the other local football pods mentioned a recent positive challenge match against Cork, though likely plenty of chopping & changing around getting minutes into squads with all those type of games so far more about performances than results.

If you can manage to find someone reporting on feedback from one they'd likely be folks that'd have information on others if you'd hope to try & make it to a game.

Croke Park drives healthy revenues for GAA but Ryan warns of sustainability cliff
Talking poinT
COLM KEYES

"The size and cost of backroom personnel of senior inter-county teams is simply unsustainable.

"The values of the Association are being eroded with each paid addition to the backroom team and voluntary roles are in danger of being a thing of the past.”

I see Austin OMalley has resigned from Cuala.
Hard to see him getting to manage Mayo as his Wicklow club was Wicklow town.
Too much of a commute.

@JR I am surprised to hear that thought he said he wanted to do 3 in a row with cuala!

Yeah the commute be to much for mayo job but who knows.

@Mayonaze; hope would be that all the key lads from the u17 squad from 2022 could be available for this years u20 campaign...so far my info is that most are available, if not yet back playing due to schools/colleges commitments that should be worked through over the next few weeks as those competitions are completed. I know on the challenges front the u20s have had 2 games already and have a number planned over the next few weeks against strong opposition....(however like all counties i don't think this blog is the place to disclose too much detail on those). Biggest challenge i see apart from the expectation on this group is for management trying to find the right blend of talent and the limited time available to implement the new rules. I expect some surprises results wise over the initial couple of rounds in that competition. Of all competitions this year it will be one of the most competitive, with all Connacht counties based on their underage structures demanding respect and rightfully of the view that they could go all the way to a final or indeed silverware.

Barry Cassidy the referee against Tyrone.hopefully he has a good day.
In another ref note congrats to Liam devenney who was appointed to Kerry Dublin.we’ll deserved

I think OMalley would get around the commute.
Paidi OShea managed Westmeath in 2004.
Where there is awill there isa way.
Hopefully McStay sticks it out like McGeeney and Joyce.
We gave Joyce some big beatings and he had bad days against us in league and championship sometimes you just have to stay the course.
I still reckon Manchester United should have stuck with David Moyes.....big names came in there since and i didn't I see them preform miracles

Austin o malley did a fine job with a very resourceful club in Dublin with a team that had absolute rolls Royce footballers like c o Callaghan , mick fitz and a few more . Perhaps see what he does next and hopefully he keeps the momentum going , gathers a good ticket along the way that can be presented to Mayo in time but no way has he done enough yet to take the job next year if Kevin were to go imho anyway .

No doubt Austin’s name will be in the mix when the mayo job pops up again. I would agree with other posters that, when you look deeply at it, Cuala were a team stacked with financial resources and a great population that was definitely on an upward curve. It might sound daft but I’d argue that Erigal Cairan and Enda McGinley had a lot more obstacles to overcome with far less resources, and maybe in a round about way, maxed out more the. Cuala. Not taking that away from Austin. Also, I go back to it, winning a club All Ireland, certainly for Mayo does not mean they are the best person for the job.

Stephen Rochford and Kevin McStay both one All Irelands with teams outside mayo, and lest face it, this current mgmt team is struggling. Mayos next manager will be on one hell of a rebuilding process. Does Austin know the mayo club scene and underage age scene well enough? I’m not sure. James Horan knew it because he managed within the county and that stood to him when he build the 2011 and 2019 teams. That lack of knowledge is hurting us atm.

@Green&Red: "Does Austin know the mayo club scene and underage age scene well enough?".

He coached quite a few of the young talent coming through or just about to come through when he was working in the dev squads alongside Ciaran McD in (relatively) recent years.

Listening to him any time he's done commentary on local games for Mayo GAA TV or the likes he'd have a knowledge of who's coming through & who's playing well up there with anyone I've heard speak on it, well outside just the lads he'd have directly worked with. Always comes across as someone pretty fanatical about their football (meant in the most positive of ways). Wouldn't consider it an area of worry, for me at least.

It'll be interesting to see if he does end up throwing a hat into the ring and what a ticket might look like when the time comes. I certainly wouldn't write him off, nor be thinking he'll (or anyone else, be it James, Andy or anyone else) would be an obvious favourite. The tickets carry so much weight these days it'd be all to fight for.

New pod up, this one is a freebie one up on all platforms. We recorded at Knockranny yesterday where we handed over a cheque to James Carty of Down Syndrome, our Club Stars charity partner, for the proceeds raised at the gala event in December. Rob, Mike and I are on the pod, along with James Carty and Colm Boyle.

As well as all the Dublin lads I see the Longford CHB also played fo Cuala

@Jr: Who's that?

Not familiar with a lad with Longford links in with them (I'm guessing this is 'originally', underage or something of that nature, given there's nobody on the Longford panel this year [or the last couple off the top of my head] from Cuala).

On the Boland question, the real issue is: can we really have Boland, Towey, and ROD on at the same time. With three of them on our ball winning capacity is reduced. Big men needed, but then we're not giving much game time to Bob Touhy.

I saw something on the Internet, may have been mistaken.

We played Yourselves in game esrlier in Kiltoom. Wasnt at it but Mayo won each half by about 3 from only attendee i spoke to thus far. We had lads that have not or little game time so far playing. Will try get more info tomorrow

@Tsu , thanks for the msg. I get exactly what you mean.

FreeTheEastBank says:
February 7, 2025 at 5:20 pm

I still reckon Manchester United should have stuck with David Moyes…..big names came in there since and i didn’t I see them preform miracles

The appointment of Moyes shook the foundation of that once great club and still haven't got close to recovering. A big name who was use to managing a big club is what they needed as the direct replacement for Ferguson

A huge issue when Fergie retired was that David Gill, the chief executive, also left at the same time. Moses never had a chance.

But it was a bad appointment. No Doubt Moyes is a good manager but the decision was made too quickly & without any thinking. Dare I say, Mourinho at that time may have been more appropriate

Can hardly blame Moses for utds demise

Bible study and Man United , the mayo blog is a great place .

This is what happens when we have a weekend off, Seán!

Did Moses ever manage at club level?
If so he could be a viable successor if and when a vacancy becomes available here.

St.Colmans 2 goals clear over Summerhill at h.t in Connaught final.

Young beirne stood tall in the 2nd half when colmans needed him, he's a big strong lad too which is what we need more of as a inside forward too in the county, well done colmans.

Congratulations to Colman's.
Great win.

Brilliant win for Colman’s!

Darragh Beirne show. Mark Noonan top Top class centre back. Davitts will be set for years with the youngest Treacy brother showing his class.
Some win

@Retrocut: Absolutely.

David Hurley carried an absolute power of ball. Fantastic showing from him. Was right up there for MOTM with DB for me.
Ronan Kelly with some vital big, big moments too. Not easy with Summerhill's size & power around the middle. (Feels a little odd to be in a position to prasie both the midfielders, Cassidy played very well prior to the nasty hit too [textbook black at least, red for me], on a day when Summerhill fairly dominated aerially around the middle).

Great updates there lads. Darragh Beirne, bring him in I say.

And another thing: Underage talent at Claremorris is very impressive.

Connacht gaa have highlights up on twitter. I'd beg everyone to watch to see the goals from Darragh Beirne and Ciaran Treacy. Also has the two points Darragh Beirne kicked from play in second half, simply different different levels of talent.

Do we know what provincial winners Colmans have in semi @Retrocut or TsuDhoNim?

Colaiste Mhuire, Mullingar in the semi now. They just beat Athy after extra time.

Sounds like an opportunity there .
I'm sure some strong teams up north again.

Poor Leitrim

@2 hops: Wouldn't be into betting/odds, but I'd imagine the Kerry team Mercy Mounthawk would be the favourites at this stage. Plenty tipping them since the start of the year. Young Paddy Lane (lit up the Kerry club championship) an absolute handful for them and peppered with talent throughout.

St. Patrick's Maghera, Derry vs Abbey VS, Donegal in the MacRory Cup Final on Sunday.
You'd have to imagine both would fancy their chances in a semi-final against Mounthawk, whatever everyone else thinks.

@TsuDhoNim. Thanks for the updates.

https://x.com/ConnachtGAA/status/1888227478868492699?t=BJkAp50JNqQnfsWqJJ4drg&s=19

Great scores! Comhghairdeas do St Colmans

Well done to Coleman's great result & best of luck to Gortnor Abbey!

@Clare: Gortnor Abbey lost by 2 yesterday evening and Tiernan's lost by 3 shortly before the Colman's game threw in.

@Catcol, would it be an idea to draft Beirne from St Colmans straight into the Mayo Senior setup after their run in the Colleges champion?

Where is the Sigerson final being held ?

@Sean Burke: It's (relatively) local. Wednesday evening in Bekan (7:30pm).

I think Beirne and Kobe will be monitored very closely by Senior management with the Under 20s. It will depend on there form in the Round robin games are they dominating at that level to deserve a call up.I think Cillian O'Connor was 18 when he made his debut in National League in 2011 and Aidan O'Shea 18 in 2009 making his debut. I would bring Beirne in simply cause he has a really good left foot for frees which has been a huge problems since Mort let and can take scores from distance for 2 pointers.

@Sam og: Aside from the other issue @Retrocut mentioned, under the current rules a '24 minor (u17 last year) wouldn't be eligible to play senior county. This was the issue that got McGuinness the 8-week ban (later overturned) last year for playing Finbarr Roarty (still u18) in the McKenna Cup.

Any of last year's minors would just be starting their first year eligible (u18) for senior club football. Next year (u19) before they could be considered to play senior county.

Beirne has a good left foot, something badly missing in current Mayo forwards over the past few years.
Does a player have to go through the stages, u20 etc before being considered for the Senior team / panel ?

@BatetheBlanket: No, no requirements on that. It's just a method of selecting some lads for additional high level coaching and competitive games to (hopefully) aid development, but no necessity to ever see an underage squad to play senior.

You have to be the minimum age now (18 on Jan 1st of that year - so u19) but no need to have gone through u17 or u20 on the way there.

Lee Keegan never saw minor. Dylan Prendergast never saw 20s (was off playing rugby after his days at minor). Darragh Reilly made his senior debut in the FBD last year before his u20 debut (was off playing soccer most of his underage years). Adrian Phillips never played either (at least in football, he probably did in hurling) but very likely to see minutes for us this year.

@Retrocut
Sounds like when not if..
So disheartening that we stand to lose another young player to the AFL. One as well that stood out from the crowd and had a bit of x factor.
As if losing Oisin, a 2x Young footballer of the year already wasn't bad enough.

Thats a massive blow if Kobe is gone to Austraila.Basically like Kerry losing David Clifford a few years back.

All - please note that the player being referenced here is still underage and is still at school so comments need to be tempered accordingly.

https://www.balls.ie/gaa/ciaran-mcdonald-let-slip-a-remarkable-titbit-after-second-captains-ended-last-night-263936

TsuDoNim
How times have changed in this article above it says Ciaran McDonald made his debut for Crossmolina in Senior Championship in 1989 at just 14 scoring 4 points and went onto to make his debut 1st year out of Minor at 19 in 1994 against Sligo.
Another remarkable stat is Padraig Brogan played Mayo Minor, Under 21 and Senior grade championship in the same calendar year of 1983.

Great comments all. Am I to understand, because I may have missed something, that Darragh Beirne 'could' come into the senior panel - in other words there's no rules impediment to his selection? And that Kobe is Oz bound?

On young talent being selected, wasn't Sam Callinan doing his Leaving when first selected?

I understand that you have to be over 18 on 1/1/25 to play senior .

@Catcol: Yup to DB (but very likely won't until the 20s campaign finishes up - at that point you'd not be shocked with a couple of the lads stepping in to learn from being around the squad and helping them build for the future).

Nothing decisive either way, but the things Retro mentioned adding to the strong rumours that hint further that it's likely. Personally, I'll be wishing him the very best whatever he decides. Whether that's cheering him on for Cross/Mayo or getting up early to cheer on watching an AFL/VFL game. I've had a blast watching Oisín testing himself down there, I'm as fanatical (or more) about GAA as the next man but if I'd an opportunity to play professional at a sport I'd have jumped at it (memories of one local lad getting trials for AFL back in the 90s - even the lads having trials for soccer or rugby in England were fierce jealous. It's only gotten more attractive since then). Great seeing he & Humphries [no Mayo links sadly] making big strides this year, even if Geelong never quite got into top gear.

Yeah. Sam was a double minor ('19 & '20 - incredibly rare, only ~3 of the upcoming 20s panel would have achieved that) and played double 20s ('22 & '23 - more common, ~14 of the upcoming panel could have that if they see minutes, with ~7 in a position to potentially go for the much rarer 3 year 20s either this year [2] or next [5]) with his senior debut coming in '22 while u19.

Very rare for that u19 senior debut one to happen, even Oisín was u20 before he got a senior run. Diarmuid Duffy (last year), Sam ('22), DO'C ('14), CO'C ('11), Aidan O'Shea ('09) & Pearse Hanley ('07) [felt slightly different when the lads were just out of minor, but minor was u18 at the time] the only ones I can think of in recent years that managed it while u19 (though I'm likely forgetting a few others).

Personally I'd have the age of higher interest than the leaving cert as there's always a mix on u19s playing Freshers or PPS football. I believe Aidan was still in leaving cert like Sam for his. Pearse was after his leaving but only weeks later, iirc with him making his debut in Championship Qualifiers rather than early league/Provincial games, so not entirely sure how you'd consider that one but probably in LC. Almost certain CO'C, DO'C and Diarmuid Duffy were all finished the previous year for theirs. Though very open to correction on my recollection of all of those.

As Mike Finnerty has reported and the kilmaine / Ballinrobe sources would tell you, it looks like we're getting one man back from Oz in December only to potentially lose one.

@tsudhonim.are you related to Jimmy mcgee by any chance?

I was extremely hopeful the u20 team would go close to an All Ireland this year but in my head it would have included Kobe and a fully fit Ronan Clarke back to the form of 22 when he was the best u17 full forward in the country. For me the lads Mayo have in 18-20 group have higher talent levels than those now in the 21-24 but we have to keep these younger lads developing and not lose them.

Hopefully for the u20s with Hurley, DBeirne, Cronin, Lydon and I’d hope Maheady there is enough firepower there but Kobe and a fully firing Clarke would be fascinating to see

TSU - thanks for sharing once again,; you really are Chat GPT and Deepseek combined! Where I part company, with the greatest respect, is on the OZ issue. I’m a total begrudger; it makes my blood boil to see the Aussies on smash and grab raids making off with our best talent, for which we get nothing in return.

@TSU - thanks for the info that's a pity!

Real shame about Kobe if he is going to Australia don't blame him at all young great opportunity to travel & the money but every time the AFL comes over takes the best but sure it is what it is. Wish him the best if he's going!

I shouldn't be remotely surprised to read this news but I'm a bit gutted. For us, obviously, not for Kobe - who deserves every success, and if this comes to pass, I hope it's a brilliant experience for him.

But gosh, how unfortunate for the rest of us, simply to be deprived of watching him play. I think we're allowed to feel a little hard done by, in the kindest possible way.

I feel exactly the same Ann-Marie. But somehow I can imagine the conversation in the McDonald house with Ciaran advising him to go. He might even tell him about how some so called Mayo supporters treated him when playing for the county. Like the game in Charlestown where even his sister got stick from some of them and he walked away for a while after it. Sometimes I think we don’t deserve to have special talents them.

I’ve made my feelings very clear on the ‘AFL issue’ for a long time. I cannot understand Mayo supporters who see it as a ‘great opportunity’. In my opinion the biggest ‘chance’ or aspiration for a young Mayo footballer is climbing the steps of the Hogan lifting Sam for Mayo; not jumping to AU$!. I’m with @ Catcol and I know many others on this. I think it’s dreadful for Mayo.

Worth noting too that a top high profile intercounty player can do very well financially now in Ireland.

I linked to the below recently but worth doing again just as a comparison.

"I didn't grow up dreaming of playing AFL. I grew up dreaming of playing for Roscommon," says Cregg

https://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/roscommons-daire-cregg-reflects-on-turning-down-afl-move-1715681.html

Hanley leaving in a way set a precedent. An enormous loss. Mullin followed suit. A very talented player but probably not as much a loss as Hanley. Hanley was pure class but he obviously made a decision.

Its very difficult to win an All Ireland when our top talent bail to Au$tralia …I can’t understand how any diehard Mayo supporter has any positive comment to make on it. It’s bad news for Mayo. That’s all.

@Nephin. They weren’t real supporters. Anyone who did that to McD was a disgrace.

@Mayonaze. I duslike the AFL just as you.

It's a great opportunity I mean for a young player like Kobe.

You can't blame him for taking up the chance.

@Mayonaze my comment was not positive for mayo either. I get just as annoyed aa you do when the AFL comes over and as I say takes our best I didn't say it was a positive thing at all.

But I can see how Kobe couldn't turn it down if he is going.

Hi Clare, the main point I’m trying to make is that in my opinion I see the chance to win Sam for Mayo is being a much greater opportunity. There are several examples of players who have turned down AFL to chase their dream of winning an All Irl for their county. Seán Cavanagh, Ciarán Kilkenny and Cathal McShane (was offered a really good career opportunity to stay) to name a few. Daire Cregg sums it up perfectly in his interview.

Anyway people are different. It’s only natural that some people want it (winning an All
Ireland) that bit more than others. Mayo supporters have just been unlucky. Unfortunately it’s a long running theme.

All - I have to point out again that you’re all happily speculating about the possible future of someone who is still a child attending school. I’m going to have to insist that this discussion now ends.