Looking forward to listening to this pod. I tuned in to the Ah ref pod and they were talking about kicking and style of play in Mayo; how we can produce better forwards and overall to improve the kicking skills of players in the county. Watching the club scene closely and also looking at other counties, Galway and Kerry. Club teams in Kerry in particular will kick and go more direct than in Mayo. This is purely down to training and coaching. The new rules have changed the game because of the greater space that's available to be exploited if you move the ball quickly. Billy Joe referenced it several times on pods throughout 2025 (he tipped Kerry from way back because he felt that the team with the best kickers would win the All Ireland - and he was right). There are lots of coaches around clubs in Mayo who did very well under the old rules but their success was built upon a tighter handpassing game where training sessions had far greater focus on handpassing zig zag/truck and trailer type drills. The new rules have essentially made these null and void or certainly far less relevant. However on the evidence so far, several of these coaches have not developed their strategies and are still sticking with a 'possession at all costs/mind the ball' mentality. It's not good and won't benefit Mayo as a whole. Kicking will always involve greater risk, but the reward, if executed successfully, is significant. That is why we need to see far more focus on kicking throughout the county, in clubs and schools.

The other discussion which has been flagged a bit this year on pods is playing lads out of position. It's often been said that if David Clifford was in Mayo that he'd be a midfielder. What has become clear in 2025 is that at the back you now need outright defenders, tacklers. Tight man-marking sorts. You need some lads in the middle who are aerially strong surrounded by the 'dogs of war' in the 5-7 and 10-12 lines and 3 or 4 lads up top who are specialist marksmen. It's a better game now. It's a different game. Teams require specialists and you still need lads who can run all day, but you definitely need fellas who can kick accurately under pressure and play a more direct style. From what I've seen so far from the Mayo club championship, there are some teams that look like they're still in 2024.

Really looking forward to seeing all the games at the weekend on Mayo GAA TV and hopefully catch a couple in person too.

Hopefully Moran and Boyle will let the players play normal football and encourage them to kick pass more and go for scores when the chances come. But definitely stop the dreadful passing over and back and the fear to express themselves. I think they will as both were natural Gaelic Footballers

Good post Mayonaze, however in saying its a different game now: tight markers in the back, dogs of war in the half lines, aerially strong players in the middle of the pitch and 3-4 scorers up top, sounds a lot like the game I grew up playing and watching.

There definitely appears to be two distinct camps in the coaching of Mayo clubs to the new rules now and you can nearly see it in the score lines. I hope for long term success of the county the more progressively ran teams run out winners. It would be to the great benefit of Mayo football in the long term if the likes of Crossmolina won senior and Moy Davitts intermediate. It doesn't have to be those teams specifically, but the teams in the championships playing heads up, positive football.

On another note I see Paudie Clifford's goal being named the Paudenka and it was a great bit of skill. However I was privileged to be present in Aghamore for an U21 game and saw the late Adrian Freeman score a goal using the same skill, only Adrian didn't follow the ball........he "knew" it was going in. Sighhhh. What a talent and a person he was.
Funny how watching a Kerryman producing a fantastic moment can call to mind an even more outrageous piece of skill by one of our own.
Great pod lads.

I see over the border they’ve extended Joyce’s stay at the helm till 2028 . Interesting to see such a long stay in a top county without silverware

I am delighted to see the comments today re Mayo football I have followed Mayo teams since listening to 1951All Ireland on radio I played in 9 senior Co finals won 3 lost 3 by one point played in 3All Ire finals wining one in1966 junior and a Cardinal Cushing tropyy in 1968 it's football so kick the ball chest high to the running team mate like Mick OConnell did that will bring back the crowds

Pre season competitions set to return in 2026, as per Irish Examiner this evening.

https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-41698367.html

You can't coach heads up football it comes naturally like kicking some lads are natural kickers and some aren't

@seanburke do you don’t count 4 Connacht titles as silverware? I know they lost 2 all irelands under Joyce but remember McGeaney clubs wanted him out in Armagh and he went on and won all Ireland after that!

I think Galway are wise to keep PJ. No great fan of either himself or the county, but they have won 4 provincials in a row ( admittedly when other Connacht counties were not performing well). They reached 2 All Irelands and while they could have won v Kerry they should have won v Armagh. They have some really serious players, often struggling to get them all fit at the one time. but serious potential if they can do that. I’d say both himself and the Co Board know they have a fair chance of outright success You would have to say they were poor this year although they did limp over us, but were some way off in the round robin and poor v Meath. Hopefully our new management can help derail their efforts for 5 in a row in Connacht

To win just once yes one of there biggest issues is keeping key players fit . If they had everyone fit they be in with a chance.
The Armagh final was one they definitely left behind for numerous reasons.
Like any county they do need to add to the team and panel not sure what they have coming through.the Derry lad that plays with Tuam is highly rated .

@Aidan

Armagh where just better then Galway on the day . The Derry lad that plays with Tuam would hardly play for Galway he would play for Derry .

Galway where poor this year or are just maybe overated .

They won't win sam under PJ anyway . They certainly won't win 5 connachts in a row either .

@clare he already in Galway panel has played minor and u20.family moved to Galway about good few years back.

I would say Galway were poor as to over rated.4 Connacht in a row is a good achievement. They still have quality all over the pitch but need to strengthen a few key positions.

We can’t say if PJ will win Sam or not with Galway same as Andy with Mayo. it be very interesting to see who is coming in as coach with PJ!

I still reference McGeaney a lot of clubs wanted him out, he got through a vote, stuck at it, and got the job done.Armagh lost 3 big games last 3/4 years on penalties but kept coming back and hit the reward.

In that final v Galway I wouldn’t say Armagh were exactly better, they took their chances as where Galway absolutely blew it on the day. Finnerty going off injured early in that final really did not help Galway.

I say it was a big driving factor with Kerry this year was they left that semi final v Armagh behind them last year.

Anyway next year should be exciting again 6/7/8 teams with a realistic chance including Mayo.

I hope the Galway ones won't be reading this if we're already saying they have no chance of winning Connacht next year!

They'll be odds on favorites and rightly so, they have won the last 4 after all. Tbh while Connachts important, I hope Andy doesn't focus the whole year on it like McStay did last year. All the eggs were in that basket and the come down from losing to Galway led to the Cavan debacle and season ender two weeks later

A meeting with Galway will be in Salthill rather than castlebar next year which is probably a help to us at this stage tbh

I do Aidan but they are very quick to dismiss our 5IAR Of nestors as pointless without Sam , what’s good for the goose . I’m not as concerned about Galway as I was because Mayo are starting to make me look forward again , what I mean is my mindset has shifted slightly as I believe we might have the makings of a decent side over the coming years and add in the positive factor of believing the new management will do all in their power to maximise our potential , it’s a better feeling than looking over one’s shoulder dreading that lot winning Sam . Not saying they definitely won’t either just not that bothered

@Paul b, yes, you're right and I was thinking that as I posted it. All those attributes have always been crucial in the game but I should have said and what I meant, was that there's probably less space for as many 'mobile runners' in a team if they aren't necessarily great defenders/tacklers or don't have much scoring skill or ariel ability. I don't want to name individuals, but I can think several in Mayo panel in recent years, who some regard very highly, but in my opinion kind fit into that category of being a bit of a jack of all trades, but master of none. Of course you need a few of these but you get my point. I think lads like that will need to fine tune either the art of tight defending (because if you cant tackle or put the shackles on a top forward then with the new rules you're far more likely to be 'found out') or noticeably improve their scoring ability. I also think Moran needs to seek out a couple of lads who are extremely reliable on long range shooting off the ground, be it a keeper or an outfielder. Maurice Sheridan was a decent baller, often underrated, but his freetaking off the ground was top drawer (his absence in the 2nd half in 97 proved hugely costly for us). If a team have a lad who can kick points from 50 yards from left and right and be accurate 70% of the time, it's a huge weapon with the 2points on offer.

In Galway - PJ holds a huge amount of credit still and despite losing two finals, he has overseen a period or provincial dominance and certainly Galway are in a far, far stronger position in recent years than they were when he took the job. There aren't many hands up in the county looking to do it. It's essentially his gig until he no longer wants it or if it gets to a point where Galway are no longer a realistic competitor. At the moment they are a top team who if they have everyone fit, are as strong as anyone else. They could have won in 22 and should have won in 24. They underwhelmed in 23 and 25 but they'll be well in the mix next year and are very dangerous. While there'll be a lot of talk of 5in a row, I think they'll put a lot more focus on peaking for June/July.

That's Shay McGlinchey from Tuam Stars some of you are talking about. Class act. One of the top midfielders in Ireland underage. He's big and athletic, very strong in the air and he can kick boomers. Derry approached him but he has committed to Galway.

@Mayonaze

Thanks for the info .
He must have some Galway connections if he's commiting himself to them rather then opting to play for his home county .

There's a begrudgery towards Galway in many of the posts. Doesn't do anything for us other than expose a certain immaturity in our thinking. GOD forbid they win Sam before us. Right now, their story is ifs and buts and should have and would have, like ourselves. And we need to concern ourselves with our own house.
First weekend of pressure championship games and we're distracted by P. Joyce..It beats Bannagher

@Clare - what are you going on about? The lad lives in Galway and has done for a decade.

By your logic, Aidan and Seamus O'Shea should have spent their careers driving down to play for Kerry.

@Mayoaze - I listened to that podcast and found it an interesting discussion. Like it does need to be pointed out that in the Championship so far, Castlebar have scored 0-12 in both matches. With the pick they have, that just isn't acceptable shooting with new rules.

I watched Wesport - Knockmore which was a decent game, very good pace to it but the quality scoring just wasn't there.

I'm worried that the later stages of the Championship will revert to previous years, with cagey, defensive games.

@Ontheditch.i don't get your point about begrudgery and immaturity. For me every time Galway play i want them to lose twice. It is nothing against Galway people as some of my best friends are from Galway as is my other half. I can't think of another sport where supporters want their oldest enemies to succeed. It's totally sport related and adds an extra bit of something to following mayo. It doesn't mean I didn't see the genius in padraig Joyce as a player or many more Galway players

Joyce loves nothing more than beating Mayo as can be seen by him jumping around the pitch whenever they win against us.
Is he begrudging and immature?

We need to retire PJ this year by winning Connacht and getting further in Championship, all realistic goals I think

@Unstopable

I'm not on about anything I don't much about the guy at all I didn't say anything that wrong .

@Unstoppable: It'll be interesting to watch how that develops for sure as the pressure ramps up. Even just this coming weekend we might see some teams tensing up or others letting loose.

I can well imagine we'll have folks breaking into camps with some supporting Ballina, Cross or Ballagh for their free scoring +40 a game styles versus Ballintubber, Belmullet or Knockmore with their ~30 or less (though I'm personally really excited to get a look at Belmullet's defence and see how they're setting up to hit the outstanding numbers with just 0-2-20 conceded across their 2 games. Against sides that can in theory kick 2s. To manage to be so low in the total scores per game while still in the top 8 for scoring is pretty impressive).

Team - Average Scores per game they're involved in (their own Score Difference)

Ballina Stephenites - 44.0 (+8)
Crossmolina Deel Rovers - 42.5 (+7)
Ballaghaderreen - 42.0 (+8)
Mayo Gaels - 36.5 (-17)
Ballyhaunis - 36.5 (-17)
Claremorris - 35.5 (-7)
Garrymore - 35.0 (+2)
Balla - 34.5 (+3)
Westport St Patrick’s - 32.5 (+5)
Aghamore - 31.5 (-3)
Charlestown Sarsfields - 31.0 (-6.0)
Knockmore - 30.5 (+9)
Breaffy - 30.0 (0.0)
Belmullet - 28.5 (+9)
Castlebar Mitchels - 27.0 (-6.0)
Ballintubber - 24.5 (+5)

Some college players to come back too, should add extra interest, I expect Finbar McLaughlin to be back in the westport panel.
I'm hoping players dictate the style of play and not go back to ultra possession football. I can only see crossmolina playing on the front foot with the players they have but we'll know more after this weekend.

@Ontheditch

Your right there I can't see the Ballina game being that exciting after they lost to Cross they will be cautious enough .

The obsession with Galway on the blog never ceases to amaze. That said, I would be a bit worried about Galway next year. Joyce's extension is daft, but they are a very strong team, and mature now, whereas if we have a lot of newbies, I fear for them on the strength and conditioning front. I thought we were brushed aside in February, but not in the CF. In the CF Aido and Jack Carney made a huge difference, and if I'm not mistaken they were absent in February.

Tsu, incredible work with the stats, the Ah Ref lads gave you a shout out during their preview show. The stats above are very interesting.

Unstoppable's question is a good one. I don't think you can win my going back to playing old rules. And players are enjoying the freedom of sorting things for themselves than doing things according to the coaching manual.
But the weekends games will throw light on how brave clubs are going to be.
@ Clare. Ballina did crank up a fair score v cross. I hope they build on that rather than go back into any shell. Lots to look forward to

@Ontheditch

Really hope your right . Always said would be very a tough ask for Ballina to do 3 in a row . I obviously hope I'm proven wrong though . They've been beaten themselves up over the connacht final exit last year. They are honestly fuming at themselves .

Though fair play to Cross won't begrudge them at all went to secondary there but heart with Ballina but if they don't do it hope Cross can do it.

Joyce's record bears resemblance to horans 1st term and he was lauded in Mayo for bringing the county to new heights. 4 connachts in a row and 2 AI final appearances. I would imagine Joyce is similarly regarded in Galway for his success. So we can't criticise galway when we celebrated the nearly years too

Hopefully the safety first mantra isn't ringing out this weekend and I'd like to think it won't be. Playing to limit the opposition as your no1 aim is fraught with danger if they are able to kick a few 2pointers. If you have to chase a game and change tactics midstream a decent attacking outfit might make hay. Could be wrong but hoping the old adage "attack is the best form of defence" is to the fore for round 3 games. I believe if Aghamore go defensive again against Castlebar we might limit their scoring somewhat but eventually they'll get enough and a narrow enough win. Hopefully Aghamore give it a right go and see where that takes them. I think the other group game may be a draw between Breaffy and Belmullet.

Don't fret Clare , ballina still the team to beat.
They were beaten by Cross and thats a special Cross team but the heavier the weather the slower and more physical the game becomes will be a test to a super group of lads whom are on the road solid for the last 18 months really playing a game every second weekend so big ask to keep going but let's see what happens

Ballina though have best keeper in county, solid backs but with Sam and O Hora only back , they will get better, sharper and on point, maybe O Hora needs to go to FB to release Jordan but in any case it's only a little change of players to best suit their current physical conditions.
Midfield section nobody can touch them Murray Irwin and Thornton, thats county standard .they need more from Mcstay and co to take pressure off Regan but again they will be all sharper after 2 weeks ago.
Ballina still the best allrounders minus Caff they are lesser of a team but have a very decent squad and if Irwin eile returns then they have additional physical presence and know how around the middle, maybe freeing Frank and Mcstay up to stay up in the forwards , so ya Ballina still favourites for me, Knockmore unspectatular solid guys whom will.cherish autumn winter football and a very shrewd management team on the line .... Westport I think are caught in a transitional phase of "do we or dont we with older/younger guys integration and think will trip them up , Breaffy haven't enough scores consistently in them , Belmullett on current form and no injuries will put it up to anyone, but again will winter football scupper them and Cross?
Castlebar are tight but lack of marquee forward is hard to see them score enough, Ballyhadreen are strong everywhere and should be main contenders but can flatter to decieve.

@mayonaze
A good few excellent points there about developing certain types of players.

I personally believe that the Mayo obsession with a solo run is the reason we don't match Kerry (despite most other things being equal).
In Kerry, you get abuse for eating up space with a solo run - in Mayo you get praised for it.
If you are a ff player in Kerry, you know when to make a run as you know from U8 that the ball has to be kicked in as soon as possible - allowing you to time your run.
In Mayo, you have no idea if or when the ball will be kicked or even if it will at all.
If your a Mayo half back or midfielder and you kick away possession, you will be trained to hand pass or solo forward. If you are a Kerry lad, you'll have to go back to the bench until your kick passing improves.
A Kerry half back, arrives late to the attack in support. A Mayo half back leads the attack from the back.
This has been the way as long as I can remember.

Every club should be tailoring underage training to develop some key roles with a few to having the following at minor level (per team)
1 no GK with a long straight kick out (Sean Patton kickout)
2 no specialist man marking FB line players (they only have to play half a field for half a match, so don't need long distance runners, but need to be sprinters)
3. 1 man marking half back
4. 4 runners willing to put their bodies on the line for breaking ball
5. 4 high fielders - one for full back, one for FF and 2 for midfield
6. 1 playmaking half forward
7. a goalscorer (who only plays inside the 40)
8. 2 long range shooters/free takers (one lefft and one right) - both only have to play half a pitch also

Bench
1 fielder, 1 goalscorer, 2 man marker, 4 runners, 2 shooters, 1 Gk

If you went through last years Mayo Panel - could you name the 4 shooters, 2 goal scorers, playmaking half forward and 5 high fielders? You could easily name 10 runners though.

With the 2 point rule, if you have the wind in the second half - you need 4 shooters on at the end. If your trying to defend a lead - you'll need all 4 man markers on to keep the other team from kicking 2's.

On the club championship - It was pointed out to me last night, that the teams currently running riot on the hard ground, wont be the same team on heavier ground come county final time.

Crossmolina may have beaten Ballina at home with a bunch of lighter younger lads in beautiful summer conditions. It will be a different game with a heavier pitch and autumn rain.

Which brings a whole other question for using club form to view county footballers - The big stuff in county is now in the summer, but the big stuff in club football is played in the wet. The new rules have made it a very fast game in summer, but a very different sport in winter (with ability to play the wind often dictating the outcome of games). Watch out for Belmullet as if they can keep the score down in Summer, they will be very hard to breakdown in Autumn and they are no strangers to adapting to the wind

Any teams named yet

A new episode in our 'We Need to Talk About Mayo' series is up now on Patreon. In this one Rob and Ed chat with Lee Keegan about his development as an inter-county player and what it takes to perform at the consistently high level he did in the Green and Red.

We've now also released free tasters (15/20 mins) of the Senior and Intermediate preview pods so, along with the Junior, that adds up to close to 45 minutes of free preview pod content.

@Outside of the Boot

Aw thanks. I won't loose the faith just yet !
Yeah your right they do need more from McStay and co to take the pressure off Regan .

It will be really interesting to see how Ballina set up at the weekend . I kind of hope they don't go ultra defensive.

Folks are forgetting that to win the AI intermediate, the bulk of that Crossmolina team were the only Mayo club team playing competitive football this year when the Swallow were busy packing their bags for the trip north

Any predictions or shocks for this weekend

Ballina 1/10 with one bookmaker to beat Garrymore. I think that's madness. Ballina got a shock left round but if they had to pick who they were to rebound against garrymore would be over of there last choices. Ballina to scrap through but I don't think it would be a huge shock(as per bookies odds) if garrymore got over the line.

The other big game (winner takes all) on senior is aghamore/ castlebar. I think aghamore will scrape this one. . Whether it's enough for a quarter final I don't know!

I expect ballaghderren to win on Saturday night and knockmore to also top group.

Not sure if Hugh o Laughlin is fit- if he is kilmaine could cause an upset.

Looking forward to weekend. Pity some dead rubbers but have to accept it. I see they play preliminary quarter finals in Galway so no dead rubber games but personally I don't like this as I'm off believe if you lose 2 out of 3 you don't deserved to still be in championship (it does happen from time to time that two points gets you second place but that is rare occurrence)

Agree with you completely Bruiser about the preliminary quarter finals. If you're not good enough to finish 2nd in a group of 4, you have no business going through. It was the only gripe I had with the outgoing inter county format tbh

Three teams worth keeping an eye on, that probably underachieved last time, are Armagh, Dublin and Mayo. Kerry won't be catching anyone unawares next campaign. Not sure Galway have it in them to relaunch after such a poor championship. Those defeats play havoc with a team's confidence as we know. I've been told the format has been tinkered with too, which seems to be new gaa motto... keep messing with it until it can't be messed with anymore. I think Andy will prosper eventually if given the time.

@Ever the optimist: Some of the finer details of the new Championship format - https://x.com/JohnFogartyIrl/status/1917593681860690103

Basically the Sigerson pathing. You can lose 1 All Ireland Series game prior to the QFs but not 2.

Cheers tsudo.

Anyone know what date QF's of Junior Championship will be played? 2 games down for Group 1 on weekend of 19th Sept so guessing QF's will be 2 weeks after?

" the Derry lad that play for Tuam !!"

He moved to Tuam when he was 3.. came right up through our club system..Derry never approached him.

Anyways no surprise PJ got an extension, he is changing his backroom team and lots of talk about a certain Kerryman. Looking forward to January

I think the certain Kerryman was suggested by another Kerryman, Spillane. Pat's never stuck for a suggestion or 7.

@Tuamstar - they may have not done in any 'official capacity', but fairly sure discussions were had. But yes, he's been in Galway almost all his life. He can play for Derry if he wants but you go with where you heart is. His is in Galway.

Talk about Donaghy for weeks. That info is well out there.

Personally, I think Donaghy would be a huge addition to Galway and make them a much tougher team in 2026.

For Galway their problem is having all their forwards fit at same time . We know well how tough that is in Mayo . I don't think Donaghy will make a difference to that .

I heard PJ is the only one who wanted the Galway gig anyway so obviously no surprise he's still there.

We shall see but I don't expext them to go far next year.