The pod mentions it can go to a replay, but is extra time playable on Sunday ?

We've checked that out Paddyjoe and it's a replay if level at the end of normal time on Sunday.

On paper you'd be tipping Ballina but really I'm loathe to back against Knockmore really as they are utterly defiant regardless of what setbacks they meet.

They've won against the odds so many times in past 5 years that I have to go with them this time.

Knockmore by 2 in a very tense but v low scoring game. KMore 1-08 Ballina 0-09

...did Ruttledge manage to get off? That will be a big factor, he has been huge for them

I'm going for knockmore

6 mayo players on the interprovincial squad.carney diarmuid Duffy eoghan McLaughlin Aido boland bob touhy.paul towey on stdby list.
8 Galway
6 mayo
10 Roscommon!!
1 Leitrim
1 Sligo
1 New York
2 London

Thanks WillieJoe

Interesting to see how the proposed new rules shape up. Both for players and referees.
Re county championship, the winning is probably more important than the entertainment. Ballina to edge it.
Moycullen and Corofin in Galway equivalent. Where are our reliable Galway posters?

I would fancy Corofin in Galway.
Moycullen have a poor record against them and Kevin Johnson who a lot of Mayo folk will know is a shrewd operator. They still have Gary Sice but have actually added more young players to add to Liam Silke, Dylan McHugh etc. Moycullen have Peter Cooke back from US and he was good in semi and qf, also have Sean Kelly finally looking injury free and back to form which is massive. Corofin and Knockmore for me

We through it away on Sunday v Moycullen..
So I'm still sickened..
Looking forward to the neighbours doing battle in Mayo..

I think Ballina may sneak a low scoring game...

How the hell is Diarmuid Duffy making a Connacht squad.
The O'Connors, McBrien or ROD must not be making themselves available.Cillian has never played for Ireland in International rules or Connacht in a Railway cup.Dissapointing Mayo selection from McStay.

Sam og - I'd say it was up to the players themselves to decide if they wanted to play for Connaught or not - it wasn't McStay who nominated players.
Personally I'd much prefer to see lads like McBrien, Diarmuid etc taking a complete break from football for the next month rather than playing in this competition this weekend.
Between county games and club championship lads have played enough football already this year.

I presume the likes of diarmuid and rod want to get their injuries sorted out the next month or 2

@Sam og yeah agree think Duffy has lots of potential loads to learn still though.

Agree with @south mayo exile I'd say they have a limited amount of players available to choose from.

Otherwise Rod, Diarmuid cillian etc would no doubt make it. They are most likely giving themselves a break before training starts for 25 and the real stuff in the new year.

Travelled up to Sligo for a freshers game between Sligo and NUIG.
Dara Hurley made his comeback from a year long break with injury and looked good for NUIG.
Jack Keane was in midfield, quiet enough.
Colin Barrett was impressive in midfield, while Oisin Cronin v good for Sligo.
Cian Keaney from Cavan, playing for IT Sligo, looks like he will be a future superstar.

Ah Jesus its only 2 games where u get to represent your province and where the Senior players in the dressing room get a chance to see the new rules for themelves.Its that attitude is why the railway cup went the way it did.Game is gone way to serious.Look at Dublin Cluxton ,Kilkenny and McCarthy all playing.15 best footballers in the province should be out there, End off.

PJ said on interview Kevin , Tony McEntee,Davy Burke and Mickey Graham are all involved on managemen team.

Sam og think each county was asked put forward 6 lads who were available

Mickey Graham is involved and him gone from Leitrim seems even more bizarre than him stepping down from Leitrim before a ball was kicked

Cp says:
October 16, 2024 at 6:34 pm
6 mayo players on the interprovincial squad.carney diarmuid Duffy eoghan McLaughlin Aido boland bob touhy.paul towey on stdby list.
8 Galway
6 mayo
10 Roscommon!!
1 Leitrim
1 Sligo
1 New York
2 London

-------------
Roscommon players showing the most interest. A few of the Mayo lads on the Connacht panel haven't established themselves at senior county level yet.

@Sam Og I do agree but think some guys just might have wanted a break pre start to county training there are so many games now and commitment to the big stuff now and even though it's a chance to represent your province alot would just want to be fit and in top condition for the real stuff.

Disappointing more of the established mayo players aren't throwing in their lot with the province. we are great at inventing excuses.
Tuam Stars are not far away, next year could be their year but hard to look past Corofin.
Anybody know the draw/ dates after county finals? Good to hear the Galway posters are alive and well and honest as always in their posts

A long time ago but Sean Purcell in 1956 and 57 won an All Ireland,a National League, 2 Connacht Championships with Galway, 2 County Titles with Tuam Stars and a Railway cup with Connacht.Possibly everything you can win in 1 year.
He played for Connacht In the railway cup for 13 years.Some acheivement. Yet some modern day players are burned out.A real pity we are not seeing Shane Walsh ,Damien Comer ,Cillian and Ryan O'Donoghue lining out for Connacht this weekend.

Good point Sam óg. All for the love of football. The railway cup gave players from the stronger counties and opportunity to play with outstanding players from the weaker counties. Not just to play alongside but an opportunity to acknowledge how much they were doing for the game. Great for supporters from the weaker counties too. The competition has a place and a purpose.

Shane Walsh can't line out as he's still involved in club action.

@On the Ditch, about 6 weeks ago, I had occasion to speak with one particular well established Mayo senior player. We spoke about what the new rules might be and the upcoming 'Railway Cup' and the trial of the new rules. He told me that the only time he had really off for years was October/November and while in my opinion this player is most definitely in the top 15 players in Connacht He'd prefer not to be involved. We the GAA fans dont actually own the players, no matter who should ordain otherwise. I will not name this particular player, you never know he may well want to play for Connacht next year. Id expect that a number of players in all counties might just decide enough is enough for now . Im looking forward to it myself..Come On, Padraig Joyce and his men from the West.

All Purcell missed out on those years is an fbd medal. He must have been injured and probably regretted it forever.

@Leantimes ... good post .
We have to remember that these amateur players have life's outside football.
Some choose not to be involved, they might have holidays booked , family commitments, carrying knocks .
They may have these or just no interest in playing .
It's a personal decision for each player.
We should respect that
Knockmore by 4 for me at the weekend

Can't help thinking some of the lads playing Sunday would've loved to be involved in the inter- pro croke park experiment. Not that it matters in all probability.

@Leantumes great post fully agree the players need their own downtime and have a life outside of football and when the club season finishes with their club.. this is really their own downtime to have a life outside of county football that's totally fair enough.

Not really sure why we're so focused on our own lads not playing interprovincial - how come the Cliffords and Sean O'Se are getting off scot free?

Intropro squad looks to have been picked with new rules in mind. A fair number of distance shooters on the Connacht squad. Hence the lower representation from Mayo unfortunately. You can say the 15 best players in the province should have been selected But the best 15 under existing rules are not necessarily the best under new rules.

Also, being available to play a game at 6pm on Friday in Dublin may have influenced who was available.

A lot of their work goes unnoticed but congratulations to the mayo GAA media team who won an award this week.since John walker was appointed pro mayo GAA social media/website and app has gone onto a new level

Are the Interpro's being televised?

I believe so...think RTE has both evenings covered.

RTE News channel I've been told.

Thanks Mark

@Sam og

I wouldn't read too much into Diarmuid Duffy being in the squad. I'd say pretty much every county panel guy was asked if they fancy it or not, and thats about as far as it goes in the selection process for this. Plenty will be club tied and plenty will be taking a timely rest before pre season starts. Wouldn't read anything into the personnel named

You're welcome Bonni, final two games on Saturday are on RTE 2... I've examined the teamsheets and many unknowns (to me anyway) playing on each province. I see Kilkenny and McCarthy, plus the small brothers, on the subs bench fior Leinster, so it'll be interesting. Couple of serious Connacht absentees too.. big Aidan is in there anyway but think a few managers said- to hell with it- namely McGuiness in Ulster..

@tuamstar ye are getting closer. Some good young players coming through who will only get better (McGlincheyfor example).
Jack Grugan was not fit so he will be a massive addition next year when fully fit .
Keep the faith !

Friday games are on tg4

@No doubt be interesting to see how it goes definetly need new rules but a Friday at 6pm is a bit of ridiculous time guys who are living in country would have to take time off work.

@FrostHammer yeah exactly it's not just big names from our own county not taking part some just want to enjoy the only down time they will get before training starts for 25!

Mark Dempsey - I doubt that very much. The county final is much more important than the new rules run out in Croke Park.

Think you're probably right yew tree, but there's more than that county finalists playing Gaelic football this weekend... I fail to see why anyone wouldn't be interested.

Cheers KM79...
What's another year !!
Will be interesting to see these interpros later...
Keeping 3 players in own half has to improve things at least..

Anyone got any decent spare tickets for tonight, I’m in here now but the tickets available are pure muck in the corners

Sean Burke, hard imagine be that many at it you couldn't mooch around somewhere better :)

Aido playing outrageous stuff

Sure David McHale isn't there Sean Burke :)

Either are many others mind. Should have given tickets free to schools to try and get few in.

Senior final has been moved to next Saturday at 7pm

As one who was sceptical on the rules a lot of encouraging signs.
Defensive setups being exposed by the two pointer, teams pushing out on the 2 pointer and leaving space in behind.
When opposition wins other teams kickout there's lots of desire to move the ball quick due to all defenders starting outside the arc.
It's croke park and it's intercounty players on a huge pitch the only drawback, be different for different teams.
One thing is certain though, there's no hand holding. The best players are looking like the best players and are able to express themselves, there's definitely no system players or robotic movements.

looks good so far, plenty of kicking and good scores taken, plenty of room to play football , maybe lacking the physical stuff. Big improvement on last years passing game back and over and back to keeper.

Game played on the front foot. Mayo boys loving it. Very positive.

Just saw brief highlights, Mattie Tierney to Big Aido and its a goal. Any chance of a merger and we will bring Sam west of the Shannon maybe even do a three in a row.

There is no way Cillian OConnor would be interested in playing in these test games.With his history of injury and the stage he is at in his career why would he bother his arse to risk an injury in a game the will be forgotten about 10 minsafter it over.
Imagine if he donne a serious injury and missed 2025.istill think there is an Andy Moran type year in 2017 in COC but he has to stay injury free an avoid unnecessary risk.

Seems to be flowing much better with these new rules know only test match but very positive.

Aido playing really well along with the other mayo guys fergal boland great to positive stuff.

@FreeTheEastBank yeah totally agree O Connor brothers would be there if they really wanted to be same with ROD&others

Split Connacht in two !

I only caught a little bit of the game so just wondering if you receive the ball just inside the arc,can you step just outside the arc so as to double your tally of you manage to kick it over?

County final postponed to Saturday week @7 pm

Very hard to read much into that croker game. It was literally non contact. Friendlies are more competitive. Not a single tackle all game. Be interesting to see it in a more competitive environment. Will need a bigger sample size but i remain open minded.

Glad county board have made the decisive call on county final postponement early and not have everyone sitting around all weekend wondering

Did fergal boland look like he gained a bit of muscle or was it just my aging eyesight?

Common sense prevailed. At least now , people travelling will be able to take in all finals the same weekend, if they so wish. This should always be the case, especially at this time of year.

My God but the new hooter is loud - could we tone it down a little and safe the current one for an emergency?

It's hard not to describe red flags as anything other than red flags - maybe a gold one instead to complete the tricolour?

Would it not have made sense to have the first two games on RTÉ in English so we might get the an idea of the rules. When the ref was explaining something tonight the commentators kept talking and we couldn’t hear him.

@2 hops: Yeah, no restrictions on that. As long as your standing foot is outside or on the arc line when you kick it, no issue where you were beforehand (as long as the ref correctly spots it to signal it to the umpire).

Aids finally scored against Cluxton in Croker....hopefully its an omen for next year!

Thanks @TsuDhoNim.... could be a game changer, quite literally.

Baffled by the severity of the changes but I'm sure I'll get accustomed to it. Nightmare for defenders or so it seemed. That said, Leinster really didn't put up much in terms of a performance. I'm thinking Kerry for Sam already...jaysus help us!

@mark Dempsey why are you thinking kerry for sam? What have they shown that they are the best atm? Not saying mayo will win it next year but there is no stand out team out there at the moment and kerry certainly are not a standout team.

It's totally open next year any of the top teams could win it.

Shooting prowess Clare.. that's it. It'll take time for the chips to fall where they may but even Aidan mentioned the accuracy of seanie oshea, and the non pressure zone of scoring frees (which, as it stands on the 45) results in 2 points, versus the pressurized kick with defenders rushing the offender with the same reward, which seems to be rather unfair. The teams with the best scientific analysts will have this favoured to the extreme. I'm not too sure there's too many out there(aside from the retired Michael Murphy) more accurate than oshea, seanie, that is.

@mark Dempsey not saying kerry not good or anything but they are not a standout team.

Aido was flying last night yes only a test game but these new rules will suit our guys as we much rather open flow kind of game..

Anyways only October!

However I wouldn't be betting on any team to win it next year just because it's so open it's anyones game really.. time will tell sure!

Tight corner backs will make a comeback.

The rule where you must keep at least three players in the opposition half at all times is not going to come in - for the simple reason it will be impossible to monitor at club level.
For most club games the referee might turn up with two umpires and gets a person from each side then to do the line. Who is going to monitor the three player rule then?
If a rule cannot be implemented at club level - it won't come in at any level.

@Southmayo Exile: I'd look at it from the opposite point of view and see 3/3 as one of the most likely to get through congress, given the reactions from players/managers/fans alike.

The punishment for breaching it is a tap over free on the 20m line. What coach would consider the risk/reward there to allow players to (intentionally) breach it? You don't gain nearly enough to be worth trying to game it... completely ignoring the fact that forwards will be over the moon & fighting to be 1 of the 3 up rather than hoping to be 'allowed' drop back.

You'd potentially have the odd few early on in year 1 (club or county) as folks adjusted, but by year 2 I'd expect it to be as rare as picking off the ground and with about the same % of successful calls by officials if/when it's breached (not close to 100% punished, but enough that it's only ever done as a slip rather than a tactic).

Chatting to a few local refs none of them have any concerns with policing that one (and combined with a lot of the disciplinary changes feel the changes overall will make their jobs easier). Though it'd be great to hear from more on the Pod if the lads were able to rope one or two in for a chat on the proposed motions.

@South Mayo Exile if the 3 back rule alone came in it would make a big difference.
I like the use of the foam.

I have nothing against the rule - but at underage and club games - who is going to monitor the rule. The referee cannot monitor it as he is trying to ref the game and if the rule is broken it will be at the opposite half of the field to where the referee is. Also if it been monitored at club level and the rule is broken - how is this communicated to the ref who could be 70 yards away from where the rule is broken. Its not like Croke Park where refs are miked up to linesmen etc.
Unless you have plenty of neutral officials at all these games - I think it's not going to work. A volunteer from one of the participating teams who is linesman on the day- is he going to be making these big calls?? Especially when you see the punishment for breaking the rule