Some great games to look forward to and the better weather helps the enjoyment as well. The report in the Western People of McStay inviting the Mayo players for lunch this Saturday is a strange one in the middle of a CB review. Surely they have set out their plans as a managment team already to the players. It's not like they are going to change direction mid stream. Does it not makes the management team look weak?

I don't see a lot wrong with it.
At least we can now assume he is staying.

Training for County panels cant start till December this year, so McStay starting in good time to get his panel ready for then. Just hope he lets them play more attacking football next season.

It's odd in my opinion. Especially in middle of club championship. Players shouldn't be distracted or dragged back into county stuff as club starts knock out, was plenty time to address the discontent before now.
Presume it is to address how they plan to correct what was wrong with set up in last two years players didn't like, as technically there is no county panel now. This year's team is disbanded with a new squad to be assembled for 2025 later on this year.

Feck me pink. No matter what he does , people continue to find fault with McStay. Give the man a break

@Gizmobobs agree with you.. though it's good to see mcstay is addressing the players problems and not just ignoring it. I'm glad mcstay is staying he deserves another chance and don't know who else we would get if were to leave tbh.

Back to club scene I can't see Mitchell's beating Ballina I'm biased of course but without Durcan they just lack leadership though Ballina need to improve alot and not just rely on fluke goals like we did v westport.

Westport and Breaffy is a hard one to call normally I'd say westport but with Aido on fire and playing so well I've a feeling Breaffy might just sneak it...

Wtf guys, can they not even have lunch in peace?

I think you will find that the vast majority of those involved have an excellent record of consistently eating lunch daily.

Rumours going around that management have this year officially offered a vegan option, and the lads involved in the Derry game will not get ice cream.

Ballina look the most likely winners this year, especially if they can get Regan back.

@Frost I'd be inclined to let Sam have an ice cream. At least he had the balls to try & finish Derry off! Too many content to fall over the line by passing the ball to death & I've a feeling that instruction is coming from the line.

Ye can dress it up as ye like lads, but things obviously are not good, that much is obvious. Sooner things sorted one way or the other the better. But we are a bit of a mess. I know lots of volunteers give free of their time, but Mayo GAA is a multi million euro business. Professional input is required.

@frost the hammer but in the article it's not just an ordinary lunch it's to address players issues and it's obvious that there are problems.

@Gizmobobs agree again with you there. Definetky not good in the camp but the silence coming from the CB is crazy they should make a statement saying weather he is staying or not and if he's staying that they have their full support instead of seeing articles on hogan stand and Iwestern news that mcstay is having a lunch to address players issues.... It's obvious I think that mcstay is staying but CB should put this to rest.

I find a lunch with players a bit strange but I don’t want to assume it’s a bad thing. I really would like Kevin to do well but some of his backroom team need to get out. The man has stressed long ago about his desire to manage mayo and how that chance was apparently taken away from him at the end of 2014. But he is the manager now and he’s clearly being dictated to by others. I suspect the lunch will be to clear the air and plan for 2025. One thing that is for sure, if 2025 is as average as 2024 he and his backroom team are gone. Fans won’t watch it and the lack of revenue from gate reciepts will force the CBs hand.

That's a delicious draw in the sf quarter finals.

Perfect pairings really, you could make an argument for any of the 8 teams winning their respective tie

Home partizan venues will really add to the atmosphere too

I don't think home advantage will make any difference ? in the Senior Championship.
Great pairings.
Time to sh!!! Or leave the pot.

Christ .. toxic attitude to a fecking lunch ...
Paper doesn't refuse ink ...
God forbid the players and management might enjoy it and a bit of craic ..
Some great games to look forward to at all grades ..
Hopefully we can find more players to add to the panel for what I'm expecting is a plethora of challenge match's in Jan .
Until then , let's enjoy our club games

My Ball, don’t see anything toxic in the comments. There’s obviously issues, there’s enough documented evidence pointing towards that fact.

If the lunch helps work some of them out great, if not then hope CB just speed the sideshow up so can concentrate on the club fare and forget about county for few months.

@My Ball wouldn't say there's anything toxic in the comments at all it's just facts there are issues in the camp and I think we all know it. I like mcstay and he deserves another chance and I'm glad he's being proactive and trying to fix it and work it out with the players instead of pushing it all under the carpet.

As I said it needs to be laid to rest so we can concentrate on the great club action we have been seeing and give county a rest till January.

Great to see clian O Connor in good form for Bsllintuber and some said his day was done..

Anyone any update on Evan Regan does anyone know if he got a bad injury?.

I'm sure there were issues in the Kerry, Dublin and Galway camps at the end of this year as well. I presume the management teams in those counties met with the players at some stage since they were knocked out - they might even have had lunch together.
There was nothing in any media about these meetings. Wtf are we the only ones who have to publise these meetings. Will we ever change

@southmayo exile I agree I don't like to see mayo management in the media either.

I'm not sure who is leaking it out and I wish we wouldn't have our management issues in the headlines either.

Though other county management teams do end up in the headlines to unhappy players.. And unhappy camps including Derry last year to name one.

Meath another example that was in the media.

Kerry and Tyrone, appear to have they've their business done and dust for next year.

The length of time this sideshow is going on is biggest factor IMO, and no need for it. The player discontent has been known for some time now, the review process being extended has added to the drama around that aspect.

If management are in charge, then so be it. The season is over, the Mayo team has disbanded for 2024, a new team will be assembled for 2025, management can decide whether to call back discontent players or not. If they in charge that's their prerogative.

Club wise, based on the the weekends performances Ballina should be warm favourites having dispatched Westport albeit with two poxy goals, they done it without their main attacking threat in Evan Regan.

He should be available for the Castlebar game, which could prove a dour affair if Castlebar sit back, could be a low scoring arm wrestle.

Breaffy Westport if a fine day Westport should have the legs to run Breaffy into ground. On a wet day on the tight pitch it could be Breaffys day.

Ballaghadereen v Ballintubber I'd struggle to call, Ballaghadereen very strong physically but with Gibbons, the O'Connors and Walsh I'd lean to Ballintubber.

Garrymore at home should be to strong for a very depleted Knockmore. Watching game v Bellmullet on top of all the injuries noted beforehand McLoughlin hobbled off with about 20 minutes to go.

Moy Davitts, Ballinrobe, Crossmolina and Davitts would be by tips in the intermediate, with Moy Davitts and Ballinrobe likely finalists. Given Ballinrobe had 5 players in extended Mayo panel they should be favoured.

Eastern Gaels and Kilcommon look the strongest in the junior, surely this be Kilcommons year? But Gaels playing lovely brand of football.

Looking back at last season’s club championship and remembering the doom and gloom on here about the state of our championship and lack of upcoming talent. It’s such a massive turnaround on both fronts. The football has mostly been brilliant and if anything there are too many players putting their hands up.
Breaffy are my tip to finally get over the line after so many recent close calls. The reason is AOS. A force of nature who has always been brilliant but since getting married he’s actually improved in my mind. Should have got hitched 10 years ago! ?

A question Willie Joe. Why do emojis appear as question marks on here?

@Gizmobobs exactly meath also media for all the wrong reasons regards management issues also hate us in the media but guess that happens when mayo gaa is box office.

I said last year Derry made the media headlines with management issues think I'm trying to block this year out of the memory!

The quarter finals club action should all be great games it's great it's so much more entertaining then last year..!

Good point Gizmobs about the panel. I do think back to 2015 & the heave by the panel. It was a joke really how it was handled. The panel is decided by the manager(s), not the players.

Don't know how this is all going to play out. But it should have been done & dusted long ago!!

Westport or Ballina for me. Breaffy - just can't trust them when it comes to it, despite how impressive they've been

JoeG - sadly, comments on here don’t support emojis. [Sad face emoji]!

Gizmobobs, if you watched ballinrobe last weekend, you would be keeping your money in your pocket.

The panel need a cull.
What happened to Mayo management in 2015 was unforgivable.
Happened in Cork hurling and they haven't been right since.
Too many county panelists not cutting the mustard in county championships.
The new Kildare manager ruled out trial games and stated that County championship would be the trials.

Is the lunch at the players’ behest or the manager’s?

Westport vs Breaffy is too close to call. I'll have seen a lot of Westport & I have to say they have a lot of speed in their side which is the reason in why there doing so well. I have also seen a good bit of Breaffy though out the league where they had been very poor only one win in nine games but since Sean Deane has come in the middle of July He has transform the team in a very short space of time.six wins in a row which is very impressive .They are playing very exciting brand of football and has them playing with freedom and confidence.given he is missing four of his six defenders from last year's County final is a testament to him what a quality manager he is alongside his management team. The county board messed up big time when they didn't offer him the under 20 job when he was doing a fantastic job at under 16 and minor level.That would never be allowed to happen in Dublin or Kerry.
Under Deane Aidan O'Shea is playing his best football in ten years & looks to be enjoying his football again. Breaffy are a team to watch over the next few years with youth and experience in there side and players to come back from overseas next year. Deane and his management team are the dream ticket to success
I see this game going down to the wire. If Breaffy are within a point or two going into the last ten minutes I see Breaffy coming away with a win. It's the game of the quarter finals.

Testing one two :) :( :D
The smiley face one always worked for me the old fashioned way, semi colon and closed bracket

Well done, Mayo Focus - this is an old-fashioned kind of place!

The West Awake, Breaffy going well, and fair play to Deane he is doing a good job. But would not overstate it yet, Aidan has been flying all year, and Breaffy were county finalists last year. They also have not played stronger teams, or stronger team at full strenght. So the Westport game will be great benchmark see where really are.
Home pitch should suit as tight enough to help manage the speedsters.

Nothing untoward about a bit of grub and a chinwag. Listen not at knotholes lest you be vexed!

Mark Dempsey, look how the last supper turned out, that was bit of grub and a chinwag as well: “But behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.” :)

Joking aside sooner sorted one way or the other the better, this year was another opportunity sadly missed. Not sure anyone would have put Armagh ahead of us at start of year.

Very surprised that Galway panel are happy.
Starting 3 injured players and bring on a fourth
No plan B for frees.
Coached not to shoot.
Happy to hear complaints from our panel.

@gizmo... yes, nothing wrong with a bit of crack! Can't see mcstay giving anyone a Judas kiss, in keeping with your theological theme!. All is fine...or so it seems.

A point that was mentioned. I'm also not a fan of judging players on trials or training. If you can't show higher quality in club championship and be in your teams obvious best 5 players every match then there's not likely much prospect of you being effective at county level.

Mark, it wouldn't be McStay handing out the kisses :)

JP, generally true. Of course you get scenarios where you have county men on county men trying to nullify them on some occasions which has to be taken into account. But several panellists have gone unnoticed more or less through 3 rounds.

Intermediate championship looks to be a harder call. Like to know who fancies what club to go all the way. Personally I think it’s a toss up between Ballinrobe and the Neale

@Gizmobobs speaking of not being able to do emjoiis on here you always seem to manage to put them in haha mine always come out as question marks..!

Really exciting quarter finals to look forward to I still remember this time last year it was all fairly depressing & flat in terms of club action whatever has spurred it on long may it continue.. Great to see Aido in such good form!

Gizmobs the emoji guru :D

Intermediate is fairly open to my eye. I'd have plumped for Ballinrobe or Moy Davitts before championship started, but there are a fair few teams who will fancy their chances.

I'm trying to picture this luncheon between McStay & the lads. Would have been far better off getting absolutely locked after we got knocked out & put it all on the table then

Now you’re talking Mayo Focus.

Meath management team announced, Bernard Flynn dropped from the team as he left the u21 management team a few years ago because players weren't made available to him from senior management.
It never happens
Good decision

That probably happened too @mayo focus, but no one can remember what was decided.

Well done Ryan & Aidan on their All Star Nominations. 4 for Louth, for me kind of shows where we have slipped to in the overall perception even if we think there is not a lot in it overall. Lot of hard work to be done.

@robe green and red. I saw ballinrobe v kilmaine and they looked good and the neale are definitely contenders but I'd be looking towards moy davitts but won't be visiting the bookies with any of them. Regarding Galway panel being happy maybe they're keeping their issues behind closed doors and not going to supermacs for dinner

Moy Davitts look the strongest squad to me ..
Davitts V Kiltaine will be very interesting.
Kiltaine might just shade it .

Well done to Aido and Ryan, thought Fergal Boland had a decent year along with others but not being at the business end normally means you're not in contention.
My money's on Breaffy again this year, They are the Mayo of Mayo club football. Aido will probably win it on his own at the rate he's going. Next game is key.

Bonni sure Fergal was dropped during championship I thought?
Moy Davitts have a massive pick from Bohola, Foxford, Towards Attymass and up towards Kiltimagh. Big numbers underage for many years to, and more coming through so should really be senior already. You'd imagine a toss up between them and Ballinrobe

Think it was more the Red Card Gizmo in the Dublin game that defined his year but League and Some Championship he looked like a rejuvenated soul. Still think the point in the league against the Dubs was top drawer with a little help from ROD. He was clipping some nice long rangers all year. Lets hope for some further progress. in the coming year.

Hi Giznobobs

Moy Davitts dont have as big a pick as its seems bohola- straide attaymass are really small national schools and half foxford is knockmore. Straide is half parke , and attymass is half bonniconlon

if you take swinford 9 parish's that what you call a big pick

New departure sorry was basing it off the number of young registered players clubs have on Foireann. If look at that which real indicator v land area they do well compared to other senior clubs such as Ballaghadereen, Knockmore, Ballyhaunis, Mayo Gaels.

@Gizmobobs I'm curious, what do you mean by real indicator vs land area? Ballyhaunis parish covers a relatively small land area to be fair to them, hemmed in tightly on all sides by clubs.

On the fence, mean that the number of players a club has is more important than the size of the parish area. Kilcommon, Ballycroy etc. are huge but very low numbers underage.
Big area doesn't matter if no kids in it and houses cannot be built.
Even senior clubs will struggle soon with the current planning system. Knockmore for example is 22nd in the list for players U12s yet is a big enough parish area. Burrishoole benefited from construction boom in last 10 or 15 years with Westports expansion and has the 4th or 5th highest number of players U12.

@Gizmobobs That makes sense. So what you're saying is those senior clubs you listed (Ballaghadereen, Knockmore. Ballyhaunis, Mayo Gaels) are on borrowed time at their current level of competitiveness unless something big changes?

The urban vs rural divide in Senior is already quite stark. The only clubs that you would class as rural are Knockmore, Ballintubber, Kilmeena, Belmullet and Mayo Gaels. Five of those four clubs are located very close to some of Mayo's largest towns, and Belmullet has a decent population despite their remote location.

Thats only 5/16 clubs in senior that are rural. And all of the favourites to win intermediate are clubs based in towns (Moy Davitts, Crossmolina, Ballinrobe) so it doesnt look like it will change anytime soon.

Even then on the fence, kilmeena is getting big numbers from Westport and facilities attract loads.
Mayo gaels also a huge area, hard to explain it but from the facefield side of claremorris, down to balla, over to mayo abbey is a huge area, just not a lot of houses.
Davitts and mayo gaels amalgamating on some underage teams is a huge disappointment considering the sizes of land combined between both spots, and both sides relatively close to travel for jobs around country.

That's it exactly on the fence, can see it underage already with divisions they are in in many cases, no B teams etc.
It's sad, but hard see it reverse with smaller families and planning regulations.

Andy Moran gone in with Monaghan: https://x.com/RTEgaa/status/1836840501577674878?t=xTuPiQNLjITadC7j-lPxrA&s=19

Fair play to Andy moran he should get lots of experience from there. Monaghan need a re shuffle but it is a step up from Leitrim no offence to Leitrim.

Best of luck Andy moran!

@Retrocut so is what you're saying that the area Mayo Gaels has is quite large but not a whole lot of people in the area? Sounds like an issue a lot of other rural clubs have.

I'm guessing quite a lot of that space from Facefield to Mayo Abbey is farmland, from my travels through the area.

As for the Davitts/Mayo Gaels amalgamation, my best guess is that there is a struggle with getting planning permission (as is the case for a lot of other rural areas in Mayo). Lots of stories of people not being able to build a house in their parish and having to settle in a town (and as a result, a different parish) instead.

There have been rare occurences where teams are caught for numbers at just one grade and the amalgamation is just temporary, so maybe that is the case for those clubs too. I remember Ballintubber having to join up at minor level for one year a few years ago and they seem to be doing fine at underage now.

Are Kiltaine Amalgamated at underage?

Yes My Ball, they known as Erris St. Pats