Well done to the lads and management, it’s great to be safe in Div 1 with 2 games left .
Looking forward to Kerry , we have a panel of over 40 players so I’d definitely leave Kobe at home to concentrate on his leaving cert .
We could move McBrien back and try someone else mid field, possibly give Hession / Sam / Aidan/ Rob a rest . Away to Kerry a great place to give lads that have not played much , or at all a chance to nail down a place on the 26 ,
Strengthening or knowing or best 26 for championship should be our main priority now ..
Be competitive against Kerry , learn lots , then make another 6 changes for the Rossies

I'd say Kobe would be ok in Tralee once he got to bed by 8 o'clock. And handy Andy has a good bowl of porridge (steeping from the night before) ready for him in the morning.

Love to know what happened to the Rossies yesterday in that first half. It was a case of shock when I saw the scoreline.

Seeing the ease with which Kobe operates in various sports arenas he's probably a 600+ points man in the leaving cert anyway... without putting in much effort. 😊

On a side note, good to see Kevin Mc being linked with an oversight job with the FRC.... obviously his health has improved sufficiently so that's good news.

Good to hear 2 hops. I was thinking about him yesterday.

Great to see the team come out on top in a tight finish. How many games like that have we lost in the last few years.

Didn't travel yesterday and had to be content with Mid West commentary and analysis, which was excellent - Grealis and Kilcoyne are a great combo.

We seemed to win that game on about 30% possession if the commentary is on the money. Kickouts seemed to be a real problem, which was a surprise as Robbie's kicks were fantastic in Clones. Nevertheless, that win ticked a lot of boxes, and I think it would be fair to say that the Moran project came of age yesterday:

- Eight points is a perfect place to be with two games to go.
- Goal scoring is becoming a feature of this group, and although the defence is creaky at times, the points against tally overall is very respectable.
- Forward talent is exciting and is delivering: Cian McHale, Daragh Beirne, Kobe, and a rejuvenated Fergal Boland, with, we hope, Tommy Conroy and James Carr delivering shortly.

All upsides then? Not quite; we still need to mop up more breaking ball and we need a few more big fielders. Bob Tuohy seems to be a one man band on primary midfield tasks. Where is Dylan Thornton, and why hasn't he got a look in so far? Ditto, Frank Irwin? These guys can win ball and score, and we need them on the 26. David McBrien does great work wherever he is placed, but I'm coming down on the side of those who say that 6 is his best position.

I think Andy's selection, squad selection, for Kerry will tell a tale or two.
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@wj
How did you manage with the kit clash. 2 very dark color jersies clashing there, not a great pairing for the colour blind. Surely Armaghs much lighter orange jersey would have been preferable

I thought the very same thing Supermac, two dark (& wet) jerseys, particularly in those conditions where contrast is poor anyway.

Definitely thought that too about the kit clash. ROD (who was excellent besides, so this isn't a criticism) misplaced passes three times yesterday and I couldn't help but wonder if the colour was a factor, especially on such a dark day.

I'm delighted that we have unearthed a multitude of natural corner forwards who can take their score and contribute to the overall game plan. But I'm also a bit worried that our full back line is weak. By all accounts David Mc Brein needs to go back to full back, but who goes into the corners and does a Chrissy Barrett type man marking job?
Also, who do we have in back up for those positions in case Hession jets injured or loses form? Sam needs to stay where he is in the half back line.

Another nice stat - we’re kings of the two pointers. We are on 18, the highest in Division 1. What a turnaround!

The dark and the wet yesterday didn't help for sure but what made it fine for me was the fact that Armagh were also wearing dark shorts so it was relatively easy to tell the two teams apart. Armagh in orange jerseys and white shorts would have been a nightmare by comparison.

I’m of the opinion needs must and Sam can be very effective in the FB line bar some problems in the past with Canavan. Paddy and Conor can score from half back and Stephen Coen has also improved his scoring in the last 2 seasons, Eoghan Mac adds line breaking options if needed and Plunkett knows well how to score. We’ll never be too short of good attacking half backs. Talk also if Diarmaid playing there. I’m also starting to think McBrien is best at 3 and McHugh can be used in midfield or 6 or anywhere there’s a need or a man to be marked e.g. a Paudie Clifford type. Conor offers more at 6 as does Paddy and Coen is a very intelligent player who is probably also best at 6. McBrien has pace and strength. Marking not always tight enough but will likely get to the ball before a forward or hold him off in 1 v 1.
Kerry are no doubt the team to beat and David C showed how hard it is to mark him with some outrageous scoring yesterday in limited time. If the Kobe hype machine needs sobering up, taking a look at Clifford’s highlight reel, that does the trick. To beat Kerry a team needs to quieten most of the other 14 and hope Clifford doesn’t score more than 1-5 or 6 from play. No easy task. Galway also starting to look good. I’d say Rossies yesterday was a blip or aberration. They’re not that bad, likely one of those heavy training weeks like we probably had before Donegal as Galway really should’ve beaten them. Conor O Donnell is a handful for any team playing them. Armagh are also close to clicking especially when a few top guns return. Realistically there are 8-10 teams who can win this year but Kerry stand out because of the Clifford factor. The Rossies have some fine players probably aren’t in that 10 because I think their belief will falter on a big day. Might beat a few of the others 10 on their day but not all the way to a final. Their aim should be take a few big scalps and surprise themselves enough to build that belief. Dubs can’t be written off either based on yesterday. Brennan was very measured in interview. Maybe has more about him than Dessie.

We have the makings of a top team but with 3 problem areas 1) Kickouts 2) Midfield and break winners 3) Full Back Line especially deciding who is #3. Loftus is simply a better footballer than McBrien who is more about strength and pace and Coen is a more intelligent footballer than McBrien. If he could win more at midfield maybe there instead of 3. Brick is utility sub IMO. Can play anywhere in backs but unless he slots in for out of form Coyne it’s hard to see a starting spot. Coyne also started last year not great and ended up with an All Star nomination.

@WillieJoe, someone should bring a motion to congress that all games have to have teams wearing contrasting shorts. It would sort out so many of the jersey clash problems.

I second that emotion, GBXI!

@ Shuffly Deck It's not to downplay peoples opinions, but we will not be anywhere near winning Sam for the next few years. Our aim this year is to Win Leinster ( Who'd of said that 2-3 years ago ) and with a good draw get a good run in the All Ireland series. For me it's Between Kerry, Donegal and Mayo. There's other teams ie Galway, Meath, or a couple of the Ulster teams who could beat them 3 on the day. But they're the only 3 I see having enough of a run in them. Just my honest assessment.

@catcol.not long ago on this blog posters were tearing the players apart saying it's poor there are only 1 or 2 players able kick 2pointers. I reckon they've put that argument to bed now.

the good, getting great bang for our buck in forward division, not perfect, especially in that donegal match, which I think probably had possession and chances, but missed fair few goal chances. Midfield also going fairly good, a little overran the last day, but even against donegal I though they went ok. Back keeping armagh goaless, an good milestone, but still giving too many goal chances in all matches so far in 2026. This a big worry for me, Robbie done well in the overall match, but not without some mistakes, that could be costly in long term. Cillian and Mattie still injured, which disappointment as league games / competition be over soon, and championship around the corner,

The middle 8 is interchangeable but David Mcbrien is playing centerhalf back .
Midfield is Jordan Flynn and Bob Tuohy , Conor Loftus was wing forward , the numbers on their back is one thing but these are roles lads are playing.
I thought mcbrien was really good and we need him outfield but do agree if Mchugh doesn't solve the no3 issues then we may have to push Mcbrien back .

Mayo team and subs I'd like to see vs Kerry:
1. Jack Livingstone
2. Sean Morahan
3. David McBrien
4. Donnacha McHugh
5. Paddy Durcan
6. Diarmuid O'Connor
7. Fenton Kelly
8. Nathan Moran
9. Jack Carney
10. Conal Dawson
11. Fergal Boland
12. Seamus Howard
13. Cian McHale
14. James Carr/Frank Irwin
15. Kobe McDonald

Subs:
David Dolan, John McMonagle, Rory Brickendon, Michael Plunkett, Stephen Coen, Hugh O'Loughlin, Dylan Thornton, Finbar Mcgloughlin, Adam Barrett, Tommy Conroy, Cillian O'Connor

Jack Livingstone needs minutes in the next 2 games.

Rob Hennelly, Enda Hession, Sam Callinan, Jack Coyne, Bob Tuohy, Jordan Flynn, ROD and Aidan O'Shea to be rested as they've played nearly every game.

Sean Morahan short kick out option like Enda Hession and has pace and good Man marker. David McBrien back to full back, and Donnacha McHugh for David Clifford

Conor Loftus calf Injury so not to be risked, Think Diarmuid can play the 6 role as good, disciplined and good kick passer . Paddy getting back to his best and needs games.

Jack Carney has been quiet last few games so would try him at MF alongside Nathan Moran who can Field a ball.

Seamus Howard at wing forward needs minutes and adds Height and kick out option.

Conal Dawson needs a start, left footer, smart footballer and 2 point threat. Boland to play ROD role.

Cian McHale will get another start who was excellent yesterday, Carr or Irwin at full forward and Kobe to get a start.

Cillian O'Connor, Tommy Conroy, John McMonagle, Dylan Thornton and Adam Barrett to get gametime over next 2 games as well as the other subs. Think Towey has had plenty of plenty of chances and will be under pressure with Tom Lydon/Niall Hurley coming through. Not sure if Kuba Callaghan is still on panel.

Matthew Ruane, Darren McHale, Eoghan Mcgloughlin still to come back.