This new championship structure is great, isn’t it?
There we were, after the hosing Roscommon gave us, just one step away from last-chance saloon. Now, one game on from then, we still have that free pass to use while for the Rossies, along with Kerry, Dublin and the rest of them in Round 2B, it’s already straight knockout football. Plus we’re just one match away from a place in the All-Ireland quarter-final.
The new, much improved, championship structure has already brought two things sharply into focus.
The first is that while provincial glory can mean so much to the county that claims it, not just for the likes of Westmeath, but also for Armagh and Roscommon this year, this glory is of the most fleeting kind. The real show only starts when the All-Ireland stage of the championship gets underway.
The second is that in the All-Ireland championship the luck of the draw counts for so much. We could have ended up having had to play Kerry at Fitzgerald Stadium in Round 1 and, if we’d done so, it’s unlikely we’d have come away from there ten-point victors. Monaghan away was a far kinder pairing by comparison and it gave us a very achievable target to aim at in the opening round.
It’s a target we managed to hit – just about – and so it may have been asking for too much to expect a nice soft draw in Round 2A as well.
Instead it was Galway whom the fates were smiling on this Tuesday morning, pitting them against Westmeath having already got the softest of soft options in the form of Kildare in Round 1. Not forgetting they only had to get past Leitrim to make the Connacht final and so earn their place as a seeded team in Round 1.
Mind you, as a Galway contributor on MFT pointed out the other day when his county’s good fortune this year was mentioned, they found themselves in the group of death in last year’s championship. Maybe they were due a bit of luck in this year’s draw after all.
So for us it wasn’t the likes of Westmeath or Louth. Instead we’ve got, for the second year in succession, a trip to Omagh to look forward to and another championship meeting with Tyrone.
A quick look at the form lines isn’t encouraging as we think ahead to Omagh. We lost heavily to the Rossies, whom Tyrone then beat so that’s us done for then, isn’t it?
Malachy O’Rourke’s team are the slight favourites to win alright. The heft they have around the middle, allied to a forward unit that can cause trouble for our backline, would suggest that it could prove difficult for us to repeat the surprise victory at Healy Park that a Mayo team under the interim stewardship of Stephen Rochford pulled off last summer.
Back then, contributors commenting on the blog were loud in their criticisms of what was seen as an overly cautious, risk-averse playing style. I may have even expressed a similar opinion myself on that issue at the time.
Spend a short while perusing the comments on MFT now, however, and it’s apparent that the focus is squarely on how open we are at the back this year.
Rob made a good point, though, on the Final Whistle pod up in St Tiernach’s Park, which is that wild swings in scoring are now part and parcel of most games in Gaelic football under the revised playing rules.
We may be an extreme example of this but, despite the impression being put about in the national media, we’re far from the only ones having trouble in stopping the opposition from scoring. Did anyone see those four goals, for example, that Dublin conceded to Louth last Sunday?
It’s beyond dispute that, for Mayo, implementing a better defensive structure is something that needs further work. We looked for a time against Monaghan to be better set up at the back but, when the pressure really came on in the second half, we were badly exposed in defence time after time.
Surveying the wreckage after the Roscommon game, there were red lights flashing all over the place. As well as our defensive problems, we had major issues with our restarts, we were being beaten up a proverbial stick around the middle and we were misfiring in attack.
A one-point win papers over the cracks, of course, but you’d have to say that, on the evidence of our performance in Clones, we’ve made at least some progress in remedying the shortcomings that were so apparent in the Roscommon game.
Jack Livingstone’s stellar debut at St Tiernach’s Park saw us implement a steady, if at times overly safe, approach to restarts, while his shot-stopping display was one that will live long in the memory.
We caught more clean ball and scrapped far harder around the middle in Clones than we’d done in Castlebar. Up top our attack clicked far better too.
We’re getting there, aren’t we?
Our rate of improvement may not prove fast enough to enable us force our way into the conversation in a serious way this year. But we’re still standing and we still have that Get Out of Jail card to use.
How much further we improve before Andy Moran takes his team to Omagh will dictate whether or not that card, in the form of a Round 3 knockout tie against one of the Round 2B winners, will need to be put to use the weekend after we face Tyrone.
MayoMayo says:
June 5, 2026 at 9:12 am
It has been interesting to see the amount of comments asking what does Paddy Tally do in relation to our defensive structure.
For me, our faults against Monaghan came from a few sources:
1. Turnovers in attack - players taking the wrong option, driving into traffic and getting turned over, or on occasion slipping. This contrasts with the discipline and patience we showed to move Monaghan around and create space for Rod’s point in the 48th minute.
2. Players switching off - we repeatedly had players switching off and letting their man run off them. This often happened where one of our players tried to double up on the opposition player rather than (again) staying patient before trying to force the turnover. A simple hand pass out frequently took out two or three of our players and left us “wide-open”. McBrien and Flynn.
3. The man to man system dragging us high up the pitch. Our best tacklers were frequently pulled out towards the half way line. This left loads of room in behind for attackers to exploit.
4. Wastefulness in front of goal, Beirne not passing across to Jordan as an example.
I’ll also beat the drum again for another left footer to stretch the defence along the arc as we are too predictable looking for scores down the left side as you face goal.
With that in mind, I’ll play the game:
1. Livingstone
2. Coyne
3. McBrien
4. Morahan
5. Callinan
6. McHugh
7. Kelly
8. Tuohy
9. Carney
10. O’Loughlin
11. Kobe
12. Loftus
13. McHale
14. Beirne
15. Rod
InExile says:
June 5, 2026 at 2:31 pm
I am still worried about our 2nd half performances. In the (Donegal, Kerry - NFL), (Roscommon, Monaghan - championship) games, if my memory serves me right we were in a reasonably good position at half time. When teams turned it up in the 2nd half we seemed unable to match the increase in intensity. Not sure what the answer is however, just an observation. I'm am confident we have the fitness levels to match any time.
Ontheditch says:
June 5, 2026 at 10:25 pm
The warning signs were there in the first half v Monaghan. Two great two pointers from Carney and a well worked one from ROD gave us a healthy lead but we were being carved open easily by Monaghan players running at us. Livingstone kept us in the game
T2S says:
June 6, 2026 at 9:01 am
Agreed monaghan were running straight through us from the get go the last day. There was no improvement in our defense from the rossies game. If we can block the gaps through the middle we have a chance
Eamon kelly says:
June 6, 2026 at 12:06 pm
No room for error now loss and back into the fryer again actually u could be better off the other side one win and you’re on the up.
Left Boot. says:
June 6, 2026 at 6:39 pm
It's vital for Mayo players to concentrate on the job in hand & not leave the work to someone else, especially in second half, every player + subs has to has to get stuck in, hard tough marking & attack at pace, no ball watching, it's time for this Mayo team to put their mark on this championship & keep going hard for 70+ minutes.
Paudge says:
June 7, 2026 at 1:51 am
Livingstone to start in goals. Corner backs are weak. Jack Coyne is the team's captain but he is not playing weĺl. Hession is more suited to wing back. I would bring McBrien to full back. McHugh in one corner and I don't know who in the other corner. Not yet convinced about Morahan. He tries hard. Young McGreal hasn't got the game time.If Coyne is there by default he
needs to improve.Probably Hession, Durkan and Callinan in the half back line. Carney and Flynn at midfield. Kobe, Loftus and O'Loughlin in the half forward line. Beirne, O'Donoghue and Cian McHale in full forward line.
Where the Sun Sets says:
June 7, 2026 at 2:42 pm
First time I’m not optimistic to say the least. Omagh is an unforgiving ground especially for Mayo (I remember being there last time - not pleasant). Even sitting in the terrace is intimidating never mind the carnival atmosphere in the main lounge near the stand. Don’t think we have the players in the county at the minute going by club matches with the physicality and presence to power through. I honestly hope I’m wrong and with these new rules on a given day - who knows?
Ever the optimist says:
June 7, 2026 at 3:15 pm
Tyrone might be suffering from a little insecurity still from their drab league performances. They're definitely very beatable in Omagh these days so I'm not too concerned about the venue. I would've bet on Malachy getting a tune out of them before now, but we're all aware how the championship can spring them into life. I'd be reluctant to expect anything but a dogfight with this game.
Ontheditch says:
June 7, 2026 at 4:04 pm
Every 'fix' is a bit of robbing Peter to pay Paul. McBrien back to full back, didn't cover himself in glory defending very Monaghan and seems to enjoy the freedom of midfield. Coyne is very exposed since he took over the captaincy and possible replacement, McGreal, has not much senior football under his belt.
On a positive note Eoghan McLaughlin, played full league game at the weekend. He'll be working his socks off to get fully fit. If there's beef between himself and Andy, then it needs to be sorted.
Carney is on a roll, he is a quality player, finally breaking the shackles of the Rochford possession game and expressing his full range of skills.
Maybe Loftus at 11 will display the imagination need to lead a set of forwards. He has to mix 'fast direct plays' with the more deliberate build up around the arc, imo. In a lot of ways, it's the 11 that dictates the going forward tactics. Compare to Paudie Clifford in Kerry.
No doubt says:
June 7, 2026 at 7:53 pm
I really like this format but have 1 question and i can't find answer online. Is the quater final an open draw with 8 teams in bowl or is it two bowls of 4 from next weekend winners v winners from following weekend?
Digits says:
June 7, 2026 at 8:29 pm
The four winners of Round 2a shall be drawn to play against the four winners of Round
3, subject in the first instance to the avoidance of repeat Provincial Final pairings and
where possible repeat pairings from Rounds 1 and 2.
No doubt says:
June 7, 2026 at 9:25 pm
@Digits.thanks for that.
TsuDhoNim says:
June 7, 2026 at 9:30 pm
@No doubt: Next week even gets a 3rd bowl to decide home/away for the R3 (Loser R2A v Winner R2B) games, though QFs (Winner R2A v Winner R3) back to 2 bowls with all the QFs set for Croker.
Ontheditch says:
June 7, 2026 at 9:37 pm
That answers it TsuDhoNim. One game at a time for us.
Pullhard says:
June 7, 2026 at 10:32 pm
What is the story with Eoghan McLaughlin? Is there any chance that he'll play for Mayo this season? Is he injured or am I missing something?
Ontheditch says:
June 7, 2026 at 11:04 pm
Played a full league game for Westport at weekend. Probably not at required fitness level for County football but he'll be getting fitter by the day.
Jr says:
June 7, 2026 at 11:21 pm
What exactly are Boyler and Tally bringing to the table?
Our defense was excellent last year.
Forward improvement is down to Byrne and Kobe coming in.
Have we improved?
We beat Tyrone last year.
Next Sunday is the acid test.
No doubt says:
June 8, 2026 at 7:22 am
Thanks @tsu.
tirawleybaron says:
June 8, 2026 at 9:57 am
The closer we can get to players in their proper positions, the better the team will play
1. Livingstone
2. Callinan - this in an exception - but he has played his best football for mayo, tagging the roaming corner forward
3. McBrien
4. McHugh
5. Durcan
6. O Loughlin
7. Kelly
8. Tuohy/Thornton
9. Carney
10. Dawson
11. Loftus
12. McHale (if he is fit - was was said to be back in training 2 months ago)
13. Bierne
14. McDonald
15. Rod
Morahan, McGreal, Hession, Coen
Ruane, Thornton/Touhy
McHale, Flynn, Boland, Irwin
Supermac says:
June 8, 2026 at 10:58 am
Tirawley...
Would strongly argue against callinan as a cornerback/man marker, thats not playing to his strengths at all. We used to make a similar mistake with oisin mullin.
He is an athletic box-to-box type player, performed really well in the league and club championships in this role. If he were to come up against a McElholm/canavan type he is really unsuited to that
Supermac says:
June 8, 2026 at 11:12 am
Any word on Darren McHale or Tommy Conroy, becoming forgotten men. McHale was close to motm in Omagh last year? Where is he in his recovery, great man to win dirty ball.
Also Conroy seems to quietly be falling out of the conversation completely, is it injuries or form/confidence with him?
Outside of the Boot says:
June 8, 2026 at 11:56 am
Tirawley, usually agree with your posts and again it's subjective etc but if you take our form and most consistent players and warriors, out of the middle 8 then I would give us 0 chance.
A middle 8 without Sam and Jordan Flynn, would see us eaten alive .
Flynn and Sam have been two of the most consistent guys and as good as Carney played , he has to back it up game on game , Bob's all too much rabbitt in headlights when the big games rolled around.
Thornton has become a blog favourite, much like Richie Fenney of olden days .
O loughlin needs to be further upfield and on wing to get best of his skillset .
You are right re no2, he probably will go with Coyne and really is shit or get off pot for captain Jack.
Personally id like paddy in corner , to give battle hardened no messing fullbackline and if any of them are to break lines and go upfield who better than paddy .
Kelly/Duffy/Hession , honestly think there are better halfbacks in the county but these options we have . Duffy did the good s so id give him another start .
Coen deserves game after his positive impact v Monaghan .
Dawson as good as he can be, was mauled v Kerry and haven't seen him since .
Get few bigger athletes around the 8 and go hard for it , will be hell of battle with Kilpatrick and Kennedy
tirawleybaron says:
June 8, 2026 at 3:13 pm
@outside of the boot
last weeks problems were all half back related - they all run up the field and get caught out chasing back - like an U10 team.
There is no lock down marker in that half back line, someone like Keegan and Durcan used to do. Put a lad into their pocket and then kick a few scores to really embarrass him.
Callinan is good at getting forward in club championship - but he cant do what Keegan and Durcan used to do. I wouldn't put him as a lock down marker of a goalscoring forward, but well able to take the other corner forward who roams the field looking for handy ball.
McHugh on Eoin McElholm,
McBrien on Matthew Donnelly,
Callinan on Ethan Jordan.
Tyrone got 2-11 from their ff line - thats where you stop them. They don't have huge scoring power in their half forward line, but they have massive running power.
last weeks Mayo half backline will be skinned if they cant stop those runners.
Dawson and Tuohy did well against Tyrone last year - granted Kennedy was missing.
I also think having Flynn off the bench gives the team some oomph in the 2nd half. We haven't had much impact all year - bar when Kobe was a sub
Outside of the Boot says:
June 8, 2026 at 4:14 pm
Ya everyone entitled to their opinion and will be Andrews opinion which matters come the weekend .
I agree a bigger stronger corner backnis needed for Jordan , hes a unit and can play everyway, a more established Darragh Beirne type .
It's not simple, we haven't near the quality we used have and how good , had we it when Cunniffe, Keane, Cafferkey, Barrett,Higgins,Keegan, Vaughan, Boyle, 5 or so of them were in for All star selections every year .
I'd think Mcgreal will be in the mix next year and hopefully Eoghan Mac and Diarmuid Coggins are considered as flying wingbacks to further strengthen aswell as progress of u20 stars in Lynch and Josh Moyles .