The headline in Lee Keegan’s RTÉ column this week (here) makes a reference to whistling past the graveyard in considering the challenge Mayo face against Donegal on Sunday. Ultimately, Lee concludes that Donegal are the likelier to prevail but he adds the rider that “Mayo being Mayo, I expect them to go down swinging.”
In considering our chances for the game at Dr Hyde Park, the Westport man references the Championship victories we’ve enjoyed over them in recent years. These games – in 2013, 2015 and 2019 – were all one he played a big part in and it’s little surprise that he picks out the 2019 one, played in front of a full house in Castlebar, for special mention.
As Lee notes, Donegal were, like now, Ulster champions that year and we went into that do-or-die clash having already suffered two Championship defeats, as we’ve already done this season. It was a game in which Donegal were warm favourites to win but we brought the fight to them in spades that evening at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park and emerged from it with a four-point win.
Lee’s column reminded me of a remarkable stat quoted by Rob on our latest podcast show. This was that, since they beat us in the All-Ireland final back in 2012, they’ve only enjoyed a single win over us. That was in the National League in 2016 in the early weeks of Stephen Rochford’s tenure, when we were in the midst of an injury crisis and struggling to find any kind of decent form.
In that period since 2012, by contrast, we’ve beaten them – as Lee notes – three times in the Championship. We’ve also won four League matches against them and have drawn a further four against them as well.
It’s worth having a quick gallop back in time to refresh our minds about this run of games.
After the previous year’s All-Ireland final, we met Donegal at Castlebar in the second last round of the 2013 League at a time when we were still battling to avoid relegation. Our 1-10 to 0-9 win that day boosted our hopes of staying up and a win down in Cork a fortnight later (that was the day Cillian landed two monstrous points from sideline balls on either side of the field in the closing minutes) successfully finished that particular job.
That League meeting was the first of two clashes with Donegal that year. We were drawn against them in the All-Ireland quarter-final and on that August day we proceeded to disembowel them in rather joyous fashion, running out 4-17 to 1-10 victors.
It wasn’t until 2015 that we played them again but, like in 2013, we met that year in both League and Championship. In the former, it was a Round 7 meeting we needed at least a draw in (sounds familiar?) to avoid relegation and we achieved this with an 0-12 to 1-9 result. In the latter, goals from Aidan O’Shea and Lee Keegan helped us to a comfortable 2-13 to 0-11 win at the All-Ireland quarter-final stage.
The following year came the only defeat in the series of matches under discussion. We’d already lost League games to Cork (badly) and Dublin (narrowly) before this 1-14 to 1-12 loss to Donegal in Ballybofey made relegation a real and present danger for us. Until, of course, we succeeded in wriggling clear yet again as that campaign progressed.
In 2017 we were once again unsure of our top tier status when we faced Donegal in the final round of the League at MacHale Park. Cormac Reilly was – for the first time since 2014 in a match involving us – on the whistle that day and Aidan O’Shea had a right old ding-dong with Michael Murphy (sounds familiar?) as we edged to victory and Division One survival on a scoreline of 1-12 to 0-13.
Our most famous relegation avoider against them came the following year, though, when we snatched a sensational 0-13 apiece draw in Ballybofey to escape the trapdoor. Sure, Kevin McLoughlin took a few extra steps before shooting over the storied equaliser but you’d think, given the amount of bellyaching afterwards about it, that he was the first player ever to overcarry the ball. Ciaran Kilkenny, anyone?
2019 was the year of that full-throated Championship clash in Castlebar in the final round of the so-called Super 8s. The game was played on a wet Saturday evening in early August and we won it by 1-14 to 1-10.
The following year we were back up in Ballybofey for more smash-and-grab League merriment. This time – with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic only a few weeks away – it was James Durcan who helped us burgle a draw from a match we looked destined to lose. He was introduced with just three minutes of normal time left to play and he scored 1-3 before the end as we left MacCumhaill Park with a 2-13 to 0-19 draw.
We ended up finally losing our Division One status in that pandemic-interrupted season and so it wasn’t until 2022 that we renewed League acquaintances with the Tír Chonnail men. This was another opening round game and we hosted them in our home-for-the-day venue at Markievicz Park. It took another late score for us – this time a booming long-range free from Rob Hennelly – to rescue a share of the spoils in a game that ended 0-11 each.
The following year – our first season under the current management – we were riding high in Division One (and would go on to win the title) while Donegal were sliding inexorably towards relegation. We gave them a helpful shove in the direction of the precipice when we met in Round 6 at Ballybofey, coming away with a first ever win over them at the venue on a decisive 1-17 to 0-9 scoreline.
That takes us to this year, where we met at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park in Round 7. It was a game we could so easily have lost and, in the process, would also have surrended our place in Division One. Instead, however, we dug out a 1-18 to 1-16 win and, in a division of such tiny margins, ended up topping the table.
Having now done it, I’m not sure if it was worth the point trawling through all those games. I guess all I’ve succeeded in doing – in a far more long-winded way compared to the succinct point Rob made on the pod the other evening – is to confirm that Donegal have found us an extremely tough side to subdue for the last decade and more.
In that period we’ve beaten them a few times in knockout Championship encounters and we’ve repeatedly shown our capability of getting something from matches against them when we’ve really needed to.
Maybe that recent record is of no relevance to us on Sunday. But, you know, it can’t be of harm to us either.
Nephin says:
June 12, 2025 at 10:45 pm
Dead right WJ it’s no harm either. At least we know it’s not Dublin we’re facing and thinking, we’ve only beaten these lads a couple of times in 10 years. It has to help that there’s no recent baggage there. We know we are capable of scalping them.
Magpie says:
June 12, 2025 at 10:48 pm
Interesting reading there, as the game gets closer its hard to know what Mayo will turn up..or more importantly what gives us a good chance of winning.. well its obvious to all of us a performance to the one v Tyrone will go a long way in securing that and a bit more will be needed. All the big players now will be needed and whoever comes in..best of luck to them, hope mayo do the business.
The west is best says:
June 12, 2025 at 11:37 pm
I reckon that managment are going to go with AOS to pick up Michael Murphy on Sunday. Just a hunch that I have, in the same way that I felt Rochford was going to make a number of changes for the Tyrone game. Oisìn Gallen is the only Donegal player I'd fear. Donnacha McHugh if fit, might be the best option there. An average Tyrone team have beaten Donegal already, so no reason to think we cannot beat them as well.
Food4thought says:
June 13, 2025 at 3:23 am
I apologize in advance but as a lark I asked AI to predict team and match ups as well as result. I’m very impressed. This took less than 2 minutes. Apologies if this is offensive.
Based on the search results and tactical analysis, here's the optimal approach for Mayo against Donegal in their critical All-Ireland SFC Group 1 clash:
### ⚔️ Recommended Mayo Starting Team (6-3-5 Formation)
| **Position** | **Player** | **Rationale** |
|--------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Goalkeeper** | Colm Reape | Reliable kickouts and shot-stopping; crucial against Donegal's high press . |
| **Right CB** | Jack Coyne | Pace to track Caolán McColgan/Patrick McBrearty; improved distribution . |
| **Full-Back** | Donnacha McHugh | Physicality to match Michael Murphy; proven man-marking credentials . |
| **Left CB** | Rory Brickenden | Height and anticipation to counter Oisín Gallen's aerial threat . |
| **Right HB** | Paddy Durcan (c) | Leadership and engine to support defense/attack; critical for turnovers . |
| **Center HB** | David McBrien | Sweeping role to disrupt Donegal's central runners (e.g., Shane O'Donnell) . |
| **Left HB** | Enda Hession | Speed to mirror Ryan McHugh's overlaps; recovery defending essential . |
| **Midfield** | Matthew Ruane | Athleticism to combat Michael Langan; primary ball-winner . |
| **Midfield** | Jordan Flynn | Physical presence and line-breaking runs; can exploit Donegal's midfield gaps . |
| **Right HF** | Jack Carney | Link play between midfield and attack; secondary ball-winning capacity . |
| **Center HF** | Aidan O'Shea | Target man to draw Brendan McCole out; creates space for O'Donoghue . |
| **Left HF** | Darren McHale | Work rate to track Peadar Mogan's forward surges . |
| **Right CF** | Ryan O'Donoghue | Primary scorer from play/frees; must isolate against Finnbarr Roarty . |
| **Full Forward** | Frank Irwin | Creativity and unexpected scoring threat; can exploit Roarty's positioning . |
| **Left CF** | Conor Reid | Pace to challenge Donegal's slower defenders; substitutes for Tommy Conroy . |
**Key Subs**:
- **Stephen Coen**: Versatile cover for midfield/defense; leadership in tight finishes .
- **Sam Callinan**: Physicality if defending a lead .
- **Diarmuid O'Connor** (if fit): Engine and experience for midfield battles .
### 🔐 Man-Marking Assignments
1. **Michael Murphy (Donegal CF) → Donnacha McHugh**:
Murphy is Donegal's tactical hub (2-94 season tally ). McHugh's physicality and reading of the game (e.g., nullified Brian Fenton ) can limit Murphy's influence. *Tactic: Deny clean catch-and-turn opportunities*.
2. **Patrick McBrearty (Donegal HF) → Jack Coyne**:
McBrearty's movement and finishing require a pacey marker. Coyne's agility matches this threat .
3. **Ryan McHugh (Donegal LHB) → Darren McHale**:
McHugh's attacking runs from deep are pivotal. McHale's work rate can force him into defensive duties .
4. **Oisín Gallen (Donegal FF) → Rory Brickenden**:
Gallen's aerial ability demands a tall, positionally sound defender. Brickenden's height is key here .
5. **Peadar Mogan (Donegal LHB) → Jordan Flynn**:
Mogan's late runs into scoring positions (1-4 season ) require Flynn's physical tracking .
### 🎯 Tactical Adjustments
- **High Press on Kickouts**: Force Shaun Patton long (if fit), where Ruane/Flynn can compete .
- **O'Shea as Playmaker**: Use his distribution to bypass Donegal's massed defense .
- **Early Goal Threat**: Donegal conceded 2+ goals in 3/5 games; exploit high defensive line .
### 🏆 Prediction: Donegal by 2 Points
- **Why Donegal?** Superior scoring power (+16 pts diff vs Mayo's +4 ), McGuinness's tactical acumen, and Murphy's big-game pedigree. They also have depth (e.g., Conor O'Donnell: 1-5 vs Cavan ).
- **Mayo's Hope**: Hyde Park record (unbeaten in 6 games ) and momentum from Tyrone win. If O'Donoghue fires and Murphy is contained, an upset is possible.
- **Likely Scoreline**: **Donegal 1-18 - 0-19 Mayo**
### ⚠️ Key Variables
1. **Referee Influence**: Paul Faloon (refereed Mayo-Cavan) may allow physicality, aiding Donegal .
2. **McGuinness vs Rochford**: Tactical duel favors Donegal; Rochford is interim manager .
3. **Tyrone-Cavan Result**: A Cavan win eliminates Mayo even with a draw .
Mayo must start aggressively to silence Donegal's momentum. If trailing late, their bench lacks proven finishers – making the first half decisive.
Ever the optimist says:
June 13, 2025 at 5:46 am
Fairly comprehensive that!. Mayo have a recent hoodoo over Donegal. Here's hoping McGuiness goes too scientific, like that AI bot, and it's a case of "paralysis by analysis". Tus maith is leath na hoibre- is very much what's required Sunday.
Rusty Bridges says:
June 13, 2025 at 6:28 am
@foodforthought, there is a lot of food for thought in that :) Brickendon on Gallen. I'd be worried about that one to be honest.
Maybe that's how management have been picking team all along :D
14allnall41 says:
June 13, 2025 at 7:12 am
Food for thought reading some of that you'd have to wonder is that AI for football or cows.
Muckle says:
June 13, 2025 at 7:42 am
@foodforthought. I like the idea of using AI as a tool for strategizing. It makes use of databases and stats in an amazing way but is only as good as the information it gets. But the one element it can't analyse is passion. When AI can do that we are all in trouble. My simple way of analysing the game on Sunday is which team wants to win the most. We know that there is only a kick of a ball between us and Donegal but it is who will go the extra yard to get that last kick will win. One other factor AI cant predict is luck. A lucky goal can win or loose a match. But sometimes the harder you work the luckier you get.
There are four teams in the group on equal points and all need to at least draw or win. Who has the greater desire. I am convinced Mayo have that desire in spades.
Catcol says:
June 13, 2025 at 8:54 am
We’ve had a lot of satisfying wins over Donegal (one of my favourite counties), since the AI of 2012.
I think my favourite was 2017 when Audi came on and turned the game around. Here’s an extract from Keith Duggan’s report in the Times ( archive).
“Mayo avoided relegation and the match ended with little love lost between the teams. All of which is a long way of saying that the next Mayo person who gives out about what Aidan O’Shea does for the county football team should be run out of town. For better or worse, he is the beating heart of Mayo’s football ambitions.
Do we know anything more about Mayo now than we did at the start of the league? Only that if their soul was reflected, it would look about like Clint Eastwood in the Josey Wales phase of his film career. There is not much they haven't seen by now. In his analysis, Stephen Rochford stayed away from the westerns but allowed that they have survived a fair few of these kind of wild engagements and stood up when it mattered”.
Shuffly Deck says:
June 13, 2025 at 9:23 am
If I remember Murphy was doing a lot of damage around midfield and Aido came out there or was subbed in there and had a stormer nullifying Murphy. Aido is just a smidgen bigger and that plays a big part in nullifying Murphy’s ability to win primary possession. If Murphy comes out the field, so should Aido is my opinion. If he stays inside, have McHugh stick to him. Take our chances on Gallen. Their other big threat I think is Langan who’s very free scoring right now, Conroy and Glass. Of course they’ve plenty of good player but deal with those 3 and it would go a long way.
Shuffly Deck says:
June 13, 2025 at 9:25 am
..meant similar to Conroy and Glass. Free scoring midfielders are doing a lot of damage these days.
Honyaboya says:
June 13, 2025 at 9:50 am
Beware of the use of AI in strategising and remember to keep a human-in-the-loop due to the propensity for hallucination! e.g. its claim that a Cavan win would eliminate Mayo!
FW says:
June 13, 2025 at 9:50 am
I'd like to see Aido on Murphy for long spells.Hes probably the only player Murphy has come up against in his career who is bigger and stronger than him,I'd argue Aido is fitter at this stage aswell.
However that would mean O Shea would be back in a defensive midfield role (which suits him) but we need him inside and letting ball into him.He can't be all over the pitch at his age.
We cant/wont/ don't go for 2 pointers,this means it's easy enough for Donegal to defend against us.Get a everyone back and frustrate Mayo,then hit us on the break,this is my main worry.
I think we need to try something new here (maybe Rochford has a plan) My suggestion would be to go for a few 2 pointers if the conditions are right,if one or two go over then it'll force Donegal to rethink defensively and come out a bit.Then switch the focus to going for goal.Wishful thinking maybe but we have nothing to lose.
We have to believe Rochford has some sort of plan and I think he will throw a few curve balls like he did in Tyrone.
2 hops says:
June 13, 2025 at 9:57 am
I remember that league game well in '17. Murphy was playing puck around the ff position when Aiden came in and trotted in to the full back position and stuck with Murphy wherever he roamed after that. If ever a sub changed a game for us I thought that was it.
I think the option of Aido at FB when needed was germinated that day .
A rabbit Rochy might pull the next day could be Paddy starting at mf... will do ok in the air but will win more than his share of anything that breaks and could put Langan on the back foot having to defend.
Honyaboya says:
June 13, 2025 at 10:06 am
@FW - I think you might be right. I have a hunch Mayo will have been flat out practicing 2-pointers since the Tyrone win. Its the one thing no one expects so a clear target for the win, if we can get it right
It Means Nothing to Me says:
June 13, 2025 at 10:14 am
@FW: Interesting idea. Maybe there’s some value in putting Aido on Murph in the first half, hopefully keeping the game tight and moving him inside later on?
Would be disinclined to pay too much attention to head to head records, Cavan hadn’t beaten us since 1948 until they did a few weeks ago, same with the Rossies going nearly two decades without a championship win over us, until they did back in 2019. Records are made to be broken.
Swallow Swoops says:
June 13, 2025 at 10:55 am
Honyaboya and FW, Mayo can score long range points. I have seen it. Several Mayo players can do this. Unsure if they’ll go for that on Sunday but I like your thinking, FW.
I’m hoping Rochford is hatching clever plans aplenty for this game and I wouldn’t bet against him if he does.
Ontheditch says:
June 13, 2025 at 10:56 am
@foodforthought. Very interesting analysis. It would be equally interesting from a Donegal perspective.
We won't need sports journalists at all, if this trend continues.
The McHugh Murphy match up is one that will have to be monitored carefully. Murphy won't expend wasted energy running the length of the field chasing an opponent. He is way to cute for that.
On all known form Donegal should be winners but I still like the way Mayo finished off the Tyrone game, regardless of Tyrone being 'flat'.
And there a possibilities Mayo have pushed on a gear from that game. 3/1 sounds generous anyway.
Thedarkyfinn says:
June 13, 2025 at 11:09 am
Didn't Coen do a job on Murphy in 19 if memory serves me correctly, anyway its a spoiler type you need on Murphy and then negate the influence of Langan and Gallen. The idea of Paddy going toe to toe with Langan is mouth watering and could be the game changer...I initially thought McHugh on him but does the Paddy option hammer the hammer
Thedarkyfinn says:
June 13, 2025 at 11:10 am
Team and panel named....
https://x.com/MayoGAA/status/1933465214361440427?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
Young Fella says:
June 13, 2025 at 11:12 am
Team named, no real surprises, mind games were always going to happen with these 2 teams, and 1-15 will never start without any changes. But it’s good to see Diarmuid O’Connor and Donncha McHugh named on the panel.
Bonni Boyler says:
June 13, 2025 at 11:14 am
@Thedarkyfinn was just about to go looking, do they name the 4 sub-subs anywhere, was hoping to see T. Conroy on there?
Thedarkyfinn says:
June 13, 2025 at 11:16 am
Good to have Diarmuid back, on a separate note I seen Tommy and Diarmuid doing car ads this week both looked in great shape. Tommy has to be close at this stage you'd think. No sign of Eoghan but he cannot be far away either...
Thedarkyfinn says:
June 13, 2025 at 11:45 am
Bonni - it lists the 26 but not the standbys. I don't know if these are published or made available to be honest
Tony Freeman says:
June 13, 2025 at 11:48 am
It’s a win or bust in my opinion. A draw wouldn’t be the worst result, but it would just be putting off the inevitable. I can easily see us getting sent up to face a team like Dublin in Croke Park the following Sunday. We always seem to pull the toughest draws. A win, on the other hand, gives us a two-week break and puts us firmly in the mix for an All-Ireland, provided we stay consistent. Great to see Diarmuid and Donnacha back too.
Paddyjoejohntom says:
June 13, 2025 at 11:49 am
Thedarkyfinn, some teams have listed additional players, but they were usually Tailteann cup teams with not alot to play for
Supermac says:
June 13, 2025 at 11:57 am
I was appalled at the suggestion at first but I am coming round to the suggestion of AOS on Murphy, its not like he will be confined to sitting on edge of his small square, murphy has a licence to roam so very often will be out around the middle anyways, AOS hasn't been scoring much anyway so won't be losing much from not having him in the opposition box, the long kick won't be on anyway against Donegal. I don't hate the idea, and it is very possible Rochford might try it.
Also from what I've seen of donegal lately murphy has been sailing very close to the wind with some of his tackles, he has a red card incoming. Loves a nice rib tickler of a tackle.
Outside of Murphy i would be focusing heavily on Langan, think he is brilliant and severely underrated, he needs specific attention
Tubberman says:
June 13, 2025 at 12:01 pm
I think the long ball will be on, and has to be used for us to have any chance.
If we go back to handpassing laterally around the arc, we haven't a hope.
There has to be variation, including kick passing to inside line, and Aido is by far the best man to win and retain the ball in there.
Km79 says:
June 13, 2025 at 12:33 pm
Great to have the two boys back but a real shame that it looks like we won’t see Conroy this year. A long time out now
Bonni Boyler says:
June 13, 2025 at 1:05 pm
Thanks @Thedarkyfinn
You Three says:
June 13, 2025 at 2:15 pm
We need to forget about the 4 reserve players, they can only be called in in the event of a squad player being medically determined unfit to play by the team doctor, I'd hate to think a certified doctor would risk his or her licence for such shenanigans, it won't happen nor should it
Bonni Boyler says:
June 13, 2025 at 2:50 pm
@You Three, clears it up thought it might be a way to go under the radar with the squad. Hopefully we have enough firepower in the 26.
You Three says:
June 13, 2025 at 2:58 pm
We've more than enough in the 26 Bonni, but then again I'm a believer, just hoping we don't see her face and the song ends...
TsuDhoNim says:
June 13, 2025 at 3:37 pm
@Bonni Boyler: It's all clear as mud if we're honest.
Naming someone with a known injury (has happened plenty already this year, locally & nationally) or simply having one of the lads feeling "sick"/"migraine"/"food poisoning" the morning of the game doesn't get caught by any medical team ethics or Hippocratic oaths.
If a management team wants to play silly buggers with the extended panel, they (sadly) absolutely can.
That said, I don't expect us to be pulling any shenanigans there.
InExile says:
June 13, 2025 at 5:17 pm
The record, the Hyde and a few fellas back (shame not Tommy Conroy) are some positives for us.
Despite the JMcG effect this is essentially the same team we bet a few years back. The difference this time is JMcG and the 2 pointers.
Neutralize the their two pointers and scape a few goals and we are in it.
Ontheditch says:
June 13, 2025 at 6:13 pm
Thanks for definitively clearing that up TsuDhoNim. Room for skullduggery nonetheless. We are above that.