Love it!

Oh no you have started should mayo people support the Galway team because they are the last westies left

I must admit I find it nauseating when posters bring Klopp, Salah or other soccer mentions into our GAA discussions and now you've gone and done it as well WJ.
I actually love soccer and rugby and partake in a few of their blogs but no one there ever mentions Mayo, David Clifford or McGeeney.

Willie joe didn’t write the article but very good piece darragh

Don’t mean to be a knowledgable smart ass Darragh but you were not at a home qualifier v Westmeath in 2016. We played Fermanagh and Kildare at home and Westmeath in Croke Park. At leat I think we did because I remember being there

Ah, no, Mayo should not be supporting galway, why would we??? In all seriousness....AnyoneButGalway...ABG all the way..

Great piece Daragh... .if your only 30 you have never witnessed the opposite of turning down shots which was mayo in the 80s and early 90s where they shot for fun(or not) and were often hitting 15 or more wides per game and were the laughing stock. It was the reverse of what happening now and sometimes I'd take it over the recent stuff.

@nodoubt
You don't have to go back that far
1997 - Mayo 18 wides, 13 points - Offaly 7 points
2005 - Mayo 19 wides, 11 points - Cavan 8 points
2013 - Mayo 18 wides, 5 goals and 11 points - London 10 points

All those teams played in All Ireland finals without being convincing Infront of goal.
It has been Mayos problem for 70 years.
When heavily favoured to win, they tend to drop off mentally and often force shots without making the effort to get a good shot.
The current team just don't shoot until it's a certainty, keeping the wide count down.
Neither is good to watch, but it's all part of the 70 year old problem we are unable to solve.
And still we don't coach forward play and shooting full time in our academies and clubs.

Instead we admire the lad who can solo the length of the field, tiring himself out before he can even take a shot, eating up space, slowing the attack to the inevitable position where he had passes to a forward who has now no space and extra defenders brought back tracking our solo runing hero.

Perhaps I’ve read it wrong but is Darraghs point on the galway wish that he wished out loud so it won’t happen according to the mythical rule as regards wishing out loud .

As regards the Galway rivalry, I never felt the intensity of it till recent years , they were always rivals of course but in a more light hearted way for me . Recently as in the last ten years it’s become unbearable if I’m honest , I have a really strong dislike for Galway football , I was jumping round the house last year when Armagh beat them , if I’m honest I don’t like the way I feel about them but I just can’t help it either .

Don’t forget Sean there is a lot of Armagh blood in Mayo
1671 battle of the diamond over 4000 refugees
Left Crossmaglen XMG as the soldiers called it and settled around Irishtown Ballindine Westport
Names like McManus mcguires Hughes and Gills
Kirrane’s all nordies

Good to see the minors getting two more good players back from injury for Sunday.
Cian May and Tony Carey return to strengthen the squad for the quarter-final.
I give our lads every chance - tighten up a bit at the back and continue to drive on with their strong ball winning and attacking style. We will win this one.
I hope the Rossies topple Tyrone too, but I think their task is a lot tougher than ours in Ennis.
Our support for our minors could do with taking a page out of the big Rossie turnout in Castlebar for the Connacht Final.
Please get behind our promising next generation of footballers in Ennis on Sunday.

I believe that you are right Sean about the wish,but will support Galway now

That's interesting @Williamstown Gerry. I'd never heard that piece of history and I'm from one of those villages you mention....sure enough those names are common enough there...
Everyday's a school day on this blog.

When you look back at last Sunday and a week to calm down, just remember we were 3 pts down at halftime and level when the Hooter went, not bad since they had 2 pointers and we had none, if that was full time we would have gone home happy enough. We are not far off top flight, just a bit of luck and I will call it cuteness, instead of the physical stuff that Murphy and others use, remember McHugh had the better of him till he put him out of the game.

Very good piece by Darragh.

I was born in 1989 and I think many would agree that losing the 2021 All Ireland Final to Tyrone was the most gut wrenching one. 2017 was definitely our best all ireland final effort considering the standard of play in that game (in terms of conversion rates). I don't know why but we were favourites for the Tyrone 2021 final considering, Tyrone had 8 players with many many years of big game experience and we only turned up for 1 half against Galway and Dublin but the fact we had the favourites tag and the fact we finally stopped that golden generation Dublin team winning, the believe in our lads getting over the line was at an all time high.

It was the manner in how we lost that game that really changed the mentality of alot of our supporters afterwards ( in that let's just be selective in what games we go to and also consider the cost of going).

You also hit the nail on the head regarding the watch telling you your heartrate/pace has dropped off during a threshold run and your like jes come on let's get it into the range again. I recall Kevin mcstay saying to the roscommon lads who stunned us and got into a lead in the QF a good few years back and he lit them in the dressing room at half time saying "it was like and stood back and starting admiring our work"

It was a rare sight with even our best generation team to take control of a game after 20-25 and just keep the opposition at arms length through out (The 2013 game against Donegal was a rare exception where we brought the hurt from 2012 and it channelled into ruthless aggression and destroyed them, 2015 against Donegal was another example of seeing out a big game having taken the initiative right before half time).

The next time I'm blowing out candles on my cake il be wishing for Mayo to beat Galway in an All Ireland Final by the narrowest of margins. It would make all the hurt since 89 worth it.

I forgot to mention above:
Its a recurring theme that as long as I have been watching Mayo football that we drift off in games, if one got €10 for everytime you observed or heard a commentator say its 20mins since Mayo last scored you would have a right good wad of cash to go have a good holiday abroad.
Ok one can consider wind to play a part but I have watched countless Mayo games where we don't score for 20mins (hardly any wind) and then go nuts attacking from all sides (chaos type football).

I'm sure the other so called AI contenders down through the years are having the odd 20min scoreless spells but I would be shocked if they are in anyways close to our numbers.

another ABG here

@tirawleybaron. I think you're making the case for an outside manager and I would agree with you.
@ Sean Bourke. I grew up in the same street as Ray Prendergast. Ray and Liam O Neil were rivals on the pitch, but best friends after a game, there was great respect in those days and the Galway three in a row always acknowledged that their toughest hurdle was getting over Mayo. Ray and Liam often trained together in McHale park in an afternoon and I'd be dragged along as a ball boy. Ray was a gentleman, and so also was Liam.

I think the correct procedure is to leave management system alone until after the he All Ireland Final.
Small things cost us this year but management can't play the games for us.
I would excuse the league final as the timing was mad for me us.

At Jr. Management can decide the game we play. The players trust their coaches. Leitrem had a better grasp of what was required to play by the new game rules. We're bottom of the 'two pointer' leaguue. Don't tell me Jack Carney and other mayo players can't kick two pointers as good as players in Leitrem or any other county.
Clear the decks ASAP. Does the management report / review come into the public domain? I'm not buying the line that our players weren't good enough and I hope the players don't either

Yes 2 Hops google the battle of the diamond or the Armagh outrages
Of interest is when Captain Boycott started acting Mala Toola evicting people it was the grandsons of the Refugess
Stood up to him they said ye made Goms out of grandad but this got to stop not going to work here

We have played 18 games in the last 3 seasons .we have won 9 lost 8 and drawn one .Of the 9 we won 2 were against Roscommon and wins against Louth Cavan Sligo and Leitrim whilst also losing to Roscommon and Cavan

That would help explain why me and the Maguires and McManus' are incoherent after a few too many wee ones.

@1985 and we became the most boring team in the country, even our own support dropped.

The 2 serious questions the CB need to ask the management is why the team was so unprepared for the Cavan game. It was arrogant and unprofessional not to prepare properly for a game so important and that was well within our compass to win.
The second question is why did the management team not take the new rules more seriously confirmed by a comment from the manager that he thought they would make little difference.
Over to you CB....

@Williamstown Gerry, a great piece of history you have supplied us with, as they say we learn something every day, there is a small rural area close to the places you mentioned and many of those names are there today.

@ Ontheditch.

I think (but it may be a rumour) that the county board, in order to bring more entertainment to Mchale park for the likes of yourself are organising some Gladiator fights.

Maximus Decimus Meridius is first up against 6 lions.

If he survives that, there is every chance he might be given the number 3 jersey next year.

1996 was the worst All-Ireland final defeat for me (the first one I saw). We led for almost the entirety of both games and had a six point lead in the second half of the drawn game, and still contrived to lose it. Colm Coyle’s equalizer in the drawn match hasn’t been replicated in a gaelic football match since.

As for Galway, and with apologies to the likes of Big Mike, Tuam Star and Chesneychet, I could never support them.The Internet has given us a view towards what many Galway GAA fans think of us, and mostly it’s not too pretty. So feck them.

Hopefully they can play Linfield or Rangers at some point, I can get out the blue bunting ;)

Mayo ladies are doing okay

@It Means Nothing to me

Fully agree could and will never support them either but most already know my views on that so !

Depressing being out so soon but to be fair it's been coming all year we've not been great .

Think Cork will give Dubs a good game today still Dubs by 2 or 3 .

There’s not a player and never will be one as good as David Clifford

@ rev. I'm all for more entertainment in McHale Pk if it helps ease the burden of repaying the debt on our clubs. It's going to be idle for a while now.

Kerry would be very average without David Clifford. Took his goal there brilliantly and two men Hanging of him.

Ontheditch - county finals will be in MacHale Park. In fairness I’ve noticed bigger crowds attending club games since covid which is great to see.

It always annoyed me how when Mayo were going well our club games were so poorly attended. I had neighbours who would travel the country following Mayo but couldn’t find the gates to the local club….no clubs, no county team

@Yew_tree

100% they are without him . They've not played a division 1 side either yet . Be interesting to see how they go in quarters if they get there .

It was worse than Longford. At least in Longford it looked like we cared !

Not only how did we lose to Cavan but how did we get well bet. Kerry could beat them by 20+ here. That loss was criminal

How the hell did we loose to Cavan honestly like !!

We just didn't show up ! Season ending stuff knew it that day we were finished for the year depressing enough .

I really hope Armagh do it again .

Fully deserve to be out of the championship for getting thumped by this cavan side.

Our attitude was “it’s only Cavan” it appears and we were “off it” on the day and that’s why we are sitting at home today and deservedly so. Unforgivable.

@yew tree. Very true. Would there be more enthusiasm among players if we had a mayo management team in place? I can't buy into the opinion that we didn't have the players this year.
It will be very interesting to see what approach the club coaches take to new rules..
The few players I've been talking to want to play by the new rules. They are as sick of the possession game as we are of watching it.

Yew_tree..hes some player alright Clifford..big strong two footed skillful. Kerry may very well be average without him, but also his brother is the key link man at 11..gets on a huge amount of ball and can pass and score..my question is: how average would mayo be without Rod ?? We're average enough with him.

Our “marquee” forward didn’t score from play against Cavan. And only got one from play in the other two games.
Not going to go very far with that scoring rate in fairness!

@Magpie

Not necessarily true . What about Durcan he is hardly average ? Neary, Eoghan mc etc we've plenty more good players then just Ryan O D .

We just didn't click at all this year.

Ok Clare, I was making a point that hes by far our best forward and does the majority of scoring..he didn't have a good year by his standards but generally hes been our best player for few years now.

Paddy was and still is a great player ..injury ravaged unfortunately..they are our two best players when both fully fit and going well. Rod only mayo forward im top 10 in country

@Magpie

Yeah your right not saying otherwise fair enough .

It's pretty depressing to be honest!

It is Clare , youre normally full of positivity but even you are scratching the head wondering where we are at or what's to come..I guess when you see monaghan v down last week and the way they are able to hit 2 pointers and construct scores, we are miles off.

Wonder how we would have faired against Kerry today, hard to say? One would have to feel sorry for the Cavan guys with the tough draw they got!

Just watching it here john mchale..ya hard to know..not a whole pile of intensity in it now, more of a training session for Kerry, practice a few things..Mayo would 100% give them a rattle but probably not beat them, Cavan are a poor outfit, my god how did Mayo not beat them. Ah sure what's done is done now.. be interesting to see how kerry fare out now v proper opposition in croker next weekend.

In fairness Cavan are not giving up . Kerry won't win sam anyways . It will go North

The only thing in kerrys favour is they are good kick passers and with the space in croker and new rules ya just wouldn't know..they'll need to improve for next week though that's for sure

@Magpie

They will get beaten out the gate if they draw Armagh 100 % .

I dont know about beaten out the gate but the northies will bring an intensity they won't have experienced..hopefully now my favourites at the start Tyrone will up the ante and do the biz.

@Magpie

Yeah maybe not beaten out the gate haha

I honestly don't get why kerry folk think they are nearly entitled to win sam every year . I wonder would we have beaten kerry today I think we could have but no point going on about the what could have happened I suppose . : (

Tyrone aren't bad you never know with them anyone but Donegal or Galway .

Feel Armagh want a to prove a point . People saying they got an easy all Ireland last year cause Galway bottled it . I think Armagh we're just far better .

@Clare incredibly sweeping statement to make about Kerry people feeling entitled to win Sam. Who exactly is saying that? Certainly none of the Kerry pundits are making such statements (for which they will then be accused of being cute Kerry hoors) and I can tell you the general Kerry public do not even feel they are favourites for an All-Ireland this year let alone 'entitled' to it. Fair enough you clearly do not like Kerry but don't try to speak for a whole county even if it is just your 'opinion'.

- Darragh, I can assure you at only 30 years of age you are a relative newcomer to the heartbreak! I’m a good bit older than you and I’ve lost count of the number of times Mayo teams have broken my heart. It sometimes feels as if I’m on some kind of grim merry go round that I can’t step off.

After the Cavan game a poster commented that if you take away the Horan era this is what Mayo football looks like. It’s something that stuck with me and when you throw in what happened against Donegal it’s hard to argue with it. We’ve now had four really poor seasons in a row and it’s hard to see any light at the end of the tunnel.
Is this what Mayo football really looks like?

I am just after watching Dublin hurlers beat limerivk. I believe it was the big dublin support and cheers that drove the Dublin team on to victory. Here is mayo we dont realise a big vocal support is so important to win matches. Hopefully a big mayo support will head to ennis tomorrow. I have watched this team and they are good .MAYO by 4 points.

@D90

It's just an opinion .

I never ever said I was speaking for the whole county did I ? No I didn't. I also said SOME kerry folk not all kerry folk .

Saw a comment the other day about Anthony finnerty missing an open goal in the 1989 final.i was actually directly behind that shot on the canal end that day as finnerty approached from a tight enough angle.his shot was aimed at far corner as John Keirns dived full length as the shot shaved the outside of the post.John keirns admitted afterwards that he got his fingers to it but obviously wasn’t going to tell the umpire it was a 45 .so an open goal it certainly wasn’t

That bit of historical trivia by Williamstown Gerry this morning has my mind made up... I'm in the Armagh camp from here on. Go on the Maguires and McManuses.

@Clare anyone can make completely sweeping statements based on no facts and hide behind it being their 'opinion' when challenged on it. You also did not say 'some' Kerry folk, not that it really matters anyway.

I dont care who wins Sam now as long as its not Galway or Meath

Cork 3 up against the Dubs Cork ste not a bad side .

I think Mayo don't get enough credit, for a relatively sparsely populated county, they year on year punch above their weight. So, on the percentages, it's hard to see them coming upon quality marksmanship all at the one time.

Cork, Galway and Dublin also deserve great credit being competitive in both codes. In fairness, north Kerry areas around Moyvane and Ballyduff have a great tradition in hurling.

in 89 i was in the canal end [center] and it was easier for larry to score a goal than to miss . at least he scored one before that.

@D90

Apologies didn't mean to cause offence. At Kerry v Mayo matches ver the years I just found quite alot of the Kerry suppport so disrespectful towards Mayo . Nearly laughing at us even some saying why they bother turning up today etc .

Like at least Dubs respect us . I'm sure not all Kerry folk are as bad as the ones I saw through out the years .

Patrick Hayes not on the view I had and it was actually saved .he was outside the large square And close to the end line so acute enough angle and of course John keirns was a big man .yea he could have scored but would also have been a good finish .still on YouTube

Anthony did score a goal,but for your information I actually parried his miss, so no not a save, as for S O Dowds miss enough said

Corrick no idea what that gibberish means

Looking like Dublin and Tyrone quarter final. Think I read somewhere it'll be Monaghan or Meath if Donegal beat Louth tomorrow. Strange aul summer this.

I’m too young but I have a feeling corricks post is maybe something to do with Mayo v Meath 1967 . Did o dowd miss a sitter perhaps , just guessing here .

It doesn't brighten our evening trawling back over what might have been, it's the story of our lives. Feels eerie that we're not involved in pqf.
Only one bright note, Cillian very impressive as panellist on GAA+. If he doesn't come back as a player, I'd have no worries with him being on a management team, with someone like Peter Canavan, both outstanding forwards.
My only night prayer is that the current boys are writing up their review, and that it is out in the public domain. We're the punters that pay at the gates to watch them.

We weren't far away in 89. By god we are now until we get rid of the most negative management in years. Just look at the mayo body language when we equalised. We were happy with that. No way were we contesting the next play to go on and win. And once again like the louth. Cork. Dublin game s got caught. Louth unlucky not to do us. Let's move on fast.

What management experience does Peter or Cillian have and if they have experience were they successful?

Sean the miss by Seamus O'Dowd was at the end of the 1969 semi final against Kerry. It was a free to the right of the posts and was very kickable. Joe Corcoran even though it was not his side should have taken it.We lost by 14 points to 1.10. We missed a great chance that year as Kerry then beat an inexperienced Offaly side in the final.
Another example unfortunately of what might have been.

Not a notion of happening , but I would nearly give Cillian a player manager role for next season whats there to lose, Wasnt Val Daly a player manager of the Galway footballers in 1996 and 97 and they went on to win an All Ireland in 1998.

Off topic but posting anyhow in case anyone shares similar thoughts or might be interested

We talk a lot around our senior team in mayo, getting the right mgt in and the right mindset but as a county, is it a collective mindset shift that’s needed? I’m very focused below on finals but it has always fascinated me, how do we lose so many finals across all levels? Whats the impact for every final we lose. Do we lose because we don’t have enough good forwards which is often the lazy view thrown our do we freeze due to culmination of years of defeats? If it’s the latter, how do we fix it

Since the 1989 All Ireland to 2025. I went back through finals we competed in at Senior, U21/U20, U18/U17, Senior Club and Hogan Cup. 5/38 teams have won the All Ireland final they competed in = 13%. That’s incredible. List below

Successes
U21 - 2006, 2016
Minor - 2013
Senior Club - 2001, 2005

Defeats
Senior - 89, 96, 97, 04, 06, 12, 13, 16, 17, 20, 21
u21/20 - 94, 95, 01, 04, 18
u18/17 - 91, 99, 00, 05, 08, 09, 22
Senior Club - 93, 94, 97, 99, 03, 14, 16
Hogan Cup - 97, 18, 25

Let’s compare with Tyrone who are a terrific role model in the same timeframe. In all those grades, they have reached 28 finals winning 22 of them. 78%. I don’t know what Tyrone did to get it so right but they have.

I know we didn’t get to a final at senior level so this point is odd in timing but the hope is the lads coming between 18-20 will elevate Mayo again but elevate to what? To be competitive or to win all irelands? I’m amazed psychologists aren’t lining up to work with mayo teams or county boards to unpick this conundrum

This is the stuff that occupies my mind. I wish I’d have half as much interest in my job!

@Sean Burke: Peter managed Fermanagh for a couple of years (some relative success getting them promoted from D4 to D3 and overall was viewed as making good progress, even managing a win against a D1 side in Westmeath at one point in the Qualifiers, before he eventually stepped away. Reportedly over issues on the CB lack of funding/resources for the team).

He moved on then to Cavan Gaels (to confirm the obvious, a Cavan club) where he brought them to a shock County Championship in his first year.

From there he went on to work with Tyrone u21s, working as a selector/coach under Feargal Logan and alongside Brian Dooher. Picking up an Ulster win and an All Ireland win, along with helping put parts of the building blocks in place that has Tyrone underage performing as one of the best in the country in the decade since. He was quite vocal/prominent at speaking during his time coaching there, so a few videos/seminars where you can catch his thoughts on the game and on management (he'd have been quite progressive for ~'15).

A little surprising he hasn't taken on a bigger role since. He ruled himself out of going into the senior setup with Feargal & Brian given the conflict with his own family coming through, so possible that he doesn't want to end up in competition against the lads either. He's now involved with a bar/food spot (Canavan's, formerly a fairly well known spot as Kelly's Inn), so hard to know if he'd be in a position to consider taking on a top level coaching/management position at this point.

Certainly wouldn't be a name I'd have any concerns with seeing on a ticket. His analysis work on Sky was remarkably good, with only Jim McGuinness' & James Horan's pundit work on the same broadcasts at a comparable level to it (his pundit work on RTÉ hasn't been given the scope or depth to hit the same levels, sadly).

Sorry,I thought that people were Mayo supporters,I have a long memory,but for t late comers that is our history,1989,1967,don't worry we will overcome it in the future

@tsu. You're a genius at clarifying and digging deep. That's not a bad CV, bit more impressive than Dessis Farrells when he took over Dublin. Peter Canavan is a very honest genuine person and has always treated Mayo with respect. Tyrone have one of the best structures in the country and will be competing at top level for many a year to come. His experience would be invaluable and if Cillian could be roped in with him, all the better. Cillian is a deep thinker....
But anyway, its the calibre of these two men we need, one who has enjoyed success, one who has learned from the pain of it all.
Thanks again TSU, you go to a lot of trouble to suss stuff out for us, and I for one appreciate it.

Corrick I wasn’t at any game in 1967 obviously and you didn’t post any year but wasn’t what I referred to in any case just a vague comment like everything you post and I know I know you have been going to games since the sixties

I don't know who is paying for the heating, but the cost for the last two days must be astronomical.

Lads how did ye lose to that Cavan team.

Hi West Kerry. We're not sure how we got bet by Cavan, but we were wondering how yea got that all merciful hammering off Meath.

Now Louth bet Meath, but Louth of course would be a step up from what the likes of Kerry and Mayo might be able to beat.

All in good jest of course.

No disrespect to them but after watching Cavan today and their previous 2 games they play essentially like a Tailteann cup team. They are wide open so often. How did we lose to them? You could cry with how much Mayo have made a
dogs dinner of this season. They really did!!! There's some bang average enough teams left now and all can take each other out on the day.
However Armagh for me look like the real deal. No one will fear getting Dublin on Monday in the draw and Louth had their All ireland when they won Leinster so are out tomorrow for me. Kerry are average if David Clifford is marked by a top class defender. The wheels are coming off the Galway challenge and Comer is struggling to stay fit. Down, Meath, Tyrone and Monaghan are enigmas and could shock anyone but will eventually fall on their sword. Donegal are the hardest and fittest of the rest and it'd be a great final to see them take on Armagh but the latter for me to get there and do 2 in a row.

Actually West Kerry. On my usual stop off in Ballindine on my way to Mayo last Sunday I met the great Pat Spillane.

I got a lovely picture of the two of us as he was more than happy to have the photo taken.

I sent it on to a few of my friends with a caption underneath that read.

8 All Ireland medals between the two of us.

Very good Revellino lol .No doubt he was as happy to meet someone with a cultured right foot as yourself ,did he ask you for your autograph.

@Craggy boglands

Totally agree. We have gone so backwards . It's such a strange feeling as others said not even have made a pre quarter final it's just down right depressing.

I have no idea how we lost to that Cavan team . Well maybe an idea things haven't been good all year really on & off the pitch it's as clear as day now .

West Kerry we will probably find out over the coming weeks and months as to the reason for our atrocious performance that day .we had one game to win to at least stay in the race.difficult to tell from Kerry’s point of view where ye are at .No real test yet but maybe not fully showing yer hand as yet .Armagh certainly would provide that test if that is the draw.As for mayo it will be a long winter but our record over the last 3 years has got progressively worse and very difficult for anyone to stand over that.

Revellino,

The Meath defeat was the worst since 2001.

Absolutely abysmal is the only word.

I was at it and it was shocking.

We will be in the what ifs club with Mayo next weekend.

Both our midfielders gone now.

@ Deel Rover, I was raised beside the river and fell in to it a time or two.

He didn't ask for the autograph but I was taken back when I looked at the photo and saw the lovely genuine smile he had on his face. A brief encounter and all I got to say to him was that I thought his Kerry team were better than the recent Dublin team.

He told me I was saying all the right things.

As good as Dublin were I always enjoyed the natural ability of those Kerry teams. Poetry in motion.

I remember Charlie Nelligan once saying that John Egan used to put him the wrong way every time when shooting in training.

I'm old fashioned, but there was always a natural ability in that Kerry team that for me put them on the top of the pile.

@ West Kerry. I wouldn't be too worried. I don't think Paudie Clifford was playing that day and as good as his brother David is I think Paudie is the cog that gets all the gears moving together.

Be Armagh v Galway or Donegal final I think . Heard Comer is back for Galway so gives them the edge .

Monaghan could well get to a semi they are not bad either .

Think you're right Clare, about Armagh and Donegal in the final, but it wouldn't be any real shock to see an unexpected side in the final either. Can't see Kerry living with Armagh in Croker next weekend (if they do meet).Said it from the start that Donegal are my pick which probably means Tyrone will go and win it. It'd be great for football if it was Monaghan or Down holding Sam aloft, however unlikely.

Footnote: the team that beat both Dublin and Kerry could surprise us all yet. Robbie Brennan could be Meath's next Messiah.

Roco88 Depressing set of performances in finals alright. I suppose we might as well blame management for them all

@Ever the optimist

Yeah. Imagine if Donegal win sam and we only lost to them by a point that certainly wouldn't make us feel any better .

If I did bet the moneys on Armagh especially with Rian O ' Neill back .

Hard to believe that all teams in PQF and QF have all been beaten at least once.

The endless sucking up to other counties in these comments is something to behold. Head patting was just the start….

@Ex - Pat

Good comment. .

Come on Down. They could well beat Galway they are good side & at home to .

I cannot see Down beating Galway today - we'll have to wait and see

Galway have it all to do here
Down won’t be happy that play was not stopped for head injury in build up to Galway goal either.

Galway operating a diff level to Down..Shane Walsh injury a big concern though..Thompson a nice player for Galway. We'll see what Down do with the breeze 2 half

1-16 a fair tally to put up first half

Finnerty Walsh Thompson kicking 2 pointers for fun..if only mayo cud or were able do that

Again even though there is a breeze they still scored 1-16 in a half
5/6 forwards scored

We just can’t do that currently
We barely get to 1-16 in a game

Galway humming now. The only worry is Walsh. He looks injured. Not sure why Joyce left him on the pitch, they will win the game without him. Down's physicality just not at the level required .

Galway are a serious outfit but can they string together the consecutive performances required to win it outright? I'm not sure they can.

Matthew Thompson is some find for Galway this year. Brilliant little player.

1 16 in first half today. 2 15 in second half v Armagh .Great scoring ability that we simply do not have in Mayo. Relatively comfortable for Tyrone v Roscommon in minor semi final. Tyrone keep churning out amazingly good underage teams

The number 12 for Down is single handedly killing them with the poor wides and awful decision making. They could be a lot closer.

Down with some crazy wides
Galway keeper kickouts are diabolical

Down keeping it real at least. They'll be cursing themselves for those wides.

You never really felt Down would get their noses in front. Galway with good substitutions and just that extra bit of quality. Down lacking composure at crucial moments (very like ourselves).

Hard to know where Galway are at ,they seem to be playing less then the summer of their parts still. Down could very easily have won that today with a host of bad misses in 2nd half.

Finnerty and Matthew Thompson flying it up front tho.

They've got a huge problem with goalkeeper though, that lad they had in today no better than gleeson who himself is a weak link

Another cracking game, murdock is some footballer

We made it to the last 8 with another battling win in the wind against a northern team. The goalkeeping situation is a worry but the wind horrific again for goalkeepers. Great to see Tomo Culhane get the goal and good performances from a fair amount of the players with Thompson emerging as a key player now. Down are improving and will hopefully get promoted next year as they have some fine players. Hope Shane Walsh and Cillian McDaid are not too badly injured as we will need them. Roll on the draw tomorrow as a QF against rested opposition will be a big ask yet again.

This wind in Ennis is probably worth 4+ points. We’ll need a big 2nd half. Kerry forwards taking serious number of steps in possession. Ref either not able to count or is just not bothered.

Bit disappointed we didn’t rack up a few two pointers. That wind is ideal for it. Be inter to see what Kerry do in that regard.

Minors up by a point, 2-5 to 1-7, at HT. Kerry’s ‘keeper was black-carded for the incident that led to our penalty goal shortly before the break. They have the wind in the second half.

We’ve an extra player and Kerry kick two two pointers. We’ve sloppily lost possession 3 times - not good.

We’ll need about two more goals I’d say

Not for the first time this year 2 pointers are killing us Kerry have hit 3 in first 10 minutes of second half

Whatever happens with the minors today let's remember these guys are 15 /16 year olds hope they won't be to hard on themselves whatever happens.

Hard luck to Down never gave up .

I still can't see Galway winning if they had a fully fit Comer yeah I could see them.winning sam but they won't win it this year .

Hard luck minors. Great effort but no mayo team seem to have mentality to win close games

A really good effort in fairness by the minors but the wrong side of a close game again

A battling performance in fairness, especially in 2nd half. A little bit of naivety at times but to be expected from young lads.
Big future for a lot of those lads.

Sickened for the minors but defeat snatched from victory seems to be in our dna

Donegal will get dumped out here if they don't sharpen up soon. They have been very flat since winning ulster

Real battling performance against the wind in the second half by our lads but their three second half 2-pointers proved fatal for us. We looked like we had all the momentum coming down the stretch but they got the vital scores at the finish.

Disappointing but Kerry won fair and square .

As a county we are getting very used to this at all grades including schools , we are slowly but surely becoming very used to not been able to dine with the better counties .

Commiserations to the players and management .

Great battle shown by the minors very unlucky, the 2 pointers where the difference in the end, defensively so much better today compared to the last day out and our midfield where very very good, kerry where nothing great too.

They’ll look back on the opening 10 mins of both halves with regret. In the 1st we should have had more scores on the board. In 2nd Kerry kicked three 2-pointers. The double introduction of Joyce and Murphy was good because we weren’t doing well up front. We dominated play for most of the 2nd half but should really have capitalised more during that phase.

A good battling display but yet again, it’s another defeat. The days of moral victories in Mayo are long gone. Its only weaker teams/counties who accept those.

I have to say, where the hell have the Mayo support gone? This was an All Ireland Semi Final. Those boys deserved much better. There were as many there from Kerry.

Time to get off the couch and start following the teams again.

arah will you give it a rest Sean Burke. They got to the last 4 in Ireland, and they're not responsible for any other team other than themselves.
I think they over-achieved if anything, they're not a star-studded team.

Great effort from the lads, played some fantastic football but a bit of carelessness crept into their game in the last ten minutes. Gave away a lot of frees late on plus they got tired playing against the breeze, some very good players coming through, hope they progress now, hard luck.

@chesneychat
Im interested in what you said about the goalkeeping issue.
Was there any injury reason for the change in keeper? I don't think the new lad is an upgrade from Gleeson on kickouts or saves (Gleeson saves that first Down goal in my opinion).
It's an odd one. Galway getting through the rounds without hugely impressing but always feel they have another gear when they need it.

Tubberman 100% agree this minor team compared to the last few aren't a team full of stars so to get to the semi is a great achievement they worked really hard so fair play to them.

Great minor game, both teams played lovely brand of football.
Watched Cavan yesterday, how did we lose to that team, is it the hangover from Connaught final, Limerick had a bit of the same issue yesterday in hurling, although Dublin hurlers are better than Cavan.

I didn’t suggest they were responsible for any other teams but there is no denying the trend of Mayo teams losing tight games across the board .

As for support Mayonaze , it’s gone and won’t come till the senior team start winning big games .

We need to all remember that it's OK to be disappointed when our underage teams are beaten but U20s and U17s are development age groups. If U17 players are able to develop to become good U20 and eventually starters for the seniors then it's job done.

Happy Holidays WJ . See everyone in August for the county championships!

Donegal doing a number on Louth was to be expected though .

Great display but Kerry the better team overall.

I think the minor team showed a brilliant quality this season in defiance and resilience. There was a lot of heart in the team this year. Since 2022 it’s become more and more apparent to me that judgements on u17s are a bit pointless. Really this grade should be alongside the Ted Webb age category where there is no massive fanfare. There’s so many hurdles off the pitch from u17 for these lads to navigate it makes it a bit pointless trying to take meaning from it. U20 is a stronger measure

@JoeG//@Roco88: Absolutely.

Louth minors won 2/5 in Leinster Minor in '23 (Westmeath & Wicklow) and 0/3 in '22 (with a few hammerings finishing on a huge negative score difference) yet managed to develop and produce an u20 side who put it up to the best in the country this year. Already producing a few senior talents for them (a number of those - and a majority of this year's u20 side - still underage next year). I'd imagine Horse and all the folks around him in the academy setup are over the moon with those results.

Way more to judging 'success' at underage than counting medals.

Looking forward to seeing some of those lads breaking into senior setups at clubs around the county next year. Who knows where things might take them beyond that.

@Roco88…absolutely. Minor at 17 is wrong imo. Look at the Kerry 5 in a row minors…they’ve not come through to dominate at senior to the extent that was expected. Look, I do believe it’s hugely important to coach and develop players from a very young age. I also believe success breeds success but absolutely, u20 is a far, far better measure for senior success. We need now to see some dominance in province our province at u20 level and ideally an All Ireland. I still think this year, we underachieved at this level even taking into account the injuries. Losing to Louth was poor. Tyrone walloped them in the final.

It’ll be very interesting to see how Kerry fare v Tyrone in the minor final. The closer it is the better it reflects on us because there was very little between Mayo and Kerry today.

Also, I fully agree with @Sean Burke and his comments on losing trends. But separately, we shouldn’t have to wait for the seniors to start to do well again to come out and support an underage team in an All Ireland semi final. I was expecting far more from Mayo in Ennis today.

Finally, @ OntheRoad13…interesting use of words ‘a team full of stars’. Now Im not picking on you and know you might have just used the phrase without much thought, but the previous minor teams were hardly full of ‘stars’. Sure, they won nothing!??

Maybe the more recent minor teams had more lads who were ‘talked up’ than compared to the 2025 crop. Time will tell, but there’s without doubt a tendency to hype up fellas in Mayo when they’ve ultimately won little or nothing.

On todays game, the lads showed a lot of fight. That was nice to see.

Hard luck lads. A few late decisions going against ye. Played with great heart in the second half.

@Nephin, you’re tight. Aside from the penalty I felt Kerry got the run of the green late in the first half and a few times late in the game too. Sometimes you get them, sometimes you don’t

*you’re right!! :)

@waitingforsam- There had been lots of calls to drop Gleeson but watching Flahertys troubles in last two games Gleeson must wryly smile at the change made. Flaherty kicks lower usually and more accurate and quicker but conditions have made a mare of his games. Who'd be a goalie. Not ruling out Gleeson back in goals for QF.

Mayonaze,
I thought the free for the equaliser late on was especially hard. I thought it was a good tackle.

Some very good players on display there .The 3 handling errors at start of second half were costly but in fairness Kerry did seem to get some fairly handy frees

100%. I was close to it. Very good defending

Love the ending!!!!!!

Great game, the lads tried very hard but just came up short, some very good talent coming up.

Midfielders were very good. caught some brilliant ball throughout, we may need them going forward, very good forwards also, great game, hard luck to everyone involved.

Very true @chesneychat. Every bloody thing you do is magnified but especially the mistakes.
I'd also argue that the focus on kickouts under new rules is overly done. In many games, even the best goalies around are just having to lump it long and make it a 50/50.
Galway tipping along - wouldn't rule out a repeat of last year's final.

What do ye think of the Donegal v Louth result?

Swallow Swoops if we had played Louth today we would probably just about managed to beat them by a point. Donegal have kicked on from our match. We badly need someone to show our guys how to kick two pointers

Match report and Final Whistle pod from Minor match now both up.

Glory Days, I tend to agree that we’d make hard work of Louth and might even lose. It’s just how we roll sometimes.
The result today could also show that we managed to keep Donegal to one score while Louth struggled to deal with their threat. Granted it was an extra game for both - out in 7 days after last week.

Chesneychet. Good win for ye again today. Have to admire Galway resilience this year. In a sticky spot with 15 minutes to go in Connacht final. Lost against Dubs, recovered from 8 down to draw v Derry and something similar v Armagh. And ye avoid most of big guns in tomorrows draw. I would expect ye to be too good for Meath and also good enough to beat Monaghan. Tyrone is a tricky assignment as you never know what to expect from Tyrone, but ye have done well v Ulster teams of late so no need to fear them.One thing I can’t understand though is not starting Gleason. I would put him well ahead of the lad who played today. Keeping Walsh fit is crucial but ye have lots of other good forwards. Ye do tend to concede high scores though

I can't make up my mind about Galway. I'm thinking if all their recent games were mayo instead of Galway it would be said we're waiting to be put out of our misery. There's no doubt they're struggling to win a game comfortably but while they are still in the championship they're dangerous tho if McDaid and Walsh are injured then the pressure is on.

They have beem patchy and at times lucky to survive but as long as they are in it they are very much contenders imo. Games like today and last week will bring the group closer and really stand to them.

Comer us essentially a write off at this stage but given the form of finnerty and thompson he won't be unduly missed. I still think galways downfall will be goalkeeper, neither are convincing.

Tbh I'm a bit sickened they have turned up a potential superstar forward in matthew thompson out of nowhere, what a baller he is. All the creativity of peak Brian mcguigan and kicking a heap of scores along with it.

Honestly the AI is completely wide open from here. My hunch is final will be a Galway Armagh rematch
It's cr4p being on the outside looking in again this year

O agree in fairness to Galway they produce great forwards . Thompson is something else .

Donegal not convinced by them.

Monaghan could throw a surprise or two .

It really is crap for a 2nd year in a row looking in from the outside an eery feeling . We definetly have gone backwards over the last 3 years no doubt about it .

Nice to see comments about Matthew Thompson, he is such a beautiful player to watch, definitely in line at the moment for young players of the year. His scores today were a thing of beauty..
A great decision by PJ to get him playing consistently.

Personal view but I think Galway have gone from a boring hard to watch team, in the past few years, to a high octane thrilling watch. Their past 4 championship games have had huge peaks and troughs ranging from purple batches in scoring to shipping big scores in succession. The squad depth is what has them still in the championship and to their credit, they have consistently stood up to the challenge which is a sign of champions.

What i can’t figure yet is whether their porous defence is due to the current new rules or a big flaw in their defence ie half back! I can’t see this get tested hard until a semi final unless they meet Tyrone. Even then it might not get tested

No more than Mayo 9 years ago, their fluting around with their goalie could prove costly and for me is their biggest risk of winning Sam

Wide open championship and we are no where near it that's just depressing. Hope the guys have a good summer in America if they are off at least . As others said if we are to get new management hope it doesn't end up like the media circus it ended up being the last time. Do it swiftly and under the radar.

Apparently, Matthew Thompson was found by John O'Mahony playing for the Salthill juniors. Johnno thought he could turn into a top class player. He was right.

Think that was John Maher.

I think a lot of commenters here are reading far too much into today's result. Talk about DNA and habits and psyches and culture and all the rest of it is very tempting when you're from Mayo and love the misery but those young lads were simply beaten today by a better team. That's literally all there is to it. No need to overthink it.

@Anne - Marie

Totally well said as usual !

Obviously Mayo did a lot of things right against Donegal.
As always our lack of scoring forwards was our downfall.
I was at the 67 semi final, some things never change.
Some good lads coming through, I hope.

Nephin…it definitely wasn’t John Maher and the story about Thompson I doubt cos he’s been known about in Salthill for several years as ‘one to watch’. John pretty much went from underage straight into seniors.

Great draw for Galway…has the feel of a ‘name in the trophy’ about it.

I think Monaghan and Tyrone could cause upsets for sure but if either does, they’d find it hard to reproduce the shock at semi final stage so if Galway got either they’d very likely beat them. I also think Galway will best Armagh if they face again. The only ones they might fear would be Donegal but Galway look better than them and much deeper squad. If anything happens Murphy, Donegal are gone.

Yup that's Galway through to the semis can't see Meath beating them.

Through they could only draw Meath or Monaghan . Monaghan could beat Donegal .

I'd say Armagh will beat kerry .

I don't think Tyrone beating Dublin would be regarded as an upset, a few yrs ago, definitely. Monaghan are a tough, dangerous side who'll put Donegal to the sword, but I'd still be tipping the tir chonaill men in that one.
Meath are the one side that might cause an upset. Galway fans rubbing their hands in glee at that draw might want to temper their expectations. The tribesmen probably will prevail but they'll know they've been in a war.
Armagh to pip Kerry for me.

Think that’s the shot in the arm now that will probably see Galway over the line , I’ve been living in denial but I’m going to have to accept that lot are in prime position now . Meath couldn’t even beat Louth , this is different gravy stuff now where the better teams will show the difference between contenders and pretenders . Only hope is Kerry find a gear or two .

Meath could beat Dublin and Kerry. We'll see

I'd be reasonably certain of Armagh beating Kerry, feels weird to say it after their 9 point drubbing of cavan but again I wasn't impressed with them. It was the David clifford show,he was phenomenal but the support cast were fairly ordinary. Duarmuid O'connor will be a terminal loss to them in the middle of the park where armagh are very well stacked and they have a battle hardened but rested squad chomping at the bit.

I think there will be an upset and possibly penalties somewhere.

Armagh
Tyrone
Donegal (aet)
Galway (by the skin of their teeth)

@Sean Burke

Agree there.

Think Galway could do it as much as it PAINS me to say it .

If Kerry somehow beat Armagh next week they might be able to stop Galway .

Though I wouldn't write off Dubs or Tyrone just yet.

But we could be in for a very long summer & winter I Galway do win it . Though we only have ourselves to blame after making a total bollix of the Cavan game

Getting the emigration visa sorted as we speak...

Still though ... Galway have been in the wars and have only six days to prepare. I wouldn't be 100% confident they'll emerge unscathed next weekend.

Sticking with Armagh overall. Don't let me down, Geezer!

Ah jasus Clare, it's doesn't bear thinking about if Gakway do it. I've the deep bunker and tins of beans ready for myself already.
However they have injuries and it will make a difference but they are in an all ireland semi realistically already after that draw.
I want the whole season to just be over now. Watching the draw earlier was like waking up on Christmas morning and watching those close to you opening their presents and you get nothing. I couldn't even enjoy my porridge!!!

@annemarie, yep, Galway's injury count could cost them the big one. Meath have nothing to lose in their encounter, but they might get the jitters in the closing stretch. Terrible there's no Mayo in the mix, but there'll probably be no Dublin or Kerry in it after next weekend either.

Galway will beat Meath. Probably won't be a hammering, but they have more than enough. They could have found an extra gear against Down if needs be. It'll be the same story with Meath. They'll have a tougher job in a semifinal because they are conceding a lot at the moment.

Tyrone will be happy with their draw, I would imagine. Dublin's season is riding on Con O'Callaghan's fitness. They are desperately average without him.

Monaghan will rattle Donegal but don't think they'll have enough down the stretch. Still, Donegal are playing like it's the old rules, even though they are getting the wins. I'm not convinced they have an All Ireland in them.

Kerry are not impressive and Armagh should beat them, I think, though I'm sure Kerry will be able to get their tails up for the occasion.

@Pullhard

Oh I know the thoughts of it I may have to get the passport ready if they win it .. !

You described it perfectly there did have that feeling about it this morning ..

I still think it's Armaghs though it's in between Galway & Armagh for sure again anyways .

Anne-Marie - really hard to see Armagh winning back to back. I think they are better than they were 12 months ago, but I find it very hard to see them going all the way, especially if Galway are in it. I know down in kerry they are writing their chances off. I spoke with two Kerrymen today (at work) and they don't think they've much hope and they''d generally be measured and quietly optimistic.

Galway got the best draw possible. By a long shot. Meath lost to Louth and we saw what happened them. I think their win v Kerry was a bit of an outlier. Kerry were down key figures and weren't tuned in.

The 3 weeks in a row for teams? Galway are best placed to handle this. In fact it's benefited them. They've the strongest bench in the country by a mile. It's there for them to win it, just like it was last year. They didn't show up in the final. They seem far more mentally composed in 2025 and with Conroy, McDaid, Maher, Cooke and D'arcy in the middle, they have all the ammo required. They just better hope don't do a 71,73,74 on it....

Tyrone to beat the Dubs, Galway win, Donegal win and hard call Armagh kerry..its the tie of the round Obviously..Kerry will have wanted this after last year

There are no easy games folks, I hoped we wouldnt get Tyrone or Monaghan as another Northern team for fourth game in a row would be a big ask. Its up to the lads to perform now against Meath who are in bonus territory and have nothing to lose. It should be a tight game.

@Chesneychet

That's yerra talk there .. haha

Chesney you defo got the least difficult one then ha!!!

Agreed Chesney...
There is no handy draw anywhere in the last 8, Meath/Monaghan are 2 teams who have embraced the new rules and have the scoring power and speed to have a big say yet.

Galway will be delighted with their bench impact yday, will need everyone going forward and they got massive impact from cooke, Flaherty, culhane

Nothing would surprise me in any of the games next weekend, you could make an argument for all 8 teams winning though you would think the teams that had their feet up for the weekend will be licking their lips.
It's the best 8 teams in the country left in it,much as it annoys me to say it

If we had Meath I’d be very disappointed if they beat us, so Galway for me are a shoe in to win. Galway at 70% beat that Meath side in a knock out game. Comfortably. Kerry would have beaten them a few weeks back if it was knockout.

If my aunt had liathroidi she'd be my uncle Mayonaze...no point in ifs buts and maybes now

Mayonaze, one of these days soon I will log on here and something you post will cheer me up, not depress me. I am certain of it. Today, it seems, is not that day.

Looks like Galway’s name is on the cup even if they do deserve credit for their resilience. We had them on the ropes but couldn’t land the knockout punch. Derry led by 8 and couldn’t finish them off. They got an already qualified Armagh in the final group game and edged past them They avoided Donegal and Kerry and . Down was a relatively handy preliminary quarter final and now they have the easiest quarter final draw they could get. Yes Meath beat Kerry but would Kerry have been so meek if it was a genuine knock out game. While I acknowledge they beat Dublin they really should have been capable of beating Louth in Leinster final but blew a big lead. Louth have been poor since. Meath have hugely improved in fairness but a team that edged past Cork, drew with Roscommon and lost to Louth will hardly be good enough for a battle hardened Galway . Other games are harder to call. I fancy Tyrone could be dark horses and tip them to beat the Dubs. I fancy Donegal to beat Monaghan. While Monaghan have been impressive they really haven’t beat any top team and had the easiest draw. Lots saying Armagh will dispose of Kerry but once Kerry come to Croke Park they will up their game and their accurate kicking style could really trouble Armagh. My heart says Armagh but the head thinks Kerry may shade it

Kerry will rally for the Armagh match and will look to isolate Clifford inside to do damage and get goals but you would fear for them with Armagh super fit. Tyrone are not the finished article "yet" and the Dubs may have enough with Con back at Croker to win. Donegal are a strange one, they seem full of running but overpass it continously but could easily improve in Croker but Monaghan on their day could catch them but would need things to fall right for them. I wont call our game, I hope we can beat Meath who are somewhat of an unknown as its realistically their first big game in years.

@Anne-Marie…fair enough!! I’m definitely not feeling it today!!!

@seanBurke. Don't concede yet. The only thing keeping me going as Galway progress is we might be getting nearer 3 all ireland losses in 4 years or depending who I'm talking to I'll be turning it into 3 in 3 years.. 2025 minus 2022=3 years.

Jimmy's going to be giving out blue murder yet again. First game next Saturday (6 day turnaround) v Monaghan. Dubs and Tyrone afterwards.
Genius that lads...3 teams' fans travelling on the N2 on the one day. Half of Donegal would be coming through lifford... what sort of planks are these guys?

@Ever the optimist

I've no sympathy for McGuiness to be honest always moaning !

Quarter finals have always been in croker . Where else has the capacity for them

Clare, I've none for him either. I'm talking about traffic volume with the pride festival being on etc. Lots of Tyrone fans use the N2 through Monaghan as well as Donegal fans from inishowen.
I've no love for McGuiness, believe me.

@Ever the optimist

Yeah that's true the traffic on the roads will be nuts but guess Jarlaith Burns doesn't really care about that sure !

In theory, I'd have a certain amount of sympathy for Donegal given that we know all too well how it feels to be on the wrong end of unfair scheduling decisions. God knows a lot of us whinged enough about them too (and it got us precisely nowhere). But in reality, for some reason, I'm finding it very hard to find any sympathy in my heart for Jimmy & co!

Unfair on Donegal and big advantage to Kerry.
Are RTE calling the shots?

What's all this about Galway winning an All Ireland??
Cool the jets lads, still probably 4th favourites after Armagh, Donegal and Dublin..

Don't think rte have a say in it.

More yerra talk there Tuamstar . Your 3rd favourites I'd say ahead of the Dubs .

Don't worry,Mc Guinness will use that 'perceived' unfairness to rally the troops...''look what he's trying to do to us lads''. In fairness if you were a conspiracy theorist, there's a case to be made.
I'm sure it's nowt to do with Mr.Burns.

So delighted for the extra night's sleep for the lads. Donegal will be fine too, sure they won pulling up. Hopefully, all the proud "Wild Atlantic Way" football sides progress next weekend. Paudie Clifford should be fit and that will make a big difference. Tbh, I can't see Kerry losing - they won't be beaten again this year by Armagh.

@Jr: Two brilliant recent threads by Cahair O'Kane going into the background on scheduling (both with a TV focus and on a weekend like this where the broadcasters play second fiddle to attendances).

Well worth a read (of both) if anyone has an interest in the various factors involved: https://x.com/CahairOKane1/status/1937079542021083588 (written before the choices were made or announced)

It was always likely to end up in this situation and pretty much just a toss of a coin which of PJ or Jim ended up in this position. My own first thoughts knowing that scenario was "Well, Jim will be giving out anyway...", so some potential for someone on the CCCC to think similar when making that 50/50.

@Magpie: No. Thanks for asking.

Thanks Tsu I had a look at the link you posted and found it interesting. Magpie you're out of order .. a spell in moderation would do you no harm

WJ knows how to deal with the likes of you .. I'll say no more

I wasn't going to reply but .. yes you are entitled to your opinion but no need to be rude, good man. In the words of the late great Bill o Herlihy "Rightio, Okey Doke, we'll leave it there so"!

I have to say some of the stats and figures Tsu brings to the site here are fantastic.
We all have opinions and ideas as to what happened in certain games and in certain years - but you cannot argue with cold, hard facts. Keep up the good work Tsu.

@Tuamstar - Galway joint second favourites with PP for Sam with big Jim’s Donegal top of the pile tonight. The big challenges for Galway will be Goalkeeping decision, porous defence in recent weeks and possibly, the mental hurdle of getting over the line. However they’ve an awful lot going for them and I’d expect after last year, they will get it right this year. Huge resilience being shown in the past 3 games

@TsuDhoNim

Don't be minding that I enjoy your posts as do most on here . You really know your stuff fair play .

You are absolutely out of order Magpie. The state of that comment. "Not having a go"? Give yourself a good shake.

TsuDhoNim, this place is all the better for having you here.

Big difference between the shite some statisticians pedal & what TSU does.

TSU can i ask you something & you'll like this one Magpie.....are we getting anywhere near McStays fabled 40/30/20 philosophy? To my eye, we seemed miles short of that. And it's all the more baffling when its clearly the way to go with new rules. I'm fact, you need more than 20 scores. We'd be lucky to reach that with 100% conversion

TsuDhoNim, thank you for sharing your talent with us. You show respect and abstain from opinions, a choice you make for good reasons. If someone doesn’t like facts and stats, they can simply skip over your posts.

TSU is a legend in my book. Always has the information to hand it seems. Top notch on the new rules. I asked a question recently on Discord and he replied within minutes. It was regarding when a player could move the free outside the arc for a two pointer. He had it immediately.

Indeed, Swallow Swoops. Especially when the linked article is prefaced with "if anyone has an interest in the various factors involved... ".

God we are gone awfully ratty here. Having a go at a man who posts up interesting stats. Not being sympathetic to Jimmy after his long trek back from The Hyde and now having to head to Croker after a 6 day break, wondering if there is a conspiracy by Rte and J Burns as regards fixtures etc. why can’t we all be happy like PJ in Galway. He praised Down, the Down support and the quality of the pitch in Newry yesterday. He even praised the referee. And there were some who used to think that he whinged a lot!!!!

PJ does whinge to be fair .

@Rusty Bridges: Interesting one. Not something I've seen anyone look at yet under the new rules and see how those old rules of thumb might have shifted with the new space and advantages mixed with the loss of control, so dug a little to give us something to compare against.

In our own 7 tagged games (Donegal, Tyrone, Galway, Leitrim along with Kerry, Derry & Dublin in the league) this year we'd be looking at:

Offensively - 38.29 phases / 27.43 shots / 16.43 scores (19.57 scored)
Defensively - 37.43 phases / 25.00 shots / 15.14 scores (18.43 scored)

I can't remember the wording around the 40/30/20 for if it was aiming for 20 scores (we'd be falling short) or 20 scored (in or around that ballpark), so threw both up just in case.

Looking across 23 tagged Championship games featuring D1 teams nationally (not involving us) for a benchmark to compare against, it would average out to:

Offensively: 37.61 phases, 27.83 shots & 18.52 scores (24.32 scored)

No dramatic change in numbers there, the ol' 40/30/20 looks like it's still holding up relatively well (if we go for 20 scores rather than scored).

The average scores and average scored numbers there are taking a relatively significant rise from what we're hitting, despite the comparable number of shots. Probably notable that our scored per game is coming in under our expected scored per game (21 vs 19.6), while the national averages are coming in over (22.5 vs 24.3).

Impossible to see from the numbers alone if that's a question of mostly confidence, tactics, speed of transitions, teams sitting deeper due to a lack of threat from range or just a lack of quality (I don't for a second believe it's the last one - but included to expand the options). As with most things, something as nuanced as scoring will be a complicated mix of factors, where adjusting any one of them can quickly cascade to make dramatic impacts on others.

PJ was teed up multiple times by journalists in the interview I heard trying to get him to complain about a potential 6 day turnaround. To be fair to him, all they got was "ara we're just glad to be there, we could be at home doing nothing".

Was certain they'd get the 6 day Saturday slot after that, in comparison to big jim. Maybe we need to give the decision makers more credit and they don't listen to the outside noise at all

In saying that I still think it should be the Kerry + Dublin games on the Sat regardless of RTE or sellout crowds

Just catching up on comments again after a few hours away.

Moose79 - you were absolutely out of order there and, Hill16, there's no way that you should have had that kind of mud thrown at you in light of the comment you posted. Your comment deserved far better and everyone tuning in here deserved better too.

Magpie - where does one start where it comes to you? I note that you've only turned up here lately and I do think you need a bit of instruction as regards what's acceptable and what's not acceptable here by way of contributing. So I'd point you in the direction of the house rules (here) and, seeing as you've clearly broken them, you are indeed now facing a period in moderation.

There's been a fair bit of reaction too to the post about the upcoming Natasha documentary. All I would say is to urge everyone to take the time to watch it and to reflect on the message it imparts. I was extremely privileged to meet Natasha last week and to say she's an impressive person is an understatement. This country needs more people like her and her story is so relevant to this country at the moment.

There's a bit of histoical nonsense in how Jimmy goes on at times in relation to schedules and locations. He likes to instill a siege mentality within the camp, us against the world or vice versa. It might have irked the capo di tutti capi in HQ. There's a bit of chest puffing involved but Jimmy knows what he's doing, I'd say. In Jimmy's defence, 6 days to get the hair brylcremed is a tough task.

Deepest apologies WJ, only read the house rules now. I wasn't trying to cause offence