We need a repeat of the same phase match in August 2019 in McHale Park when we beat Donegal by 3 or 4 points. Donegal were favourites then too but Mayo put in a brilliant team performance that day to snuff out Murphy and crew on the day. I recall Paddy Durcan having a stormer and he was just getting into the groove there against Tyrone last weekend. Unfortunately, will be away on hols but hope to tune in

Just a thought and have absolutely no evidence that it is the case but on the slim percentage chance that it may possibly be the last game for our longest serving warrior i hope to travel to the hyde. Tyrone performance was encouraging surely due to our lack of a rigid playing style. Tyrone were poor also .

The super 8 game against Donegal in mc hale park in 2019 is one of my favourite ever Mayo games.
The atmosphere was electric.
About a minute into that game Colm Boyle nailed Michael Murphy with a ferocious shoulder and put Donegals talisman on his hole.
As always Boyler was setting the tempo.
Them fellas fought for every inch.
That's the spirit we need on Sunday week

Richie Duck please don't say thart. The man himself has stated that he'll keep going as long as he's fit and wanted, so I hope we'll get another year at least.

@Anne - Marie

Totally agree . I think he will still be playing next year. He is playing his best football at the minute and looks pretty fit . Sure look at Michael Murphy & Cluxton plenty more in him yet .

Hope we pack the house with green & red . Support can go a long way and we will need it . It will go down to the wire though . Even though we are written off for this but that suits us .

Still think we are going to sneak the win .

So great to see Durcan back flying fit delighted for him.

If Paul Conroy can still motor at midfield at 36 then Aido at 14 has several years left if he wants and keeps fit. Personally I felt he spent too much time out on the 40 in Omagh. Wasted out the field except in circumstances where he is out trying to win primary possession.

He’s another 3 games left in 2025 after Sunday week anyway , Hup .

Then @seanBurke he can't go without a crack at the 2 in a row.

Let's not be retiring Aidan because of his age.
Aidan is our most consistent player this year.
I'd want him involved as far as him being only a backup to player 26.
Aidan to my eye test, injury permitting has several more years left.
This is his best season in terms of playmaking.

Aido made such a difference when he came back into team during league, and no surprise our result done had a immediate up turn. Still don't think we play to aidan strengths, but he one of the most team player you would see,. He will play any where for you, and such a help to younger player around him. Never get any credit, I think should have been Man of Match against Tyrone. But also delight for Paddy Durkan, another man that improve any team

Seem to out of nowhere got some competition for Places, does Flynn start, can we afford to leave Neary on bench. Does Dawson, Morahan, Tuohy keep there place. Is Thornton an option. Is DOC, close to return, maybe Conroy back in training. This is what Mayo been missing for a numerous year, options from bench, and early days, but we just might have that now

For me Davitt Neary is our Kevin McNanamon and is better from the bench. Jordan Flynn now on this year's form is a better bench option
Diarmuid might be a nice suprise to bolt in at 15 if he's fit.
From what I see of young Roarty he's very spikey and has some over the line tackles. Diarmuid has a height and size advahtage on him and Diarmuid is a player that would draw fouls out of you.

The Roscommon town pubs have the extra kegs in.
Mayo fans are great customers and stay around for a few hours unlike The Tribesmen .who head straight home or to super Mack’s .
The Donnies like a drink as well .so it will be like the Irish club In Leeds

“It will be like the Irish club in Leeds “

90% Mayo ?

In the Tyrone game we had more players close to their best than in any game for the last couple of seasons. Assuming we get the same or better against Donegal means that getting match ups spot on is imperative.
Audi on Murphy as he’s the only one with the power and nous needed. After the job he did in the league game I’d give Fenton Kelly the Ryan McHugh gig. Out of Morahan, Hession, McHugh, Carty, McBrien, Coen, Brickenden, Durban and Callinan to be picked on form and suitability to Donegal attackers.
The rest of the team to be picked on form and on who’s better coming off the bench to assist ROD in a hopefully fluid attack. Praying that Dawson, Neary and the rest can step up once again.

Sean Burke I remember st Brendan’s you where either in the Mayo Corner or the Donnies Corner
Nothing in between
T

Personally think ye’re chances are very slim. But to have any hope, ye need to pack out the Hyde. If I was Mayo manager, the first instruction would be for someone to nail any Donegal man as early as possible, follow it with an organised argy bargy and get the Mayo crowd up for it.

Having been on the opposing side manys a time, there is something electric when ye as fans get going and the players seem to react, they seem faster and stronger, its nuts. You can talk about line ups, subs etc, but the most important factor is ye have to create that electricity and fire, where to be honest ye are unplayable for about 5-10 minutes.

@Western Gael

Sure everyone thought our chances were very slim heading up to Omagh .

We have generally had Donegals number over the years . Yes I know it's a huge task for our young team but we have every chance.

It's a do or die game for us loose this and season over .

We usually play our best when our backs against the wall and just go for it.

I've no doubt our guys will throw the kitchen sink at Donegal next week .

It's great loads think we don't have a chance because we don't do well as favourites . Happy to let ones big up Donegal.

Mayo by 3.

Clare as a matter of interest would the loads and ones that you refer to be people by any chance

@1985

Obviously yes I think you know the answer to that .

But I don’t think you are happy Clare, to let people big up Donegal. The mere suggestion that ye have a slim chance, and your on it like the Gestapo. If your happy to let people big up Dobegal, then let them :)

@Western Gael

I just gave my opinion the same as you did that's all !

Donegal are firm favourites for this match going by form and our form that's fair enough .

I'm just saying it will be alot closer then some think though I don't know if we can back up our performance v Tyrone .

Time will tell I guess .

Western Gael in fairness you are very likely to get that sort of response when you more or less write off our chances.After last weekend I wouldn’t even attempt to predict what will happen next but of course now there is pressure on the players because expectations have suddenly reignited. Was Brian Kennedy’s absence for Tyrone a major factor in our win and was Tyrone as flat as some people are claiming but at least we are still in there with a chance

I think we will win this game.

Beforehand let’s win the battle of wits with Jimmy.

We need our attitude right going into the game.

And let’s ensure the game has movement, that Donegal don’t shut down the game to a snail’s pace. That is a recurring obstacle to us these last few years.

Get these things right and we can beat any team, including Donegal.

I also tend to agree with Sinead37 in being amazed at the stature given to Donegal. They have come out of nowhere these last two years and apart from the Ulster title haven’t gone too much further.

I also agree with Craggy and Mayonaze that we can go further than the group stages. Craggy says that we were playing at the later stages of the Championship in Horan’s last stint - I’ve thought of that too and wondered, like him, why we weren’t going further now. I presume it’s because we were building a team and a robust playing style. Anyway onwards we go.

I think every game amongst the top eigh teams seems to be a toss up this year.
No opposition could plan for Monahan and Dawson starting last Saturday.

Does anyone think mayo would get through with a defeat? I reckon nobody is giving cavan a chance v Tyrone.. If both teams perform as they did against mayo I'd put your money on cavan to win though if it was my money I'd probably back Tyrone. Anything could happen in that game. No question to take down Donegal is a big ask but mayo are capable of doing it. At times i think Tyrone were wrecked after the Donegal game and maybe made mayo look better than they are but then thinking of derry who should have beaten Galway even though they had a big game v armagh only a week previous. I guess time will tell and in the meantime I will follow @clare v @1985

No doubt

I think that is a distinctly possible outcome too lol, no more than ourselves cavan are a very unpredictable showere, when they are bad they are wretched but when they are up for it they can scalp any team, also thry have guys like gearoid mckiernan, james smith, paddy lynch back for tyrone game so they have a reasonable chance on a tight brewster park

Could you imagine the existential angst on here if we both lost and still qualified for the next round lol.
It would lead to a conflicting outpouring of both 'crisis' and 'hype'
The walking contradiction that is Mayo football in its purest form

Unfortunately as good as DOC has been over the years I can’t remember the last game he has had an impact. He just seems to be dogged with injuries and is only back and then gets injured again. With the options mentioned above I don’t think we can risk playing him and maybe getting injured again.
Neary getting rightly praised for his impact the last day but I thought the hunger and work rate from Flynn was excellent when introduced. Amazing what happens when lads aren’t guaranteed their place and have to fight for the jersey.

DOC if fully fit (big if, makes bench if not 100%) starts for me, no doubt. Tries his heart out every time he pulls on a jersey and is one of our best players. Thought he was motoring well vs Galway but the injuries he’s been suffering are painful to watch. Competition for places at the moment is great, means jimmy won’t know our 15 for definite until throw in

@supermac.. I'm afraid if we both lose we can't both progress. In that scenario it'll be bye bye mayo.

Rochford trusts diarmuid , if fit he’ll play him is my guess .

https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2025/06/05/plans-for-new-mayo-gaa-centre-of-excellence-progressing/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKusq5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHuJijgTfpQDT1xIqdhG1s3gX_p5F60OCqYMlJHRdTQFailb9q98gPipfJu10_aem_IF7lCZeqJJ1ACBFh5wlrRA

Mighty news , plough on and to hell with the naysayers . One way of answering the critics , action .

By the quote in that article 1 million is spent already? That can't be correct?

@JP: Hard to get a clear picture from the quotes given or any of the reporting, but I'd assume that's €1m spent by the Durkan Bohola Community Park Committee and independent of anything spent by Mayo GAA (or Mayo LGFA) towards a COE. With a few different projects all happening in parallel at various stages of progression.

"Lands gifted by Bohola native and UK-based developer, Bill Durkan close to the east Mayo village are proposed to become the Mayo GAA Centre of Excellence while Mayo LGFA also propose to locate their training facilities there after agreeing a partnership and a licence agreement with Durkan Bohola Community Park.

A full sized GAA field, training field, car parking area, clubhouse and a stand at the Bohola site is also being developed by the Durkan Bohola Community Park committee."

https://www.mayonews.ie/news/swinford/1818450/onwards-and-upwards-for-bohola-mayo-gaa-development.html

Pressure on the lads?
Beat Donegal and we're back in the big time, for the first time since maybe 2017; COVID years weren't the same.
For all a lot of the squad they are on cusp of being at the center of one of those years they grew up with.
We should be absolutely bouncing into this.

@FristTheHammer

Great post totally agree it's a massive game for our young guys !

We were in a semi final in 2019

Tickets got for us all and ready for the battle.!!! I might even get the championship haircut on the Saturday

I really cant believe why Mayo people are so naive after one match against a below par team.There is no chance in my view Mayo can beat Donegal and I suspect there could be quite a bit to spare for them.Would it were not so.

You're positivity is infectious Padraig!

Given the debt we are under already is it realistic that we will get the money to do the COE?
Where will we get that level of cash? Our main revenue streams judging by the accounts seems to be predominantly based around the main sponsors, the lotto, an annual golf drive, Mayo GAA TV and gate receipts; given the debt we are servicing and the cost to run the senior team another €20+ million doesn't seem viable.

Just tear into Donegal from the start, hit them hard and hit them often, Colm Boyle style.

Pádraig ó Néill ok. after the game you'll be sorted either way. Sure you can say i told ye so or just i didn't think they could do it. We may as well forget about it so and throw stones at our jacket.

Gizmobobs i understand people’s concerns on this but I also at the same time don’t understand the reluctance if there are people who can find a way to raise the funds necessary. I really think it’s vital for progression hence why I’m so hellbent on the project going ahead . I’ve read all the popular arguments saying it’s not vital etc, I totally disagree and perhaps I’m wrong to be so for it but that’s how I see it .

The obstacles can be overcome if the determination is there to see the project through . We can all put obstacles in the way of every suggestion , how it’s not doable blah blah , I know of a man who built an international airport on a bog in barnacuige, they all said he was raving , look at it today . Hup Mayo .

Culmore, you are spot on, Mayo has to tear into Donegal from the start, every player has to be thinking about their job on the day, which is no messing about, get to the ball first at all costs, otherwise tackle hard on opponents, give them no time to think, pressure pressure all the time, take their scores every opportunity & leave everything on the field of play + use subs strategically, when necessary & go win the game, no s***e hawking, good luck to the lads & S Rochford.

@nodoubt
or change management team like Donegal did and get real!

@Padraig O ' Neill Ok

Well just is well you won't be giving the team speech to the guys before the throw in !!

It's not being naive. I get why there's negativity .
But surely we have to get behind the guys give then the support they need . Bring the noise , colour and pack the house out .

People saying Tyrone where ' flat ' against us . Hmm maybe they were or maybe just maybe we put in the performance we know the guys can put in and we're better ? And maybe Paddy Durcan being back inspired our guys is well why wouldn't it massive boost for us and him in flying form to he's some man !

@No doubt I'm with you there !

@Pullhard

Love that championship haircut! Haha

I don't know about anybody else but all of a sudden it feels as if a miserable championship ended with the Cavan defeat and a new one has since started. One with new players, new ideas, new energy and renewed hope. The team in Omagh led the way and it feels like a new dawn for fans as well. Let's all get behind them now and if there's more improvement to come...........well, who knows where it ends up.

@clare yes it would be great if they did it but I find it difficult to see how they will.I hope I am wrong but our performance level is poor and our style of play,while it improved against Tyrone, is not at the top level.Unbridled optimism just leads to frustration and disappointment.However,Clare, on this occasion I hope you are correct and I am not.

@Padraig O Neill Ok

Fair enough sure time will tell !

Big question is, what do the Donegal management do.
Barring Cavan shocking Tyrone, taking at least a point, Donegal will have three weekends in a row with games. How do they manage Murphy, McHugh, McBrearty, McFadden and the other older players in their squad for those three weeks.
It's not win or bust for Donegal, it is for ourselves.

Donegal have to go and win it, same as we do.
They can't be relying on Cavan and Tyrone to make them safe.

Pros.
Playing in the Hyde - this has been a happy hunting ground, over the years
Having Paddy Durcan back - spiritual leader of this team, and I think get on every team in country
More option from bench - well it seems that way
Few more players playing to required level - Now this it not shown over an extended period which a little worrying

Cons
Not scoring enough from forwards - This in fairness this been a problem for 30 years
They have a better midfield than us
They score 3 more 2 pointer per game on average than us
There forwards twice a potent than us, as a unit
Michael Murphy - Just like us having Paddy back for us, he there leader
We play in a way that we looking to get turned over, too many lateral passes and slow attacks, if we do this against Donegal "we are cooked", they will turn us over an punish us with speed and their potent forwards
Jim McGuiness, they would run thru a brick wall for this man

Weighing it all up, we wont win, however if one County that can do what not expected of them it us. How many defending champions have we put on their arses. And Donegal not at that level. So go in hope, not impossible as sure team ready to give Donegal loads of it.
I think our style of play could be tweeted and make such a difference, need to really speed up our attacks, run hard and direct. Kick a few more balls into Aido.

Maybe we can agree on a draw :D

Padraig. I leave the topic on this. Sure enough there is a great chance you're right but on the whole following a team is a bit more than giving up when things not going well and riding the train when they going well. It's about hope, debate, chat over a few pints, banter between supporters, joy, sad and in our case lots more. My point is if folks are looking forward to a game /season let them enjoy the ride. Now there's no harm in a negative opinion every now and then sometimes justified but no need to trample on positive opinions

Tickets for the stand in the Hyde sold out since early yesterday going by ticketmaster only terrace available am i right in thinking its all standing terrace there with no seating, kids want to go and in standing terrace be no point they would see nothing

Sean Burke agree something is needed. But it's needed sooner rather than later.
I'd personally prefer, given the geographic size of the county 4 regional hubs developed. CB could piggy back of a club or school in region, spend less updating some of their facilities and gain rights to them e.g. as lads on one the pods said Ballinrobe community school in the south has few pitches and about 4 dressing rooms not used after 6pm or on weekends.
Knockmore in north has 3 pitches and 6 dressing rooms and gym facilities. Charlestown in the east has a fine set up and new pitches, gym etc.
4 or 5 million spent on these could give us far more bang for our buck and be done very quickly, compared to 20 odd million over a much longer time scale.

Bellmullet town to Bohola is about 1hr 30min, Achill to Bohola is similar. That's 3hr round trip for those lads every session before they even set foot on grass.
And with LGFA and GAA merger coming fast facilities already not available will be in even more demand.

No Doubt, you're spot on in what you posted above. I have said it for years - in Mayo, following this team is about far more than football. It is intrinsically tied in with our own sense of place and identity, and when Mayo was hit so hard post-crash, following this team became a lifeline for so many people. We associate it with hope, optimism, and belief in the face of adversity, and with connection, both at a local level and with our diaspora. When we do well against the odds, well, that's a very heady feeling, and an opportunity, in the short-term at least, to stick out our chests.

Whether that is beneficial in the long-term when it comes to the bigger picture, well, that's debatable. The reality is, that for the majority of Mayo people, following the team is a bit of escapism; it is a time to suspend the day-to-day worries and endless streams of bad news that we are being hit with every day. People generally - rightly or wrongly - don't want to get drawn into that when following what is a hobby or an enjoyable voluntary activity. For the most part, people want to see the team do well, the management do well, and to enjoy that when it happens.

So Padraig O Neill OK, it's not about naivety, it's about hope. It's about optimism. They say it's the hope that kills you, but without hope, what is the point in anything? It's not just about football, after all. On paper, you're right, we probably don't have a hope of beating Donegal. But we didn't have a hope of beating Tyrone either - I certainly didn't have any hope heading up the road, and it felt pretty rubbish. But it felt pretty damn good when we did beat them. And it makes for an altogether more enjoyable day out when you have a bit of hope in the back pocket, even if it turns out to be unfounded.

@Anne - Marie

So well said totally agree with everything you said there spot on!

Definitely Mayo have the best followers in the world and are always there to cheer on the team.I have been following since before 89 and while there have been great days there has been serious disappointment too.So Now I stay grpunded and call it as I see it and simply put I do not think we are as good as Donegal this year but I do think good times are coming with strong young lads maturing and a change of management whose tactics ( until the last day ) have been baffling.
Not this year maybe but soon.

Often people on here describe what I think better than I am able. Well done Anne-Marie.
It is a sense of identity and pride. It is a sense of escapism from the boring chores in life. It is enjoyment and a hobby. However, sometimes following Mayo can feel like life and death!!!!!! As my Wexford husband thinks!!! Nobody gets it only us. Being a Mayo supporter can be complex to explain to the outside.
We will beat Donegal and if we don’t who else are we going to support?! Buy your tickets and don’t miss out like Omagh.

All lovely words above but the reality is, we blew it against the whipping boys in the group.
No disrespect to Cavan but when we found out the group we were in, we chalked down that one as a given, especially playing them at home.
Fail to prepare...prepare to fail come to mind and even though we beat a very flat looking Tyrone team who no doubt after watching us v Cavan, understated us too. That said we're now left with a mountain to climb to stay in the championship!

John, yes, the "fail to prepare, prepare to fail" line is a good one. I like it a lot too! And yet, we can find ourselves running around, chasing our tails and just bumbling things, right royally, even if we are perfectionists or detail-oriented : ) In the past, it was a strange phenomenon that Mayo could be dreadfully flat against certain teams too but raise it when they absolutely had to. I'm not saying that will play out here.

My view on it is this - we are where we are.

And we have a chance, more than a chance.

When we are focussed and really want the win, we can get it. I use the word "can" - we can find a way. Will we? We have to wait and see. Let's try our very best and not be lost for effort.

@Blondie11
Unlikely stand tickets are sold out.
They haven't gone on sale yet to general public is my understanding (I could be wrong)
Yes the stand side is the only seating in Hyde Park.
There's about 5k season ticket holders between Donegal and Mayo,they will have first dibs on stand tickets.Even assuming every single one of those opted for stand (which they won't as terrace is cheaper) that still leaves a minimum of 4k stand tickets to go on sale to general public.

Keep an eye out,there will be plenty.

@FW: Stand tickets were available when they were first released and a couple of hours after, but with them being unassigned it's hard to gauge how many were released.

Highly likely another bunch will be released once the season ticket allocations come back. Ticketmaster not as likely to hold them late given they're not trying to sell the 'worse' seats in the meantime.

Yeah the stand tickets where on sale I got some .

As @TsuDhoNim said they will most likely release another batch later on doubt it's sold out already !

The teams that do not top each of the groups will struggle later on, 3 weekends out in a row, All Ireland winners probably coming from the group winners.

Well it’s 5 games to win from here if you don’t win your group.probably next to impossible

I think we had to play 9 and 10 games to reach past All Irelands. And we did it. Some of them games were played a week apart.

The only game right now to worry about is the next game.

Donegal are almost likely to go through in any case even if they lose but they know they are up against it in a little over a week.

I think we have a good chance of beating them. In fact I think we can improve on the last day and go through as group winners ?.

@TDN
I could be wrong on that.I got my stand tix as a season ticket holder.Id be surprised if all stand were gone already as in sold out to general public.Would be a indication that this game may sell out

The 9 games were played over a much longer season consisting of Connacht championship as well.very different scenario now

We played 9 games between 21st may and 26th of august so over 3 months as opposed to possible 5 games in about 7 weeks

@no doubt
Whats throwing stones at our jackets all about

The fixtures have ramped up a lot last few years, playing every week is tough on players and supporters, topping group will be huge advantage. However don’t think it would rule out anyone from Sam contention

Horans hats... Struggling to understand the aggression towards Murphy and Donegal we always shout on mayo up here

Blondie - package available for group where you could buy 3 tickets for the price of 2. They have option to get stand tickets now. I would imagine a lot of Donegal supporters took up this option.

Ah its all about losing to Cavan the first game..jesus like it was embarrassing...Donegal made light work of them but it was vital to win that one and as someone said, a mountain to climb now but sure if you want to win an all Ireland, have to beat the best out there..its knockout now, the job is win and go through.

Even if you don't win your group the fact that you qualify for a pqf means 3 games in short time but if you're still standing g after that it becomes a level playing field.

Anyone know P Faloon?

@Ontheditch: Same ref we had against Cavan. Odd to see him up again so soon, especially with a Provincial link involved. We'd had him for Dublin in R1 of the league this year and Cork in '23 you might remember.

Not too many fond memories involved.

@1985. We did still play games back to back one week after the other. We won them as well.

Thanks TsuDhoNi. At least players will be a little familiar

We did yea the quarter final and replay and the two semi finals but we lost the final.still doesn’t equate to 5 games in 7 weeks taking into account asking amateur players to go week after week and allowing for almost certain injuries.i think we have a good chance of beating Donegal but if we don’t then adding another game decreases any chances of winning it out

@FhiftyShixty. It's an old saying and in relation to my earlier post if we have no hope for the team we may as well spend our time "throwing stones at our jacket" that's all nothing too mysterious.

To be honest @No doubt I was wondering the same thing. I had the sense of what you meant but it's a saying I never heard before (in and around East Mayo at any rate). But it's one I will be using again - no doubt so will FhiftyShixty.

I certainly will be

@1985. I think we played our first 5 league games last year in a 5 week period.

I think the Stephenites back in the 90's were supposed to play championship games on consecutive days. I'm not sure what reasoning for it was or if that went ahead but I remember it been the talk in the crowd that day, if they win they were playing again the following day.

When Mayo were out on consecutive weeks before the feeling was that the players would much prefer the games rather than the training.

The training sessions themselves can be very intense and unfortunately over the years we have lost some of our great players for long term spells due to injuries picked up in training.

@1985

This is off the top of my head but we played 10 games including replays in 2017 to get to the final.

As i remember 5 of those were played in 7/8 weeks.
I remember games nearly every week and massive Mayo crowds going around the country (especially Croker,Roscommon x2 and Kerry x2)

To be in a final we'd need less games than that,to win we'd need the same.

I somewhat understand the point you're trying to make but it's important to be factual aswell.

Yes I thought the final was match number 11 one year. Something crazy! It seemed to suit us then to get on a run of winning and momentum.

We played 9 games to get to the final.the final was the 10th game.there was a week between a few of the games but overall the first game against Sligo was on the 21st of may and the final was on the 17th of September.you can’t really compare playing 5 league games with do or die championship games

My point on this is simply that for amateur players who have to go to work the following week it’s a big ask with inevitable injuries popping up along the way .it’s not an attempt to dismiss our chances

Forget about the Ref.
Get on with it

We were amazing.

@Jr: Knowing who the ref is gives an insight into how the tackle is likely to be called, how much physicality is likely to be allowed & how tight technical infractions like steps or 4m after playing on from a mark are likely to be enforced.

You'd get a very different game with a Sean Hurson versus a Derek O'Mahoney for example. It would be a little odd to simply ignore all those things, for players or fans.

@Exiled Fenian and @FhiftyShixty. I just hope ye won't be using it walking out of the hype next weekend.

Hi all, I have two stand tickets for sale for the game in the Hyde. My brother and wife are unable to attend the game now. If you have any interest, drop a message and I will be in touch.

@No doubt,if we get tired of throwing stones at our jacket,we can take a turn 'at drawing little men in the ashes'... another good pastime if our football season ends prematurely!
P.G.that won't happen.

Hi Elaine.
I am interested in taking the 2 stand tickets for the game

Hi Matthew, no problem, can you send me your email address and I'll send you an email.

Hi Elaine
matthewwalshe123@gmail.com
Thanking you

@2hops. Nice one. Let's hope we're not doing either.

@ jr. I agree with TsuDhoNim, there is a variation in the way refs interpret the rules, fouls etc. And it's important for management to have some handle on what they can and cannot expect from particular ref.
Not in any way trying to suggest Mayo are disadvantaged by any ref.

@Onthecitch

Totally agree there !

The munster hurling is some game . A packed out house .

Some say provincials don't matter maybe in terms of championship they don't but for pride they really do .

Really looking forward to our game now next week .

Honestly think it will go down to the wire !

@ Clare. Brill game and classic example of different referee interpreting rules differently. Consistency the main thing.
Very funny incident when the ref went down with cramp. No Cork man shook his hand as he departed the fray.

@Ontheditch

Totally agree in terms of the difference of a ref !

Yeah the poor ref there ge was fuming going off don't blame him he had a great game !

The Munster Final should be a World Heritage Site all of it's own.

If the Cork players were unhappy with the ref then the Limerick lads will be fuming with his replacement. Called for one minute of added time but with Limerick a point ahead allowed play to continue for four minutes until Cork equalised. I was happy for Cork but after a game like that to lose on penalties is harsh and shouldn't happen. The condensed season is too rigid IMHO.

Limerick wasted a lot of time taking free to give one point lead. I don't think anyone would complain with a draw.

Cork over celebrated like Galway last year in CF. Limerick not finished yet.

@JoeT1480. Not just the Munster hurling final , but in fairness the entire Munster hurling championship has been providing the highest quality, skill, endeavour, bravery, drama and entertainment for at least all of this century, I cant remember all of the previous century but from the mid to late eighties onwards it has been fantastic.

1985. Your dead right ??. Its hard going. You would think the world is going to end. Let's start with a sigerson cup lad. He then goes straight into national league and then straight into championship. How many weekend s has that man got to himself between January and July and that s not even mentioning training or travelling.

There are a few know facts about Mayo, Donegal and the All Ireland championshipnwe currently have.

1. Donegal play a hard running, counter attacking game.
2. Such a game is very hard to repeat week on week due to the short recovery time.
3. The year Donegal won SAM with that style they had a game every three weeks.
4. Mayo play best with a full court press. Any time they play another way, it's pretty bad to watch and not at all successful.
5. Mayos style is also hard to maintain on a weekly basis and results in Mayo playing to the opposition - then getting caught occasionally
6. To beat Donegal, you have to avoid turnovers and not let them hit you on the break.
7. Regardless of next week's results, both teams have a tough road to a semi final.
8. Due to the lopsided draw, there is one easier route to the semis and two hard ones.
9. Only Galway got to final via the prelim q finals so far.
10. Cavan haven't beaten Tyrone for 96 years and aren't about to change that next week.

The likely route for group 1 R-up is via Cork/Roscommon, Louth/Clare or Galway/Derry

The route for the third place team will be via Meath, Down or Dublin.

For Donegal the qfinal would be either Kerry or Monaghan (they can't play Armagh or Tyrone)
For Mayo, add Armagh to the list.

There is no benefit for Donegal to have a big battle with Mayo and risk injuries and/or fatigue for later matches.

If I was Donegal manager, I would be thinking squad rotation now and then be fully rested and prepared for (worst case) Dublin and Kerry or (best case) Louth and Monaghan.

Should Mayo prevail v Donegal they will probably get Dubin followed by Kerry (we always seem to get the toughest draw since the group stage came in) - and run out of legs somewhere along the line.

The likely

Tirawleybaron. If Derry beats Dublin and Galway beats armagh... Dublin will be eliminated. I think that can happen. But good post all the same. We have to beat donegal its as simple as that. We can beats anyone when we listen to martin carney.

Martin Carney.... another World heritage site!

Watched Cork, yesterday. Stay in the fight, words that come to mind. We need to do the same, next Sunday, but it going to take a serious physical effort and maybe a bit of luck. But here hoping

Lovely post by Anne Marie. Following Mayo means so much: Maintaining friendships with people you might have otherwise lost the connection with. This is particularly important for people who live outside of the county. A shared passion with Mayo people everywhere.
A non-Mayo work colleague flying to New York, on the Monday after a drawn all-Ireland could not believe it when he found himself on plane full of Mayo people, all vowing to be back for the replay.
This is the kind of magic that we need to continue believing.
Yes, beating Donegal seems a tall order. But I plan to be there, just in case we do. And also I’ve derived so much joy over so many years following Mayo.

Craggy boglands
Yeah I understand your point about guys playing Sigerson , County etc etc....it's voluntary though...no one has to play all these fames if they don't want to players can just opt out and have as many weekends as he wants off

@tirawleybaron. I think if mayo beats donegal they top the group and straight into q/final.

Player welfare is the organisation's problem. We've seen flat performances from several county teams this year, which can be attributed to fixtures overload. A player,for example Jordan Flynn is not going to say ' no, I'm taking this weekend off'.

@Jimbo The only way that doesn't happen is if Cavan beat Tyrone, who would then go above us on H2H

Freetheeastbank. Intercounty set ups are very professional now and the thought of having a week off wouldn't go down too well I don't think. When your in your in i believe.

@Kick the ball

I'd be surprised if Cavan beat Tyrone .

Though you never know they aren't a bad team !

@tirawleybaron

Where are you getting your stats?

Cavan have beaten Tyrone at least twice in the last 70 years.

I don't see them winning the next day though.

Looking for one stand ticket for Sunday, if anyone hears of any floating around.

Donegal have snapped up the majority of tickets , mayo support poor show again .”how do ya know that “. It’s a calculated guess I do for most games and I’m not that far off most of the time , 68%/72% Donegal . Northern teams are fanatical , Armagh top of the pile , we are a very poor relation in this sphere of late .

Is the game sold out?

@B o ' red Mayo

Not sold out yet but the stand is gone I think . 10,000 tickets sold so far .

Tirawleybaron, great post.

@Sean Burke.

Stand tickets only went on sale to season ticket holders so far.Mayo have more season ticket holders than Donegal.
Stand tickets will go on sale to general public once deadline for season ticket take up has passed (which I believe is 10am weds morning)

You may well be right that Donegal will have a bigger support there on Sunday.Why wouldn't they,they're on the crest of a wave and one of the favourites for Sam.

But less of the hysterics and get your facts right,Donegal have not snapped up all the tickets,there's still any amount of tickets on sale and stand tickets haven't even gone on sale to general public.

@FW: Nahh. There were stand tickets released for a number of hours when tickets first went on sale.

Impossible to speculate accurately on how many given that it was only unreserved seating on offer, but judging by the time for them to be removed from offer I'd imagine at least a few thousand went on general release already (which would make sense looking at the season ticket numbers involved they'd be shadow holding against & the capacity of the stand in the Hyde which I believe is ~9k).

No doubt more will come available when the season ticket allocations come back in circulation later in the week, so far from sold out as you mentioned. With the use of unreserved seating suggesting they didn't expect it to sell out - using unreserved in the past dropped the capacity by about 10%, which is likely still the case today - so potentially a disappointment for them if the interest does end up causing a surge in terrace sales yet.

We need a big vocal support on sunday. We have no excuse not to turn out in big numbers with match being in hyde park. We need to turn up with lots of colour and our roaring voices. This match will be close but i think we will emerge victorious by about a few points.

@TSN
I didn't realise there were stand tix available to general public, but as you say it was just for a short time and more will be released.
Mayo have the advantage on getting stand tickets as we have more season ticket holders.
It's a major mess up to have unreserved seating for this as you say,this means there will be some empty seats in the stand which definitely could have been sold.
I'm imagine it'll be 60/40 in favour of Donegal support on Sunday but there is no actual concrete info to go on.Except of course that Mayo have a bigger number of season ticket holders.This means we have a good chance of having the biggest crowd in the stand which is where all the noise comes from in the Hdye.

FW - there was a package available for group games. Anyone who purchased this package will be offered stand tickets. While mayo might have more season ticket holders Donegal possibly sold alot more of these.

@justathought
That's a very good point and I hadn't factored that in.

I think it's likely we will be outnumbered the next day.
Donegal (somehow) outnumbered more than 2/1 at 2012 final.I couldn't believe it and was disheartened before the game even started .

I just hope we can get near enough to 50/50 and make ourselves heard

Wasn’t being hysterical , more based on recent shows , our support has never been as big as people make out imo anyway , there is of course a band wagon that latch on every so often when we are doing really well at getting to croker and latter stages . Right from Johnno through Maughan to the Horan / rochoford eras . In between them periods when our support reverts to type it’s pretty run of the mill and sometimes noticeably poor . The Cavan game in castlebar was a very good example of how poor we can be .

Like you I hope we can bring numbers the next day but I just know from chatting to people who haven’t really bothered this year , it’s unlikely to be the case and I’d expect something similar to the dubs game in The Hyde last year where we were comfortably out numbered .

It’s a real shame really cause as pointed out by a former county player in here for example who played against Mayo several times , it’s massive when the Mayo crowd get behind the team , it’s been a while though .