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Mayo GAA Thread

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Replying To Past hurler:  "Mayo don't have the footballers to land Sam Maguire.

This has been proven time and time again.

They have decent forwards but they don't have a great like Clifford, Brogan, Connolly, Mugsy Mulligan who will deliver a huge performance to land Sam.

It will always be their downfall."
So you reckon Mayo lack top level forwards, yet everyone else is saying go defensive to beat Mayo.

Surely a contradiction there somewhere?

MayoDan (Mayo) - Posts: 434 - 06/06/2023 16:36:52    2484491

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Replying To joej:  "S1234
Don't be a foooollllll! We caught ye cold on Sunday. Mayo took Louth for granted. Louth is not the 1st and won't be the last team to play this way. For us to evolve, we have to start with our defensive system and build from there. We should have had a clear penalty but it wasn't given for some unknown reason. Your beef is that McStay hasn't figured out yet how to play against that system, Louth left that game behind them, and we should have bet ye only for some bad decisions by the ref and our own players in the final third of the pitch. So give it up with your PUKE FOOTBALL' I have been to watch Mayo in McHale park as my relatives are from Mayo, always were my 2nd team. Stop making stupid comments or you risk losing the neutral supporters that Mayo always get in the Championship"
I actually don't have a problem with how Louth set up. For sure it's not pleasant to watch but teams are fully entitled to play in a way that gives them the best chance of winning within the rules of the game and that is exactly what Louth did. But to suggest that Louth were the better team and left it behind them is a ridiculous stretch. Mayo led the entire match, even with conceding 1-1 in the last minute. Louth only got to within 1 point all day and that was after hitting that 1-1. The ref immediately blew the whistle after the last point. I defy anyone to look back at that game objectively and make out that Louth somehow deserved to win! I'm not taking away from the effort they put in, especially after the Leinster Final and where Louth have been the last few years, but Mayo were still the better team yesterday.

the_walls (Mayo) - Posts: 496 - 06/06/2023 16:46:33    2484494

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Any team that has won Sam in the past 30 years had at least 3, and more often than not 5 or 6 exceptional players. Mayo have had 4 or 5 exceptional players on teams over the last decade or so but not an exceptional forward since K Mac. Boyle, Higgins, Barrett and Leroy were all top drawer, genuine All Stars, while the best forward ye had who could do it on the big day was Kevin McLoughlin. He was very good, but hardly in same league as Cooper, Joyce, Canavan, Murphy, Connolly, Kilkenny. While Mayo have had an excellent league, it remains to be seen if the replacements for 4 aforementioned backs are the real deal or not. They may well be, but I have my doubts. Who are currently the top 3 players Mayo have? For me, Durcan, D O Connor and Carr. While the championship seems more open than for many years with real doubts about both Dublin and Kerry, it is just hard to see enough really class players in Mayo to pull of the big one. Look at the difference one top of the pops forward is making for Kerry, the difference in them winning and losing every game.

Keephimthere (Roscommon) - Posts: 105 - 06/06/2023 16:58:49    2484499

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Clifford is a scoring machine like Con, Comer but they are few and far between. Mayo need a consistently clinical forward but they dont grow on trees. I dont see Mayo winning an All Ireland with their current team as the defence will be exposed and they are lucky Reape is a good shot stopper

PancakeWard (Galway) - Posts: 86 - 06/06/2023 17:22:31    2484513

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Replying To the_walls:  "I actually don't have a problem with how Louth set up. For sure it's not pleasant to watch but teams are fully entitled to play in a way that gives them the best chance of winning within the rules of the game and that is exactly what Louth did. But to suggest that Louth were the better team and left it behind them is a ridiculous stretch. Mayo led the entire match, even with conceding 1-1 in the last minute. Louth only got to within 1 point all day and that was after hitting that 1-1. The ref immediately blew the whistle after the last point. I defy anyone to look back at that game objectively and make out that Louth somehow deserved to win! I'm not taking away from the effort they put in, especially after the Leinster Final and where Louth have been the last few years, but Mayo were still the better team yesterday."
Correct. But sure people love to not let the truth get in the way of a story.
We "should have won" it is the common refrain if you lose and it's anyway close - especially if you are the underdog.

galwayman2 (Galway) - Posts: 1278 - 06/06/2023 17:22:49    2484514

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Replying To PancakeWard:  "Clifford is a scoring machine like Con, Comer but they are few and far between. Mayo need a consistently clinical forward but they dont grow on trees. I dont see Mayo winning an All Ireland with their current team as the defence will be exposed and they are lucky Reape is a good shot stopper"
Comer is excellent and very effective but I wouldn't have him in the same bracket as Clifford and Con. he didn't show up in the final last year. Walsh on the other hand is top class. I think where Galway can be exposed is your goalkeeper. Anyway lost of football to be played yet and nobody can say with confidence who will it this year which is great in my opinion.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11407 - 06/06/2023 19:13:16    2484543

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Replying To Keephimthere:  "Any team that has won Sam in the past 30 years had at least 3, and more often than not 5 or 6 exceptional players. Mayo have had 4 or 5 exceptional players on teams over the last decade or so but not an exceptional forward since K Mac. Boyle, Higgins, Barrett and Leroy were all top drawer, genuine All Stars, while the best forward ye had who could do it on the big day was Kevin McLoughlin. He was very good, but hardly in same league as Cooper, Joyce, Canavan, Murphy, Connolly, Kilkenny. While Mayo have had an excellent league, it remains to be seen if the replacements for 4 aforementioned backs are the real deal or not. They may well be, but I have my doubts. Who are currently the top 3 players Mayo have? For me, Durcan, D O Connor and Carr. While the championship seems more open than for many years with real doubts about both Dublin and Kerry, it is just hard to see enough really class players in Mayo to pull of the big one. Look at the difference one top of the pops forward is making for Kerry, the difference in them winning and losing every game."
Andy Moran won player of the year in 2017 as a corner forward. Cillian O'Connor was the best forward in the 2020 championship. Ryan O'Donoghue is up there with the top forwards around IMO.

Mayo haven't been good enough to win an All Ireland, but it's too simplistic blaming it in lack of forwards. For all the praise our defenders got in the last 12ish years we've conceded at least 1 goal, and usually 2, in every All Ireland final.

MayoDan (Mayo) - Posts: 434 - 06/06/2023 22:24:33    2484586

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Mayo don't have a Clifford (but only Kerry do) but they do have quite a few players who are provent as being in the top 3 or 4 in their position
1. Cillian O Connor (top scorer in the championship ever)
2. Diarmuid O Connor (twice young player of the year)
3. Paddy Durcan
4. Matthew Ruane
5. Ryan O Donoghue
6. Aiden O Shea (3 all stars)

They have another 5 who have potential to enter that bracket
1. Colm Reape
2. Sam Callinan
3. David McBrien
4. Jack Coyne
5. Enda Hessian

The big challenge is not a "markee forward", O Donoghue and COC are proven scorers. The big test is who will provide the game breaking plays when it is needed most.
A full forward line is only as good as the ball coming in.

Mayo had average teams that got to finals because of quality half forwards who could find a pass (2004, 2006).
In the years they were good enough to win (1996, 1997, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021), it was a lack of a quality kick passing half forward in the last 20 mins that let them down.

The real test for Mayo is who will find the killer ball in the last 20 mins, when legs are tired and the game is there to be won. The ball that opens up the goal chance to put the knife into the opposition.

O Connor and O Donoghue are well capable of taking the chance but who will create it?

tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1197 - 07/06/2023 03:27:49    2484603

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Is McStay getting the best out of Tommy Conroy? Pace and power is still there but his decision making at the passing/shooting stage needs to improve. Looks a bit nervy in comparison to before injury where his fearlesness was a big asset.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7651 - 12/06/2023 09:58:11    2485720

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "Is McStay getting the best out of Tommy Conroy? Pace and power is still there but his decision making at the passing/shooting stage needs to improve. Looks a bit nervy in comparison to before injury where his fearlesness was a big asset."
He is only back from a bad injury
It will be next year before he is back to his best

tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1197 - 13/06/2023 23:49:57    2486340

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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "He is only back from a bad injury
It will be next year before he is back to his best"
Can still get more out if him this season. Loads of potential. I think he needs to keep his head up more when he's making them lightning runs and stop for a split second before passing or shooting. Not lacking any ability he might be feeling a bit of pressure. While we weren't playing well last year his injury was often mentioned as one of the reasons why we weren't doing better. Completely unfair on Tommy to have to hear that and possibly causing some anxiety. He's not getting starts now so woud love to see him start v Cork to show what he can do and management show they have faith in him.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7651 - 14/06/2023 09:58:54    2486357

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Colm Reape;
Jack Coyne,
David McBrien,
Padraig O'Hora;
Sam Callinan,
Conor Loftus,
Paddy Durcan;
Stephen Coen,
Matthew Ruane;
Fionn McDonagh,
Jack Carney,
Jordan Flynn;
Aidan O'Shea,
James Carr,
Ryan O'Donoghue.

5/6 defenders, 2/3 midfielders, 6/7 forwards starting (Loftus, O Shea, Coen are arguably lining up out of position)

Bench
Rory Byrne,
Enda Hession,
Donnacha McHugh,
Eoghan McLaughlin,
Diarmuid O'Connor,
Bob Tuohy,
Jason Doherty,
Darren McHale,
Kevin McLoughlin,
Paul Towey,
Tommy Conroy,

3 defenders, 1/2 midfielders, 5/6 forwards

Bit light on defence and midfield options.
Any sign of Harrison, Plunkett, Cillian O Connor,

tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1197 - 17/06/2023 05:18:08    2487016

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Could be the last dance of the summer. We don't have enough experience in the defence. Good defenders but don't play well as a unit when the pressure is on. Paddy Durcan missing scores one end and Loftus not a good enough defender at that level, not really sure why a good forward and a very good defender are out of position? Play players for their strengths and line out 15 for the best team instead of having square pegs in round holes. We've gone a bit complacent since Kerry game and not pushing for home when we have a lead. Galway will be a massive test.

But it's still been a good season with new management and some new players. We have to learn how to eek out wins in tough games. Now is the time the contenders have tailored their season to peak. Hopefully we've a bit more to show.

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GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7651 - 19/06/2023 09:36:11    2487074

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "Could be the last dance of the summer. We don't have enough experience in the defence. Good defenders but don't play well as a unit when the pressure is on. Paddy Durcan missing scores one end and Loftus not a good enough defender at that level, not really sure why a good forward and a very good defender are out of position? Play players for their strengths and line out 15 for the best team instead of having square pegs in round holes. We've gone a bit complacent since Kerry game and not pushing for home when we have a lead. Galway will be a massive test.

But it's still been a good season with new management and some new players. We have to learn how to eek out wins in tough games. Now is the time the contenders have tailored their season to peak. Hopefully we've a bit more to show.

link"
Giving away the ball & not taking our chances up front is a bigger problem. Yesterday was criminal what we done up front. Players trying to take on 2 and 3 defenders as well. Refusing to or not able to take points from the 21. We've only got Plan A, Plan B is don't screw up Plan A. McStay has got a week to figure this out. It's comical both Mayo & Galway screwed up to find themselves in this position.

cluichethar (Mayo) - Posts: 471 - 19/06/2023 10:41:23    2487137

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Replying To cluichethar:  "
Replying To GreenandRed:  "Could be the last dance of the summer. We don't have enough experience in the defence. Good defenders but don't play well as a unit when the pressure is on. Paddy Durcan missing scores one end and Loftus not a good enough defender at that level, not really sure why a good forward and a very good defender are out of position? Play players for their strengths and line out 15 for the best team instead of having square pegs in round holes. We've gone a bit complacent since Kerry game and not pushing for home when we have a lead. Galway will be a massive test.

But it's still been a good season with new management and some new players. We have to learn how to eek out wins in tough games. Now is the time the contenders have tailored their season to peak. Hopefully we've a bit more to show.

link"
Giving away the ball & not taking our chances up front is a bigger problem. Yesterday was criminal what we done up front. Players trying to take on 2 and 3 defenders as well. Refusing to or not able to take points from the 21. We've only got Plan A, Plan B is don't screw up Plan A. McStay has got a week to figure this out. It's comical both Mayo & Galway screwed up to find themselves in this position."
We've only got Plan A, Plan B is don't screw up Plan A.

I like it.

But I hate it because it's true!

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7651 - 19/06/2023 10:48:59    2487144

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Dreadful game management yesterday. Cillian played well for club at the weekend apparently, still badly needed as a finisher. Expectations have been dampened but there is no way Galway will he happy facing us either. 50/50 game in my opinion.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8155 - 19/06/2023 11:33:43    2487207

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With a full deck I would expect Galway to shade it, but since the championship meeting last year where we prevailed by a point, we have lost too many big players, Silke, Molloy, McHugh and looking very doubtful for Comer and Kelly, 3 of those 5 were All Stars. Molloy and Mullkerin playing a bit of club, but as ye can see its not easy to get back to the level required, Tommy Conroy and O'Hora are just getting there now . It will take a massive effort from whatever team comes out on top, and then have to face maybe Kerry a week later......

giveitlong (Galway) - Posts: 1258 - 19/06/2023 11:50:06    2487222

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Replying To giveitlong:  "With a full deck I would expect Galway to shade it, but since the championship meeting last year where we prevailed by a point, we have lost too many big players, Silke, Molloy, McHugh and looking very doubtful for Comer and Kelly, 3 of those 5 were All Stars. Molloy and Mullkerin playing a bit of club, but as ye can see its not easy to get back to the level required, Tommy Conroy and O'Hora are just getting there now . It will take a massive effort from whatever team comes out on top, and then have to face maybe Kerry a week later......"
The game in Sunday should be called the Screw Ups Game. Both Mayo & Galway should be at home watching others play but because the both screwed up they the ones been watched.
I would say everyone in Mayo is as confident of a win as our counterparts in Galway are. I wouldn't bet a flowerpot on a Mayo win never mind the farm.

cluichethar (Mayo) - Posts: 471 - 19/06/2023 15:08:39    2487389

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Replying To cluichethar:  "The game in Sunday should be called the Screw Ups Game. Both Mayo & Galway should be at home watching others play but because the both screwed up they the ones been watched.
I would say everyone in Mayo is as confident of a win as our counterparts in Galway are. I wouldn't bet a flowerpot on a Mayo win never mind the farm."
In USA it would be The PhuckedUp Bowl.

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 3875 - 19/06/2023 15:12:17    2487390

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Replying To Pope_Benedict:  "In USA it would be The PhuckedUp Bowl."
True but I'm still not too sure what will get by the moderators. Without a doubt The PhuckedUp Bowl would be a great name. Well clubs in the US will be full of Mayo or Galway players come Monday the 26th

cluichethar (Mayo) - Posts: 471 - 19/06/2023 15:24:29    2487401

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