Photo: @MayoGAA
There’s been so much action on this sporting days of days, which within the county saw the destination of the senior hurling title decided as well as the finalists in the senior football championship identified.
Hurling first, where Ballyhaunis clinched back-to-back senior hurling titles titles on their home turf by beating near neighbours Tooreen in today’s final on a 0-20 to 1-14 scoreline. I haven’t got too much information on this one, I’m afraid: Ballyhaunis were, I know, three up at the break and they finished three to the good as well, as they clinched their seventh title inside the last eight years and their eleventh in all.
The photo above shows Ballyhaunis captain Brian Hunt receiving the TJ Tyrell Cup from County Hurling Chairman John Hopkins.
Onto the football, where it was senior football championship semi-final day at MacHale Park, with both matches played off well before the rugby action got underway in Cardiff.
Breaffy sure had no problems with the 1pm throw-in time for their semi-final showdown against Ballintubber. Aidan O’Shea had the ball in the Tubber net after just three minutes and Tommy O’Reilly netted soon after as well to give Breaffy a decisive hold on proceedings.
The champions battled back, though, with four points (two from play) from Cillian O’Connor leaving them with 2-4 to 0-6 in arrears at half-time. They cut the gap back to just two points after the break but Beaffy then bagged a third goal – from a penalty by Michael Jennings – and when Aidan O’Shea broke through soon after to land their fourth major, the game was effectively up for Ballintubber.
A frantic finale saw Cillian O’Connor score a goal direct from a close-in free while Aidan O’Shea was ordered off on a second yellow. When the dust settled, the champions had been dethroned on a scoreline of 4-7 to 1-12, with Breaffy qualifying for their second final in three years.
Match report courtesy of The 42 is here.
As was the case in 2013, Breaffy’s opponents in this year’s Moclair Cup decider will be near neighbours Castlebar Mitchels, who booked their place in the final for the third successive year by beating Knockmore in today’s other semi-final.
After both sides traded points early on, an Eoghan O’Reilly goal for Mitchels put them three clear but Knockmore battled back to level before a second Castlebar goal – this one from Barry Moran – rocked them back on their heels. Not for long, though, as a goal from Colm Reape at the other end left it 2-7 to 1-9 in Castlebar’s favour at the break.
A third goal – from a penalty by Neil Douglas – helped to push Mitchels six clear but then a Keith Rutledge goal and a point from Colm Reape narrowed the deficit back to two points. Four unanswered points for Castlebar undid this good work, however, and then James Durcan bagged a fourth goal for Mitchels, which pretty much ended the tie as a contest. They won by 4-15 to 2-12 at the finish.
Match report on this one is here.
Elsewhere, Stephen Rochford’s Corofin completed a hat-trick of Galway SFC titles when they cruised to a ten-point win over Mountbellew-Moylough in today’s final at Tuam Stadium. The defending All-Ireland club champions won by 3-13 to 0-12 and a match report on the decider is here.
Aidan O’Shea is a freak! The whole final will be decided by him. If Castlebar can keep him quiet they’ll win, if not it’s likely Breaffy will do it. The new Mayo management need to make sure he’s fit for the big games firstly, then divise a plan that sees him get quality ball like today.
Also, I think today showed what a loss Alan Dillon was off the bench in the two Dublin games.
There’s a big difference in playing well against a club team with just a few inter county players, and playing against the might of Dublin. If Mayo want to take the final step, they’ll need a better option than Alan Dillon.
Indeed, it seems AOS can do whatever he likes at club level….score a goal or two and then fall back till the need arises again. A delight it was to witness today against a tired looking uninspired Tubber side. A 4-7 to 1-12 scoreline tells a story esp with B.tubber getting near half their scores in last ten mins when game was gone.
It will make for a v interesting final and I know which team I’d choose to be on if I had the legs!!
Sad news that the Garda shot dead last night was one of us. A proud Mayo man serving his country. Deepest sympathies to his family, friends and colleagues.
Well observer 2, Dublin won an AI with Alan Brogan coming off the bench to help them – very little between those two players right now in my opinion. Dillon could have seen us over the line in the first game if he had been fit.
Anyway, back to the matches this weekend. I thought Gibbons showed yesterday why he hasn’t been recalled into the squad and conversely Barry Moran is in the form of his life.
When Dillon came on in the Sligo match he made no impact so I think it was correct call by management. I felt he struggled with Dubs physicality in ’13 final.
I hate to have to say this but Alan Dillon is no Alan Brogan. Alan Brogan has the medals to prove it – 3 Celtic Crosses.
Alan is a good footballer all the time, and has been a great man for Mayo all the years, but there comes a time for all players.That is a Mayo failing all the years leaving players there that can no longer contribute.
I think Alan ‘only’ has the two, Gerard – he was off the panel due to injury in 2013.
Sorry, WJ- he was injured but was on the extended Dublin panel and received his medal as part of that.
What sadness can come with such a fine morning! Anthony Golden played at underage with the Stephenites. He was a great tall blond full forward in the style of a Willie Nally. May his family find strength at this time!
Liberal, you’re entitled to think that but there’s no doubt Dillon even at 31/32 years old would have taken the chance Sweeney missed in the drawn game.
Also, he was outstanding for Mayo last year, scoring 3 from play in the 1st Kerry game.
Gerard that logic is beyond daft. Johnny Cooper has 2 senior AI medals, does that make him a better player than Keith Higgins? Exactly.
Didn’t realise that, Gerard – I thought he had two and the brother had three but I’ll take your word on it.
Encouraging noises from Rochford. Hopefully he will be offered the position.
No point reappointing a previous manager who did not get us over the line.
.
Re: Cooper and Higgins; It does if you consider that Johnny Cooper was able to perform to his full potential in the white heat of battle during the replay, whereas Keith Higgins was ripped to shreds by Paddy Andrews. Big game temperament!
Some interesting posts there on Alan Dillon.
While there may have been some issues in some games, if he is fit and willing, I still think he is a very good option to have. He can score, boy can he score, so what’s not to like about that?
Yes maybe he would have been the better option over Mikey Sweeney in the drawn match, but cut Mikey some slack here too. It was his first touch in a game of incredible intensity. Mark Ronaldson made a hames of his first against Galway and second if I’m not mistaken, but he finished the match in fine style.
You’re clearly on the wind-up there Gerard so I’ll let you off.
Is there a county board meeting tonight (12th) where they are going to “discuss” the Mayo senior management conundrum?
I think the draw for 2016 Connacht championship (and the other 3 as well) is to be made this Thursday night.
Probably with Marty Morrisey and Michael Lester or maybe “who ate all the cakes”.
Anyway i wonder who we will get (after London). You can just see a meeting with Roscommon lined up in a semi final or final. Hope they are in the other half of the draw with Galway though.
If Breaffy win the final we could see the future mayo management up against each other in the connacht semi final!
@robinbanks:
Why do you say “If Breaffy win the final we could see the future mayo management up against each other in the connacht semi final!” I did not think Damian Mulligan was up for the Mayo Job?
@ Mayo.Mick, the following is up on HoganStand, so I’m not sure if that is tonight or next Monday:
The process to find a new Mayo senior football manager is due to commence next Monday.
County Board vice-chairman Seamus Tuohy confirmed to the Western People that the fallout from the resignation of Noel Connelly and Pat Holmes will be top of the agenda at next Monday’s County Board meeting at Elverys MacHale Park.
Nominations from the clubs will not be invited until after the meeting and Tuohy explained that an interview panel has yet to be set up.
It is also anticipated that John Maughan will be ratified as the county’s U-21 football manager having been nominated by the County Board ahead of two other candidates, Michael Solan and Anthony McGarry.
Re Alan Dillon and Jason Gibbons. I was at both matches yesterday and talking to some Ballintubber supporters after the match they told me Jason Gibbons had a serious stomach operation and had not trained has hard due to this. Alan Dillon has a sore back and did not feature in any game since A I Semi Final and had to have injections before match yesterday. Looking at both games yesterday their was very little to see any new player making future Mayo Teams. I thought Diarmuid and Cillian O Connor were worse than Gibbons and Dillon. Barry and Aiden looked good yesterday and pity they didn’t play same way against Dubs, but then the Dubs are A I Champions. Who will win the final? I am backing Mitchels, more class and better all round team. My sympathies to the families of Garda Golden and the fire victims in Dublin. May they find peace at this sad time.
@KMF
I am only saying that if Rochford takes over he might have mulligan on his management team. Of course this is only wishful thinking by me, there is no talk of this at all but wouldn’t be nice to get 2 successful club managers on board, both have all-Ireland medals as players who know mayo club football inside out and would be well respected by all.
I am not trying to create rumors just something I would like to see.
Yes Jim, the 2016 Championship draw is live on RTE 2 this Thursday evening at 8.00.
No stand out players y day aside from panel members .will be a great final ..very surprised to see breaffy beating ballintubber ..those two early goals put them in a great position..no escaping talk of mayo management.sooner its sorted the better ..
I hear John O’Mahony’s autobiography is out next week …
Don’t know why you’re accusing someone of being on the wind up GBX for saying Higgins was roasted by Andrews ? Who do yo think won that battle ? Higgins is one of the best in the business but every now and again very rare mind he switches off from his defensive role , ie letting JOD collect the ball from the big fella with the big mouth last year .
Robinbanks, I thought you were referring to Martin McEntyre and Jim O Shea. They could be live options for the senior job as they were unsuccessful in their quest for the minor job!
From a Mayo GAA fan perspective I’ll probably shout for castlebar as I think they’d have a better chance of going further in the AI series!
Wasn’t in Castlebar, but watched the Galway final. Corofin mixed the good and the bad but are improving as the year is going on. They were vulnerable enough for the first 40 or so, with MM being very naive, but the Corofin bench together with their overall experience saw them home easily enough.
They’ll still take serious beating in truth, their squad depth is ridiculous. Rochford could well be involved into Patrick’s Day again next year
I don’t want anyone to think that i was having a pop at Alan Dillon. The man has been an absolute legend for Mayo, often playing through the pain barrier. I just feel that his best days are obviously behind him…..As for Rochford’s interview on TG4. He put it ”on the record ”, that he will be staying with Corofin while they remain in the Championship. As that could be next March possibly, i’m not sure where that leaves him re the Mayo job.
FOR Aido’s sake, i hope he wins something this year..
Breaffy will want revenge for 2013 but Castlebar will want it almost as much from last years defeat..
But for Aido especially, he has lost his fair share of big games, (not on the Brady scale just yet!) and 2013 was a hard year for him especially. I would hope that a county medal would be a just reward for his hard efforts and more importantly give him some encouragement to drive this team on and perform even better next year.
Well if rochford means that , I can’t see how he can manage Mayo . I’m not that mad about him taking over tbh either . There is a lot made of a manager when his side wins the big prize but I often wonder is there a lot of luck in it some of the time too, I mean that corofin side is full of classy footballers, St brigids were the same for the two macs of ballina when they won it .
Dont get me wrong I’m not saying there isn’t mighty managers out there that are very good at getting teams to gel together and there is a small category then that have a reputation of getting an extra bit out of a team and with that reputation comes a natural respect and admiration from the group they would take over but none of them bucks are available to Mayo.
I am not convinced that Rockford is the right man for the job. He has exceptional talent to work with for a club team in Corofin, a bit like Pat Holmes and Noel C had in 2006 with the Mayo under 21’s . I was uncertain about Holmes/Connolly when appointed last year. Now Rochford may be the man to do the job but it is a big risk. Club football is very different from County. To manage a division one team is a step up even for a manager from one of the lower divisions. I would wish him well if appointed to the position but I don’t think we as supporters should get carried away with idea that he is a Top Choice
I was in Castlebar yesterday in the hope of seeing some new County Players. I was hoping that Kirby would shine but this did not happen. Conor O Shea was in and out . Seamus O S gave away a few poor passes. Gibbons was good , should be on the panel, Dillon used the ball well. Douglas nothing to say he would make the Mayo Team.
Keith Rutledge showed some skill may be worth looking at
Looking forward to county final should be a cracker but castlebar to hammer breaffy in the end Barry Moran should be on o Shea.
We all know Aidan O Shea is an exceptional footballer. Yesterday he proved yet again what a talent he possesses. That said he could be even better if he improved on two things:
1. Concentrate all his energies on playing as an attacker inside the 45m line
2. Choose to pass the ball more often rather than trying to do it all himself
The new manager has a real game winner in Aidan. Hopefully he can build a lethal attack around himself and Cillian.
In terms of non county panel players and how they played at the weekend, Ruthledge from Knockmore was very impressive. Actually their whole full-forward line gave their Castlebar opposite numbers a lot to think about.
Also interesting to see Kevin Mc playing centre back for Knockmore.
True Grit, both Barry and Aidan played well against Dublin, they just looked better on Sunday because they were playing against teams miles inferior to Dublin, obviously enough.
Andy P that might not be a bad combo then Aido could then be player / joint manager, similar to the role that he plays with Breaffy. Mayo would then be going places!
An incredible player , listening to billy fitz and John casey was a reminder to us not at the game how massive a player he is and still another five seasons at the top left .
Like you say diehard build an attack around both him and Cillian but you need something a bit different to add to the attack to bring that about , we need a couple or even one speedster a Darren o Sullivan or like a couple of them corofin forwards , pure fookin forward mentality ,mlookin for the dash off the shoulder all the time . I’ll repeat till I can’t type nor speak , you can’t afford three forward workhorses like we have , you’ll bate the legs off a rossie type team but it will make it more difficult to win an all Ireland with that forward play ethos.
Strange logic there O’Sullivan. So both sets of managers(Holmes & Connelly and Rochford) bring their respective teams to the final and ultimate glory. You cannot do anymore than that. What have other managers achieved with the same players at their disposal?
Sean Burke – you make some good points.
But, do we not have the potential there on speedy forwards? Conor Loftus? Evan Regan?
Tommy Conroy should be maturing somewhat at this stage.
It was interesting that Regan was on the match day programme only once and Loftus not at all. Perhaps they needed this year to develop further; I know Regan had his injury problems, but if he made the 26 once, why not subsequently?
It is all fine and dandy talking about talent when the cup has been secured – if memory serves me right, Mayo hadn’t won a Connacht minor title in the previous five years to Mayo winning Under 21 title. They may now be recognised as a talented bunch in Corofin but that is because they had a leader who got them across the line. JH had four attempts with a group of players who are being acknowledged as the most talented in the history of Mayo football but has failed to get them to the promised land – now he is looking for another go because he sees the soft path to the final. My vote goes to the man who has managed to win silverware at All Ireland level.
I honestly don’t know what happened with regan , he had the top off in the Donegal game , stood up and was called aside ,one min later he was sat back down. I watched it very closely like I did a lot of the antics when beside the bench and mentors and some of the stuff was baffling . Will never forget the cork league game , it was an eye opener to say the least .
I see Kerry have filled their backroom team, so seemingly no room there for Donie Buckley.
Ger brogan, do you know for definite horan has said he wants the job ?
Buckley is going to tipp is he not?
Sean, of course he’s interested. Otherwise he would have ruled himself out as soon as all this speculation started.
This was what Stephen Rochford said in the Indo today:
So is he in line to be the new Mayo manager?
(Look, I haven’t had any communication from the Mayo County Board. I have said before that I would love to manage Mayo but whether that’s now or in the future, I’m not really sure. I have been totally focused on Corofin – the club and the people have always backed me to the hilt so trying to win another county title has been my sole aim, he said.)
So would he take the Mayo job, if he were offered it?
(With an inter-county job, you have to take a lot of factors into account. I’m working in Roscommon and I’m managing a team in Galway that will now be challenging for the Connacht Championship. It’s a dream of mine to manage Mayo but whether that materialises now or sometime in the future – time will tell, he said.)
His immediate priority is to re-adjust Corofin’s sights as they bid for another Connacht title, beginning with a clash against Leitrim champions Mohill on Sunday week.
Hard to call county final! If Castlebar can somehow stop O Shea they have a good chance! By god he is a one man wrecking machine.he took off on a run in ist half yesterday in he’s own full back line and by the time he reached the 45 had 3 ballintubber players on the ground!
The one concern I would have for Breaffy is they let Ballintubber back into that game and Hennelly kept them in it with some fine saves at the end.
How far out was Cillian for the goal he got near the end?
I was impressed with Knockmore and Mc L in particular. Like last year their defending let them down. Is Kevin the most honest club player around, I think so. Must be a joy for the rest of the team to play with. Shane not back to full tilt yet.They missed that bit of power at the back. Costello played hell here.Their forwards are performing well. Overall I don’t see any of the remaining teams trouble the Corofin we saw last year. Will Corofin be as sharp this year, only time will tell.
21 yard line roughly.there was a lot bodies back there that time!
Hi again WJ, I heard over here, at the weekend, that H&C had been talking with Pierce Hanley about returning to play for Mayo next year. Wow that would be fantastic and can you imagine how much a professional like that would teach the current players. This should be the top priority for the new manager. He would make a fine partnership with Tom Parsons so we would not be so reliant on the O Shea’s..
Thats fantastic news Mayoexile, with Hanley back and the Hypoxia chambers that will be built st McHale park there will be no stopping our lads next year.
Mayoexile says:
October 11, 2015 at 6:45 am
Hi again WJ. All the news here in Australia is about the training that the Australian rugby team undertook before the World Cup. They spent time in America sleeping in chambers that replicate high altitude conditions similar to the summit of Everest. This induces hypoxia which is a condition in which the body or a region of the body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply. This temporary measure (anaerobic metabolism) allows small amounts of energy to be released. Thinking straight under these conditions can be extremely demanding, however, this has turned an average team of under performers into a team of World beaters, look at the way they demolished England and withstood an almighty onslaught from Wales last night.
Now to my point, I think this is what Mayo players need, forget about oxygen tents and all that nonsense this is the real deal.
If one of these was to be built in McHale Park high performance unit, this will revolutionize Mayo football. There will be no more wides, balls dropped short or poor kick outs when the pressure comes on in future. I for one would do a whip around collection here in Bondi Junction for such technology.
Pearce Hanley is only into the 2nd year of his 5 year contract with Brisbane Lions and with his Brother out there now i think Pearce will be 30 or over if he was to return.
Mayoexile One of the more elaborate windups we have had all week, and that saying something given the week we just had.
@Sean Burke
When you say “There is a lot made of a manager when his side wins the big prize but I often wonder is there a lot of luck in it some of the time too”
Reminds me of Napoleon’s “I have plenty of clever generals, but just give me a lucky one”
Gerard Brogan You have made a strong case for the return of JOM. Leader AI winning experience etc. Was this your intention. Throw in the election year and you would be halfway there.
Sean Burke,
“will never forget the cork league game, it was an eye opener to say the least”.
Sean, what did ya see there? What was going on with the bench and mentors?
Just interested to see what they were up to.
well said Gerard Brogan
Rochfords comments above are as close to a “come and get me” plea as you’re going to get. If a club doesn’t nominate him then surely the county board executive can as they did with Maughan.
I hope John O’Mahony as a chapter in is book about how he took over Mayo as losing all ireland finalist and left them 4 years later losing to Longford. Should make a good read on how the county board did not fire him???
A for the non county players playing last Sunday, I taught Kieth Mulhrone who held Dermot O Connor scoreless es fantastic, some engine. Doubt of he’s 20 years old yet. He got a nasty eye injury for his trouble in the first half from a back hander from Dermot. Happened right in front of me looked accidental, but in fairness to the lad, he got up after treatment and played a stormer. Od the that the first time
Yeah Keith is a great lad LeanTimes. He would run through a brick wall, unbelievable engine and a great attitude. He did very well on Sunday, I was thrilled for him.
Lean Times,are you talking about Diarmuid o Connor because there is no Dermot o Connor playing for Ballintubber………
Joe Walsh politics and sport doesn’t mix and John O’Mahony simply couldn’t give his all on his second coming.
Shouldn’t be forgotten John O’Mahony won Mayo U21 All Ireland in the mid 80s and 1989 was Mayos first All Ireland final appearance since 1951.
Not sure I would call holding D O Connor scoreless as fantastic afterall scoring isn’t one of his strong points.
M02015
I think you will find that politics had everything to do with him getting the job that 2 years before that he turned down. Not taking away from his first spell with Mayo which was good, but he ruined Mayo football for 4 years and treated one of our finest footballers very badly. Back in 2006 getting beat in All Ireland final got management the sack still don’t know reason why??
But john boy was given 4 years to run Mayo into the ground which he did.
I think we’ll find politics has a lot to do with the timing of the JOM book as well
Don’t disagree that politics had part to play in John getting the job but those who selected him e.g county board and clubs should have known he hadn’t the time for the role when becoming a TD.
Won Connacht title in 2009 and reached NFL 2010 final the potential was there and the panel was put in place for the next manager Horan whom built his side around the 2006 U21 All Ireland winning team. Those lads will 29 to 31 next year.
If anyone thinks Pierce Hanley is going to come back and play for Mayo next year there deluded!
He’s a professional athlete getting paid very good money and probably only coming into he’s prime out there!
I say there more of a chance that Cian will play senior for Mayo before pierce will again.he be out there for few more years yet!
Disgraceful, how can the Irish Independent allow such outrageous comments to remain in their comments section under yesterday’s Martin Breheny article on Mayo. Even you get a mention WJ. Thank God you are here to ensure fair play to the players in this site.