Goalkeeper David Clarke looks to be the major injury doubt we have coming into Sunday’s National League decider. The two-times All-Star ‘keeper was forced off just before half-time after shipping a hefty challenge from Monaghan’s Darren Hughes in last Sunday’s match.
The Irish Examiner reports today (here) that the Ballina player is suffering from a combination of concussion and a chest injury arising from the incident. He was due to be assessed further at training last night.
Obviously, we’ve a ready-made replacement for Sunday, with a rejuvenated Robbie Hennelly fit and ready to go should David be ruled out. Clearly, it’d be preferable for this choice to be made between two available players but, by the sounds of it, that may not be the case on this occasion.
That piece also states that Michael Plunkett and Fionn McDonagh – who were both unavailable for selection last weekend due to injuries – are also doubtful for Sunday. There’s no more information on what ails them or how likely it is that either of them will be okay on the day.
The news is better, though, in relation to Matthew Ruane and Conor Diskin, who both went off the last day with facial injuries. The Mayo News this week (paper and digital versions) reports that both should be fine for Sunday. The same paper also states that we’re expected to name our team for the final tomorrow night.
In the meantime, that Irish Examiner piece linked above is well worth a read. The bit in it about the injuries in our camp is tagged on at the end but the main piece, by John Fogarty, looks at the contrasting fortunes to date of players from the two counties where it comes to appearing in national finals at Croke Park.
To that extent, it acts as a nice counterpoint to the piece I did yesterday on our recent unbeaten record against Kerry at the venue. They’re used to winning in Croke Park finals, we’re used to losing in them. They used to be used to beating us in Croke Park but now we’re used to beating them there. All of which means that one team or the other will have to get used to a different experience in some shape or form come Sunday evening.
Match ups with Kerry forwards will be interesting Sunday
I would opt for these:
Dara Moynihan on Michael Plunkett
Sean O’Shea on Lee Keegan
Stephen O’Brien on Paddy Durcan
Kevin McCarthy/James O’Donoghue on Keith Higgins
Tommy Walsh on Stephen Coen
David Clifford on Brendan Harrison
An in form Lee Keegan would be the ideal man on Sean o Shea. Unfortunately ever since that nasty tackle by the Tyrone guy in the league last year, Lee has not been the same. Hopefully its just a case of playing his way back to form. Would be really disappointed if F McDonagh can’t play as I would like to see him in action in Croker. Plunkett too has looked impressive. While we all feel Mayo can win history is very much on the side of the kingdom. I can’t remember beating them in the final at any grade so to do it on Sunday would be great but as I said Kerry have got to be favourites.
Plunkett did ok on Seanie o Shea on our last occasion will have to see if he if fit, I dont see Chris Barrett not starting in this one, he may go unheralded at times but he is an intricate part of the fullback line. I would go with these 26, hard choices to be made depends if everyone is fit, I like McDonagh and Boland but not sure if I would start both as it would take moving Diarmuid inside and I would rather hold one in reserve. I like the two big men in the full forward line weather its Diskin or Reape but I would start Coen. James Durkan and Ciaran Tracey maybe unlucky but I think we have more to see of James Carr.
R hennelly – D Clarke
C Barrett – E o Donoghue
S Coen
B Harrison – k Higgins
L Keagan –
M Plunkett – C Boyle
P Durkan – J McCormack
M Ruane – D Vaughan
A o Shea
F McDonagh – F Boland
J Doherty – C Loftus
D o Connor
k McLoughlin – C Diskin
D Coen – J Carr
B Reape – Andy Moran
Your right to win just once history is
On the side of Kerry but I hate that sort of tale history
Never scored a point or goal for any team. It’s time we made our own history and stopped being beaten before we even take the pitch. History didn’t win the premier league for Leiscter a few years ago and it certainly didn’t win Tyrone or Armagh any all Ireland’s
to win just one – Mayo beat Kerry in under 21 final in1967 with Willie McGee getting 4 goals
Drumcondra station appears to be closed sunday for those using maynooth train. Have to continue onto connolly.
hi can i just ask the mayo supporters that have season tickets that attended the game in Tralee,did there tickets get scanned as a lot of Kerry supporters tickets were not,and even though they were at the game it shows up as unattended on there ticket.It has caused as lot of up roar down here.
Thanks for that Casual Observer. Damn.
Where did you see this?
It’s open! Next closure is April 6th and 7th. Thank god it’s open.
I seem to remember that according to the Indo the Monaghan manager did a bit of bleating about the hard time Conor McManus got from Mayo defenders. At least he got to finish the game unlike David Clarke who it now seems may not get to play next Sunday.
Our recored in National league finals is good.
Won 11
Lost 7
I think that’s correct.
Hope that’s 12 to 7 Sunday evenimg.
David Carroll, my season ticket was scanned and recorded properly.
Sunday will really tell whether or not we have a panel of 23 or so players that are interchangeable and can operate at the highest level.
This match is very winnable for us….
ANY info on tickets for the Mayo V New York game
Defo seen it irish rail website earlier that it was closed. Probably changed it when they realised the games was on. Ive missed all these things I was used of checking for years but wasnt concern last summer. Roll on Sunday.
David Carroll, my season ticket was scanned and recorded properly.also
My season ticket was scanned and recorded properly.
I think we should set the tone of this game as to how we want to play it and let Kerry take steps to stop us. An in form Lee Keegan would be a welcome addition right now alright. I still have some reservation about our full back.. if Ger Caff was fit and hamstring free his height and getting the paw in to knock the ball away would also be welcomed. Will Andy start? Who knows. Really looking forward to this selection tomorrow. Willie Joe you might have to do a bit of editing tomorrow night before posting what has finally been selected and whether we run with that on the day is another thing. The way it should be.. keep us guessing
David my Season Ticket was scanned and recorded properly also
My ticket was not scanned. Told that all scanners were working ok when I complained. Still not recorded.
I contacted Irish Rail this morning just to be on the safe side. They have confirmed there are no works this weekend so anyone travelling on the Maynooth line can get off at Drumcondra.
As for the game itself, Kerry don’t like losing finals but i’ve a feeling they’ll be heading back to the Kingdom empty handed on Sunday evening. Mayo by 1 (because we rarely do it the easy way!) Up Mayo.
Whether we win or lose on Sunday I hope that there will be a bit of balance on here in the reaction to the result. If anyone had told us at the start of the league where we would end up on 31st March, I think we would have all been delighted. Testament to the development of the squad over the league is the fact that our concern for Sunday regarding player availability due to recent injuries relates to Matthew Ruane, Michael Plunkett, Fionn McDonagh, Conor Diskin and David Clarke. Out of those five, I wager that not too many of us would have been thinking of the availability of more than 1 or 2 back in January.
Final preview episode of the podcast just up now. Mike Finnerty has an update on injuries within the squad on it.
I agree young fella…but the fact we are actually in the final now, I think we need to win it…not because of anything if only to boost morale that we can win a final in Croke Park…it’s not the cup we crave but this loosing sequence has to stop.
Heard our minors are playing a challenge against Meath away tomorrow – anyone know where/when?
If Clarkie isn’t go to go how sweet would it be for Robbie to swing over a 50 yard free to clinch the league title and bury the ghost of the Gaelic grounds forever!! I still can see that last free he hit in normal time dead on target but for a Kerry guest of wind stalling the ball just short of victory!!
Don’t forget Tom Parsons fingers missing a flick on by about 6 inches Crete Boom. I know people talk about small margins but it really is sometimes. In 2017 I’m convinced had the shot from Cillian gone dead or over the bar we would have won it. We were set up for both options, just not a rebound and it caught us out. It’s horrible to think that all that effort and commitment can come down to a few inches of timber or a gust of wind, but that’s sport and that’s what makes it so great I suppose.
The way to look at it…. Let’s hope everyone is 100% fit and available… Clarke is made out of tough stuff, same with Fionn McDonagh, Michael Plunket and Mathew Ruane… The only slight what might be called a drawback I want to hear about is the selection ‘Headache’ for the management. .. No one wants a ‘Headache’ unless it’s a selection ‘Headache’! …34 Player’s given Game Time in this league,, .. Much more success than failure in this aspect our Spring campagine. We are in a great place to challenge for this cup (ps, what’s the league cup called?) . Not suggesting that these injury concerns aren’t real… Kerry don’t live in an injury free Utopia either .In fairness to James Horan’s he has exceeded most people’s expectations, in terms of increasingly the very competitive squad…We’re on the one road now, and we’re on the Right Road, the Jones Road, and we’re on the front foot!
By accident or design , there is competition for places not only on team but match day panel, that has to be a good thing . This game will be a step up from the game in Tralee I’m guessing, whether we are capable of that step up with the newish look team remains to be seen . The negative in me is thinking when Dublin stepped it up we were found wanting the positive thinks of Omagh and Tralee , aido is playing well, Kevin mcglouhlin is playing well too , they are two vital cogs . Our defenders are going to be really busy you’d imagine but they are a very ambitious bunch who want to be in battle against the best , you just get that feel , they want to mark Clifford, Sean o se etc .
Gave up predicting mayo games at this stage , I expect it to be a decent honest show that’s all.
5 changes to the Kerry team that played Mayo a few weeks ago. S Ryan,J Sherwood,G O’Sullivan,D O’Connor,D Clifford all starting making it a stronger starting team.
1. Robert Hennelly – Breaffy
2. Chris Barrett – Belmullet
3. Brendan Harrison – Aghamore
4. Keith Higgins – Ballyhaunis
5. Paddy Durcan – Castlebar Mitchels
6. Lee Keegan – Westport
7. Donal Vaughan – Castlebar Mitchels
8. Matthew Ruane – Breaffy
9. Aidan O’Shea – Breaffy
10. Fergal Boland – Aghamore
11. Jason Doherty – Burrishoole
12. Diarmuid O’Connor – Ballintubber(C)
13. Kevin McLoughlin – Knockmore
14. Darren Coen – Hollymount/Carramore
15. James Carr – Ardagh
Apart from Boyle that is probably the strongest possible back 6 picked.
Another curve ball from Horan with Carr in! It’s a pity mcdonagh and plunkett couldn’t play after doing so much to get us there. Best of luck to the lads, looking forward to a good game of football and hopefully the first trophy of the year!!!
Some game to make your full debut
Absouletly delighted for James Carr.
Haven’t seen him in a Mayo jersey since Ennis 2016 till last Sunday. Was part of a very strong inside line on that U21 team, with Irwin/ Reape/Duffy. He has had a tough struggle with injuries, but perseverance has paid off for him. Strong, fast, and can score. Croke Park will suit him. Could be the difference. Disappointed for the lads currently injured, they can take the positives from James’ attitude.