Just back in and I’ve an early start in the morning so this is just a quick one to record the fact that Dublin announced their starting fifteen for Sunday earlier on and, in doing so, that Jim Gavin made one – wholly expected – change, with Philly McMahon replacing Kevin O’Brien at corner-back. Apart from that, it’s the same side that started against Kerry in the semi-final and is as follows:
Dublin (All-Ireland SFC final v Mayo, 22/9/2013: Stephen Cluxton (Parnell’s); Philly McMahon (Ballymun Kickhams), Rory O’Carroll (Kilmacud Crokes), Jonny Cooper (Na Fianna); James McCarthy (Ballymun Kickhams), Ger Brennan (St Vincent’s), Jack McCaffrey (Clontarf); Michael Darragh Macauley (Ballyboden St Enda’s), Cian O’Sullivan (Kilmacud Crokes); Paul Flynn (Fingallians), Ciarán Kilkenny (Castleknock), Diarmuid Connolly (St Vincent’s); Paul Mannion (Kilmacud Crokes), Paddy Andrews (St Brigid’s), Bernard Brogan (St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh).
Like ourselves, Dublin have opted not to name their bench at this stage.
Twelve of that team named to start on Sunday also lined out from the start in our league semi-final clash back in April (we have nine survivors on Sunday from then) – Kevin O’Brien, Darren Daly and Jason Whelan are the three to lose out from then, with Philly McMahon, Rory O’Carroll and Ciarán Kilkenny replacing them. The Dubs have ten survivors (we have nine) from last year’s All-Ireland semi-final between the counties, with Mick Fitzsimons, Kevin Nolan, Eamonn Fennell, Denis Bastick and Bryan Cullen being replaced on Sunday by Philly McMahon, Jonny Cooper, Jack McCaffrey, Paul Mannion and Paddy Andrews.
To sleep, perchance to dream and all that.
Once again the end of the Camino del Sam beckons – or is that a mirage I see before me as so often before?
For me it all began some time in the late fifties with a headline in the Sunday Indo “Willie Casey is back and rearing to go” The seed was sown and I got to understand that he was indeed “some man”. I began to realise that Mayo were somewhat in the doldrums footballwise but even then I was the optimistic sort and surely that situation could not last. It did not improve on that Sunday in 1962 in Charlestown when Sligo got two late goals to level and win the replay in Sligo. Things were beginning to look up in the early sixties with the arrival of a new young brigade led by Morley, Langan, Corcoran, Connaughton and other bright young stars. Light appeared on the horizon in ’66 and the sun blazed into its glory in Salthill in ’67. But luck was not with us as Morley was laid low before the Semi. We did not realise then that we had already seen the last of Mick Connaughton as injury laid him low. Falling short in 68 and 69 seemed only to delay the inevitable but when the sun seemed brightest after the 1970 League final the clouds came over and stayed pretty constant through the 70’s. The old stars faded and a few – too few – bright ones tried to replace them. But I will never forget Willie Nally’s imperious display at midfield in 1981 against Galway and players like Willie Joe, Jimmy Burke, Anthony Egan and others blazed a trail across many a sky. 1983 promised a bright new horizon with an under 21 victory but it was not to be as Sam continued to evade us. John Maughan’s knee seemed to cripple not only John but an entire team as no No 6 was found to replace him. A bright young manager was lost to bring glory to neighbours as humiliation was our lot in Croker until we were happy to lose to Leitrim in ’94. But once again the darkest hour preceded the dawn as only the hop of the ball denied us in ’96. Luck was not our friend the following year as first Kevin Cahill and the in the final Maurice Sheridan were struck with injury. To compound our woes we then had to watch noisy neighbours capture the Holy Grail against probably the weakest finalists of modern times. Our only consolation was that it took a Mayoman to show them how. Again we had to meet up with one of the best teams of modern times in Croker not once but twice on Final day before declining to the low point of losing to Sligo and Longford in the one championship year.
However as so often before the light dawned and we once again set out in pursuit of the Holy Grail until it is now almost within arm’s reach. Surely this time fortune must smile on the brave – or at least not kick it where it hurts most.
However if the horizon turns out to be merely another hill top followed by another valley we will continue the march in the company of our brave warriors. We will salute those who have gone before and be confident others, some not yet born, will be found to continue the good fight.
For the only defeat is surrender.
Maigh Eó abú agus go deó.
“However if the horizon turns out to be merely another hill top followed by another valley we will continue the march in the company of our brave warriors. We will salute those who have gone before and be confident others, some not yet born, will be found to continue the good fight.
For the only defeat is surrender.
Maigh Eó abú agus go deó.”
Outstanding Andy.
Another great post….fills in a few gaps before some of us remember. The day dawns for more to travel to meet friends, relations, friends not yet known…..all with one common goal….See Mayo bring Silver back. Spare a thought for those due to distance, health finance cannot be in Croker….not to mention the tickets. Mayo forever. Minors and Seniors alike.
We’re not just hungry …….we’re starving for this win. That will be the difference on Sunday between two very good teams. There is only one option and that is victory. The air is full of electricity and ripe for making history. But we will not just win this year. We will win three in a row or more. Now that is some statement about this great Mayo team. One problem……how will we top that in years to come…….from famine to feast.
Win lose or draw am proud to be a Mayo man but we seriously need to get this monkey off our backs or should I say (gorilla) at this stage with chains on of all our past all ireland defeats., nerves are kicking in big time, can’t wait for the big day , COME ON MAYO