It’s a cold day out there and it’s sure to be equally inclement weather-wise down in Tralee this evening where our lads take on Kerry. The Round 2 League Division One game throws in at Austin Stack Park at 7pm this evening.
It’s not just the weather that could be tough for us this evening. We’re still down to the bare bones on the personnel front – what we wouldn’t do for club-tied duo Kevin Keane and Lee Keegan to be available tonight – and so it’s largely the same team that lined out against Monaghan carrying our hopes once more in this one.
But Kerry are mixing and shifting themselves, with three new lads getting their first starts in the Green and Gold this evening. They’re also missing players involved in the latter stages of the club championships and so have, like us, been forced to put out a blend of youth and experience.
Our rather careless loss against the Farneymen last Saturday evening – a man up with a full fifteen minutes to go should have enabled an experienced team (albeit one including a few newbies) to see out the win – contrasts with Kerry’s bright start to this League campaign. The Kingdom are notoriously slow to get going in the spring – their win against Donegal last Sunday was their first opening round victory for five years – and they’ll no doubt be aiming to build on this tonight.
Despite the loss the last day, though, there were a few hints of better things in our showing against Monaghan. Clearly, though, we’ll need a big enough step up in performance if we’re to come away from the Kingdom with anything to show for our efforts.
I’m still in the capital at the minute but will be hitting the road before too awful long. I’ve a lift down and another one back up afterwards (I’m hoping to get the match report done while en route home) so it’s set to be a long day. And, into the bargain, I’m missing the Vinnies’ match up in Newry this afternoon. It’s hard to be everywhere.
If you’re on the road yourself today, take it handy. Back later on with the usual post-match blather. Up Mayo.
Just going hitting the road to Kerry now. Safe travelling to all supporters. I’ll be leaving the laptop at home unlike you WJ! Will most likely be Mon before I get any shots uploaded, lot of driving to be done
Hi because of a family emergency I am unable to go to Tralee today. I have a twin room (120 euro) and a double room (80 euro) in the Grand Hotel in the town Center which I am unable to cancel free of charge this late.
If anyone needs room(s) please let me know and ye can have them.
WJ can I put my number here?
You can, Steve, fire ahead.
0860717922 thanks
When you look at the Kerry starting XV and subs named this should not feel like such a daunting task but the totally disjointed nature of our performance last weekend makes it so. Again our full forward line looks toothless. Pressure on Regan and Freeman in particular step up.
safe travels to all supporters…. hon mayo!
I wouldn’t rule us out of this one considering the Kerry line up. Remember they conceded 1-17 v a poor and severely weakened Donegal. A defeat wouldn’t be the end of the world considering our 3 remaining home games but more importantly for me would be to see a more coherent structured attack. As I said earlier, Regan, Freeman and Doherty have to perform more consistently and certainly do more damage on the scoreboard.
Absolutely beautiful morning down here. Safe travels to all.
After the near shambles against Monaghan its natural to expect a major step up this eve.If we get a win, which is pos, good and well but more important than anything would be the emergence of a hint of a tint of something we haven’t seen yet under the new management! It’s a function of the league to be testing things for later ….can’t all come together so at least for a start maybe a little bit of effective movement up front! As they say t’elephant got et by starting with the tale.
Going by our line up, could it be that Rochford wants to finish the game with our strongest available 15 rather than starting them. Not sure about that front 6 at all.
We are 11/4. I’ll be having some of that
That sounds like a plan JF… even that! Nothing wrong much with front three if they play as a front three.
Safe travels all….and remember to have fun! Bring the color and the noise, will be following online!!!! Maigh Eo Abú!!!!
I’v gained confidence in this one since both teams were named.
What is Mgt at!….we know what Moran/O’Shea can and can’t do precisely….are we not supposed to be blooding players….I hope Regan/Freeman are injured as if not why aren’t they been giving a proper run. How are they to gain confidence etc
The more I hear of the setup the more depressed I get.
Have to say im bit annoyed Freeman not starting, hopefully Andy will bang in a couple. Much rather Irwin gettin a start ahead of Conor O’Se, but what can ya do…
Terrible first half from Mayo. Very lucky to be only 4 behind. We are practically playing a one man full forward line in Andy Moran…madness. Kerry on the other hand, excellent kick passers and opening us up at will down the centre.
Huge improvement needed in second half.
As they’re saying up here in Donegal….I’m sayin nawthin yet!
Lucky to be only 4 points behind as Kerry could easily have scored 4 or 5 goals in that half. Durcan lucky he didn’t receive a 2nd yellow also.
Agree with you teamsheet Freeman deserved a chance vs Kerry. How can he prove himself if he is never getting a start.
Andy Moran, take a bow. What a complete fool of a ref
Well done Mayo, we’ll done. I miss all the good ones!! Great to show a bitta shteel in the last twenty. Well done.
Delighted with that second half performance…much improved and should won by more. Did parsons deserve to go?
Great to get a win down there and in that type of game
O My God, Andy Moran just killes teams. Didn’t think Parsons needed to go, ref made a lot of blunders. Lots of improvements from the Monaghan game.
Off the cuff !….as expected! …. but still no glimmer of cop towards end of game when they were on the ropes and two men down!!!! Still we move on coz there’s no alternative. GeeeweZzz Andy Andy and Andy.
Some game of two halves that was. 1st half Mayo woeful and 2nd half Mayo outstanding.
What was the difference was Mayo somehow kept themselves within touching distance 1st half.
After now winning down in Tralee and 3 very winnable home games to come there should be no reason why Mayo should go on to challenge for this national league title.
Yerra sure tis only the league. Great to win tho badly needed the two points. Anyone know a few good scientists
That could clone Andy Moran?
As before we know what players can and can’t do… very clear tonight!
Great win, Jesus those ould Kerry women don’t like losing!!
Maigheo Abu
Terrible 1st half (could and probably should have been 7/8 points down instead of 4), excellent 2nd half. That sums it up – and a deserved two points in the end.
A bit disappointed not to see Freeman and Irwin get some proper game time…and regan too, brought in way too late. Glad to see O’Donoghue play. Even if the younger lads don’t make a major impression, they learn an awful lot from being thrown in the deepend – if a fringe player or young player isn’t given adequate league time then how can we expect them to make any impression off the bench come championship. I accept that they need to be bursting a gut in training in order to claim a place on a starting 15 or indeed on the subs bench.
I dont think management should or would be criticised in circumstances where we get beaten but new players are properly tested. Personally, I’d get as much satisfaction out of seeing us finish mid-table but having seen a couple of young and/or fringe players make a real and significant impression which will strengthen our squad and create even greater competition for places come the summer V’s winning the league with tried and tested individuals but having only given young and fringe players token and inconsistent appearances.
Anyway, a positive 2nd half tonight but not unexpected as we had a lot of our experienced players on the pitch.
Well Mayo Mark, did you have some of that?
Very happy with that result.
Well done Mayo. Great second half. Valuable 2 points. Kerry lads not happy beaten in their backyard. Kerry have a poor full back line. I was hoping Alan Freeman would get a run as he ran riot in this game 3 years ago in MacHale Pk. That night he roasted Mark Griffin. I’m convinced Griffin is a weak link. Mayo had the bit between the teeth 2nd half. This will stand to the younger lads like O’Donoghue, Boland. Durkan moving on where he left off last year. He is a top player. Clarke has 2 solid games played now. Ross next. Then the Dubs in Croke Park. Nobody will now relish playing Mayo
Clark was at fault for goal ….bahola.
I had some of that Joet!!
So did I
What can I say guys. Fecking brilliant win in the yarra’s back yard! ? That refs arse was bulging with all them cards he’d stuffed in it…