Our starting team for Sunday has now been officially confirmed and it’s the same line-up that was announced earlier on today only to be de-announced a few minutes later. Here’s the full list of the team and subs:
Mayo (All-Ireland SFC Semi-Final v Kerry, 21/8/2011): Robert Hennelly (Breaffy); Tom Cunniffe (Castlebar Mitchels), Ger Cafferkey (Ballina Stephenites), Keith Higgins (Ballyhaunis); Richie Feeney (Castlebar Mitchels), Donal Vaughan (Ballinrobe), Trevor Mortimer (Shrule-Glencorrib); Aidan O’Shea (Breaffy), Seamus O’Shea (Breaffy); Kevin McLoughlin (Knockmore), Alan Dillon (Ballintubber), Andy Moran (Ballaghaderreen); Cillian O’Connor (Ballintubber), Alan Freeman (Aghamore), Enda Varley (Garrymore). Subs: Kenneth O’Malley (Ballinrobe), Alan Feeney (Castlebar Mitchels), Dermot Geraghty (Shrule-Glencorrib), Chris Barrett (Belmullet), Lee Keegan (Westport), James Kilcullen (Ballaghadereen), Ronan McGarrity (Ballina Stephenites), Peadar Gardiner (Crossmolina), Aidan Campbell (Swinford), Jason Doherty (Burrishoole), Mark Ronaldson (Shrule-Glencorrib).
So, apart from Kenneth O’Malley coming in as sub goalie for David Clarke, it’s exactly the same twenty-six names that were on the match programme for the quarter-final against Cork. Nothing much more to say, then, except let’s have more of the same like the last days, lads!
Its always a good sign to see an unchanged team, vote of confidence and all that. Like most of you, I’m getting more excited by the hour and really looking forward to the throw in on Sunday. I believe it’s a real ‘once-off’ game at this point, what happened 5 yrs ago, or indeed throughout the championship so far has little bearing on what will unfold at 3.30. On paper and on historic form Kerry hold all the aces, but this is countered by the enthusiasm, work ethic and growing belief of the Mayo team. Mayo will have benefited much more from their last visit to Croker than Kerry did – and I’d say the players are chomping at the bit to get back out on the hallowed sod again – and so they should – it’s such an opportunity to redefine what Mayo football is all about.
Kerry will stroll on to croker like they own the place (they are, after all, majority shareholders in terms of apperances and titles). They will have 2 main strategies from the throw in, firstly to establish a physical presence, especially in the middle third, expect to see some robust challenges directed at the O’Shea bros in particular. Secondly, they will launch direct high ball into Donaghy and co (thank God Tommy Walsh is in Oz), and try to put our fb line under pressure early on – they will be desparately seeking an early blitz to win the game in the first half, probing to see if Mayo have a weak underbelly.
Therefore the first 20 mins will be crucial, and that is why it’s likely we will deploy a sweeper in that period, so we can expect to see McL roving between Caff and Vaughan. This strategy carries the risk of the Kerry Half backs having time and room to carry the ball forward, but I suspect that leaking a few extra points will be better than getting opened for a couple of early goals, if we were to go man on man.
I could be wrong, but I think if Mayo turn around at half time within 4 points of Kerry we will turn up the heat and overtake them in the final qtr. Dare I say it, but I believe our bench is stronger, and the replacements so far this season have been hugely influential in pushing us over the line.
So, ‘tus maith, leath na hoibre’. A good start for Mayo would be to avoid Kerry getting out of the blocks and establishing a platform, I’m not sure if they would relish a toe to toe fight for 70 mins, it would be alien territory for them.
We are battle hardened and have to keep it ‘tight as a bulls hole going up a hill’ for the first 20. Keep in their faces, make them work for every score and, when we have the ball attack them with a combination of low ball into the ff line and runnung at them at pace. Remain confident and resolute, even if things aren’t going well for a spell (it happens in every game).
Is feidir linn!!!! Get stuck into them lads. Maigh Eo Abu!
Can’t argue with team selection, i just hope he acts fast if it’s going terribly wrong.
All said and done we’re in a semi final, i personally think it’s a miracle to where we were at last year and i for one am going to enjoy the weekend.
Well said topo d rite!! Maigh Eo Abú!!!
I won’t be able to join in the craic on Saturday night but I’m sure that there will be many in-depth discussions as the night progresses. The one thing that I have gleaned from those who have studied Jack O’Connor’s modus operandi is that he closely analyses both the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition.
On that basis, our tendency to let the odd buck in close to goal unmarked will be identified. It almost cost us goals against Galway, Ross and Cork and JOC will be hoping that we will do it again. With any of his sharpshooters getting loose near the box, we could concede goals. A second weakness – the inability of Mayo to perform twice in a row at a high level – will be assumed, but most core Mayo supporters believe that this is no longer an issue. However, Kerry will play the start of the game at a furious speed in a bid to demoralise Mayo.
From the perspective of strengths, our strong 2nd half showings will have been noted and as a result we can expect the start of the 2nd half to be even more furious than the 1st. If we were to concede a number of quick scores at that stage, it could have a demoralising effect. If Galvin is close to fit, expect to see him coming out of the dressing room after half time ready for action. The other strength that will not have gone unnoticed is our tackling. To get over this, I expect Kerry to kick pass the ball very quickly to get it out of congested areas.
But then I heard that the Mayo session in Westport last weekend spent a good bit of time looking at Kerry’s strengths and weaknesses as well. Looks like the tactical game between the rookie manager and the master could be as interesting as the football.
Keep the Faith!
I`ve never seen less hype going into a semi final it`s all if we play as good as the last day we`ll certainly give them a game and you`d never know…
All this is good for all concerned both team and supporters.I`m going up looking foreward to the game.I feel these lads will give it everything and in the end this is all we want to see.If we`re beaten by a better team well so be it.It will still have been a fantastic year for us given where we were when James Horan took over this team.
There`s only a couple of things i`m uneasy about.
The first is i`m hoping Trevor is fully fit.I have seen many times players who are vital to teams been played when not fully fit.They are never able to play to their potential and can be a weak link in a team.
Trevor is a full on player and needs to be fully fit to play his type of game.
Another thing is the younger lads will have to be careful that they don`t react to being provoked by more experienced opponents.I`m talking here mainly about Aiden O` Shea who gives it full bore for us.He will be targeted to try and get him sent off.
Cillin O`Connor will have to watch his back too ,studs down on the instep etc.
The last thing which has been said before is correct studs in boots.
Here is me who never played much past u16 giving me tuppence worth!It`s great to have this site to let off steam and feel we can put our opinions down for all to agree with or not.
All the best to the lads give them Kerry boys hell!
I agree Sean Burke we are way ahead of where we were 12 months ago and I too am going to enjoy the week-end and to feck with misery.
FourGoal I think you are spot on in what you say about the Kerry approach.
Also I think they will almost certainly have a surprise or two for us as they did in the past just to set the old doubts going.
Dont be surprised for instance if they target midfield and try something to unsettle us there. Donaghy starting there wouldnt surprise me at all with Sheehan in the half forward line or as a 3rd midfielder with loads of space inside for the Sullivans and Gooch.
Dont be surprised either if Brosnan or Sheehan has a stormer. In the past Kerry bucks who have been labeled as weak links have a perverse knack of going out and confounding the critics.
Before the Cork game I would have been happy enough if we put up a good performance and did not get a demoralizing hammering. I would still settle for a good performance but with the help of Jasus we might go one better!
Ya never can tell – football is a funny auld game.
Look boys i’m well on now after a few pints down Malahide village, i’m proud as punch before the ball is thrown in. We are back up on the big stage, anitrher thing don’t let the jacks kid ya on, the only reason they want us to win is they see us a soft touch for the final.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEjudiKrh_A&feature=related
It feels weird being all over the media.
What a moment Sean – I’ll never forget it!!