Mayo 2-20 Kildare 0-18: we’re in the final

It felt more like a summer’s afternoon rather than a day in late March and today at Páirc Seán MacDiarmada in Carrick-on-Shannon the play was fast and furious, with our lads coming out on top in a high-scoring Round 7 encounter. Our 2-20 to 0-18 win over Kildare relegated the Leinster county – who will be accompanied in the drop by Dublin – but it sends us back to the final for the first time since 2019, where, like then, Kerry will provide the opposition.

It was all change for us ahead of throw-in at a sunwashed Páirc Seán this afternoon. We made five changes before throw-in, with Padraig O’Hora, Stephen Coen, Conor Loftus, Fergal Boland and Aiden Orme all not starting. In their place, Brendan Harrison, Rory Brickenden, Michael Plunkett, Diarmuid O’Connor and James Carr all lined out from the start.

There was another significant change for us too, this time on the line where James Horan was a notable absentee, reportedly due to a family Confirmation. In his place, Ciaran McDonald and James Burke seemed to be doing a two-hander at the controls.

The scores came thick and fast right from the off. Kildare, who’d shot the proverbial lights out against Monaghan last week, were full of fast running and confident shooting in that first half, missing the target only twice. We were a bit looser, both with our passing and our shooting, but we were able to find holes in their backline and our first goal, scored by Ryan O’Donoghue, yet again in awesome form for us today, was tangible proof of that.

There was a stoppage after just two minutes when Brendan Harrison went down after a tussle for possession. He was stretchered from the field, in obvious distress, and although there’s no word yet on how bad the injury is, it looked serious. Having been out for so long, it was desperately sad to see the Aghamore player being taken from the field in this way, to say nothing of the litany of injuries that continue to mount for us.

We swapped points with them early on, Ryan bagging his first score and then Jason Doherty belting over after James Carr missed a gilt-edged goal chance created by Ryan with his quick brain and equally quick hands. Jason had himself missed an equally good goal chance earlier, also created by a super Ryan pass.

They hit back with high quality scores from Cribbin and Kirwan before James Carr fetched what could have been a mark and blasted over. The next one in he did mark and the point he got from it put us three in front.

Jason Doherty then bagged his second of the day, this one a lovely curler off the left, once again fed by Ryan. They got the next two scores, following which Ryan, from a mark, got us going again. He then went off, with Kevin McLoughlin coming on as a blood sub but the Knockmore man stayed on when Ryan reappeared a few minutes later as instead Diarmuid O’Connor left the fray, with what seemed to be hamstring trouble.

Kildare got the next three scores, edging briefly back in front. When we levelled the game the score came from an unlikely source, with Padraig O’Hora raiding forward and shooting over. Points from Ryan, Matthew Ruane and Jack Carney – whose influence grew impressively as the game wore on – pushed us three clear but they grabbed the last two scores of the half to leave just one between the sides.

We made one switch for the second half, Enda Hession coming on for David McBrien. We opened the scoring on the resumption, when Jason, following great work by Ryan, thumped it over.

After their ‘keeper Donnellan landed a long-range free, Swanny sauntered forward a second time, selling an outrageous dummy on this occasion before gleefully banging it over.

Scores were then traded rapidly. Jordan Flynn – who had a great game for us today – boomed one over from distance, Kirwan responded for them and then Michael Plunkett landed a super score from out the right wing.

Two frees for them cut the gap back to one but just as the game seemed to be coming to the boil we struck for a second, decisive goal.

Ryan was, inevitably, in the thick of it, his quick turn unlocking the defence but there was great work too by Jack Carney who carried the ball right at them, while Jordan Flynn’s finish was unerring.

We never looked back from there. Kildare’s shooting, so precise in the first half, now became ever more wayward and their attempts to prise open our backline as they hunted for a goal never looked likely to succeed.

We added three points on the spin to push six clear. Jason fed by Ryan – what great inter-play these two did today – for the first, Jack Carney wisely punched over for the second and then Jason, from yet another Ryan assist, added the third on the trot for us.

After Kildare pulled one back, we closed the game out with three more points. These came from Jack Carney, after a super burst by the indefatigable Lee Keegan, Jordan Flynn (after we’d missed another good goal chance) and, with the last kick of the game, Michael Plunkett.

So after today’s fun in the sun our sights are once more trained on Croke Park, the place we best like to play in, for yet another national decider. While so much of our focus will now be on Galway four weeks from now, we’ve just earned a spot in a national title decider and so we should be aiming for no less than a win next Sunday.

It’s been, on the whole, a very positive League campaign for us this spring. While what happens next weekend won’t alter the dial hugely, in light of the increasing focus on the Championship from here on, it gives us another day out at Croke Park, in which we’ll get another chance to test ourselves against the best. After today’s largely trouble-free win, we’ll definitely head into the final next weekend in high spirits.

Mayo: Rory Byrne; Lee Keegan, David McBrien, Brendan Harrison; Oisín Mullin, Aidan O’Shea, Rory Brickenden; Jordan Flynn (1-2), Matthew Ruane (0-1); Michael Plunkett (0-2), Jack Carney (0-3), Diarmuid O’Connor; James Carr (0-2, one mark), Jason Doherty (0-5), Ryan O’Donoghue (1-3, one free and one mark). Subs: Padraig O’Hora (0-2), for Harrison, Kevin McLoughlin for O’Donoghue (blood) and for O’Connor, Enda Hession for McBrien, Aiden Orme for Carr, Stephen Coen for Doherty.

Who was our MOTM against Kildare? Pick your top three performers

  • Ryan O'Donoghue (29%, 904 Votes)
  • Jason Doherty (18%, 562 Votes)
  • Jordan Flynn (18%, 548 Votes)
  • Jack Carney (8%, 261 Votes)
  • Padraig O'Hora (5%, 145 Votes)
  • Michael Plunkett (3%, 99 Votes)
  • Oisín Mullin (3%, 82 Votes)
  • James Carr (2%, 77 Votes)
  • Lee Keegan (2%, 74 Votes)
  • Rory Brickenden (2%, 71 Votes)
  • Aidan O'Shea (2%, 69 Votes)
  • Matthew Ruane (2%, 50 Votes)
  • Rory Byrne (1%, 27 Votes)
  • David McBrien (1%, 26 Votes)
  • Stephen Coen (1%, 24 Votes)
  • Kevin McLoughlin (1%, 20 Votes)
  • Brendan Harrison (0%, 15 Votes)
  • Aiden Orme (0%, 14 Votes)
  • Diarmuid O'Connor (0%, 11 Votes)
  • Enda Hession (0%, 10 Votes)

Total Voters: 1,521

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89 thoughts on “Mayo 2-20 Kildare 0-18: we’re in the final

  1. Ryan gets man of the match, easily. But honestly there was six or seven you could pick for number two and three.
    Great game played at a serious tempo. Very happy with the way we worked our scores.

  2. Front 6 looked much better today. Carr is a real handful for any full back and did well. Carney is kicking on also which is great to see.

    Doherty with 0-5 is great. He seems to be growing into games more

  3. Well done Rory Byrne. He has done very well in Hennelly absence. Also impressed with Jordan Flynn, I feel he has really improved over the league.
    Will be a great day out at Croker next weekend as its likely 3 connacht teams will be playing the same day.

  4. Great to see Doherty back playing well. Thought he looked a little slow and sluggish to start but the ball generally stuck when it went in. He’s a great addition in the full forward line and we need him to share the scoring load with Ryan. Thought Jack Carney was excellent too. Hopefully Diarmuid is available for Galway game at least and fingers crossed for Brendan but it didn’t look good. An all round very enjoyable game of football in Costa Del Carrick and roll on Kerry next weekend.

  5. Who marked Daniel Flynn when he came on ? he was kept scoreless and Hyland was limited from play also (mad leaving a player like that out if fit enough to come on)

  6. Enjoyed that one. Makes a change not to be soaking wet and freezing cold.
    A lot of good football and scores most of which came from play. While the consession of 18pts would normally be a worry, I felt that today we played a bit within ourselves and though Kildare did score well they were always going to be easy enough to get whatever scores were needed.
    Good to see the forwards performing well and I can’t think of Rory Byrne being put under any pressure. Nice to see Jordan Flynn showing what he can do and the same for Carney and Pluncket.
    Once again the negatives come by way of bloody injuries where we don’t seem to have any luck. Afraid Harry’s summer looks over and Diarmuid might do well to make the Galway game. Still….Croker here we come!

  7. It’s amazing considering our injuries.Diarmuid is a real worry we wmnt see him until Aprik at least.Xarr and Docerty and carney are fantastic additions if they can get right and stay healthy

  8. Delighted with that win, especially the much improved performance.

    We’re still quite poor in front of goals though, considering the chances we had.

  9. For me Ryan was terrific, a masterclass also liked carney but thought his decision to fist over the bar instead of rattling the net was criminal those are the chances that win All-Irelands. Flynn and Jason had great games also. Roll on 4pm Sunday after the curtain raiser

  10. The Observer
    When the team is first announced why is it so misleading?
    There must be some perceived advantage.

  11. Delighted with that, a cracking day all round. The one thing I wanted to see today was mayo putting up a score and lads taking the scoring burden off ROD and we got that in spades. Great to see, lots of very good performances like carney and doc….

    …but special mention has to go to Jordan flynn who has been our player of the league. Have to hold my hand up and admit I couldn’t see what he bought to the table the last 2 seasons but credit to the management for persisting with him and flynn himself for adding more control to his game. He is one of the first names on the team for galway now and it’s fully on merit

    Barely had time yet to laugh at the dubs,looking forward to sitting down watching that later ?. The state of leinster football is unforgivable

  12. Doherty, great game, and expect nothing less than 9 out 10 ever game. And nearly unremarkable, one on one. That said, see what happen to Kerry last year, once Clifford went off injury and doubled marked for most of game to Limited his influence. But back to present. Midfield settled, and looks like a serious score treat. As either of them seem to share score treat, in alternative matches. Harrison going off, is firstly a big blow for player with serious pedigree, but has a no luck over last three years in injury front. So hopefully not as serious as first luck, and hope to see back in green and red soon. While this a serious downer, it not terminal on team aspiration, as we can swap around backs to cover Harrison loss. But will limit us bench wise. Goalies has been great to get both on pitch for league. While Robbie our number 1, we have options, but again, hope Rob back for Galway game. So for our forwards. Been a up and down league in this department, apart from Ryan. Jason played four games, played really well in 3 of them, so a nailed on started for Galway game. Believe Jack Carney has done enough in my eyes to start championship. Duirmaid was our best player in first half of league, so disappointed to see him going off injury, and he so important to our Connaught aspiration, and further into summer. So that leaves 2 position to fill in our 6 forwards, and in no particular order COC, Orme, Kevin McLoughlin, James Carr, and other fighting for last two position. So training going to be interesting for next 4 weeks. Now I know, we are in League Final next week, but my mind already on Galway, and this game is a distraction and another potential injury to add to list. Don’t get me wrong would love to beat Kerry, but more important to beat noisy neighbor’s Galway and Roscommon, and beat Kerry later in summer suit us better.

  13. Thedarkyfinn – Mullin marked Daniel Flynn when he came on. Lee seemed to be on Hyland most of the time from what I saw.

  14. In Spain, where the weather is as bad as it seems good at home.

    Slew of injuries; all our games were away; we had no proper training facilities; COVID may well be rampaging; we came into the league off the back of a ‘difficult’ All Ireland.

    Overall, not bad going.

  15. It was tight margins, twists and turns in a few dramatic minutes in the end that sent Kildare down, and Houdini like keep Monaghan up.. Mayo were 8 points ahead winning their match v Kildare and were in the final already.. Kildare are staying up, unless Dublin can equalise and Dublin are 3 down, However there was still 2 minutes left to play in Clones, Dublin were 3 points down, a Dublin Goal would equalize the game, and if it stayed that way Monaghan and Dublin would go down.. Final whistle blow’s in beautiful Carrick on Shannon, and simultaneously Dublin get a penalty.. Dean Rock score’s,.. Kildare are staying up, if Dublin get another score to win, Kildare are going down with Monaghan.. but Monaghan win a late late last chance with a scorable free, but it’s far from a gimme.. They score it.. Kildare and Dublin go down.. Monaghan live to fight another year in Div One.. The league is a great competition.. well worth winning.

  16. Yes incredible competition and so many permutations on the last day. Pity its not played in the summer season imo. Next year were going to have a championship run off partly in league format. Crazy amount of fixtures. But right now its great to be back in a finl in croke park against very good opposition. And the bonus is we get to see our championship opposition

  17. If he were captain, Plunkett enjoyed the experience and gave leadership when required. Most impressive performance

  18. You are spot on WJ, Mayo need to be in high spirits facing Kerry in the league final, that win in Carrick was huge with so many players getting stuck in & starting to play with confidence. A lot of players done very well especially Ryan O D, Oisin M, AOS, Lee, Mattie. Jason D, we’ll done to all. Up Mayo

  19. What a difference a week can make. Last day out we had the worst forwards in Division 1. Today we put up 2-20 and should have had more. Maybe there was some truth in the team enduring a heavy training load in the previous few weeks. Bar some loose-marking at times we were much improved in every aspect of the game. Outstanding performances up front. We made hay with quick direct ball into ROD and Doc. Midfield had a tough time of it in the first half but came into it in the second. Half-backs struggled to get to grips with Kildare’s half-forwards. McCormack’s shooting was superb. The goals were the winning of the game for us. Kildare visibly wilted after the second. It just wasn’t working out for them. Despite their points tally they looked gassed at the end.

    Special mention to Jason Doherty for putting in such huge performances after all he went through.

    Good man David Gough for not having any of the Kildare player’s attempt to have Swanny sent off!

    It’s been a good league for us. We should drive on and aim for the title. We can’t ask for better prep for Galway.

  20. Great win so now hopefully go on and win it. A National title against a County that thinks they have a God given right to win everything. At least the Dubs were more humble. Sorry to see Kildare go down as they brought a bit of freshness and obviously Daniel Flynn was a huge loss for part of the game. No Leinster team in Division 1 now and 3 from Connacht.
    ROD player of the League without a doubt.
    Interesting it was such a shoot out. Just wonder why but isn’t that what Gaelic football should be. While it would be lovely to lift Sam in my lifetime I don’t want to do it with negative tactics.

  21. Great win and all that we asked for bar the injuries. Sets us up perfectly for next week against a team we like playing and a pitch where we perform consistently well.
    Roll on the season ticket arguments about league final tickets which was a low act.

  22. Wonder when tickets will go on sale and how they will be distributed to season ticket holders? Demand surely will be big

  23. just wondering,
    Horan was not there today ,so who make the five changes before the game and who called the shots during the game, diffently played better that last week and put up a big score with some forwards who were poor last week and coulnt score having great displays today. Anyone see C Mc having a bigger shout today.

  24. Actually looking forward to next year’s All Ireland with the amount of games between well matched teams in (hopefully) good weather and pitches in top condition. This league although interesting showed that games with even well matched teams can be decided by the weather.
    In all honesty I would have loved to be able to watch all 4 of today’s div 1 games and Ros v Gal as well. I know these games had to be played off at the same time but Surely it’s time for more games to be streamed and paid for.

  25. Season tickets for 2022 did not include free entry to league finals. In previous years it did so that’s a big disappointment for all of us affected by that decision.

  26. Ah for god sake. I obviously didn’t read the small print. The season tickets are expensive enough, they could have left the league final included.
    Great win for mayo today. Lets hope the injuries aren’t to bad.

  27. @PM, season ticket holders will probably have to pay for the tickets next week. This was a new term added this year.

    Delighted we kicked for scores today and were more instinctive in front of goal. That was missing the last two games.

  28. This was the text of the original post from which we thought league finals were not covered
    “Looks like the League Final isn’t covered under the Season Ticket, specified below only the round matches are covered.

    The GAA Season Ticket covers the following for your county:

    GAA 2022 Allianz Leagues round matches in selected code
    Opening match of GAA Senior Football Championships
    Opening two matches of GAA Senior Hurling Championships
    For the remainder of the championship, the Season Ticket holder can log in to their account and purchase championship match tickets for their County. There are a variety of routes to the All-Ireland Final in both codes and the prices for each game along the way do differ.
    All Ireland Senior Club Finals”

    However, the hurling league semi finals were covered. So we can take from that all league fixtures are covered once again which is good news. Hopefully!

  29. It seems season ticket holders are paying more to receive less this year. Paid 50 euro extra to not receive the “free” umbrella or “free” jacket, while now also having to pay for league finals. Maybe its time to scrap the season ticket altogether? At the moment its just a “right to buy an all ireland final ticket”. Does anyone know if you attended every game through league and championship (through the front door with no replays) with a season ticket would you be any better off financially than someone who purchased individual tickets?

  30. Sad to see good footballing teams ,Dublin and Kildare go down to Div 2 and some negative teams staying up.Most enjoyable day in Carrick and well done to all.

  31. Oh, what a glorious day, weatherwise and football wise. I haven’t seen football like that for years. And then the other results go as I want to see them too, esp. with Dublin going down. With luck Kildare will see an end to their championship run in Leinster too. They can if they believe in themselves.

  32. The 2 lads that weren’t down to start get injured.

    Harrison I think tore something in his knee and it might’ve been due to the pitch. He appeared out with the lads on crutches so he may not be too bad.

    O’Connor didn’t look right from the start.

  33. Great day. Great game of football.

    From a spectators point of view, it’s the way all games should be played.

    From a Mayo point of view, I’m not a fan of shootouts – which is what today was. Great when we come out the right side, but winning on the biggest day requires more structure in my opinion

  34. You can say what you want , that’s some panel of bucks we have representing our county . Beasts every single one of them , Jesus Christ they are savage men .

    Beat Kerry and let the country know we mean business .

  35. Oisin struggled big time in first half on Ben McCromack who kicked 4 points from play. Oisin improved in the second half.
    Hard to understand Kildare tactic in second half when they let Aidan pick up several short kickouts from Rory Byrne and start Mayo moves.
    Carr did well – hopefully he will stay injury free and build up his fitness and sharpness.

  36. I know this won’t be a popular comment, i feel oisin isn’t having a good league at all. If he doesn’t improve soon I don’t see a place on the team for him against galway. That of course depends on having everyone fit for selection.

  37. Oisin is capable of better that’s for sure but I am truly convinced he needs an offensive position rather than defensive, that’s just the way I see it .

  38. @PM – its a bit OTT to say there might not be a place on the team for him v Galway, he hasn’t been that bad.

  39. @TommieK we need to find his best position fast. He has struggled in defence in the league, he’s not a good man marker. If a lesser known player had played the way he has in the league they’d come in for a lot of criticism. I hope Oisin goes to croke Park next Sunday and puts on a brilliant display, we need more from him.

  40. Just watching League Sunday, can someone free Ciaran Whelan from that jacket?

  41. @catcol

    Keith Duggan did and the the bookies have moved Oisin into second favourite of the mayo players as FOTY.

  42. The sooner RTE loose all GAA coverage the better. Mayo league finalists and received a 60 sec highlight reel. Pathetic. RTE give more coverage and interest to that rugby sh1te.

  43. I thought Oisín was good today. He made numerous interceptions and turnovers. His direct opponent did score 4 but as a half back, it’s not so much about man marking as he needs to hold the centre. He gave us huge impetus going forward. I agree he could have been tighter at times but was quite impressed with him today

  44. Yew Tree, in fairness, there are 4 divisions and promotion and relegation to be decided all over the place. No game was going to get in-depth analysis tonight.

  45. Billy Joe said it all a couple of weeks ago, suggesting that if Mayo meet Kerry again Oisin should (once again) pick up Clifford. Oisin being the only player capable of coming close to matching him. I’d have had my reservations but Billy laid the argument out well. If left to his own devices Clifford can and will destroy you. No matter who he plays he’ll always score several points from play so obviously it’s about damage limitation. Oisin has another free shot at him now next week, but this time in Croker. I’d back Oisin to really up his game, as other posters also predict, when stakes are at their highest.

  46. Agree Tubberman, and the hurling semi finals to come yet..
    Moose 79 lol that gave me a great laugh..

  47. Yes Moose, I was wondering, as I pile on the pounds, why can’t I tog out in ridiculously tight clothing in public?
    Well, the answer is…… Because I know better.

  48. Liberal role in the tie

    Colm Boyle suggested on an off the ball interview today that o’hora could pick up Clifford next week.

    I would like to see oisin have another crack. I think if stephen o’brien starts eoghan mclaughlin is made to mark him.

    https://youtu.be/OBqa8YXbwrE

  49. That’s right Tommie, as did Billy Joe before the Tralee match if I’m not mistaken! So even pundits change their minds. I find it hard to remember who said what.

    My worry on Swanny…the more I think about it….if he struggled on McCurry (as he did in a big way in last year’s All Ireland final), what might David Clifford do to him?!!! But who knows, I’ve plenty faith in OHora to learn and improve on last year, and just maybe he’s the man for Clifford. But the smart money for now is to stick with Oisin. It will also keep Clifford on the back foot.

  50. I apologise for the cheap shot.
    Mayo were very direct today as opposed to the Tyrone and, to a lesser degree, Kerry game. From the hurricane in Sligo to the tropics of Carrick Mayo have mixed it up plenty with different teams lining out etc. One thing for sure, Ryan O’ Donoghue is the best player in Ireland today. Awesome.

  51. Great display from Mayo and I hope the new injuries clear up soon.

    Clifford kicks some mighty scores but I don’t think he’s the football God a lot of people make him out to be.

    He can play very well but he has very quite days, and often enough too.

    I remember one game last year where Kerry scored about 4-20 and I’m not sure if Clifford scored at all in that match.

    I thought he would be an absolute star in the sigerson final this year but he was almost anonymous.

    For all the talk about Clifford I would have Ryan O’Donoghue before him, every day of the week.

  52. Well done to all involved in today’s game, brilliant performance by all, on a beautiful day. It was great to see Brendan Harrison back, unfortunetly not for long. Wishing him (and all our injured players) a full and speedy recovery.

  53. ROD is now or most important player,he’s got an Andy Moran like ability that everything that goes into him sticks,also a great distributor of the ball.

    Robbie is our 2nd most important player now and although Byrne didn’t do much wrong today we just don’t have the kickout options with him.Everything went short today and kildare were a bit naive in that they never pressed and let Aido and others carry short kickouts uncontested and we were able to get the ball to our half forward line every time. Also we’re missing him (not so much today) as a dead ball kicker from distance.
    Oisin has never been a scorer and has always looked to lay the ball off when he gets to half forward line,I remember him scoring a goal before and a few fisted pointed but he never shoots,I think lads saying he needs to be in the hf line possibly dont have a great understanding of football.His strengths lie in winning possession/dispossessions/turnovers and getting it up the field.
    The negatively gang on here are looking a bit silly now,we’re in a league final having blooded lots of new guys and dealing with a massive injury crisis and developed a real kicking game.I talk to people outside the county and they can’t believe the job Horan has done,I nearly embarrassed to tell them the criticism they get from so called Mayo fans
    Talk of not wanting to get to a final is inferiority complex stuff,there’s nothing between kerry and us and the game the next day is a coin toss.
    I think if we had Tommy,Cillian and Robbbie we’d be in a great place to win Sam,as it is I’m not so sure but I’d be very proud of these lads and what they done so far.

  54. Clifford is a class footballer but completely overrated in terms of influence on deciding a game . For once in our history can we just shrug this bowing to the kingdom malarkey , we are a better outfit , believe .

  55. Well done today. Great win and a great score. Tough final for us but may as well go for it. For those suggesting that Clifford is not brilliant I m not sure whether you have seen much of him. He is a fantastic player. Yes he was poor enough in Sigerson final which was played in very poor conditions and anyway no one can be outstanding every single day. I don’t know who would be best guy to mark him. It would take Oisin out of game if he marks him. Think I might chance O Hora though if Clifford gets a run on him it could be worrying. There was a time whe Leeroy would have been the man, but hardly now. Anyway go for it. McStay was suggesting that Galway might not go full tilt v Ross. That woild surprise me. They played a weakened team today. I m sure Derry were not impressed. Next year 4 teams from Ulster 3 from Connacht, Kerry and none from Leinster.

  56. Funny how Leeroy doesn’t seem to be in the frame to mark Clifford,he has never let us down in a man marking role (was a bit unlucky v O Callaghan in 2019)
    I would like to see him on Clifford the next day but both Swanny and Oisin could do a job too.
    Anybody questioning David Clifford’s influence on a game is way off the mark,if we stop him we have a great chance of winning.
    I do agree kerry as a team in general are over rated,we have every right to expect to beat them.I was down in Tralee and we absolutely should have got a draw and maybe a win.
    They are there for the taking.

  57. Why so , how many all Irelands has he swung in his county’s favour . Last time I checked it’s the barometer our lads are always put up against , what’s good for the goose surely ? Sure anyone can do it in provincial games or semis etc , all I’m saying is that’s all we ever hear when we claim for example the highest scorer in history is a top class forward . I’m feeling cocky in this context tonight , I’ll never say we will win the all Ireland again but I’ll say with great confidence it will take a damn good outfit to knock us out .

  58. Agree with WJ. Let’s go for it next week. 3 weeks is an ideal time then to be ready for Galway (injuries aside).

  59. @FW. I have seen Clifford play in more than a few games where he has had little influence on the game.

    I have also seen games where he has played really well and kicked fantastic scores.

    I actually feel a little sorry for the lad.

    He was a freak as a minor, and has been talked off the charts ever since as the greatest to ever play the game.

    It’s embarrassing to listen to the commentators sometimes explaining some of the incredible scores he is kicking, when there are players up and down the country kicking similar or better scores.

    Some people are even lauding the lad as maybe the greatest player to have ever played.

    Everyone is entitled to their opinion but I don’t think I rate him as highly as alot of people do.

    I would be more confident of getting a performance out of Ryan O’Donoghue than I would out of Clifford. Ryan has been very consistent.

  60. The discord feed was a godsend. Can’t wait to fly over for Galway game but in the meantime we might as well win a National League title. Hey, if they’re keeping score, you might as well win. As a Plunkett fan, love to read what he contributed. Congrats young man!!

  61. Irrespective of what happens next week it has been a very productive league campaign for us. James has blooded a whole load of new players whilst keeping us competitive. Players like Jordan Flynn, David McBrien, Jack Carney have progressed nicely. I have always thought Flynn had the tools for the job. He has proved his worth and good on him.
    Jason Doc is a big player for us in the absence of Cillian and Tommy. A wily old fox who can take a score and will take the heat off Ryan. A fit front three of Jason Doc,Ryan and James Carr would do nicely. Hopefully Cillian can get back as well.
    Lastly we seemed to be paying a bit more attention to Minding the House. Goals against have been a big problem for us. 3 goals conceded in 7 games in the league campaign represents progress on that front and we have seemed to be tighter at the back. That will be put to the test next week no doubt.
    The glass is half full in Mayo. A nice little top up next Sunday would do very nicely.

  62. Sometimes an injury can lead to finding out your best starting 15. Proper scoring forwards at last yesterday with much quicker movement from defence into attack. Figure it out

  63. Can’t understand where all this oisin bashing is coming from.
    Thought he had a fine game yesterday.
    He is needed in the defence end of story either the full back line or half back depending on who we are playing.
    He’s the man to pick up Clifford the next day.
    Horan always has great faith in the players he picks and with the exception of the allireland last year they have rewarded him.
    I honestly think we will better Kerry next week.
    Was delighted for Jordan and his family yesterday has taking some crap over the years,he worked hard at his game and is nailing down his spot.
    It’s time to back these young lads and stop running them down god knows they get enough of that from outside of the county.

  64. Jack mcCarron kick some absolute whoppers yesterday. Yer man for Cork that plays for St. Finbars also. Clifford is class, no question but plenty others are scoring with great flair also, our own bucks included.

  65. Anyone else other than deelrover has access to their ticket for Sunday nothing in my account yet

  66. I checked my account too after seeing Deelrover comment and there are no tickets in it.
    I have emailed to see if any are being sent before the tickets go on sale.

  67. I walked the pitch after the game. The pitch was rutted with large indentations. Maybe this is why there were so many injuries. Good venue though. Carrick is a fun town.

  68. No ticket in my account yet either but if I look in the “account activity” section I can see there the league final tickets with amount set to €0.00, so I assume they will be issued by the end of the day hopefully.

  69. No ticket in mine yet either. Has anyone been able to create a seating group for this years tickets?

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