Another big championship match involving the county tomorrow and so this definitely calls for a Mayo News football podcast bonus episode.
In this one, host Rob Murphy and I help to set the scene for tomorrow’s crunch qualifier tie against Derry while Billy Joe Padden provides his thoughts on how Mayo might line out and what they need to do to get over this tricky hurdle.
The bonus episode is now available both on iTunes or on SoundCloud. You can even listen to it here – just click the SoundCloud thingy below. Enjoy!
I would take a one point win and on to the next game
I listened to the Joe Brolly on the podcast and one thing I will agree with him on is our failure to get the vital score….that score to put us ahead. We are the best in the world at coming from 5,6,7 points down.
Remember the second half in 2014 against Kerry in Croke Park…I think we were 4 up when we could have gone 5 up to finish off Kerry but dropped it short. We have lost three replays. We just can’t seem to find it in us to sneak ahead and stay there in a tight high pressure game. Last year in the first game everything went against us, we drew level in the second half and it was there for us….I remember says “Go for it” – we just couldn’t do it….
then on the other side of the coin, we don’t kill teams off and bury them, instead letting them back into the game when it should be over.
Does this point to a lack of skill level, no “marquee” forward, wrong game plan? Or is it a mental thing?
People keep telling us why we have not won an All Ireland, we have been so close.
This team when playing to potential is good enough to beat anyone, even Dublin. When we are not, well anyone can beat us.
Come on Mayo – one more fucking time!!
Mayo the fast derry the lasters
I think,Yew Tree, we don’t have to spell it out a thousand times why we haven’t and don’t do it but lately I’m also agreeing with those who are calling for a lot more presence and ball winning potential around the middle of the field! It hasn’t been caught enough…broken down enough Or mopped up enough in this region for how long now? However and still I believe that tomoorow will be a lovely day!
Derry assistant manager Brian McGuckin refuses to buy into the belief that Mayo are a fading power this season and is looking forward to pitting his wits against one of the top sides in the country this Saturday in Castlebar (5pm). The critics have been lining up to have a go at Shane Walsh’s team after a second successive Connacht Championship defeat to Galway three weeks ago but McGuckin – whose team knows a thing or two about being written off – says Derry are under no illusions about the task they face this weekend. “This is a game for the players to relish,” explained McGuckin, “Whenever the draw came out, we were all very much looking forward to this game but any of the four teams we could have got would have brought their own challenges. “Mayo are one of the very top teams and it will be good to pit our wits against a team as established as they are but we feel we are up to it. “Obviously we have access to their Championship games to date and will be looking closely at those but I would expect there to be a few changes to their line-up from the Connacht semi-final. “We have a fair idea of what to expect because they are all very well known individually and they’ve had a couple of very good years in that they have had very long runs in the Championship. “They’re a very experienced set-up and, yes, they’ve had their heartaches as well but certainly they are very experienced and are a team that are at the peak of their powers at present. “They will be disappointed with their Connacht semi-final route, no doubt about that, but they took the same route last year and went a very long way to an All Ireland final. “A lot of people have talked about them struggling but I don’t necessarily buy into that though we won’t be putting them on a pedestal either.” Derry captain Enda Lynn and club mate Niall Loughlin are both fit for selection with McGuckin expecting a full strength panel though it was confirmed earlier in the week that Magherafelt keeper Conor McLarnon had left the panel meaning the Oak Leafers will travel down this evening (Friday) with only Ben McKinless as a recognised keeper. Mayo have been boosted by the news that ‘Footballer of the Year’ Lee Keegan could play some part despite picking up a leg injury in a club match two weeks ago. Westport player Keegan was injured after a heavy collision with Charlestown’s Jack Reilly and has been receiving treatment for the muscle injury since but has responded well and should feature in his 36th consecutive championship game for this county. Mayo also have injury concerns over defenders Ger Cafferkey and Chris Barrett while Keith Higgins will miss game due to suspension. Barry Moran and Conor O’Shea, who were injured for the Galway game, both took part in training last week and should be available. “Mayo have had three weeks to prepare for us,” added McGuckin, “They have had time to have their Connacht Championship hangover as such and to get over it. “We are fortunate in that we have a game behind us and a win behind us, so, we will be going into the game with a degree of confidence.”
Read more at: http://www.derryjournal.com/sport/derry-gaa/derry-gaa-we-re-not-going-to-mayo-to-make-up-the-numbers-mcguckin-1-8034897
I see the Mayo team named on the Official web-site. It’s the same team named for the Galway game – including Keith Higgins. No that should hood-wink the Derry folk.
The web-site has no been corrected and the team is:
David Clarke (Ballina Stephenites)
Brendan Harrison (Aghamore)
Ger Cafferkey (Ballina Stephenites)
Chris Barrett (Belmulet)
Colm Boyle (Davitts)
Lee Keegan (Westport)
Patrick Durcan (Castlebar Mitchels)
Seamus O’Shea (Breaffy)
Tom Parsons (Charlestown)
Fergal Boland (Aghamore)
Diarmuid O’Connor (Ballintubber)
Stephen Coen (Hollymount/Carramore)
Kevin McLoughlin (Knockmore)
Cillian O’Connor (Ballintubber, captain)
Andy Moran (Ballaghaderreen).
Team Manager: Stephen Rochford.