The James Horan era as Mayo manager is (well, ignoring what happens in the FBD) set to get underway under the full glare of the nation (well, those who have TV sets equipped to receive Setanta) as our opening NFL 2011 fixture against All-Ireland finalists Down at McHale Park has now been switched to Saturday, 5th February. We were, of course, meant to open this year’s league campaign with a floodlit match against Galway at the same venue but planning issues (which still have to be resolved, I might add) meant that those plans had to be shelved. The planning problems must now be close to resolution and so hopefully this time it’ll go ahead as planned.
With four home fixtures in next year’s NFL, we should have other opportunities to light up the night sky over Castlebar but this opening round game is, for the moment at least, the only floodlit match we’ve got in the diary for next year. All of our three away matches are afternoon ones too, including the one against the Dubs in Parnell Park which is an obvious one to switch to the previous evening. That may happen – depending, I suppose, on the TV schedules – but for now it’s also set to go ahead on the Sunday.
By the way, with the FBD World Series now out of the way, I’ve consigned the 2010 fixtures page here on the site to history and have replaced it with a shiny new 2011 version, which includes full details of all our NFL Division 1 fixtures next spring.
The other Horan was appointed Limerick manager today. Maurice Horan former Mayo and Ballinrobe player has taken over from Micky Ned.
I expect him to do a good job and make a name fro himself. Was a selector with Limerick last year along with doing the U21 job.
We are now into the next generation of Mayo managers.
John’s Maughan and O Mahony, along with Peter Forde who ruled Connacht football for a fair few years are being supplanted by the new breed. I was going to add in Tommy Lyons but am not sure whether he was more Dublin than Mayo or not.
Anyway Maurice Horan has a nice base to work with. Good times lie ahead.
Not to mention those young managers currently making great strides with Mayo clubs.
The article in the Mayo news on Colm McManamon got me thinking on that. Great start for him, unbeaten in 14 games in his first season as manager of Burrishoole.
How we could do with a player like him now around the middle of the field.
How the hell did the Gooch get an All Star and none of the Cork forwards didn’t get one?
It’s beyond bizarre alright – it’s not as if Gooch needs another gong and the Cork lads did eventually step up to the mark when the pressure was really on in the All-Ireland final. Daniel Goulding must feel really sore, though I suppose his Celtic cross will ease the pain somewhat.
Donie Shine might be sorer. His team actually won something. Harrison got an All Star because Sligo managed to beat a poor Mayo and Galway in one season. So the media still see Mayo and Galway as something special in Connacht.
John Galvan was thieved. Canty got one for 20 minutes of football, Murphy didnt.
Kildare got three in 1997 for losing a Leinster semi final. They got two this year and for what?
Was it because Micko was the manager in 1997 and McGeeney this year?
Dave Brady, Peter Burke, Noel Connelly, David Heaney, Trevor Mortimer and John Finn never got one. It is rotten to the core.
Agree 100% ontheroad – about to pen something on it now myself if I have the time before heading off into town.