Podcast hitting the pause button

It’s been a hectic two months since we launched the club championship series on the Mayo News football podcast. Now, with the McDonnell, Sweeney and Moclair Cups all safely ensconced in their winter lodgings, we’ve a bit of time to catch our collective breath.

The plan at the outset for the podcast club series was to take listeners through the various club championships blow-by-blow. Nine podcast episodes later – with three Mayo manager updates added into the mix to boot during this period as well – I think it’s fair to say that we’ve pretty much delivered on this commitment.

The journey hasn’t yet ended, of course, for the footballers of Balla, Belmullet and Ballintubber, as all three gear up for a tilt at provincial honours. How the three clubs get on in Connacht will continue to get covered on the podcast but not in the same level of detail that we’ve given to the action in the county championships.

The plan for the podcast for the remainder of the year is to conclude with two further episodes. These will be anchored around the Mayo News Club Stars – where, fittingly, outstanding performances in the county championships will be honoured – and we’re planning to do one episode in the run-up to the Club Stars banquet on 8th December and another one afterwards. Included in there will also be a review of the Connacht club championship action featuring Balla, Belmullet and Ballintubber.

The two remaining podcast episodes we’re planning to do will take the number of episodes this year to forty, which, coincidentally, will the same number as we did last year. 2018 was, of course, a very different year for us at inter-county level, which just goes to underscore further how nice it was to be able to divert our focus onto the club scene this year after the inter-county championship ended so suddenly for Mayo at the end of June.

We’ve had a total blast covering the club championships on the Mayo News football podcast and we hope you’ve enjoyed listening in too. Thanks to all who tuned in to the series over the last two months and thanks too to everyone who contributed to the various episodes, as well to the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, in association with whom the club championship series on the podcast was produced.

By the way, if you want to listen back to any episode of the podcast at any stage there’s a specific page on the blog where all episodes back to the start of 2017 are located – that’s here. You can also access this page using the menu at the top, it’s the tab on the extreme right.

75 thoughts on “Podcast hitting the pause button

  1. Taking it easy over the winter months shows a complete lack of commitment WJ, not acceptable. Ye run the risk of the Podcast being “undercooked” for the must-win FBD games.
    Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.

  2. The podcasts have been fantastic, especially as someone following the championship from afar. Thanks Willie Joe et al for all the sterling work, greatly appreciated.

  3. I always look forward to the podcasts, fair play to Willie Joe & Rob et al. It’s a fantastic service, top drawer coverage of the club scene.

    Thoughts now turn to the trials and before we know it the FBD will be upon us!!

  4. Obviously Pebblesmeller is joking. Enjoy the long weekend and thanks for this Godsend of a blog.

  5. Of course Backdoorsam.
    The lads have put some shift of work in this year and deserve a break. Onwards and upwards to 2019!

  6. Are we saying we are finally going to take the rest we thought we would get June 30th?! This place had a busy 4 months. Enjoy the break if you truly get one!!! Please god we won’t be making headlines until the new year. Thanks WJ.

  7. Many thanks WJand Rob for some very entertaining moments in those podcasts. A volumn of work which is valued and appreciated by all.

  8. Thanks to WJ, Rob and the gang for all the great work. I’m buying you guys a beer in NYC!!!!

  9. John, Rob and everyone at the Mayo News and beyond, we never get tired of hearing about anything football related in Mayo!!! Feel free to keep them up however a rest allows us the chance to catch up and even more appreciate your return in January. Thank so much!!!!

  10. Great work guys for this incredible resource. Congrats to my home club Knockmore in there Div 1 minor league final win v Westport this evening.
    And good luck to those taking part in Mayo trials tomorrow

  11. Yes. I concur with all the other messages of thanks and congratulations. It was great to get such tremendous coverage of the club scene.
    This blog has, over the years, given us all such brilliant coverage of Mayo GAA and really plugged us in to what is happening on the ground. You have no idea of how much this blog does for those of us who now live outside Mayo. Thanks again WJ

  12. Míle buíochas, Willie Joe. This forum is unique. A one off. We are a privileged community to share in its facilities. At not a cost of one cent. Thanks again Willie Joe.

  13. Anybody at the trials ,saw 90 min of play did not see the last game,current players on show stood out, good to see Tommy Conroy back looked sharp

  14. Andy, Aidan Keith all looked comfortable, tommy conroy kilt ane Darren Coen jack reilly all showed up well but conditions did not help any players hoping to help their cause, I really don’t think those trial games help in the long run, would be better playing against a county team

  15. How did Brian reape eoghan lavin mattie Cummins Sean Walsh cilia finn Jack reilly any of the young westport lads how did they do all young players with potential?

  16. RE John Moran and Jp2
    How did Jack Reilly, Brian Reape, Conor Diskin , Ciaran Treacy and James Carr all get on???

  17. TH- jack reilly worked hard and linked play decent wing forward bit light
    Conor Diskin wasn’t at his top form today but kicked two good point a great one off his weaker left ,wet greasy conditions tough for forwards
    James Carr impressed me thought he had gone back a lot in the last two years but looked sharp won a few frees from being direct and kicked a nice point

  18. Th did not see last game but reilly and Carr played OK diskin quiet enough, as I said don’t think it’s a real test as they are playing against these players all year

  19. Good Morning everyone i have a grandson up from Limerick and it would be nice to bring him out to see the trials out in Bekan on Monday .Can anyone tell me what time the trials are on at please?

  20. It’s not released James. You’d imagine going out around 12:00 you’ll be around starting time of first game or would catch it ending. They’ve three games to play and they won’t hold them too late with work the next day.
    If you end up too early couldn’t see the first game being later than 13:00 starting.

  21. You could ask the secretary of your old club in Mayo. They’d probably have the details of it. Just explain yer bringing the future generation to see it and I’d imagine they’d have the info or could get it. Secretary numbers on your clubs website or Mayo gaa.com

  22. Just for anyone interested Ah Ref has the 6 teams from yesterday’s mayo trial games up on his twitter page.

  23. For anyone in the UK, without Mayo GAA TV is there a way to watch the Connaught club matches? The Belmullet match is the priority but would be good to see both if possible.

  24. Mayo GAA TV won’t be streaming the Connacht club championship matches. My understanding is that unlike the county championship games Mayo GAA don’t own the rights to these games and so can’t stream them.

  25. Were Enda Varley ,Ciaran Treacy, Ryan O’Donoghue or Peter Naughton present at trials today as there names didn’t feature on the teams Saturday!! Jack Reilly of Charlestown and
    Oisin McLaughlin of Westport were standout performers Saturday in the Western people reports.

  26. Guys I’m dissapointed too see little or no comments about how the trials went we should be in big debate on who did well and who didn’t does anyone have any opinions I think the future is bright

  27. I don’t think there should be reports or debate about the trials. Thanks to every player who put themselves forward. Tbey all deserve privacy and respect. We will all k ow the panel in due course.. The important things is the trials took place.

  28. Teams for Trials Saturday in McHale park taken from Ah ref Twitter account
    Team A
    1. Paddy O Malley Westport
    2. Matt Cummins Kiltimagh
    3. Conor Coleman Lahardane
    4. Stephen Brennan Claremorris
    5. Colm Boyle Davitts
    6. Donal Vaughan Castlebar
    7.Colm Moran Parke
    8. Sean Walsh Kiltimagh
    9. David O Reilly Claremorris
    10. Ronan Carolan Parke
    11. Josh Ronayne Davitts
    12. Jason Coyne Ballyhaunis
    13. Fintan McManamon Burrishoole
    14. Mike Sweeney Kiltane
    15. Tommy Conroy The Neale

    Team B
    1. Shane Nallen Belmullet
    2. Conor Kilkenny Aghamore
    3. Ciaran Harrison Aghamore
    4. Ben Doyle Westport
    5. James Minogue Breaffy
    6. Donovan Cosgrave Kiltmagh
    7. Kevin Healy Cill Chomain
    8. Aidan O’Shea Breaffy
    9. Paraic Walsh The Neale
    10. Conor loftus Crossmolina
    11. Darragh Keaveney Kilmeena
    12. Jarlath Mullin Kilmaine
    13. Killian Kilkenny Westport
    14. Darren Coen Hollymount / Carramore
    15. Cormac Doohan Ballaghadereen

    Team C
    1.Micheal Shlingerman Kiltimagh
    2. John Cunnane Ballyhaunis
    3. Brendan Harrison Aghamore
    4.Keith Higgins Ballyhaunis
    5. Eddie Doran Achill
    6. Keelan Dever Westport
    7. Padraig O Hora Ballina
    8. Ray Neary Parke
    9. Evan O Brien Ballinrobe
    10. Cillian Finn Kiltimagh
    11. Tommy Goals Conroy Kiltane
    12. Nathan Moran Hollymount Carramore
    13. James Carr Ardagh
    14. Conor Diskin Claremorris
    15. Ross Egan Aghamore

    Team D
    1. Chris Mcglynn Moy Davitts
    2. Kevin Jordan Mayo Gaels
    3. Tom Staunton Tourmakeady
    4. Marcus Parke Knockmore
    5. Cian Burke Ardnaree
    6. Darragh Ruane Moy Davitts
    7. Paddy Durcan Castlebar
    8. Gareth O Donnell Charlestown
    9. Stephen Coen Hollymount Carramore
    10. Aiden O Sullivan The Neale
    11. Robbie Fadden Breaffy
    12. Jack Reilly Charlestown
    13. Nial Murphy Charlestown
    14. Danny Kirby Castlebar
    15. Andy Moran Ballaghadereen

    Team E
    1. Sean Shaughnessey Ballinrobe
    2. Darragh Carey Kiltane
    3. Paraic O Malley Louisburgh
    4. Eoin McGrath Cill Chomain
    5.Paul Lambert Westport
    6. Cathal Horan Kilmovee
    7. Sharoize Akram Ballaghadereen
    8. Jack Irwin Ballina
    9. Padraig Prendergast Louisburgh
    10. Darren McHale Knockmore
    11. Brian Reape Moy Davitts
    12. James Durcan Castlebar
    13. Evan Regan Ballina
    14. Kevin Gibbons Louisburgh
    15. Conor Keane Hollymount

    Team F
    1.David Clarke Ballina
    2. Conor Naylor Ardnaree
    3.James Dowd Shrule Glencorrib
    4. Jamie Oates Garrymore
    5. Thomas Fahey Kilmaine
    6. Levi Barret Islandeady
    7. Owen Jordan Ballaghadereen
    8. Fionn Mcdonagh Westport
    9. Shane Nally Garrymore
    10. Peter Naughton Knockmore
    11. Mikey Murray Ballina
    12. Oisin McLoughlin Westport
    13. Gareth Dunne Breaffy
    14. Colm Moran Westport
    15. Cathal Slattery Garrymore

  29. Western people had the best report on the games on Saturday, surprised Mayonews didnt have better coverage. Evenly split around the County 36 clubs involved, great achievement for all involved. Westport had most representatives with 8 players, even thought I was surprised that Niall McManamon and Brian o Malley wasnt one of them. West Mayo had 27 involved, East 23, South 21 and North 19 players. Eleven of this years U20 Players that started against Kildare played, missing only Brian O Malley, John Maughan Joradn Flynn and Ryan o Donoghue. Donovan Cosgrove and Cathal Slattery added to players under 20 list.

    I suppose the only thing to add is who wasn’t at the trails, 14 of last years panel showed up Barry Moran has retired leaving 19 others who didn’t make. Conor o Shea, David Drake Michael Hall Caolan Crowe were some of the later. Due to extended championship commitments meant no involvements from Ballintubber or Balla and Just one from Belmullet, Shane Nallen who lined out in goals.

    Most notable players who didnt attend,

    1. Matthew Flanagan
    2. Brian Murphy
    3. Seamus Cunniffe/ Brian o Malley / Ger McDonagh
    4. David Kenny
    5. Barry Duffy
    6. Michael Plunkett
    7. Oisin Mullin
    8 James Kelly / Gary Golden (minor in 2012)
    9 Matthew Ruane / Jordan Flynn
    10 Ryan O Donoghue
    11 Eoghan Lavin
    12 Val Roughneen / Kevin Quinn
    13 Ciaran Treacy
    14 Fionan Duffy
    15 Johnny Donahue

  30. Mayomessi….any reason why those last 15 you listed didn’t attend? Some lads with good potential to step up…Cunniffe, Kenny, Duffy. Ruane…. Ryan O’D with Belmullet so that’s why.

    No sign of Irwin ever coming back I wonder. It’d certainly be a good time for him to consider it or even next year. Horan would be an ideal coach and mentor for him. Irwin has a talent most others dont have – a unqiue sense and natural forwards instinct – just needs to be nurtered and brought to the next level. But he needs to WANT it. Guys at that age can easily fall into the ‘partying’ culture and suddenly they are 25/26 and theyve missed the boat.

  31. According to the Mayo News Andy Moran was the standout player of 99 others that took part in the trials. Glass half full he is still a class act and we are blessed to have him. Glass half empty doesn’t seem to be anyone breaking down the door to lead the Mayo attack and dislodge the current forwards we have.

  32. Mayomaze, for the clubs heading into the connaught qualifiers would have excused players from belmullet, Ballintubber and balla. Others might be down to an injury like James McCormack Claremorris who was omitted above, James Stretton was another not involved not listed above. It could be just down to work committment or a previously planned holiday. Who knows. Seamus Cunniffe, James Stretton, Fionan Duffy Matthew Ruane and Eoghan Lavin were playing up to just a few weeks ago and were fully fit. They may still come in during the weeks to come. Jordan Flynn may still be suspended or unfit due to lack of football. Liam Irwin if fit would be a good addition, desires a second chance.

  33. According to Ah Ref twitter feed there was also a trial game last Wednesday evening with over 40 other players involved. Names are those who apparently took part are on view there. Mayo News mentions more trials to take place in coming weeks. Hopefully will give JH ample opportunity to find a strong and balanced panel to test further during the FBD and in preparation for the start of the National League.

  34. Andy Moran is like a pro. We have to remember he was Player of the Year two years ago and they guy keeps himself in pristine condition. he is also a clever guy on the pitch and a great example to others. Remember when Andy broke into the Mayo senior set up it was as a half back – he slowly made his way forward and was well into his mid to late 20’s when he really became the forward he is.

    So lads was it Jack Irwin or Liam in Bekan yesterday…or both?!:)

  35. Liam Irwin from Breaffy, he was a real handful for Brendan Harrison at Full forward.
    Best forward on show in his trial game.If Horan can can get the proper discipline from him and get his body up to Inter county conditioning, he could be some player cause he has all the skills.Probably one of the most natural forwards we have.

  36. Both Irwins were there Mayonaze!

    Good win for the Westport minors against Salthill Knocknacarra in the A Connacht Championship. 0-21 to 1-9 the final score. Serious scoring for a wintery night in Bekan!

    The final against St Brigid’s is on this Friday.

  37. @45, there was no trial Wed 24th.
    That was just an old article referencing James Horan first trials in 2010.

  38. Wide ball good comeback for Westport after losing league final Knockmore. They should be well able for st. Brigids. Think knockmore played them while ago.
    I like the Connacht championship blitz for minors. Good fun way to end year and follows the Ulster model where they have been doing it for years. Connacht one only in 3rd or 4th year.

  39. Great work there Mayomessi – you are certainly covering the hard yards.

    Liam Irwin’s appearance is certainly interesting – agree with what others say about fitness and commitment. If there is anyone who can crack those issues it is JH.

    Some of the absentees are puzzling, Seamus Cunniffe for example, whom James name checked in the podcast.

  40. Amused that some people are surprised Andy Moran stood out at the trials. He’s only the 2017 footballer of the year and one of the cleverest forwards of the modern era. Why wouldn’t he stand out in a trial game surrounded by mainly club players!

  41. Larry Duff, I agree with you even more so seeing Brendan Harrison didn’t show up for the other team and they played with 14 men, Giving Andy that extra room would kill most team, The green teams half back line of Cian Burke, Darragh Ruane and Paddy Durcan were dominant plus they had the stronger pairing in midfield with Stephen Coen and Gareth o Donnell insured plenty of ball into their forwards. Halftime score of 2-11 to 0-5 says it all. Andy was removed to even the sides up and the second half was more evenly balanced finishing 3-16 to 0-12 or 1-5 to 0-7 in the second half

  42. Forgot to mention that David Kenny and Fergal Boland were playing with Tooreen Hurlers on Sunday which ruled them out of the Saturday trails.

  43. JP / Mayomattie – thanks for this. Couldn’t see a date stamp against it so was wondering about the tweet….names looked to contain some very seasoned campaigners in today’s terms alright !!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *