Only five of the players who lined out for us against Monaghan yesterday also did so in the previous match up in Donegal. One of this quintet – Sam Callinan – has been putting in solid performances ever since he first appeared in this League campaign, when he came on as a sub against Tyrone. Yesterday was his best performance of the year so far and you’ve voted him our MOTM from the game.
The Ballina Stephenites club player is only 19 years old but he made his debut for Mayo over a year ago, having been given his first Senior start by James Horan against Armagh in late February 2022. In Enda Hession’s absence, Sam has lined out in the last three matches this year, where he’s looked fully at home in the heart of the defence.
One of Sam’s key attributes is his ability to dispossess attacking players, tracking them diligently before pouncing at the right moment to pull off a perfectly timed turnover. In yesterday’s game, he pursued Stephen O’Hanlon (see above) until the Monaghan player was about to shoot for goal but then found himself without the ball, as Sam had just relieved him of it.
Sam wins the MOTM award with 20% support in the vote. Close behind him in second spot, with 17% of the vote, was Bob Tuohy, another young gun to impress this year and who shot two points from play yesterday. Others who who featured prominently in the poll were Paul Towey (11%), as well as Michael Plunkett and Jordan Flynn, (both 9%).
Well done to all of them but especially to Sam Callinan, our MOTM from yesterday’s game.
Well done Sam , and indeed Bob. Couldn’t vote as I didn’t see the game. Great to see new young lads playing so well. The future is bright with young players like this coming through.
Would Sam Callinane be the youngest ever winner of the blog motm?
I can’t imagine another 19 year old has won it.
He’s doing really well for such a young player.
Sam definitely going in the right direction. Honest hard working, great attitude, perfecting the art of turning over… Will be a driving force from the back for many a day. Maybe the commanding CHB in the future
I’d need to check JP but I’m almost certain you’re correct in that regard.
Well done Sam, well-deserved.
On Tuohy, I’ve been watching him for a couple of years ever since a poster mentioned him as a potential superstar. Both Mitchels and u20s have been over-protective, but even in cameos he looked pretty good.
Sam really impressed me in the county final, and has been superb in all his games this league.
Congrats Sam. Only to edge out Bob another young 19 year old!
Well done. The future is bright.
Sam for Mayo!
Congratulations
After the season we had last year, a league title would be huge. Regardless of what happens in the championship, that would be a great achievement this year alongside finding 4-5 new players. Up Mayo
Pity Mayo returned to losing matches in Castlebar
Hope they go allout to win league title as more important for team than a Connacht title this year with so many matches coming on top of one another
Also Mayo into one of the groups of 4 for All-Ireland so that should be the focus after League final
A Connacht win would be a bonus but at what cost
Travelling Wilbury, we have found one new player this year in Tuohy, rest have been panel previously. Some like Coyne, Brickenden, McBrien, Callinan, Hession etc. are benefiting from addition S&C under their belts and game time. Physical strength as well as speed are key in modern game as can be seen in way some players Sunday were easily swallowed up, forced into turnovers etc.
Agree a league title is a big deal, which is why Kevin has put such emphasis on it. We should be at least making Semi-final or final as well, depending on draw.
Difficult game v an excellent Galway defensive set up
Páraic, it should be a cracker, most important game we have in theory until 3rd round of round Robin.
The game will provide both managerswith info of where they are at. The Galway defence will be tested to the full by a very lively well balanced set of Mayo forwards. The Mayo defensive system will get a much needed stress test. Ideal preparation for both teams with glorious ambitions.
You can be sure Galway be working on marking runners off AOS and occupying space. I wonder if we can get the ball to Aido and get him turning and running towards goal. Cause a bit of chaos. There was a Paddy Durcan point off the left boot in Donegal where I thought he might have knocked it into Aido who was 1 on 1 on the edge of the square.
Galway have developed a knack of winning tight games. It is a good habit but they benefited from a couple of goalkeeping howlers against Armagh and Kerry to win those games. Their story might have been a bit different otherwise. Credit to them though. A win is a win.
I don’t think there will be much in it. Hopefully we can nick it.
Well done Sam. Thought he played really well. Was between himself and Michael Plunkett for MOTM for me.
Any information on Tommy Conroy ? Wasn’t in the 26 yesterday, would assume he must have picked up a knock as he could have done with the game time.
Huge game on Sunday to win. If we lose to the Rossies we will be in the last 8. Winning a national title can’t be over looked. I see the bookies have Galway slight favourites too after their impressive win against Kerry. I think this will be the acid test for our youthful back line. If I’m right in saying Reape, Coyne, Mcbrien, Callinan have 0 championship appearances between them ? They will get a right good test on Sunday. Bring it on
Go Mayo
Win the league Cup
@Ontheditch. Spot on. I couldn’t have put it any better.
Mind the House – agreed that some of those wins have been tight, but Dubs are (rightly) the greatest team and a lot of that greatness built on one point wins. If you can manage a game and snuff out goal chances it goes a long way to controlling a tight game on the scoreboard.
Should have the making of a nervy but hopefully great game.
Sunday should give us a good barometer as to where we are at after a good league campaign. Without several key players up front Galway have put impressive displays grinding out results and appear to be in pole position as the team most likely to dethrone the Kingdom. Of slight concern last Sunday was bad decision making in front of goal at times resulting in some bad wides but Mayo have been swashbuckling in the main throughout this league playing some fantastic football. An intriguing contest awaits Sunday between two excellent sides who will have justified expectations of AI glory later in the year. Hopefully we come home with a National title Sunday our 4th in 53 years a great confidence booster for what is essentially a very young squad. But great to see so many players making the step up from underage we have much to look forward to methinks in the time ahead. Hon Mayo!!
What channel is covering the national league final
It’s live on TG4, Craggy.
Thanks willie joe.