We’ve named our starting fifteen to face Donegal in our final round League match at MacHale Park on Sunday (throw-in 3pm). Here it is:
Mayo (NFL Division One v Donegal, 5/4/2015): Kenneth O’Malley (Ballinrobe); Ger Cafferkey (Ballina Stephenites), Kevin Keane (Westport), Keith Higgins (Ballyhaunis); Lee Keegan (Westport), Colm Boyle (Davitts),Donal Vaughan (Ballinrobe);Barry Moran (Castlebar Mitchels), Tom Parsons (Charlestown Sarsfields); Kevin McLoughlin (Knockmore), Aidan O’Shea (Breaffy), Jason Doherty (Burrishoole); Mark Ronaldson (Shrule/Glencorrib), Danny Kirby (Castlebar Mitchels), Alan Dillon (Ballintubber).
So it’s just the one change from the Cork game, with the goalkeeping musical chairs continuing unabated. The pros and cons of this particular policy were discussed at length last time out so there’s no need to do so again now. I do, however, think it’s worth repeating again (and it’s with no disrespect towards Kenneth O’Malley or Robbie Hennelly that I say this) that this policy of continual change between the sticks makes no bloody sense at all. At this stage, it’s starting to smack of chronic indecision.
That aside, it’s the same team as the one that lined out last Sunday and you’d have to say that no changes were warranted after the performance the lads put in at Páirc Uí Rinn the last day. Best of luck to them on Sunday.
UPDATE: Donegal have also named their team tonight – full details here. They’ve made just two changes from the side that walloped Tyrone last time out, with Paddy McGrath and Colm McFadden coming in for the injured Neil Gallagher and the suspended Michael Murphy. In the continuing absence of ‘keeper Paul Durcan, Manus Boyle continues to deputise between the posts.
It’ll be interesting to see how O’Malley will get on. Both Clarke and Hennelly conceded two goals each in the last two games. It’s up to O’Malley to try and better that this week-end. He is very good from long range frees as well so that might come in handy as we struggle from placed balls without Cillian.
Good luck màyo don’t want to get ahead to ahead myself but will o connor be back for semi final if they get there.
Think you’ve got it there HSE.
Would like to see O’Malley offer different options. His outfield skills should help and his kicking could offer better options. Would like to see some long range attempts from him.
I must admit I was pleasantly surprised with O’Malley in Derry. I had him written off in the past but if I’m honest I was basing this on seeing him very little. Happy for him that he’s getting another run. One thing that nearly gave me a heart attack last week was Clarke running with the ball off his line, something I don’t like to see. However I suppose it’s a good sign of confidence. Very little to split the three lads in between the posts it has to be said!
Nice to see the outfield 14 the same for once.
We really should have the measure of Donegal on Sunday with this team.
Very strong team considering we still can call on Cunniffe Barrett SoS Cillian Andy Freeman Conroy Regan Sweeney etc
What I liked about O’Malley in Derry was his mouth, he was doing a lot of shouting, organising
@ St Pats Oldie, your right there, you can also add Coen, Durcan, Hall, Diarmuid O’Connor, Jason Gibbons etc. into the mix as well. Competition for places will be hotting up in the coming weeks.
@ catcol, Yeah I often think when Doc and McLoughlin have to take on extra free taking responsibilities it doesn’t help their overall game. Cillian O’Connor thrives on the extra responsibility while you feel that it’s like a bit of a chore for Doc and Kevin Mc.
Hi All,
Just a quick message of luck to you against Donegal on Sunday, we both have very tough games but we might meet in the League yet again. I hope we do, if not sure we will see you soon enough, cheers and all the best.
PS: I hope both the Dubs and Mayo have the defensive blankets well wrapped on Sunday evening!! Up Football!!
Kind Regards,
Martin the Dub
Donegal team just after being named for Sunday.
http://donegalgaa.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Donegal-V-Mayo.jpg
Thanks Martin. Hope ye give Monaghan a good lash and that we meet again in the semi final. We have a recent result that we need to revisit.
🙂
Agree with the goalkeeper thing. All three are fine goalkeepers but a decision needs to be made after this weekend which one they’re going with. It’s tough but that’s the way it is.
That’s a very strong Donegal team considering they don’t have Murphy.
In my head, this is hugely important for Mayo to win this game. I don’t consider winning the League all that important but it’s big for the panel and the managers to bounce back. A third loss on the trot would not be good for moral in the camp.
Horan didn’t have much care for the league but Mayo always finished it strongly. They need to do the same again on Sunday. People mightn’t see it as the end of the world but a third home loss would be very poor for moral in the camp as well as among supporters.
What if Parsons doesn’t bring his shooting boots? It’s the same forwards who scored 0-7 v Cork, with Vaughan scoring the other. I guess we’ll hope for the best.
One more good game between the sticks for O’Malley on Sunday and it’ll be Hennelly who will most likely come under most pressure ahead of the championship panel selection.
Strong looking side but they should have a number one chosen at this stage it is very important for a goalkeeper to form an understanding with his back line this can’t happen when the backs are playing in front of a different keeper each week . We have three good keepers but pick one and stick with him you can’t please everyone
Our free taking without Cillian is awful. Hence the smart option is OMalley as number one. If we need to kick a 45 to win a match only Cillian n OMalley Id trust. There isnt much else between him n Clarke.
Gutted that I’m going to miss this one after making all the away games. O’Malley played well in Derry, making vital saves, mixing kickouts effectively and being very vocal. As the prospect of relegation is remote, why not give him his chance? If we’re trying to foster competition for positions, GK should be no exception. We need to find our best 15 for August, not for April.
I don’t really see the issue with the goalkeeper rotation.
It’s not a position that is usually substituted (unlike every other position) so the only opportunity to give each of the lads a far chance is to rotate them throughout the league.
As long as the number 1 decision is made for Championship, it’s not an issue as far as I can see. O’Malley would probably have been considered no3 before the league, but he’s jumped above Hennelly in a lot of people’s judgement from what I’ve heard. Interesting to see what decision is made. It will be very tough on whoever is let go from the panel, because they are each excellent goalkeepers who have given great commitment to Mayo.
Thats a handy enough team and as good again in the dugout.
Mayo to win by three or four………..
[Deleted].
In terms of who is number one i agree it has to be Hennelly. Safest pair of hands and the best kickout between all 3 keepers. The day we start selecting a goalie based on his free taking ability is a sad day
Lads is there any update at all on Cillian?
The lack of any info is ominous…….
I don’t have a problem with the rotation of the keepers. We have 3 excellent canditates. I envy the person who has to pick 2 out of 3. They are highly thought of throughout the county. Difficult decisions should be given time. We need the best 2 for the summer not the month of April. We need the 3rd on standby. I want another look at Kenneth on Sunday
the keepers in modern day football are absolutely crucial. best example of all is cluxton, kick outs won the all ireland in 2013. last year paul durcans mistake lost donegal the all ireland. any keeper can make a mistake but they have to learn from them. Bombing all kickouts oof 70m to beaten midfield is lunacy.
Hennelly has to be kept. My number 1 choice. Clarke as back up.
3 very good keepers ,,,,, would love to see our forwards step up now,,,,
Sorry, Mike – I had to delete that bit about management’s view of the pecking order of the ‘keepers. I’d prefer to wait until an official announcement is made about which of them might be let go from the panel before anything is said here on the topic.
Interesting to read the comments above re ye’re goalkeepers.
It’s a nice problem to have lads.
I’d imagine the management are just giving each game time and a chance to stake their claim.They will no doubt then have the info they need once the league is over.
To be honest I’d be happy if we in Galway had even one keeper of the calibre of those 3. The three we have are all error prone with serious kickout issues.
Amazed how much discussion on GK and no one analysing the Donegal Team. For me Gallagher missing is a big minus for them but be interesting to see how Ronaldson does against the McGees as they’re the toughest around. Their FF line is strong, McBrearty is a good player & if McFadden has form but we did ok apart from the goals against Cork who are probably best equipped in that area. I would have liked to see Andy get a run perhaps at Ronaldson’s expense but depends on fitness. If our smallest forward doesn’t get stifled that will be promising. Also if Kirby can do well against McGee that’d be promising but this marker is miles better than Shields. We need plan B and C for FF line and plan for the blanet , all other areas are sound. Should win midfield but it could flatter the lads, feel Donegal without Gallagher are weak but they may swap in McNailis as 3rd midfielder. Also noticed Mark McHugh listed. Super player when fit, they could be good come summer.
Could be a change or two before throw-in
Galwayman, thanks for your kind and accurate comments with regard to the embarrassment of riches in the goalkeeping department which we currently enjoy here in Mayo. As a former paid-up member of the Goalies’ Union I have more than a passing interest in this area. Any one of our three would hold down the number one position in most other counties with the obvious exception of Dublin. The tragedy (okay, that may be too strong a word) is that we cannot go forward into the championship with all three on the bus.
I’m puzzled by the public fascination with regard to this dilemma or “problem”. Anyone with a rudimentary knowledge of the game should surely realise that our problem lies at the other end of the pitch.
No problem at all WJ. Got a bit ahead of myself! Apologies