It’s Wednesday and the strangest ever build-up I can recall to a big match involving us continues apace. Sunday’s tragic event has cast a very understandable and rather profound shadow over everything to do with football (and more besides) in the county and it’s just not possible, nor is it appropriate, to continue on as if it’s just a normal week leading up to a big game at the weekend.
From my own point of view, one of the things I’ve been wrestling with is the now traditional pre-match meet-up on Saturday night in Bowe’s pub up here on Fleet Street. The plan, which was coming together by the weekend, was – like last year – to join forces with Club ’51 for it. Planning such an event now, in the light of what happened on Sunday, seems all a bit trite and inconsequential. As a result, I’ve agreed with Club ’51 that, as a mark of respect for Darragh, the event won’t go ahead on this occasion.
You’ll no doubt be aware by now of David Brady’s excellent proposal for a round of applause to ring out in the 13th minute of the game to pay tribute to Darragh by signifying the no.13 jersey that he wore with such distinction at Croke Park in September 2013. #13ForNo13 took off like a rocket on social media last night and it’s an initiative that’s set to be marked by both sets of supporters on Sunday.
Speaking of Club ’51, they’ve put together their usual comprehensive match-day guide, which is really excellent and is here.
A quick mention of today’s coverage, of which there’s quite a bit.
For us, Barry Moran is the man in the spotlight today, in the Irish Independent, Irish Examiner and Irish Times.
For them, it’s Denis Bastick and he’s in the Irish Independent, Irish Times, Irish Examiner, Herald and The 42.
There’s also a feature in the Irish Examiner with Philly McMahon, who has an interesting point to make about how much work is being done over here in the strength and conditioning area compared to professional football clubs across the water. The same paper also has a loads of old balls with Vinny Murphy who says Dublin need to deploy more of the “dark arts” on Sunday. Vinny references all the fouling we did towards the end of the 2012 semi-final but he seems to forget that Dublin paid us back with interest in that same department during the last quarter of the 2013 final so his portrayal of Jim Gavin’s charges as a bunch of naive, pure-as-the-mountain-stream ingenues is more than a bit wide of the mark.
Want some yerra? Well, then, here’s Darragh in the Irish Times, horsing into a preview of Sunday’s match.
Breaking News has a piece extolling our midfield – here.
If all that reading is too much for you, there’s always the Mayo News pre-match podcast, which is available here:
Finally, staying with the Mayo News who reported yesterday that the team is likely to be named after training tonight. I’m not sure if that means the starting team will just be selected tonight or if a public announcement on the team selection will also be made. I suspect it’s only the former – not least given that it could be Saturday before Dublin name their pick – but it could of course be the latter as well and if it is then I’ll post the details here once it happens.
If you want to support the lads in a tangible way, go to the Mayo GAA website (here) and click ‘Play Now’ to contribute to the cause via the Mayo GAA Players Training and Welfare Fund Lotto.
I was looking forward to the meet up in Dublin Saturday night but under the the circumstances I applaud you Willie Joe for cancelling it.
Interesting stats here for those of you that want analysis.
http://gaelicstats.com/blog/
It’s a strange week for sure, the strangest ever in the time of this team of players. It’s a fair old shake up when you bury a lad that wore the jersey and would have likely worn it again. Mayo didn’t need any motivation to fight next Sunday, and they certainly didn’t need a death of a player. It could be a very strange day for Mayo.
Was daragh o se the inspiration for Bruce Springsteen song “glory days” Jesus Christ the man can’t let go of his playing days
Really looking forward to Sunday, ,strange build up here in south mayo ,, get Brady’s lovely gesture ,, don’t take this the wrong way but think the minutes silence before the game would be enough as think a lot of Mayo folk will not know about it and could be drowned out if Dublin get a score at that time ,, safe journey to all ,,
Understandably it does feel like everything from here on in carries a tinge of genuine sadness. It’s something that we’re all struggling with and will have to be dealt with in our own way.
I’ve mentioned here a couple of times that this is my first season bringing my little fella to our games. Like most parents, when I heard the news on Darragh the first thing that went through my mind is how I would even begin to deal with that kind of tragedy. Simple answer is I’m not sure I can even contemplate it at this point in time.
Where does that leave us? I have absolutely no idea but this kind of tragedy will never get any easier to deal with. There are no easy answers and the only certainty is that life staggers on for those left behind.
Is it actually 13 seconds applause? I always thought these things went on for the full minute, although I’ve only ever seen them in Premier League games I think (However I heard the Dubs did one in one of the matches though I didn’t see it)
The former does rule out a drowning out after a possible Dublin goal though I guess, it’d be fair coincidence to get it in that exact 13 seconds! There’d be far more chance they’d score throughout the full minute
Funny old week. Nobody feels like talking about the game. Anybody at a loose end tune into Newstalk right now for discussion on the 1989 final with McHale and Finnerty.
Willie joe what are ur toughts on us warming up on the hill??
Wouldn’t it be great if we scored a goal in the 13th minute, now that would be some tribute to Darragh.
WJ I hope everyone will enjoy this view of the rivalry by a Dubs fan.
http://mayoclub51.com/view-from-the-hill/
– While the Donegal match was all about patience and preseverence this match will all be about power and pace.
– We have to match pace with pace so for e.g Jack McCaffrey is tracked relentlessly and as a result is prevented from scoring a goal.
-Kieran Kilkenny is another player that could be key for them on Sunday
-The Dubs have learned absolutely nothing since the league and have had no meaningful games since league while we have so that has to count
-Whoever wins will have a clear cut win 4 points or so IMO
-The Dublin half forward line have the winning of this game as they will be the ones making the runs for Cluxton’s kickouts, scoring the long range points and dictating the type of ball into their FF line.
-Over to you Mayo half backs and good luck to all.
The Mayo team is named:
1. David Clarke – Ballina Stephenites
2. Ger Cafferkey – Ballina Stephenites
3. Donal Vaughan – Ballinrobe
4. Keith Higgins – Ballyhaunis (Capt.)
5. Lee Keegan – Westport
6. Chris Barrett – Belmullet
7. Colm Boyle – Davitts
8. Seamus O’Shea – Breaffy
9. Tom Parsons – Charlestown Sarsfields
10. Diarmuid O’Connor – Ballintubber
11. Aidan O’Shea – Breaffy
12. Kevin McLoughlin – Knockmore
13. Barry Moran – Castlebar Mitchels
14. Cillian O’Connor – Ballintubber
15. Jason Doherty – Burrishoole
Team’s up;
1. David Clarke – Ballina Stephenites
2. Ger Cafferkey – Ballina Stephenites
3. Donal Vaughan – Ballinrobe
4. Keith Higgins – Ballyhaunis (Capt.)
5. Lee Keegan – Westport
6. Chris Barrett – Belmullet
7. Colm Boyle – Davitts
8. Seamus O’Shea – Breaffy
9. Tom Parsons – Charlestown Sarsfields
10. Diarmuid O’Connor – Ballintubber
11. Aidan O’Shea – Breaffy
12. Kevin McLoughlin – Knockmore
13. Barry Moran – Castlebar Mitchels
14. Cillian O’Connor – Ballintubber
15. Jason Doherty – Burrishool
Pat and Noel giving nothing away for Sunday !!
@ My ball,
I lived in Dublin for a number of years and got involved in the game up there. Genuine GAA Dub’s are some of the best supporters around and they will respect the applause, of that I have no fear
Does anybody agree with any of the following points ?
if Mayo frustrate Cluxtons kick outs they can push up and thereby take Connolly,
Kilkenny and Mccaffrey out of scoring range.
nobody kicks balls into the arms of Cluxton.
Stop the diagonal ball to Brogan and lastl
attack down the middle i.e. run at them
Hoping hoping and luck to all
Nyc green and red,when a man has six all Ireland’s he’s well entitled to say what he likes.
Regarding warming up in front of the hill Dublin will be the first team out on Sunday this is all prearranged since 2006 so unless Mayo want to join the dubs it’s not going to happen