Photo: Tipperarycoco.ie
The Round 2 draw has been made, we’ve been paired with the Premier County in it, a tie that’s been fixed for Semple Stadium in Thurles on Saturday week, where ref Maurice Deegan will throw the ball in at 5pm. Let’s have a little look at the opposition to see what might be in store for us in this one.
The last time we met them, of course, was in the All-Ireland semi-final of 2016. They were the fairytale story of that summer, beating Cork for the first time since the Forties before rather hilariously bursting Galway’s over-inflated bubble in the All-Ireland quarter-final. They put it up to us for long spells in that semi as well but we never really looked in any serious danger of losing it, in the end coming out five-point victors, on a scoreline of 2-13 to 0-14.
Ahead of that semi-final – which I missed, as we were away on holliers so I had to watch it on an iPad Mini using a dodgy WiFi connection – I did a piece on our record against Tipp up until then so there’s no need to reprise all that again. If you’re interested, that piece is here.
In terms of Saturday week what’s of more relevance is how the Stone Throwers have done since we last tangled with them so let’s take up the story from then.
Tipp followed up that hugely positive 2016 championship with promotion from Division Three the following spring. It was a decent League campaign for them, featuring five wins and two losses as they finished in second place behind Louth. They then went on to beat the Wee County at Croke Park in the Division Three decider.
Having got to the Munster final the previous year, Tipp got a bye into the Munster semi-final last summer. There they came up against a Cork team that had only narrowly managed to avoid the mortification of a first round loss to Waterford and so Liam Kearns’ charges were widely expected to rack up a second successive Munster victory over the Rebels.
That didn’t happen, though – Cork were worse than wretched in the first half of that game, scoring just one point to Tipp’s four, and they looked goosed when Conor Sweeney goaled for the Premier lads with a minute to go. The Rebels held their heads, however, and a Luke Connolly goal in injury time saw them sneak out of Páirc Uí Rinn with a rather undeserved one-point win.
That meant that Tipp, like us, were tipped into Round 2 of the qualifiers. They pulled a mare of a draw too – Cavan up in Breffni Park, but they got their summer campaign back on track in that one, coming from six points down to defeat the home side in a high-scoring 2-15 to 0-18 encounter in early July.
Round 3 saw them paired with Ulster opposition again, this time against Armagh. Having ousted a team that had played Division One football that spring (and were a tad unlucky to find themselves relegated), Tipp were now at home against a team they’d pipped for promotion from Division Three. This should have been a routine win for them.
Only it wasn’t. And Tipp had only themselves to blame for letting slip a match that they had in their grasp when Michael Quinlivan’s goal after the break put them four up. Instead of closing the result out, Tipp instead let the Orchard lads back into it and they were made to pay late on when Jamie Clarke struck for the killer blow a minute before the end of normal time. Armagh won by two points, 1-17 to 1-15, and that was the end of Tipperary’s 2017 championship.
Photo: The 42
This spring saw them operating in Division Two and they did alright there as well. At the new Páirc Uí Chaoimh they bossed Cork by 3-16 to 1-16 in the opening round but then a week later fell by two points in Semple Stadium to Roscommon, losing that one by 1-17 to 3-9.
A draw, eleven points apiece, against Clare at Cusack Park and two big wins over Leinster opposition at Semple – 2-15 to 1-10 over Meath and 2-17 to 0-9 over Louth – opened up an outside chance of promotion with two rounds left to play. However, defeat to Cavan at Breffni Park, where they lost by a solitary point (0-17 to 2-10) put paid to those hopes. A week later they lost again, in what was a refixed Round 6 match away to Down. The Mourne County came off best by 2-11 to 1-11 in that game at Páirc Esler but, despite this win, they were still relegated to Division Three.
Tipperary began their Munster campaign this year at the quarter-final stage. There they had no trouble getting the better of Waterford at Semple Stadium last month, winning a scoreline of 0-20 to 0-9 (brief highlights here). Liam McGrath was their leading scorer in that one with a haul of nine points.
There was a fair bit of controversy over the Munster Council’s decision to fix Tipperary’s provincial semi-final against Cork for just a week after that Waterford match. Liam Kearns, with no little justification, claimed that neither Kerry nor Cork would have been made to play provincial ties on successive weekends and said the fixture planners “threw us under the bus.”
Sure enough, Tipp were no match for Cork in that semi-final the following weekend, the Rebels hosing them at Thurles by 1-17 to 0-9 (brief highlights here). Was the short turnaround a factor in such a one-sided outcome? Possibly, though it’s hard to tell for definite. Was Cork’s big win, though, evidence that Kerry may not have it all their own way in the Munster final? Maybe, just maybe.
Incidentally, there was an attendance of just over 3,000 at Semple Stadium for that game. We’re likely to pitch up at Thurles with three or perhaps four times that crowd the next day.
Photo: The 42
It’s a game we’re heading into as strong favourites – Paddy Power price us at 2/9 to win it, with the home team on offer at 4/1 and the handicap set at five points. As usual, though, let’s finish with a poll to test the temperature on this one – what do you reckon, how will the trip to Tipp go for us?
Will we topple Tipp?
- Yes (89%, 595 Votes)
- No (11%, 76 Votes)
Total Voters: 671
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A step up from Limerick but one they should take handy enough. A good draw for Mayo…
I think we will win but i certainly don’t think this will be easy. Semple Stadium will be full of Tipp supporters. They brought a big crowd to Dublin in 2016 and they were very loud.
Our form has been extremely patchy so we cant be over confident at all .
Remember Tipp as a county are used to success and that counts for something. This could well be a banana skin
I think we have learned from the past 2 seasons that any team can cause us trouble on a off day and with Tipp being one of the stronger sides in the qualifiers this will be no different. They probably feel they can cause an upset and are looking for a backlash from their poor performance against cork. However we should get over the line against them if we keep our discipline and play to our potential. A 4+ point win with no injures or red cards would be a massive result.
You’re wrong there Pat, there is little to no support in Tipp for the footballers, their pathetic home attendances show that. The 2016 was an All-Ireland Semi so there was a huge bandwagon element at play. I imagine Mayo fans will outnumber Tipp fans to the same degree we saw in Limerick last weekend.
I reckon, Elverys Intersport will be backing a winner either way!
I voted for a Mayo win. In all honesty it’s one we should win too, but in the back of my mind I know there’s quality in tipp at the minute and they have to be handled carefully or we could do a galway on it.
As far as games every weekend if Mayo keep winning, it’s not a bad thing at all if they can avoid injuries and red cards. These players are young guys in the prime of their lives physically and a 6 day rest should be lots of time for recovery. It’s not like they’re out breaking rocks with a sledge hammer or plastering houses for a living, I’d say nearly all Mayo players have light physical duty type jobs.
An attendance of 3000 for Tipp v Cork in Semple? An embarrassment. For two counties with big populations as well. Mayo have had more than that in FBD games in January on nights when it wasn’t fit for a jackass to be out.
Pat, That 2016 crowd in Croke Park was on the back of the biggest novelty since Leitrim in 1994. The novelty factor is well worn off by now with very patchy, mostly bad, results for Tipp and several players opting out, turning to hurling and going travelling etc. Compare to Mayo where to the best of my memory only Conor Mort and Tom Cunniffe have voluntarily left the panel since we started on this road in 2011. The crowd of c. 3,000 at the Munster semifinal v Cork is a truer measure of Tipp support.
Our game in Croker was iffy enough for long periods. It was only when Conor oShea doubled on a loose ball
that the game was safe. I thought we looked rusty that day also. And the tipp lads around me left me with a
buzz in the ear. Not my favourite day out!
Living in Tipp and frequently watch the footballers. While this is a game we should win, if we are not properly tuned in we could get turned over. Was at both Tipp championship games v Waterford and COrk. They genuinely expected to beat Cork but were poor on the night. As regards their support they have a small but hardcore element who follow them everywhere but lots of Tipp people aren’t too bothered about football. The night they played Cork clashed with the Champions league final. Even their hurling support is fair weather. Just over 20000 for both their home games v Cork and Clare was not great and only 10000 in Limerick for game v Waterford.We almost had that many in Gaelic Grounds. Despite all this they have a good football team and are strong where we are struggling. Their full forward line of Sweeney Quinlivan and McGrath are a major threat and banged in plenty of goals during the league. Also very good at midfield with Stephen o Brien returning this year from the hurlers and Liam Casey and Jack Kennedy also very good in the air. Good goalie also in Comerford Their backs are suspect and they concede a lot. Robbie Kiely is a decent centre half back who was black carded against us in 2016. One other thing to our advantage is Sample Stadium a beautiful pitch which should suit us. Tipp don’t have the greatest record here as it seems to inspire visiting teams. They have got a lot of their best results,especially in the championship on the road. As I said if we play to our potential we should win but any repeat of a lot of our performances lately and we will be in trouble. I saw them in the league here v Ross and they lead by 5 with 5 remaining, missed a great chance and Ross finished strongly. They were headed for Div 1 injury time v Cavan but again conceded late on and their final match v Down was then irrelevant. Despite their normal poor support you would think that they will get a half decent following for the game v Mayo. The last time Mayo played here was v Kerry in U21 final in 1995 which we lost. Our U21 hurlers lost AI final here in 2016. Hopefully it will be third time lucky for us.
A lot of these Tipp lads won an All Ireland minor in 2011 beating a Ciaran Kilkenny led Dublin in the final..
And we then dethroned them the following year, Tumastar.
Indeed ye did , I think Diarmuid is the only surivor of that minor team with the seniors, i think Tipp have 4 or 5. One of their better players Colin o Riordan left to play Aussie Rules in the last year or two.
I think it’s a game we will win,a lot of credit to tip but were a better team,semple will suit us better than mchale Park,
Excelent again, Wille Joe, Would have been worried if we got them in the first round, but think they should win this one handy enough, If all the boxes are ticked regarding fitness ,match ups, and injuries, A good start is vital, to settle the newbies, and then play the Mayo football we all love, our fast kick passing and running game, Cant see a problem with this 1to be honest, Im sure management will have it all in hand, last thing they, and we will want is to give them a good start, and put ourselves under pressure, giving them the belief they can take us, No sir, it can’t and it wont happen, these lads are to long on the road, with so much at stake to be caught out like that, not a easy 1, but the test we need going forward.Cant wait, Up Mayo.
Stephen Coen and Paddy Durcan also played in that minor game against Tipp.
i hope Rochford has had a word with the team about discipline has to be one of the biggest risks to the team getting through the qualifiers
As did Adam Gallagher.
See the county champ is put back as the pope is coming to town
We should be beating these fellas but they are sufficiently dangerous enough to turn us over if we aren’t at full throttle. To win just once makes an interesting point about Tipps home record which I didn’t realise. Our record is better on the road lately too – blame Elverys! I’m very confident that We’ll win but a couple of things are nagging at me. The first is our match-ups. Our ‘new’ mid-field was not tested in Limerick. Tipp’s midfield is a big step up and its fair to say that we lost the midfield battle to Galway once Tom Parsons went off. Their forwards would get into most teams so our defence needs to be tight and alert – we’ve switched off at crucial times this year already under the high ball. Keith Higgins lost his marker for a goal against Limerick. The other concern I have is Maurice Deegan. Our discipline has been dodgy lately and if frustration kicks in Maurice will only be too delighted to brandish his cards. I have every faith that Rochford and the lads have all this covered. You don’t get to successive All-Ireland finals and come so close to winning against the dubs if you are a poor manager with mediocre players. Mayo by 4.
It is, indeed, Cait, and this has spawned a few nice headlines. The Mayo News piece this week on this was headlined “Fixtures hit by Pope’s visit” while The Irish Sun went for “Mayo for Psalm”.
Apologies, was getting mixed up in games. That year there was a back door win for Mayo over Tipp. They will be dangerous but I’d imagine Mayo will have that bit extra as long as they are on their game.
Looking forward to this one, last time I was in semple was féile ‘94!
Top class report again WJ. Great to get the catch up on how the Tipp team have fared over the past couple of years.
Went for the Mayo win. Think it will be good open football and we’ll return with the win. I wouldnt hazard a guess at the starting 15. Steven might go with alot of the old guard, but just maybe he will give the newbies another crack. Time will tell.
Good stuff Cait the club lads need that 20 week break between rounds….
I think this is the last game where we will get a good chance to try players as we could be up against a Monaghan,Tyrone or Kildare with momentum in the next game.So I would like to see Crowe, Nally , Hanley and Durcan all get game time the next day.
Looking forward to the “trip to tipp”
Any blog members heading over to the Hyde on Sunday? Are tickets like hens teeth? Hoping to go and support our u20 team
Come on Swahili and Revellino, and all ye lads and lassies out there. Lift the mood on here please. Will we be at home in any Tipperary Town, after the game? I reckon so, lol. Songs, limericks, poems, recitations, tall tales, no rumours though, but anything to lift the mood would be very much appreciated, I think u kicked it off last time, Swahili.
1.David Clarke
2.Eoin O’Donoghue
3.Lee Keegan mark Michael Quinlivan
4.Caolan Crowe mark Conor Sweeney
5.Keith Higgins
6.Chris Barrett
7.Paddy Durcan
8.Seamus O’Shea
9.Diarmuid O’Connor
10.Kevin McLoughlin
11.Aidan O’Shea
12.Shane Nally
13.James Durcan
14.Cillian O’Connor
15.Jason Doherty
I think Boyler deserves a rest v Tipp ,but a guaranteed starter on a big day.I would rather see young Caolan Crowe get a run see how hes going had a great day on McBrearty in the League deserves a chance especially with Harrison out injured and Leeroy, Zippy and Barrett need to get a full game out after not playing any league football this year.Think Ger Caff would be a liability up against either Quinlivan or Sweeney.Think Eoin O’Donoghue and Paddy Durcan are making there spots there own.Think some people are taking for granted how young Eoin O ‘Donoghue is playing, has such high skill level and composure on the ball he will only get better.
Midfield will be interesting in who Rochy partners with Seamie O’Shea he has options in Diarmuid O’Connor returning from suspension , Donal Vaughan but hes lacking match fitness, Shane Nally and or will he stick with Stephen Coen.
The best decision Rochford has made so far this year was the last day when he put Cillian in the Full forward position I think this is what could make it such an exciting season, the closer Cillian is to goal the better cause hes struggles for pace against the top man markers to get in from the left corner forward position, he also is our biggest goal threat so him in Full forward is a game changer, if he wins the ball in and around the square theres not many who will stop him.
2012 minors: Durcan, Gallagher, Coen, O’Connor. Latter two plus Loftus, Hall, Hanley won AI the following year – though Hanley injured in semi v Monaghan (bastards).
Sorry TH, but have to disagree. I was all for fringe players in the league and against Limerick (which we didn’t get for most) but I really think Tipp are a big big step up from the last day so we need our best team available out. And more importantly we need our best team to perform on the day. We got a performance the last day against a very poor team, but our performances since the turn of the year have been patchy at best. We need our best team to perform and win, coz if we win its our best team that we’ll be putting out for any subsequent games.
Also someone made a good point on a previous thread re the backlash in performance that came from Kildare, Cavan and Meath following their earlier defeats.
I still think we’ll win but it may not be easy and also refs Maurice included (not whinging bout refs and previous decisions here) have a habit of trying to keep underdogs in games.
Stephen Coen was also on that minor team which topped Tipp in 2012 as was Conor O’Malley, recently on the Irish international soccer panel. Think he plays for Peterborough.
I recall being in Semple for a league match Mayo v Kerry in 1968. My outstanding memory was the aerial duel between PJ Loftus and Mick O’Connell. Once one of them fielded the ball they were allowed get on with it. Certainly neither of them made any attempt to tackle the other. Think Mayo won but I’m not sure. Will have to check the archive.
This Mayo will make history, Saturday week.
They will be the first team to be welcomed home from a round two qualifier by bonfires
I am more concerned about Maurice Deegan than Tipp…
As Neil Tobin would say
If Tipp play with the wind and we play with the ball we should win.
Yew_tree I left it too late to go looking for tickets. None in the local club, nor online or centra etc. I hope others were a bit smarter than me and got their tickets early to support the U-20s.
We’ll win this game in Semple no doubt. By how much I’m afraid I’m not sure but 5+ anyway. Tipp might cause us problems initially and of course they’ll have their purple patch however, this Mayo squad and management have far more experience and composure in comparison to Tipp.
I’m not being harsh on Tipp just realistically saying it as I see it. A no-show against Cork and failing to finish off both Roscommon and Cavan cost them a provincial final date and promotion in the space of 2/2.5 months.
Mayo had a poor league but won and drew when it mattered most, playing very poorly.
We have great footballing and manmarking backs so quieten Quinlivan and Sweeney and our half back and half forward lines will do the rest.
Maigh Eo Abú
I saw on the Mayo News that Conor O’Malley is a brother of Brian, full back on our U20 team this year. Never realised the connection.
It’s fair to say this will be a serious examination of our team’s wellbeing at this time and we can only hope that they will be good and ready for whatever the Tipp men will throw at them, and as we’re at the point of no return any slip-up and it would be curtains. At this stage, we’re well over the Galway defeat and even though Limerick, didn’t cause us too much trouble it was the ideal match to lift the spirits and restore some much-needed confidence. As ever with Mayo, it’s not so much the opposition, as more how we perform ourselves that will decide the outcome of the game. And top of the list will be our discipline both in the tackle and in reacting to the usual cut and thrust of Championship football. Maurice Deegan too can be a pain in the arse and seems to take much pleasure in flashing the cards if given half a chance, I’d be surprised though if after recent experiences that would be a problem. And in as much as anyone can forecast the outcome of this match, I have no doubt about our ability to win this one with a bit to spare. Sample stadium here we come.
Admiration
—————
Fenton admired how his mentor, The Master ,had already moved all the heavy machinery into place for a millennium or , like he had been reading , a “Reich style “take over of the GAA .This would be the fourth Reich and the Falcon would be its symbol .
There was the Small factory in North Dublin popping out Aryan Smalls at an unprecedented rate. The Dubs were going full blond haired , blue eyed and built like wardrobes.
If they could just hold on now for the 21 in a row then basically the Small production line meant they would rule the GAA for a Millenium .
Plus , The Master had the conditioning lab in Glasnevin which Whelanstein had already alluded to as a Froyghtnin’ place producing Froyghtenin early season “conditioning “ for both players and propaganda people .
How to stop Fenton though ?
————————————-
“ Stop the glide “.
————————-
This was overheard in a bar near Whelanstein’s house and attribution is uncertain .But basically it was either the Mort or DB ?
The theory goes , if you “stop the glide “ you stop Fenton and if you stop Fenton you stop Dublin.
So the focus is to attack the glide , mentally , physically and every way .
David Brady had some thoughts on this suggesting that during the warm up you could dig up Croke Park using Donie as a tractor and Boyler as a plough. That might do it . It would certainly put paid to any gliding .
Mentally Fenton could be got at by Barrett going up behind him and making the sound of a shotgun going off just to remind him of his past misery off the coast of the Mullet when he was a swan for three hundred years on Inisglora .
Or calling him a DisGrace . Nothing upset him more than that. “ Brian Fenton you’re a FN disgrace “ was like an electric shock through his ( very ) elongated body . He was proud of how graceful he was so this was an attack on his very soul. He literally cried on the inside at this it was so hurtful .
Do all this and it was possible to stop the glide. At least in theory .
The Great Feadog Player.
Morris Aquinas Amphibian Deegan was born on the 32nd Septober 1822, the year of the great piss up.
Morris Aquinas was gifted his first feadog at the age of 2. He showed remarkable promise from this early age and could often be found in the early morning, knee deep in chicken shit, blowing away on his feadog in the middle of the 40 or so hens his mother kept.
Through running at high speed with the feadog between the lips, Morris Aquinas developed a unique deep breathing technique. This, scientists now say, is why Morris can still live such an active life at the age of 195.
Although Morris can only play one note on his feadog, his delivery is such, that he still packs football stadiums in his native land and indeed abroad.
Morris Aquinas”s most recent album “don’t back answer me yea little shit bag” received world wide acclaim and he was recently listed in Rolling Stone as the premier feadog player of his or any generation.
It has been claimed that Morris has been known to bring a whole county to its knees with a single toot on his feadog.
The morris minor was named after the great man and it’s choice of the black finish was in honour of Morris’s tan. He also gifted the world with that great passtime, morris dancing.
So in 2 weeks time it’s off to Tipp to see the greatest of them all. Morris Aquinas Amphibian Deegan, in concert on his feadog with his 30 male backing dancers.
Excellent Swahili. Your finest yet. Very funny. And Mayo Viking was begging yea to kick off the craziness earlier. Fantastic stuff altogether.
Great stuff Swahili, And Revellino, a double act for sure.
We were very loose at times v Limerick , hope we sort that for next one . Think we have to go with Caff ,if he’s dropped it’s like saying there’s no confidence in him . One big game from him and his own confidence will take a leap .we need complete sharpness at the back , everyone tuned in and focused . Go out and Target intensely to coceede no goals and that starts with no giving away one on one situation s. I’d Hazzard a guess we need to be at 80% of full throttle to get over this challenge.
Caff only suited to certain type of players – he plays from behind and tries to force his man wide. if he’s up a fast strong player who turns and runs directly at him, he’s in big trouble.
Don’t think he’s the man for Quinlivan anyway.
I’d be loolong at are more experienced players for this game. Barry Moran to anchor down the middle is key . Seen him a few years ago against Tipperary and he was nothing short of exceptional. Big game players like David drake who have the defensive capabilites as good as anyone on the squad along with his attacking prowess surely has to get grass. If he’s good enough to get game time against the big boys then a full game in Thurles is just what the doctor has ordered. By my reckoning he has been on the panel more years than he has had full games for Mayo? How is that possible? And finally we will need goals to win this game . Looking back through the records i see Connor o shea got the all important goal against tipp a few years ago. A player of his calibre can’t be ignored its high time we get ourid best talents on the pitch before its to late.
Just read that out loud to the good lady, couldn’t recite it properly, from the laughing, she is in convulsions as well, it absolutely hilarious. Your a gifted man, dont waste it, keep them coming, Up Mayo.
Sorry meant to say Revellino.
@thequietman, i think you might have put a little too much whiskey in your coffee this morning:) when i read david drake being a big game player, that was the telling point for me.
In fairness, Drake always features in big games, and it’s hard to pinpoint anything he has ever done wrong in them. I think Drake having a full game is probably not a bad call. We know he will feature later on
Its hard to pinpoint anything he does wrong because he rarely does anyhing, thats the problem, in all the games where he was brought on as the first sub in which he has had ample time to prove himself, he hasnt risen to the challenge, maybe that might change, but i cant see who could be dropped to give him a start.
Mayo mark and dave Johnston David drake scored a big point against roscommon last year do you not remember? And what about Connor o sheas major against tipp ?
The quietman, look im not dissing any man who puts on the jersey, fair play to him, from what i hear hes the fittest man on the panel, but his performances have been fairly flat now to be fair, he might prove me wrong yet, and a big point aginst roscommon is a slight exaggeration, he came on for McLaughlin in the 55th minute of the replay when we were 18 or 19 points up at that stage.
@The Mayo Viking. Pass on my regards to the good lady and am happy she enjoyed that little bit of madness.
It should always be remembered that the feadog is a dangerous weapon in the wrong hands.
In this country, since 1963, a person cannot legally hold a feadog unless of course they have a feadog liscence.
You can of course apply for a liscence by phoning the Department of feadogs and with any bit of luck, some flute will answer the phone after about 3 hours.
I believe Mayo will win easily,one thing I am puzzled by is the amount of posters who think fringe players don’t get game time,by my reckoning since Stephen took charge just over two years ago he has given and progressed EOD,P Durcan,S Coen,C Loftus, C Hanley,F Boland, E Regan, J Durcan, D Kirby,C Crowe,S Nally,and COS,a lot of game time,it is up to the players when they get the jersey to hold it,it shows how talented and determined the older players are when they still hold on to their places
Dave Johnston it’s obvious they are keeping him fresh for Saturday week by not playing him in limerick. Also ron hennelly has a lot to offer yet.
A sure sign Rochy has big plans for David Drake is that he didn’t give him a run last Saturday evening in Limerick. It was nice to give some of the fringe players a run out. Drake has played in the big days such as all ireland finals and semi finals. He will he used further down the line in croke park and in Thurles if needed.
Some here saying that Tipp are a banana skin and we have to be careful. Tipp are a formidable roadblock I can assure ye and if Mayo don’t play at the top of their game Tipp will dump mayo out of the 2018 championship. Tipp have more creative forwards than mayo and several danger men to deal with, I know Mayo have top class defenders but the Tipperary midfield are no slouches and with the absence of parsons they could very build a very rewarding platform here.
Keegan will be asked to take care of Quinlivan im sure as he has the ability to create chaos with his height and finishing. If other forwards start to hurt Mayo and ye find yourselves in an ever tightening game Keegan will have to be moved outfield to bring the game to them and that leaves your back line vulnerable without your best manmarker. The last time Keegan marked Quinlivan he played on the edge and if the ref gives him an early yellow it could be a tense affair thereafter.
In 2004 in the Gaelic crounds limerick were managed by kearns, at half time when the Kerry team went to their dressing room it is said that the fire alarm went off in the Kerry dressing room. The half time talk was totally disrupted and I’m sure it must have unsettled a few before they returned to the field. Nobody really knows how that very loud alarm activated but there was a few conspiracies floating around thereafter. We drew that game and were beyond lucky to do so, Kerry won the replay in Killarney after a hard game (and a bad decision against limerick) and went on to win Sam in September.
Like the song says “it’s a long way to Tipperary” but it will be a hell of a lot longer on the way home to Mayo if ye get caught. A one point victory is all that is required to get ye into the kinder egg on Monday morning. Play very well and ye will be there, if
ye don’t it will be straight to the Ryanair site to book cheap flight.
The old way of using subs in football matches has long gone, with the 5 subs rule plus blood subs, plus black card replacement subs a team need guys to come and make a big impact, some players are better doing this than actually starting a game, ie, Dublins McMenamin, Brogan and Costello, the once great impact sub, Jody Devine from meath.
In the past two finals, the late subs added nothing to the fight, in last years final in particular.
The late stage in a match calls for experience and guile, not normally a very young gut that carries the ball into a tackle and is turned over too easily. I’m not sure if Mayo possess those impact players, Nally and Vaughan for me are icertainly one that I would rely on for those scores from long range, the pacy players usually slow down late on in a game, but some guys shpuld never be replaced, even if the gps says otherwise.
Drake has come on late in big matches, surely to god, if he has alot of pace, he should be used as a link man and run up through the middle, I havent seen this from him, maybe he has orders to stay from the manager.
‘Big game players like David Drake’?
I’m not sure that coming on as a sub in big games, and then not doing anything that notable, makes someone a ‘big game player’.
Time and again several people on this blog have questioned why David gets introduced into games Mayo are not performing well in, especially when we need an impact on the scoreboard.
Maybe he’s a savage performer in training but it’s not really showing on the pitch and personally I would be looking at other options if I were SR.
Lee Keegan, Andy Moran, Cillian O’Connor, Keith Higgins, Aidan O’Shea, Kevin McLoughlin, Colm Boyle – those are ‘big game players’.
QUESTION. are we sure diarmuid o connor is available for the tipp game.i thought it was a two game suspension for a second red card in a calandar year. i am looking forward to u 20 final on sunday and think that mayo will win it
Are we sure lee keegan will be fully fit? Although he looked good the last day he didn’t have to do much and he was blowing hard at the end of it. He’ll need to be on top shape if he’s to man mark Quinlivan.
Lads. Mayo players getting the line (either rightly or wrongly) in big games is a worrying trend these last couple of years.
Is there a case for starting only 14 players V Tipp and learning how to adapt to that situation. Really we could have tried it V Limerick.
If it’s all going “Pete Tong” we can bring on our 15th man at any time I presume.
I remember the great Brian Clough once took off a player in an FA cup semi final and did not replace him with a sub. Won the game 4-0.
We should be able to beat Tipp with 14.
We need to address our own areas of repeat weaknesses as shown over the past few years.
1. No real impact from our impact subs. We may need to consider holding some of our experienced older players back for the end game . This might involve trying to get through the first half with younger players without sustaining any damage & then finishing strongly with our best team. Increasingly the top games are going to be decided in the last 20/30 minutes.We cannot afford to have our top players flagging at this critical stage … we need them powering into it at this critical stage.
2. Very poor scoring rate from our midfield & half forward line. We cannot keep relying on Cillian & Andy for scores.
Others need to step up to the plate in this regard … look at Fenton and his 4 points for Dublin last weekend … this is the standard we have to reach if we’re serious about getting to the summit.
3.Goals. We have a tendency to give away some soft ones at crucial moments. Make sure any goals conceded are very hard earned and let’s have a strategy to get a few of our own. Goals are the daggers that take the game away from the opposition.
The absence of Tom Parsons presents us with a real problem. Who replaces him? Stephen Coen seems to be the front runner but I think he is a better defender than a midfield player. If we put both O Sheas in midfield we migh lack a bit of pace and mobility. Lee Keegan is a possible replacement as is Diarmuid O Connor. Vaughan if fit could slot in there as well. My preference would be Aidan O Shea, Lee Keegan and Diarmuid O Connor (as a third midfielder). Aidan is a great player but he is not a natural forward. He is best at midfield in my opinion. This means leaving Seamus on the bench which is a difficult decision because he hasn’t done anything wrong lately. However, I feel we need a different approach when we attack. Seamus would make a powerful replacement in the second half when fellas start to get tired. Given the injury situation I would go with the following line up:
Clarke
O Donoghue
Coen (Crowe)
Higgins
Boyle
Barrett
Durkan
Keegan
Aidan
Diarmuid
McLoughlin
Cillian
Hanley
Moran
Doherty
The advantage of this team is that it gives us huge pace when attacking – Keegan and Diarmuid running down the middle with McLoughlin and Hanley attacking down the wings would be a very serious threat. With them linking up with Cillian and Andy Moran and Doherty would surely put up a big score. Then you have Aidan winning ball out the middle and laying it off to the runners.
I feel we need to try something different. And with no disrespect to Tipp this is the time to try out things. It might work and it mightn’t but the loss of Parsons forces us to think it out again. If it’s not working we can always revert to Plan A before too much damage is done.
I would go
Clark
Donoghue Barrett Higgins
Durcan Boyle Keegan ( if fit)
Oshea Oshea
Doherty Oconnor Mcloughlin
Moran Oconnor Durcan
Put your best foot forward , three sets of Brothers and a load of very good players on the bench to close the game out . we need to show Tipp respect and to go for this game from the start.
There may be 3 sets of brothers on the mayo team this year. Did 3 sets of brothers ever play championship for Mayo before on the same day???
The Trip to Tipp is on,!..……………… But, Let us not trip up! ….
The way for Mayo is long……………. We might just have enough………… On the roads and motorways Thinking a million different taughts! And wondering how is Tom?……….. Or will we play a sweeper?………… Cos, Quinlivan or Sweeney might eat us.! ….….……………..
But, Thank God for the ‘All Star’ Keeper!… …………………………
And what’s the ‘Craic’ like in ‘Lar Corbett’s?’ …..………………..
Cos you’d kill for a pint of porter….. It’s a long way back to Mayo…….. From the birth place of the association……………
Will we be in the ‘Pot’ the following Monday?……………………………..
For now, It’s just contemplation!.
Against Limerick a weak Div 4 team we got very little return from our forwards if you exclude Andy and Cillian who notched 5 9 between them. AOS hit 2 and Hanley, Durcan and Regan 1 each, while Kevin Mc didnt score. Now we can dress it up any way we want but thats a poor return against one of the weakest teams in the land Add in the fact that we didnt dominate at midfield and we conceded 3 goals even if two were questionable penalties and we have plenty food for thought. Tipp are way better than Limerick with a very potent full forward line and strong midfield so anyone suggesting we give the fringe players a run must be delusional. We need our strongest and best team and even with them as Gamechanger has said, we really need to be on our game. If we are not we could well get turned over, so no complacency on the field or in the stands.
Done deal… Sure did many a time… Bradys, Mortimer’s(3)..Nally!
Leantimes- Brady’s and mortimers, that’s 2 sets of brothers who was the third set that played along side them.
I think Done Deal meant three sets of brothers, Leantimes (as opposed to three brothers)…
We get little from our forwards for more than last year . Before limerick game Our 6 forwards averaged 1 point each per game from play in the last year . Article written in mayo news with the stats . Sober reading
Done Deal… Tom and James Nallen … Sorry I misspelled Nallen
Leantimes – Was Tom Nallen not a few years before Ger Brady? I dont ever remember 3 sets of brothers playing championship the same day?
Dublin put out their first 15 and try to win games early before throwing on subs. Not sure they’re too far ahead of the rest of the pack and Cooper will want to watch himself for next 2 or 3 games.
Against Longford without Cluxton they didn’t extend their lead for 20 or 25 mins and the super subs lifted their scoring big time to end with a big gap against 14 men.
News on Cluxton is out for Leinster Final with bruised ribs and back in time for Super 8. Interesting to see how fluent they are without Cluxton albeit against low division Laois. Most of Comerfords kickouts are short too but he’s a rookie by comparison so a bit of concentrated Laois pressure may yield some divideds.
I will have to consult Willie Joe’s excellent archive facilities to be sure!… In the meantime, did Ray and Noel Connelly, Trevor and Kieth Mortimer, and Tom and James Nallen not play together… I think they might with maybe one of the above coming on as a sub!.. I know once we played Galway and seven sets of brothers had all played by the final whistle.. John and Michael Donnellon.. Padraig and Tommy Joyce.. Gary and Richie Fahy and two Mannion’s I think??.. But can’t think of the first names at this moment.. With Connelly, Mortimer’s and Nallens for Mayo.. I wouldn’t swear to it.. Early Naughties!
Well Done Leantimes.
2 GAA clubs in Leixlip , Co Kildare, they’ve amalgamated at minor level to be able to field a team. Ive hear that recently , can anyone confirm?
What class drugs you smokin Jim flag or are you a master at Irony we will certainly need to keep 15 men on the field at all times to beat Tipp
Am I right in saying Vaughan and Barry are available for selection with Harrison the only one not available ?? Reckon Vaughan needs 30 mins to get him up to speed
Tipp were almost promoted to division 1 this spring, so anyone with doubts about the challenge should remember they’ve beaten some teams that we in Mayo would consider “ dangerous”. And we seen what a supposed mediocre team did to Tyrone last Saturday, it was nothing short of a miracle that Tyrone escaped. Let’s hope that Rochford and co aren’t as flippant about tipp as some of the fans seem to be.
Dave…ya that’s true..Ewan McKenna mentioned it in an article last week as well…lexlip and confey two clubs in question…both very poor underage
Did Joe and Jimmy Langan play for Mayo at the same time?
This game wont be anything as close as the 2016 AI semi. We under performed that day taking our foot off the gas early and letting them back into the game. I’ve no doubt the players and management will be fully prepared, will perform and will win with a good bit to spare.
Seems to be lots of under estimation of Tipp or over estimation of Mayo – not sure which. Either way I think next weeks match is a real toughie. Tipp have nothing to lose. They are expected to be beaten and so can play with a bit more freedom and expression. Their manager is a good guy as well. Pretty sharp fella from accounts I’ve heard.
I like the look of diehards team although I would play Cillian as close to goal as possible as he seems to be developing an even better relationship with Andy this year. The lesser lights for me did not perform as expected the last day. i expected more from them against a team like Limerick and they simply didn’t shine enough.
From here on in its going to be very difficult. I think that’s why we’re drifting out in PP as well. If we had got a soft draw it would have been a step closer with little or no handicap.
This one however is no soft draw.
In modern times (let’s say the last 40 years) which club would have had the most players playing for Mayo in the same game. Subs included. League or championship.
I don’t have the answer but would like to know.
Thank you Dillon14. I don’t know where I heard it but it was a surprise.
The Western People had it, that Harrison out for a while, but Vaughan and Moran and Doughlas are available for selection.
@Gamechanger10 You’d swear we’re all stating that we’re gunna hammer Tipp, or that we think they’re a Div 4 side?. I, and alot of others are fully aware of how tricky this game is going to be. Tipp not being taken for granted at all. Nothing less than a 100% focus or we’re goosed.
To those on about starting fringe players and resting the likes of Boyler and Andy, I think that would be a massive mistake. We need to go out there with our strongest team possible, and win this game as early as we can. 10-15 mins at the end is ample time for “newbies” if we’re far enough ahead. The players were very happy with the amount of games they played last year, our increase in performance as we progressed through to another AIF is proof of that.
Still think drake will be the man for the job in Thurles. Wide open pitch will suit a man of his athletic abilities. Let’s not forget that point against roscommon last year either.
‘Twas a cracking point in fairness. Really buried the Rossies.
Revellino…5 crossmolina players lined out for mayo in a league match in the early naughtiest when crossmolina were at their peak. I think that would be hard to beat in a competitive match.
Revellino I think Knockmore had 5 starting on the starting 15 in 94 or 95 there was Padraig Brogan, Peter Butler, Kevin Staunton ,Kevin O’Neill and Raymond Dempsey and then Maughan came in 96 and dropped Staunton one of the best footballers in the County at the time and chose not to play O’Neill our best forward instead of Maurice Sheridan, he never favoured Knockmore players.Cant remember too many with 5 from 1 club starting for Mayo.I rate Knockmore with Garrymore for there size the best clubs in Mayo, always punching above there weight.Tony McEntee said the Knockmore team who played Crossmaglen in the 1997 All Ireland final was the toughest club team they ever played and they won 10 all Irelands.
Thequietman I will have whatever ur smoking 😉
Anyone read Alan Brogan in Indo today, Comparing Dean Rock and Cillian O’Connor, What a snake, talk about praising and stabbing someone in the back at the same time, in a roundabout, sneaky and underhand way.While singing the praises of his own man at the same time.
I think hes a potential player of the year candidate thequietman and i overheard people saying in croke park that day that his fisted point aginst the rossies was the finest they had ever seen, itl more than likely be talked about for years to come.
5 Ballina players played in 2006 final clarke, mcgarrity, Harte, g brady, d brady. 5 breaffy have played in recent times 3 O’Shea’s, Hennelly and Hall.
Drake fills an important role for Mayo. When fresh legs are required to track fresh opposition players, drake does the job, saving the likes of Cillian, Aido, Cillian from wasteful tracking back and his ball-handling is adequate for moving it out of defense. A man with a role.
In the 2003 National league v Sligo Crossmolina had 6 Ciaran McDonald, James Nallen, Michael Moyles,Peadar Gardiner, Liam Moffatt, and Paul McGuinness, Maughan was joint manager of Mayo and Cross at the time.
Thanks TH and Done Deal.
I think I remember 5 Crossmolina players playing a league game against Kildare in the early 90’s. Couldn’t say exactly which 5. Might have to visit the archives but I believe our current Mayo manager Steven Rochford played for Mayo that day and Michael Moyles. Maybe Barry Heffernon in goal and Tom Nallen but I’m just guessing he was playing. I do remember coming away from Mchale park that day saying that 5 Crossmolina lads playing for Mayo was some goin. But as yea have pointed out there at least 5 players from 1 club has been done a few times.
Goodman TH. We’re up to 6 from 1 club.
No problem Revellino it was back in the good oul days when the big 3 up North ruled Mayo football.Some cracking games over the years between Cross ,Knockmore and Ballina.How Cross and Ballina have declined since.
How many had Balla, When Pat Fallon, Maurice Sheridan, T.J.Killgallon.Ronan Golding, were playing, just wondering, maybe someone knows?
I think TH it was the perfect storm for Crossmolina at the time. That bit of luck where all those good footallers came along at the same time. They won everything from underage feiles to the club all Ireland.
Ballina for a period had as good a midfield as any county team with mchale and brady. And the rest of the bradys besides and mcstays.
Knockmore had Brogan and Dempsey and o’neill not to mention the sweenie’s and Peter Butler who someone mentioned in an earlier post and k staunton. A tough team to beat when they were at their peak.
It’s nice to see other club teams coming through though. By all accounts from reading the posts it looks like Wesport are going to be a serious team in the coming years.
Mayo Viking,I thought that article of Brogans was very fair.We can be way too sensitive at times.
Your proabaly right, Opt2misteek.
Crossmolina also had 2 exceptional footballers in Nallen and McDonald which you need to deliver All Irelands .Yes I remember seeing a report of there Roll of Honour on a pre match programme in that they won a Mayo County title in every grade up from under 12 to 21 and onto Senior were they won 6 County Senior titles, don’t think there is many men in Mayo if any with 6 County Titles.
Anyone noticed how often Cillian used and scored with the left foot in Limerick??
If Rochford thinks the David Drake has a role and uses him, that should be good enough. These are amateur athletes that put a lot on hold to try and be the ones to make Mayo the top dog again, they all deserve a bit of respect.
Just read in the independent that Damien Comer failed to make the Galway Minor side in 2012 when he was 18, because he wasn’t good enough! Hard to believe – also highlights how some players develop so differently!
Don’t know how anyone can complain about that article by Brogan . It is an excellent piece ,facts, figures , stats and very fair context . Not selective or biased at all. Should be read by any supporter who has any doubts to Cillians importance .
Absolutely nothing wrong with that article ! Very fair .
I wouldn’t have Brogan down as someone who would be a mouthpiece for Dublin /Gavin anyway .
The biggest issue for us versus Tipp is our full back line against their full forward line. Quinlivan is a fantastic player and although I was delighted to see Caff clean up against Limerick i’d have my doubts about him. Sweeney is a big lad too and I dont know who we would have height wise to mark him. Barrett should be ok for the young Mcgrath lad.
The tipp lads seem to love Liam Kearns and certainly wont put in as bad a performance in again as they did against Cork. I see posters giving out about Deegan. Give it a rest folks, if we are good enough it won’t matter what he does. We should get a tough test but come through by 3-6
Adam Gallagher gone to America for the summer according to the Indo.
Thanks, Wide Ball – that piece is here. It’s quite an exodus from across the country, plenty of high-profile lads heading across the Atlantic.
(You’d think I’d recognise a wind-up when I saw one, but no… anyway, now I’m on board.)
Drake is the missing piece. He’s the answer for Mayo.
You can keep your Seamus Darbys and your Maurice Fitzgeralds. Drake’s point against Roscommon is the single greatest GAA moment of the past 50 years.
can’t see any issues with Brogan’s article. Quite the opposite in fact. Basically telling the critics that don’t recognise Cillian’s scoring prowess to STFU.
Great interview with Martin Carney on the caseycars face book page about the up coming Tipperary game. Very funny about Lee Keegan. Great watch.
U20 team for Sunday…
Patrick O’Malley (Westport)
Johnny Maughan (Castlebar Mitchels)
Brian O’Malley (Westport)
John Cunnane (Ballyhaunis)
Paul Lambert (Westport)
Oisín Mullin (Kilmaine)
Cathal Horan (Kilmovee)
Jordan Flynn (Crossmolina Deel Rovers)
Evan O’Brien (Ballinrobe)
Nathan Moran (Hollymount/Carramore)
Ryan O’Donoghue (C) (Belmullet)
Oisín McLoughlin (Westport)
John Gallagher (Mayo Gaels)
Ross Egan (Aghamore)
Tommy Conroy (The Neale)
The slagging of Drake is a bit much. I prefer to see lads with loads of football coming on e.g. Nally. Conor OS has a similar engine to Drake and good pace & can pick off a few scores. He probably hasn’t shown good enough link play awareness to date at this level. Boland is a bit light or small for the high intensity end of the championship. Very good footballer but wisely perhaps avoided running into traffic is Salthill last year. Against a blanket he could be considered risky. In a more open game a guy with plenty of vision. Kirby has loads of football too but probably lacks mobility at this level. Maybe as FF. Douglas has similar style to Corofin player Ian Burke who looks good for Galway this year. Many of our fringe lads have plenty of good attributes but each perhaps has 1 weakness. Nally we’re worried about mobility but I haven’t seen evidence he’s lacking in that dept. He’s perhaps the best bet as big enough, very good passer, sweet left boot and has played in backs also for Mayo so knows how to defend. Is he dog hard enough for Intercounty midfield?.. hard to know but with Donie late to the party Diarmaid is the only other midfield curve ball (bar Lee who can play anywhere).
That said people were happy with Coen the last day so maybe he will come good this year with all the experience he’s gaining.
Disappointed that Adam Gallagher has left the panel
And gone to America I rate him higher that Evan Cian and James Durcan he might lack a tiny bit of pace but Gallagher knows where the posts are
It doesn’t look like Rochford rates Nally though, Shuffly Deck. No involvement at all vs Galway, and only five minutes off the bench vs Limerick.
Considering he’s one of the few long-range scorers we have it’s a shame he doesn’t see more game time.
Goodluck to Adam Gallagher, hope he makes a mint and has a great summer. To be honest he’s fallen down the pecking order behind Durcan and Hanley, and righly so. Adam just simply has’nt got the pace required…(the one skill u cant teach).
Sad thing is MayoDunphy pace won’t put the ball over the bar. Hanley and Durcans pace hasn’t lead to an influx of points yet…even last week against a Division 4 team. Football wins out everytime it just needs to be harnessed.
Mayo has over the past few years become a squad of Athletes as opposed to footballers and it’s costing us land the final prize.
Rochy has shoehorned two lads in for the galway game games for championship starts and started them v limerick that have never played for Mayo before and joined the squad after the league, and in fairness only did ok, please god they will come good, but In fairness what does it say to lads that were actually progressing through the league like gallagher boland Nally, Crowe? They weren’t even given full games in the league. Hope it works out
KL… It says that it’s a cruel cruel world!
“Your honour”
“Rochford gave exhibit A and exhibit B full games against Limerick”.
“He then knowingly only gave exhibit C a few minutes at the end of that same said game”.
“Exhibits D, E, F, G, H and I were discovered caged and malourished, fully dehydrated after been left exposed to the elements of the hot weather under the scorching Limerick sun”.
“He then ran the shite out of exhibits J, K, L, M, N, O and P after the Limerick match in case they had too much energy left and attempted an escape”.
“He sent young fellows out on to the field of battle in January and February your honour, away from their families in the fbd league. Weather so bad your honour the piss pots couldnt even be emptied”.
“The tyrannical physchopathic maniac marches his men 3 or 4 times a week your honour and has them dressing up in those feared green and red uniforms”.
“The invasion of Limerick was only the start your honour. Intelligence now leads us to believe that the power hungry maniac is planning an invasion of Tipperary. The people are nervous your honour. They don’t even know who’ll be manning the machine guns. Will it be exhibits A, B, C and D or W, X, Y and Z”?
“He’s heading towards World domination your honour. The people are fools your honour. The brainwashed satanical masses are gathering in increasing numbers every time this mad man goes to war”. He said he will not stop until he has conquered the world”.
“I send you this correspondence with great haste your honour”. “This band of men that the power crazed leader of the Mayo breakaway army is building seems to be getting stronger by the week your honour. It may already be too late. I fear a defeat of Tipperary, and the madman and his grenade brigade will strengthen again. He refers to himself as the messiah your honour and has already stated that he doesn’t give a shit what army is now put in his way. He will not be stopped”.
“It may already be too late your honour but I must keep you abreast of developments as your loyal servant”.
Revellino.
I always thought Alan Brogan was very fair in his analysis, not much that can be argued with in that article