The weekend is upon us once again and more on-field activity awaits. The U21s play tomorrow and then the seniors take the field on Sunday.
The U21s have their second match in the North-West Cup. This one is against Donegal, which throws in at James Stephens Park in Ballina tomorrow at 2.30pm.
With both of the teams involved tomorrow having lost to Sligo in their respective opening matches in this tournament, the game in Ballina is a winner-take-all affair. Whoever comes out on top from this one goes forward for a reunion with the Magpies in the final, while it’s the end of the road for the losers.
On Sunday afternoon at Kiltoom the seniors play their third and, most likely, final outing in this year’s FBD League. In this one they’re up against Roscommon with throw-in at the St Brigid’s ground set for 2pm.
A number of regulars are set to resume action for us in this match and, dammit, I’ve decided it’s time to get back on the road myself for it as well. You’ll be relieved to know, though, that I won’t have the boots with me but I will have the iPhone so my first post-match audio warblings of 2017 could be on the agenda then.
By the way, I’m going to be offline all day tomorrow so there’ll be no cobbled together report on the U21s’ match from me. Back on Sunday with all the fun and games from Kiltoom.
Might take a notion and head to Ballina.
Glad you are jumping back in Willie Joe, the time is now, this year is set to begin! Maigh Eo Abú!
Anois teacht an earraigh ….
Good man Willie joe , any chance of a lift from Dublin to kiltoom ? Will give you money for juice
I can’t attach it Willie Joe, but there’s a brilliant article by Keith Duggan on Brendan Harrison in today’s IT. Must read.
Very strong U21 side out today nearly full strength, Not sure if Matthew Ruane and Kilkenny Aughamore is injured.
Scott Kilker
Stephen Brennan Eoin O Donoghue Sean Conlon
Jason Forkan Dylan Cannon Shairoze Akram
Barry Duffy Sean Walsh
Jack Reilly Brian Reape Colin Gill
TJ Byrne James Carr Fionan Duffy
Bench
matthew Flanagan James kelly Colm Reape
James McCormack James Lyons Sean og Tighe
Ryan o Donoghue Kevin Quinn Cathal Hennelly
Changes at Start James McCormack and James Lyons in for Barry Duffy and Colin Gill.
Donegal ahead 1.08 to 1.04 at half time. Super goal by James Carr though
Yes it is an excellent article in the Times. Well worth a read Sorry my skills don’t run to attaching it either
Great comeback again for Michael Solan men. James Kelly coming on and Donegal man getting sent off changed things for Mayo. Scored the last 6 points to finish winners by slimmest of margins 1-12 to 1-11. Games against Donegal always bring out the best and it was the 2 games against them last year that stuck to us in the championship run. Donegal u21 looked the fitter of the two teams with a lot of them playing in the mckenna cup as well. Kevin Quinn Ballinrobe, Cathal Hennelly Davits and Ryan o Donoghue this years minor came on and made an impression. Quinn score 2 points. Conlan Forkan and Akram played well at the back. James Kelly played a key role when coming on at half time for Sean Kelly. Still work to do for Mayo but after today Solan would have learn a lot more about his players and it will stick with them in the games ahead. Still have players to come in like Cunniffe, Ruane and Kilkenny all involved this time last year.
One thing that has to be said about Solan, he leaves no stone unturned when looking for talent. Players that have never represented mayo, players that were discarded all getting chances. Colin Gill still struggling with the hamstring injury he picked up in the U21 Club A Final is one of those. last week with had two players that were minor in 2016 Jordan Flynn and Sean go Tighe that were unable to get into the championship minor panel last year. Solan shows he is his own man as a result and everyone gets a fresh start.
Thanks for summary MayoMessi. Excellent as always. I said last year James Kelly would be a big player for the future. Has great speed.
The subs made the difference in the 2nd half. James Kelly coming into midfield, Ryan o’donoghue and Kevin Quinn kicking 2 points each when they came on
Ryan O’Donoghue was outstanding when he came on. Lovely footballer
Great second half today
Any idea when and where we play Sligo?
It hasn’t been announced yet I don’t think. It could be in Ballina since they already played sligo away last weekend.
Sligo run tournament they could well fix the final in a Sligo venue.
Neither Donegal or Mayo were full strength which is expected in January but that comeback win brought back memories of the Connacht final last year.
On the FBD game tomorrow Roscommon named their team. Plenty of change with their starting 15 this year. A new goalkeeper,full back,a forward selected at 6,a new midfield with Higgins returning from injury and lad promoted up from U21 and new full forward. Of course that amount of change is not unexpected when some of their more well known players have either retired or taking a break away. ( Neil Collins,Cathal Cregg,Ian and Senan Kilbride,Donal Shine)
I presume we won’t see the Mayo team until tomorrow.
No chance with the lift Willie joe ?
To anybody that was at todays U21match, how did Stephen Brennan from Claremorris play ?.
Anyone who was at the game know how O’Reilly from Charleston got on today?
Agreed with above – the Brendan Harrison interview with Keith Duggan in the Times today is excellent. Seems to be behind the paywall though.
Mayomessi Thanks for the update. Solan is only taking the common sense approach to having a fresh start at the beginning of each campaign. In the last few years this selection process for U21 grade was predictable and lazy looking. The good U16 year old found himself playing U21 almost it seemed by default. Young men come face to face with their ambition or lack of it, as they approach their two score mark. Solan is gathering ambition and infusing it into what’s already there. Some of our minors of 3 years are just not up to it. You can say that any year in any county. It’s a penny that has taken a long time to drop in Mayo GAA circles.
Solan is the only manager would have involved Fergal Boland or James Kelly as starters.
All other managers have played safe with minor starters only.
lads how far is Kiltoom pitch in off the Roscommon – Athlone main rd?
just wondering where to park
That’s it lads and lassies ,,,,, just back from a few kicks with my daughters in local pitch , time to dust off the auld ‘match jacket’ , have the spuds early and hit for kiltoom. Hear we go again ! !
There was some very good interviews with a few of the All-Ireland U21 winners in The Mayo News the last couple of weeks. They mentioned that when Michael Solan met up with them for the first time last year, he gave them a sheet of paper and asked them to write down the names of any players not in the squad at that time who they thought could make a difference for the year ahead. The management then said that they would check out these players in club games etc. The most mentioned player was Fergal Boland. So it just shows that’s brilliant management from Michael Solan and a great sign of the respect that he shows for the views of his players.
Just a quick mention about that interview with Brendan Harrison which was conducted by Keith Duggan in The Irish Times. It was a great read alright compared to some of the other rubbish that was produced in the last few months.
centerfield Kiltoom has two carparks beside the pitch and the garda will likely direct you to them as they don’t want anyone parking on the main Athlone road.
Is there any way of reading that Duggan piece without the online subscription?
Any chance someone with a subscription could copy/paste it here?
Thanks Mayomagic
well done Mayo, what a comeback. That will keep the rossies quiet.
The old dog for the hard road. Andy Moran is getting better and better
Couldn’t make it today unfortunately cos of work but kept an ear to MWR for updates. Always nice to beat the Rossies but the result on this occasion really doesn’t matter…performances do. For those of ye there…who stood out (both regulars and newbies). Did we play a sweeper or did ye notice Roch trying anything new?
2-16 is a big score to concede.
Did we play with a man less for the last 20 mins?
Finally, what kind of side did Roscommon have out?
mayonaze, conor o shea got the line early in 2nd half with 2 yellows
well done Mayo. and well done andy. that win means little but it give roscommon something to chew on.