The weekend’s results

Willie Joe
Photo: Mayo GAA

A fascinating second round of action in the club Championships has just concluded, with matches taking place in both the men’s and women’s competitions. Let’s have quick gallop though the weekend’s results.

Starting with the men, the race for the Moclair Cup is starting to rev up nicely. Round 2 often has a fair few make-or-break ties and it’s also a round where potential title challengers start to throw shapes. In addition, this weekend witnessed a fair few unexpected results, something the Championship provides on a regular enough basis.

This wasn’t really the case in Group 1 this weekend. New boys Mayo Gaels got off the mark against The Neale, struggling badly due to key players being unavailable, while Westport proved too strong for Ballintubber (match highlights here). Martin Connolly’s charges have now booked their place in the quarters and, despite yesterday evening’s defeat, the Tubbermen will most likely join them in the last eight too.

Group 2 was, though, where the proverbial spanner was thrown into the works. Neither Aghamore nor Ballina Stephenites were fancied to win their respective ties this weekend but they both did and these wins have blasted this group wide open.

Aghamore went in at the break level at home to Ballaghaderreen yesterday evening but an explosive second half spurt saw them ease to victory by nine points in this East Mayo derby. Goals – three of them – were key to Aghamore’s win and the same number of majors for the Stephenites propelled them to victory this afternoon over defending champions Knockmore (match highlights here).

Ray Dempsey’s team should, though, still advance, as they’ll be fancied to take winless Ballagh’ in the final round. The best the champions can hope for is to do so as group runners-up, though, and so they’ll be the team to avoid for the other three group winners in the quarters.

For Ballina and Aghamore it’s a simple matter of winner takes all when they meet in Round 3. Both have momentum heading into this tie, which should make for a real humdinger.

Group 3 also produced a surprise result, though this was one that Mike and Ed had signposted in advance on the podcast the other day. Claremorris, who fell tamely to Breaffy in the opening round, came away from Tallagh today with a hard-fought win over Belmullet and, with neighbours Balla in the final round, they can now start to dream of advancement.

Breaffy, who beat Balla today, are already through to the last eight. Balla, by contrast, looked destined for a relegation scrap.

In Group 4, Castlebar Mitchels – winners today over Davitts – are through to the quarters. Garrymore, who played out a draw today against Charlestown, are best placed to join them but they play Mitchels in the final round and they’ll need something tangible from that one to progress. That’s one to watch in Round 3.

Here are all the weekend’s results from the SFC:

  • GROUP 1: Mayo Gaels 3-10 The Neale 1-7; Westport St Patrick’s 2-11 Ballintubber 0-9
  • GROUP 2: Aghamore 3-14 Ballaghaderreen 2-8; Ballina Stephenites 3-9 Knockmore 0-11
  • GROUP 3: Breaffy 1-13 Balla 0-8; Belmullet 1-8 Claremorris 0-13
  • GROUP 4: Charlestown Sarsfields 1-14 Garrymore 0-17; Davitts 2-9 Castlebar Mitchels 0-17

Onto Intermediate, where the weekend’s Round 2 results were as follows:

  • GROUP 1: Crossmolina Deel Rover 4-11 Bonniconlon 0-4; Lahardane MacHales 17 Louisburgh 3-17
  • GROUP 2: Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin 3-14 Kiltane 2-11; Burrishoole 0-16 Ballinrobe 3-7
  • GROUP 3: Castlebar Mitchels B 0-13 Ardnaree 0-11; Bohola Moy Davitts 1-11 Ballyhaunis 2-13
  • GROUP 4: Hollymount/Carramore 1-12 Kilmeena 0-12; Kilmaine 5-11 Kiltimagh 1-5

Next Junior, where all this happened:

  • GROUP 1: Ballycastle 2-13 Eastern Gaels 5-11; Cill Chomáin 8-18 Moygownagh 0-3
  • GROUP 2: Kilfian 0-4 Ardagh 4-15; Ballycroy 0-7 Swinford 2-14
  • GROUP 3: Killala 1-12 Kilmovee Shamrocks 1-11; Islandeady bye
  • GROUP 4: Tourmakeady 1-20 Lacken 0-7; Shrule/Glencorrib 2-15 Achill 1-7

The Mayo News has a good round-up of all the weekend’s matches, with reports on yesterday’s games here and today’s matches here.

Completing our review of the club action, here are the weekend’s LGFA Championship results:

LGFA SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

  • GROUP A: Castlebar Mitchels 4-12 Kilmovee Shamrocks 2-8; Westport 3-10 Knockmore 1-10
  • GROUP B: Burrishoole 3-13 Moy Davitts 0-7; Hollymount 2-8 Carnacon 1-13

LGFA INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

  • GROUP A: Davitts 4-8 Cill Chomáin 1-10; Louisburgh 1-10 Charlestown 3-13
  • GROUP B: MacHale Rovers 8-7 Kiltimagh 5-7; Kilmoremoy 4-10 Swinford Killasser 3-13

LGFA JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

  • GROUP A: Kiltane v Parke postponed; St Brigid’s 1-7 Ballyhaunis 3-2
  • GROUP B: The Neale 0-4 Aghamore 1-15; Breaffy bye

Finally, commiserations to the Mayo Masters who were beaten by the minimum margin in yesterday’s All-Ireland Plate final. They lost that one to Cavan in Ballinagh by 2-11 to 2-10.

96 thoughts on “The weekend’s results”

  1. Very poor coverage from Mid West radio for the last two weeks. Hardly any live coverage. Brief snippets from newspaper reporters whom you cannot hear. Galway Bay streets ahead

  2. Hi WJ, is head to head used as the separator?

    If Knockmore beat Ballagh and Aghamore beat Ballina, then Knockmore and Aghamore would both be on 4 points, Ballina on 3 and Knockmore would top the group if head to head is used? If points difference, with the same results Knockmore could finish top by beating Ballagh by 5 more points than Aghamore beating Ballina.

    Admittedly, it is more likely that Ballina will top the group.

  3. Was at Belmullet vs Claremorris. Conor Diskin didnt score but could be very useful at 10/12 with his power and pace, very hard to stop when he gets going. He’s not an inside forward. James McCormack also played well at midfield. As for Belmullet Fionnan Ryan caught some great ball and Eamon mcandrew played well.

  5. Good to see James McCormack and Conor Diskin putting hands up. Hession also as half forward. No shortage of talent with greater tests ahead once we get into knockout

  6. Not to be pedantic but knockmore can still top the group if they win and aghamore beat ballina? Assuming it’s head to head based?

    Group 3 will be very interesting next week.. Balla – quite incredibly – can actually still qualify if they beat claremorris.

    Some worrying looking results in junior, we can’t be too far from amalgamations starting to take effect at adult level

  8. Paul Toweys effort today was as good an individual performance as I’ve seen in some time in Mayo senior football. You get nothing soft from Garrymore but he made them look foolish at times. 2 footed, an absolute nightmare to mark. Not just the scores either, he has great vision in traffic and is very creative. He can kick 45s with ease too. Mcstay was at the game and he can’t have been anything other than very excited watching that. Some will compare him to Fergal Boland but to me Towey is a much more explosive and dangerous player and should translate to the higher level of intercounty easier than Fergal has.

  9. Towey has shown glimpses of real potential, but I’ve also seen him anonymous in games. He has talent and ability but doing it consistently or even reasonably consistently at senior intercounty is an entirely different matter.

    I still think we are quite a bit short in strength at midfield (unless McStay & Co) rearrange players, ie: bring someone like Oisin into that sector; re-ernergise Diarmuid.

    Galway are going to be really strong with a combo of Cooke and McDaid and Conroy as back up. They can also play Tierney there too and he is very good in the air. From our side, Mattie had a poor 2022 so hopefully he can bounce back and we’ve not really seen enough of anyone else there. Jordan Flynn? Still a bit to go yet. Did he dominate any game in 2022 for Mayo? It’s the engine room of any team and I’d be a bit concerned about that sector from a ball winning/dominate the centre perspective.

    Any thoughts on this sector??

  10. Another terrific weekend of football with some standout individual performances but what really stands out for me is how the hell did Enda McGearty get the IFC g4 games correct? After the first round when Kiltimagh beat Hollymount/Carramore and Kilmeena beat Kilmaine I still can’t figure how he picked H/C to beat Kilmeena and Kilmaine to stuff Kiltimagh. The moral of this story is don’t go against Enda’s picks if you’re putting money on an acca.
    So far Westport, Ballina, Knockmore, Breaffy, Castlebar, Charlestown, Garrymore and Aghamore have all shown in at least one game that they have enough to be involved in the latter stages. If Ballintubber get one or two injured lads back and the pitches get slower they could be dangerous. If the going remains good to firm I think Westport could finally do it but that’s a big if. The intriguing one for me is Castlebar. Haven’t seen them since the league final but the do seem to have momentum. Two weeks time will separate the wheat from the chaff and I can’t wait.

  12. Those of you watching the Mayo gaa TV coverage of Knockmore Ballina may have inadvertently heard some of the Cillian news at half time.
    Paul McStay looked exceptional in that game, great vision and skill, always looking for the right option and with the ability to execute.
    Belmullet are in real trouble unless they can get Ryan back, cant see them coming close to Breaffy without him but they have been written off before and proved everyone wrong.
    The commentators mentioned that he had looked for clearence from the Mayo medical team to play but “thumbs down”, he did take part in the warm up by all accounts so he cant be that far away.
    Regarding midfield options, put Jack Carney back in there, its his natural position and I think James was only using him as a stop gap with the injuries. You would have to imagine Aido will be our starting full forward all going well, he seems to be doing allright there for Breaffy and in fairness to the man settling at one position at this stage of his career would be a good move for him. Less wear and tear in there as well. I always think if your going to go with a big man at FF, leave him there, he only has to win a couple of balls to get scores (frees or from play). THis moving big men in and out never really seems to get the benefits.

  13. Is Carney playing middle of the park with Kilmeena? If so, he should be lording it at Intermediate level. Has anyone seem their games?

    Any other 19-23 year olds who have shown really impressive form in this sector?

  14. Any word on how James Carr is playing for Ardagh in the Junior Championship? Surely he must have scored at least 2.10 against Kilfian??

  15. Mark Maloney claremorris playing centre forward not a heavy scorer with the system they play but linking all the attacks 19 years old

  16. Mayonaze, what exactly does Jordan Flynn have to do to impress you? He had a brilliant league campaign, was our best player in the league final before he got injured, caught the eye against Kildare, (brilliant goal, and goal in the league match too), and did nothing wrong against Kerry in the QF.

  17. Claremorris shocked me yesterday with the result in Tallagh but the fact is Belmullet are an intermediate team without the 2 O’Donoghues.Can Claremorris back it up now by beating Balla , probably need a better spread of scorers.But James McCormack is back to his best he gave a fantastic midfield display yesterday , is sure to be called back in by Kevin McStay.

  18. Alot of people thinking AOS will be lining out at 14 next year and that is probably his best position at this stage but it’s not necessarily best for Mayo. Alot will depend on who plays in midfield and on the fitness of Cillian. If Carney moves there then AOS could slot in at 14 but I can’t see a forward line of AOS and Cillian, way too static. If Carney doesn’t move to me then he is a better option at 14 long term for mayo, more mobile and better able to take scores. Imo right now Mayos best ff line is ROD, Carney, Conroy or alternatively Towey, Carney, Conroy with ROD at 11(a position he is made for). AOS/Cillian 20 Mon impact subs to close out games.

  19. Carney was good against Holly/Carra yesterday but didn’t lord it.
    Midfielders who have impressed so far
    James McCormack (Claremorris) – been the best midfielder in the championship so far
    Fionan Ryan (Belmullet) seems limited enough but I high fielder who could be good with coaching
    Cillian Golding (Balla) superb athlete who kicked 2 from play in both games so far
    Robbie Fadden (Breaffy) Stood out as a fielder and box to box player, kicked two from play for Breaffy from range against balla also
    Frank Irwin (Ballina) excellent player but I feel he would be better in the forwards

  20. Catcol, I didn’t say I wasn’t impressed by him. I just said he has a bit to go yet. IMO he had a solid league, I definitely wouldn’t use ‘brilliant’. ROD had a brilliant league.

    If memory serves me correctly, Jordan missed the first few games and then grew in to it as the league developed which is what you want to see in someone still relatively new. He was behind Mattie in several MOTM polls but was definitely the stronger of the pair as the season progressed and finished higher in the Player of the League poll; it also has to be taken into consideration too that Mattie really faded badly and was a pale shadow of himself as the summer arrived. Not sure he really was right this year after the flop 12 months ago in the final (not just him but so many of the team that day). I’m confident the new management will reinvigorate him and we will see him back to his best in 2023.

    Not sure we can say any Mayo player impressed in the championship v Kildare. We were both very poor and very lucky that day but I agree Jordan was decent versus Kerry. So for me, Flynn had a solid and progressive season particularly given that he has a number of injures, but we still need more from our midfielders in 2023. The word I used earlier was ‘dominant’. That’s what you want from a midfielder. A man who controls the game and we have plenty of scope for improvement here. Cillian McDaid set the benchmark.

  21. The man pictured above Adam Naughton, brother of Peter the forward I believe, is well worth a crack in the Mayo panel.

    On a separate note, getting very worried about the refereeing in the county. There’s not many left and not many stepping into the fold. Absolute utmost respect for all who get involved, but there was some involved on the line this weekend who just didn’t have enough experience for senior football. Overheard a linesman tell a losing manager to shut up and take his beating mid game? Surely training is offered to keep all involved under control and safe. I know resources are stretched with the volume of games and officiating will improve as the experienced men in the middle move to the line with the knockout stages.

    Help the officials with proper training and time. Don’t throw a first or second year volunteer into a big championship match at senior level.

  22. Just on Paul Towey……..sounds like he was on fire and hopefully he continues like that.
    He has potential……I think it takes time to mint an intercounty footballer………
    It took Bernard Brogan 4 years to nail a spot in Dublin

  23. 1989. I watched the Charlestown game courtesy of Sarsfields tv. It was excellent and the commentary was very entertaining. Bearing in mind Towey only played 50mins as he had a black card in the first half you’d have to say his performance was brilliant. 2or 3 of his points in the 2nd half were unreal. Not huge but he is strong enough to win his own ball. His free taking from the hand or off the ground is the real deal.

  24. 1989 – Definitely. And showed a bit of class abroad roasting Michael McKernan in Chicago.

    Ballina and Westport favourites now if don’t meet? Ballina looked good yesterday, but also Knockmore seemed way off themselves. Ballina certainly enjoyed the win! Hopefully they can deliver on their potential and hype this year after 2-3 dissapointing enough runs. Should have beaten Westport last year if memory serves correct.

    Big two weeks break for all the teams fighting for fitness and form.

  27. Yes Two yellows, Ballina should have beaten Westport last year – after Westport breezed their group… while of course Knockmore also lost a group game last year…

    A lot of ball to be played yet

    As good as the win was for Ballina, theyre actually out if they lose to Aghamore (provided Knockmore beat Ballagh)

    Breaffy seem to be the team really coming “under the radar” this year, quietly breezing through their group while all the talk is about Westport and Ballina, and was about Knockmore and Ballintubber last week.. I remember them bullying Westport at times in the 2020 semi, has an awful lot actually changed since?

  28. Don’t disagree with a lot of your response there Mayonaze on Jordan! For sure getting more out of him will be good, and Mattie did have a bad year. On the Kildare game – they (Kildare) were very good that day, and for me are a team with huge potential.

  29. Midfield is Carneys preferred position. Exciting news that James McCormick is back to his best and also an option. Flynn progressive but we need more. Ruane showing glimpses of form but greater consistency needed. Have we seen a Walsh or Clifford yet in the championship. The knockout stages will reveal more but McDonagh and Towey going in the right direction.
    I think players have a sense that they are playing for a place on mayo panel as well as for their club. Cillian got knock on knee before half time but was only a shadow of his former self up to then. Impact sub at best, now is the time to go for new kids on the block

  30. You would imagine Ballina and Westport be fairly strong favourites now. Of the two I would lean with Ballina as practically all of the team are or have been playing intercounty at different grades and should have beaten Westport last year.
    Castlebar a coming team but feel they that bit younger and have bit of S&C to do to catch up.
    Knockmore obviously capable of beating anyone, but 3 in a row is very hard done. Ballintubber do not have the pick to cope with 3 intercounty players missing you have to feel.

  31. Ci?lian has a role to play and could be a leading role yet.
    His free taking alone makes him a squad player.I wouldnt rush to retire him yet…..that rehab takes along time…I know the mountain he has to climb but lets not advocate for the problens they will advocate for themselves…..

  32. Ballina and Westport both look strong but they have it all to prove at the business end of the season when its knockout. I would still have Knockmore as favourites.

  35. Paddy Power has;
    Westport 2/1
    Knockmore, Ballintubber and Castlebar all at 11/2 with
    Breaffy 6/1 and
    Ballina 7/1
    to win the Moclair Cup

  37. Ballina haven’t reached a final since 2007. Who knows how hard it’ll be to beat them there! 31 years since Westport reached a senior final.

  38. I would say James McCormack is probably a more classier footballer all round than Matty Ruane and Jack Carney, but probably not as aggressive and could do with probably another stone in weight to match it with the likes of a Brian Fenton or Kerrys Jack Barry and Diarmuid O’Connor. .The 4 midfields options in the County now are Matty Ruane, James McCormack, Jack Carney and Jordan Flynn. No better man than Liam McHale to decide who should be the midfield partnership for 2023.

  40. @1969 – Last time i saw James McCormack play for Mayo i was impressed but he struggled a bit physically, if he can improve in that area he would be a great addition to the panel.

    @mayomagic – Thanks for the article, hopefully Cillian’s injury is not serious.

  41. Two Yellows,
    I can’t agree with you in regard to the refs stepping into the fold. I know of one ref who, with 12 hours left to throw-in for a senior ladies championship game, the ref baulked in order to do the line in a mens game. After being offered and accepting a ladies senior championship game he dropped it in a flash to go and do linesman in an Intermediate dead-rubber game. The ladies senior game was offically off – which meant girls/women who had organised their Sunday work (at Sunday rates), lifts back to college and, in some cases, child care around an 11am throw in were now all out of pocket and up in a heap, just because the ref wanted to be seen doing the line on a mens game that was a dead rubber result anyway.
    Instead of getting cash in the pocket before throw-in and a senior ladies championship game he preferred the “glamour” of running the line in a dead rubber game along with the promise of a few pound from the GAA at Christmas time.
    Thankfully, there are other more accommodating refs who stood in at the last minute. A ref rearranged his plans and reffed his 3rd game of the day for a delayed throw in. While it was great to get it played, it wasn’t much use to the girls who had still lost their Sunday pay or those who had to go back to college regardless and miss out on a game that they’ve trained for over the last 4 months.

  42. @Wide Ball
    It has been a while since we were in a final alright, but we contested finals in 1985, 1987, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004 and 2007 and only lost one of those finals in 1999 to Crossmolina so a bit like Down in the All Ireland, if you get a reputation for getting up early, you can stay in bed all day!!
    Great wn at the weekend but still need to finish the job against Agahamore and definitely need more consistency in the team performance over the sixty minutes from game to game!

  43. 1969 and Seanie, I too was impressed by James McCormack whenever I saw him, but then I saw him rarely enough; he didn’t seem to make the cut. New management can work wonders in these situations.

  44. @Pebblesmeller maybe ref wanted less abuse ya get on line duty than ya do from reffing?
    Do ladies refs not get cash up front payments to ref (for challenge games and midweek games at least), championship may be paid centrally.

  45. @Gizmobobs,
    In ladies football the ref has his pocket lined before he even throws the ball in, regardless of the day or competition.

  49. A player I admire is Conor ODonoghue Charledtown, he gets a few % better every year. He’s now a rock at the heart of the Charlestown defence. Charlestown look fitter this year. More competitive than last year.

  50. John Fogarty on twitter said Niamh Fitzpatrick is back with Mayo. Brilliant news. Delighted to see her with us again.

  52. Absolutely delighted to hear Niamh Fitzpatrick is back in the fold , brilliant addition . Very strong management team , CB made the right choice .

  54. Good backroom team. Supporters who feel we should be told what’s happening will also be happy.
    Looking forward now to Kerry, Dublin and Galway releasing their backroom team to everyone – wont hold my breath though.

  55. Still find it strange after the whole process with long lead in, interviews etc. how little of the team was organised prior to that.

    Hes picked up Finn and Regan after process from other tickets and still no S&C or goalkeeper coach in place. At least hes the media element sorted so priorities…. ? although Mayo have a PRO already.

    Teams of the week are like all stars, pay no heed.

  57. She was involved in 2017, which was the high point in Mayo performances imo.
    I presume Rochford was the link to bring her back in again.

  58. Catcol don’t think you need to talk to her you seem confident enough. My kids reckoned that my wife would make a great triage nurse in a psychiatric unit as her answer to any problem was Pull yourself together.
    Now the poor dear has Dementia.

  59. @Gizmobs
    Conor Finn (ex Connacht rugby player) was s&c coach under Horan last year and Evan Regan was the nutritionist under Horan last year so are hold overs from the last Mgmt with Sean Moffatt and Garret Coughlan.

  60. Nice piece in the Irish Times online by Gordan Manning about Kevin Mcstay and his press conference. The article is free, or at least it was when i read it 5 minutes ago

  61. Is Harry back playing with Aghamore?? Any update on him? Serious defender but needs a clear run to get back to fitness

  62. @Crete boom, they but they were in with Dempsey ticket exclusively in the lead up.
    Obviously became available when that ticket not successful and were obviously tapped up after.

    Coughlan I think is a different scenario and is centrally contracted, if I recall Mayo press release some months back.

    Don’t see why need for press event now when full team isn’t in position and interviews were done after appointment announced. Would have thought make more sense when team complete or after club championship over and maybe announce trial panels or something along those lines.

  65. @crete boom different Conor Finn than played for Connaught Rugby.He is in there as S&C since Rochford but appears to have been given a new role now as head of performance.

  66. Mayonaze. I m in agreement with you on the midfield situation. Flynn had a decent year but I wouldn’t be jumping up and down about him just yet. We need another man in there. Ruane to the half forward line.

  67. Yes @ Craggy Boglands… it’s an area I feel there’s a lot of uncertainty about and it’s a crucial sector of the pitch. I’m sure Mgnt are examining it closely.

    18 months ago I was quite happy with the prospect of Ruane pairing up with Diarmuid. I thought it a solid combo, maybe not from an aerial perspective but two really good engines who can influence a game and chip in with scores. But Mattie has dipped and Diarmuid wasn’t played there (I’ve said it loads over hhe past few years but I believe sticking him at wing forward had been really detrimental to his progression). I strongly believe you must play Diarmuid in the middle or at 11.

    Flynn did well last year but still a way to go yet. It’ll be very interesting to see what McStay & Co do with midfield. Who they’ll try out. Carney? Mullin?? Or someone who wasn’t involved last season?

  68. Our club Championship Round 2 pod is now online on Patreon. Full review of all the Round 2 action with Mike and Ed, with audio from Lee Keegan, James Shaughnessy and Richie Feeney. Mike chatting with Ger Flanagan too.

  69. I wouldn’t be to worried about midfield we have plenty of cover in that sector and i dont think it is as bad as people are saying.

    It is the half forward line and full back line where we need to find players playing in their natural position. Once we can find a settled half forward line and can take the likes of Lee, Oisin, Enda Hession out of the full back line our middle 8 is up there with the strongest in the country.

  70. @Mayonaze.

    I have been banging on for ages that Diarmuid should be playing at 11. He played there this year in the early stages of the league and produced some of his best football in years. Bizarrely he was moved back out to the wing for some reason.
    Diarmuid at 11, Oisin at 6 for starters.

  71. Personally I’d love to see Oisin tried in the middle , can’t see why it couldn’t be trialled for a few games anyway

  72. Another great pod and the thing that stood out for me was the mention of stand out players in many of the games being so young. Along with a lot of the more established lads performing well I think it’s giving the new county management team a pleasant headache. Lots of players putting their hands up can only be a good thing. Ger Flanagan a real good listen as always, open , direct and very honest. It’s looking like the usual suspects are going to be around for the business end of the championship.

  73. Great interview with McStay on the GAA Podcast. We got more insight from our newly appointed manager in 1 interview than what Horan gave in his last 4 years as manager.
    Looking forward to his management.

  74. That’s only the start of it, Pebbles! We’ll have three separate pods out over the coming days for club members featuring interviews from last night’s press event.

  75. Garrymore and Charlestown is up on YouTube to watch back.. don’t know what’s better, Towey’s score-taking or the ever-objective local commentary 😀 hilarious

  76. I’ve no doubts pebbles we will be hearing plenty more.
    We give the media more coverage for papers etc. than other counties combined…
    Personally I think should just keep head down and plough on with the job. Release accurate teamsheets in time and the odd press release on player updates to keep people quiet.
    No need for loads of interviews and the like.

  77. I’ll be judging the new management on results and on what we see on the field and nothing else.
    Been around the block too long now to be sucked in by smooth talking media men.
    It might make the like of Willie Joe and the Mayo news lads lives a bit easier getting good content, but it’s a results business 100%.
    Getting some more regular updates on injuries and player availability will be a welcome improvement from the Horan era, but other than that I’d like to see them keep the heads down till the league starts.

  78. Buckley is Head Coach, and Rochy Assistant Manager and Coach. Interesting.

    I’m taking that to mean it’s a joint management set up really between McStay and Rochy in everything but name. Makes sense given Rochford’s experience and achievements with Mayo.

  80. Manager doesn’t do interviews (Horan) people complain
    Manager does do interviews (McStay) people complain

    Some people are just not happy in themselves and will always find something to complain about.

    I’m really excited with the new management team and I think we’re going in the right direction. We’ll be there or thereabouts,a bit of luck and anything could happen.

  81. No matter what management team is in charge of Mayo, someone somewhere, will always find something to crib about, and thats from within the county.

  82. People have different opinions. Some people feel manager should be very open – give interviews, injury updates, who is in and out of the panel etc. And we as supporters deserve to know this.
    I personally think the less we here from the manager and injuries to players etc the better. When we here this information so does everyone else in the country.
    The other top managers and counties give very little information to the media. Jack o Connor was praised here earlier in the year for giving injury updates – but he forgot to mention at the time the fact that David Clifford had an injury and would not be available for the Munster final.

  83. My thoughts exactly south Mayo, give the information ya have to.
    No need for anything else, of course like everyone I’d be curious to know this, that and the other. But ya don’t get it off other Teams, we don’t need to be in the media full time.
    Accurate team sheets and player update week before a game and I’d be more than happy.

  84. Tune in to RTE1TV , SixOne News now..Our new manager Kevin McStay will on the sports section…I hope he doesn’t mention that funeral!

  85. It is actually possible to be media friendly and also get results. Just don’t expect management to give out any info that might help the opposition. Premier league managers have pressconferences before every game and are interviewed after the game. In giving injury updates on players not picked may stop some of the rumour merchants early on.

  86. Joe you can be media friendly and not in the media all the time as well.
    Obviously media outlets and platforms want all this kind of thing as it’s a good money spinner and us Mayo fans are so football mad we lap it up.

    I agree we need be more media friendly, just hope it’s done in a low key manner. We’ve had enough coverage.

  87. Gizmobobs – every new manager does a media night. I remember Horan doing one 4 years ago.
    Stephen Rochford did a Twitter Q&A after his appointment. Mayo people really do whinge about everything.

    By the way, to everyone who said our managerial appointment process was a circus, farce etc. what are ye’re thoughts on Monaghan? There must have been 7 or 8 names thrown around so far, 3 people interviewed yet no sign of anyone being appointmented yet.

  88. Fair point wide ball, if that’s the last of them till game time fair enough.

    Haven’t seen anything in media about Monaghan 😉

  89. Don’t know if you’re serious about that @Gizmobobs, but it’s been widely reported the people interested in the Monaghan job. Jason Sherlock in the media this week talking about his application.

  90. @Ciaran.
    Thanks for letting us know the Garrymore v Charlestown game was up on YouTube.
    Some outrageous scores from Towey.
    Will be a big plus for us next year hopefully

  91. Darren Quinn did well for Garrymore. He was a Mayo minor. Six foot and well built.
    It would be interesting to see how he’d go with one years development at county level.
    I say one year as really it’s a year to really start approaching the senior county level.
    Three years to be comfortable in my view.

  92. I really wasn’t bothered about the lack of information from Horan and likewise I’m not bothered if mcstay is the opposite as long as he does his job. It seems like if he wins the all ireland in August there will be complaints he didn’t win it in September. Just sit back and hopefully there will be a ride to enjoy.

  93. I’m NOT cribbing or whinging because I expected Horan to give us every tittle tattle from the dressing rooms. But, his obvious disdain towards the Mayo supporters at the end of his tenure was evident. He was always quick to pass the buck on to us as opposed to looking at his own failings. In 2013 he said we were too silent when the team needed us in those final minutes v Dublin. In 2020 then we were too expectant and adding too much pressure. FFS we couldn’t win. He didn’t mention why, in those final minutes of the 2013 AIF, he left the best man marker in the game (Keith Higgins) marking O’Gara 50 yeards back the field, when O’Gara couldn’t walk never mind run! Nor why in 2020 he didn’t have a plan for when McShane came on, as everyone knew he would, to effectively win the game for Tyrone!
    In addition to all this, the pre final media event held for the Tyrone AIF was THREE weeks before the final and only ONE player present. That’s a big TWO FINGERED salute to the fans if ever there was one. Compare that to Tyrones complete open-house media night where almost every panelist was present and available.
    It it THIS use, or lack of, of the media that I hope to God we’ve seen the back of. I’m not innocent enough to expect the manager to be 100% truthful in all his pressers, but don’t disrespect us and expect us to swallow it.

  94. Kevin mcstay is our manager Liberal. Rochford is not a joint manager. Mullin to midfield. Ruane to half forward line. Diarmuid to 11. Hopefully mcbrien gets back and Harrison to give us more options in the defence. Keegan should be captain I think

  95. @Craggy, What about this young team?
    1. Jack Livingstone
    2. R. Keane 3. D. McBrien 4. A. Morrison
    5. L. Keegan 6. Diarmuid 7. Paul Lambert
    8. Jordan Flynn 9. Oisin Mullin
    10. E. McLoughlin 11. O’Donoghue 12. Ruane
    13. Mark Moran 14. T. Conroy 15. P. Towey
    My thoughts :
    1. Jack Livingstone is keeping Robbie Hennelly on the bench, has a good kick out.
    Full back line – all three are muscular and quick over 10 yards, all three comfortable there. Keane covers the shorter forward. McBrien covers the biggest.
    Half back line. A total “all in” on kickpassing, scoring and general quality. Leeroy, might not be 80mins of Leeroy, could be 65 given the mileage of half back. Diarmuid has played 6, Diarmuid is a good interceptor of ball over the top, 6’1″, mobile, good positional sense, long arms, he is very secure on the ball. Paul Lambert is the best kickpassing defender in the county. He is our Murcain but we’re afraid to use him as he’s 5’8″. Well he has a tremendous leap, he leapt above others and caught a kickout mark against Ballintubber. Extremely quick, he’s all legs so he is strong in contact.
    Midfield – Wardog of Jordan and a linebreaker/attacker/scorer in Oisin
    Half forward line – objective here is to stop the oppositions best attacking wing back which is eventually lethal Gavin White. Eoghan McLoughlin is tasked with tracking when we don’t have the ball the oppositions best wing back. Ryan is a top playmaker and scorer at 11 and a workhorse. Matthew Ruane gives a kickout option at wing forward.
    Full forward line, simply three players with pace and scoring. Tommy central to come out and create havoc. Mark Moran and Paul Towey take on the difficult roles of corner forward. I like Tommy from central areas bringing the full back on a tour.

  96. Interesting jp. No hessian. I would have Ryan inside and Tommy out. But food for thought for sure. Full back line would need 1 or 2 experienced players possibly

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