County final night under the MacHale Park lights didn’t disappoint, with two tightly contested deciders played out in front of a big attendance at the Castlebar venue. In the end it was Ballintubber who emerged victorious in the Senior final to claim back-to-back Moclair Cup successes while in the Intermediate final The Neale enjoyed a first ever Sweeney Cup victory.
I watched both games on Mayo GAA TV but unfortunately I don’t have time right now, due to Dad Taxi commitments, to dwell on either contest in the detail that they merit. So it’ll have to be just a few quick details on both of them.
The Intermediate final between The Neale and Ballyhaunis was a real see-saw affair. Ballyhaunis looked well set for victory at half-time, when they led by four points with John Cunnane’s goal midway through the half instrumental in this.
With the gap stretched to five soon after the resumption, The Neale were now faced with an uphill battle but, to their great credit, it was a fight they were ready for.
Over the course of the next ten minutes they whittled the deficit back down to just a single point. Then Tommy Conroy showed why he trades under the Goals moniker when he finishes coolly and calmly to the net as The Neale hit the front.
It was a lead that they increased to four points soon after but then back came Ballyhaunis. Twice the East Mayo side levelled in the dying minutes but twice The Neale poked their noses back in front.
The final time they did so – Seán Cosgrove hooking the ball over – it proved to be the winner. The Neale claimed the IFC title and coveted Senior status for 2020 on a 1-12 to 1-11 scoreline. Huge congrats to them.
The Senior decider was a tight, tactical tussle between two very well matched teams. In the end, Ballintubber’s greater experience, as well as their superior efficiency in front of the posts got them over the line.
At half-time, with the contest tied at 1-6 apiece, it looked anyone’s title. Ballaghaderreen has done what they needed to do by taking the game to the champions in the first half, Cormac Doohan lighting up MacHale Park with a superbly taken goal from a tight angle close in five minutes before the break.
Had they taken that advantage into half-time who knows how this contest might subsequently have played out. Instead, Ballintubber broke through for a goal at the other end, Jason Gibbons spotting Michael Plunkett’s run and the centre-back dummied the ‘keeper before rolling the ball into the net.
There was no more than a point in it for large stretches of the second half, with both teams taking turns to edge in front. Then, with seven or so minutes to go, Ballintubber moved two ahead. We didn’t know it then but they had by now already posted a total that was sufficient for the win.
Ballagh cut the gap back to one but they never subsequently managed to get back on terms. Instead, two injury time points sealed a 1-14 to 1-11 win for Ballintubber, to claim their second Senior title in a row and their fifth this decade. Well done to them.
I suppose the key question now is whether Tubber can compete with Corofin in Connacht.
Thought RTÉ might have shown our final tonight rather than Kerry QFs.
In relation to Tier 2 motion being passed for me the issue is whether the Div. 3/4 teams want to compete in it. They didn’t 15 years ago so what’s changed since?
Well done Ballintubber. A hard earned victory against an excellent Ballaghaderreen team. Some really good young footballers on that Ballagh team but Tubbers experience tipped it in their favour in the closing quarter. Hearty congratulations also to the Neale on a great victory tonight, edging out the Haunis another ding-dong battle.
Spotlight, it was meantioned on a prevoius thread, Mayogaa held on to the rights so they could show it exclusively on Mayotv.
I might have given ballintubber a bit of stick before about their style of play but by god are they hard to beat. I think they have actually come on a bit from last year but as they go into Connacht if cillian is taken out of a game will they be able to get enough scores from other areas. Thought Ballaghaderreen were excellent aswell, some very good footballers but lacked a bit of experience, when they went 4 up before half time they should have shut the game down until the half time whistle. An entertaining evenings football overall.
The tier 2 championship is John horans vanity project, If the players didn’t want it, it shouldn’t have been brought but it’s obvious from experience that John Horan doesn’t give a fiddlers about the opinion of anyone outside Dublin.
any new full back come to light in the Club Championship this year
@culmore. Seamus Cunniffe showed more consistency in my view. Would love to see his form after a full Winter program. He’s a natural athlete around 6’1″.
Seamus Cunniffe must be brought in. A natural full back who has been plying his trade in the position for his club for a few years now. Strong, tall and still only 23. Can’t understand how he wasn’t brought in by Horan last year. No guarantee he’ll make it but he should be looked at for the national league. Michael Plunkett very effective again at No. 6 last night – a very intelligent player.
I was disappointed with cunniffe, thought no15 gave him the run around not very pacy either, Hanley also a disappointment.
Agree with jp2 ‘re Seamus Cuniffe. Corner forward took him for 3 points from play. Was turned easily by the forwards. Seems to lack pace and aggression for the top level.
I am sure if Horan thinks he could be good enough he will bring him in.
Thought Brian Walsh stood out for tubber.also Michael plunkett,Keelan McDonnell is a class act too…best team won and thought hanley and Akram dissapointing
I wouldn’t be convinced by Cunniffe either. It’s telling that the Ballagh management decided to put David Drake marking Cillian. Drake was also given the job of marking Neil Douglas in the semi-final.
I think Shairoze Akram has made huge strides this year. The pace and physicality was always there but his foot passing has improved no end. Michael Plunkett had a very good championship and I hope to see him get another run of games with Mayo.
Thought Akram showed well myself. Has pace and power.
I thought David Drake looked more the full back than Seamus Cunniffe last night. Struggled a bit with Cillian alright but most do. Drake’s fitness levels are incredible. Hopefully Tubber can give Connaugh a real shot this time.
Very good game. Ballaghaderreen to me looked a better team, but lacked killer punch when on top.
Hard to figure from a county angle. A lot had their moments. Michael Plunkett has an enforcer look and feel about him. Shiroize did some good things, and that Tubber sub McDonnell looked good. Take the points about Cunniffe, but still think he’s worth a look.
Delete if appropriate WJ, but has anyone else heard a promising young player has signed on for Aussie Rules?. Can’t see a media piece online.
I haven’t seen any media pieces on that, Mayo Dunphy, so no point in naming names unless and until it’s confirmed.
Wondering how will The Neale fare in Senior next year. They seemed a good all round team but I think they lack a few top players to seriously trouble the big boys. Incidentally, Willie Joe, did the moniker “Goals” not originally belong to the other Tommy Conroy, from Kiltane? Not saying that Tommy from The Neale doesn’t deserve it. Certainly Neale supporters will be happy to bestow it on him.
The other thought from the intermediate final is how Keith Higgins’ pace has deserted him. Not that he is slow now but that electric pace he had until a year or so ago which could split a defence like a hot knife in butter is no longer there. What does it bode for his intercounty future?
Less than 20 comments posted 24hrs on from the biggest event in the Mayo GAA club calendar is not only disappointing, it’s pathetic. When the business end of the club championship comes round each year all of the spring & summer experts on all things Mayo seem to scurry off under rocks along with their band of ‘attaboy’ followers. Same empty vessels that will providing all the expert analysis no doubt again next year. We really get to see who are the grass roots supporters around this time of year. Club scene followers take a bow.
45 some of us have just about thawed out from attending the county final and are carefully putting out winter Woolies away for the Underdogs game next Saturday. What can you say about the match itself it was a great game could have gone either way except Ballintubber pulled away in injury time their experience got them through Ballagh can hold their heads up high Andy Moran amongst others had a Great game was impressed with Ballintubbers midfield too they were probably the difference. Good luck to them now as they go on to represent Mayo and don’t worry if it’s true that one of our promising young players have signed to go to Oz this place will be hoping so let Willie Joe enjoy a bit of peace for a while
Excellent county final last night, nothing in it, experience won it for Ballintubber, hope they give Connaught a good rattle now. Hard to beat a sat night out in McHale park watching a good game. A few new guys probably deserve consideration for county squad. They have been mentioned above. Was impressed with B Murphy and B Walsh both from the Tubber. Basic footballing skills of Akram and Hanley for Ballagh have improved. Both deserve another look.
By a pure coincidence I was staying in Cong last night. Watched the Intermediate Final on Mayo TV in a local hotel. What an atmosphere there was in the place. There was great joy and great rejoicing through the night. Then to cap it all I went to Mass in Cong today and instead of a sermon the priest led us in a rendition of The Boys from the County Mayo. It was just a wonderful occasion. It reminded me of the time we won the Intermediate Title with Tourmakeady in 1982. It was just fantastic. Imagine what it would be like if Mayo won Sam.
I will also respect WJ’s house rules and not name names, but I have heard the same as you , MayoDunphy, about that player signing an Aussie Rules contract.
In the intermediate Tommy Conroy showed his class last night which is good to see.Hard to figure out how David Drake wasn’t seen much game time during the summer for Mayo.He stood out all club championship.As regards Seamus Cunniffe,it was hard for Horan to pick him when he didn’t take part in the trials last year.
I watched minor final today between Knockmore and Castlebar.Its hard to figure out how only one Knockmore player Sean Holmes has made the mayo minor panel over the last two seasons and can win a championship and league title.Adam Naughton looks best prospect for them.Liam Durkin,Conall Dempsey,Charlie Bourke & Caolan Hopkins have bright futures too.
For Castlebar Paddy Heneghan (mayo minor) is a serious talent.He is wonderful kicker of the ball of both feet.He has a left boot and style similar to Ciaran McDonald.
Players who caught my eye over the course of the Junior, Intermediate and Senior championships who haven’t player senior championship for Mayo.
Jack Carney (Kilmeena)
Oisin Mullin (Kilmaine)
Michael McGarry (Eastern Gaels)
Basil McLeod (Louisburgh)
John Cunnane &Jason Coyne (Ballyhaunis)
Padraic Walsh &Tommy Conroy (The Neale)
Ryan O Donoghue & Gary Boylan (Belmullet)
Gareth O Donnell & Paul Towey (Charlestown)
Kieran King,Darren McHale & Peter Naughton (Knockmore)
Padraic O Hora & Jack Irwin (Ballina)
Liam Irwin (Breaffy)
David McBrien,Owen Jordan,Sharoize Akram,Ryan Lynch,& Kuba Callaghan (Ballagh).
Mayo Gooch, Charlie Bourke you mentioned above is U16 so 2 years left at minor. Think he finished with 2-2 from play. Great win for minors as you say with only one minor rep over last 2 years. Good couple weeks for club in general winning:
Division 1 senior men’s league
Division 1 Women’s league (Say while sent Carnacon not won it)
Minor A championship
North Mayo U16 A against county Champs Ballina
U16 county A ladies championship over the Ballina/Ardnaree/Bunnyconnellan amalagamation.
Might buy a lotto while goings good 🙂
Well done Mayo Gooch. Top of the class homework there, I would not argue with any of it.
For me, I haven’t seen a full back anywhere near the required standard, or having the characteristics needed for the modern fb role.
Good old style fbs maybe, but not with the pace or cuteness required.
David McBrien get a big plus for me. Akram fantastic pace, great vision, but has to work hard on what he is going to do with these ball. Right now he’s a very good distributor,
Kuba, great raw talent, could be anything.
Gavin and Walsh very promising. Plunkett, not a centre half, will be breezed aside at top level, but very talented nonetheless
To get these guys up to Keegan’s or OConnors? Where they are match winners? Boy it’s a huge step.
Mayo Gooch has earmarked all the players who have put their hands up recently outside of Castlebar Mitchel’s and ballintubber. Who are your stand outs from those clubs?
Kuba Callaghan is a really exciting player. For someone that’s about 6’2″ his speed is electric. Hopefully the Mayo U20 coaches get to work and improve his shooting and composure on the ball.
Apologies for bringing this up on this thread and congrats to both winners but the decision to bring in the offensive mark is the worse decision i’ve Seen the GAA make in a long time. It will suck the life out of attacking play and cause more uncertainty with referees. Bad enough having the mark around the middle but now forwards will be thinking of nothing else but making the mark. It will guarantee less goals. Tier 2 is a joke too, if winning it guaranteed exemption from tier 2 the following year then it might be worth winning, as it is it’s worthless.
Ontheditch from Castlebar Rory Byrne had a good year.Also Gavin Durcan showed he has potential and may be worth putting on a S+C programme with a view to the future.At the moment I only see two players from Castlebar being of county standard at the moment Rory Byrne & Paddy Durcan.From Ballintubber Gary Loftus had good season but wrong age profile for intercounty.Brian Murphy is in the Mayo squad at the moment.Ciaran Gavin is a good prospect and will be U20 again next year.Bryan Walsh had a good year,but for me he doesn’t score enough.
Missed the final. Agree with most posters regarding full back although I was impressed with Cunniffe in the semi. Was surprised Drake listed as no. 2 that day and yes it was mostly him on Douglas that day so Ballagh obviously trust Cunniffe until an intercounty standard player needs marking and then revert to Drake. With time in the County panel Cunniffe could be a good option.
Other than that I see no new prospects for full back. I would suggest we start looking at the talented crop of midfielders on the County scene to see if one could be converted to a full back. Midfielders are often the best all round players on any club team so why not look for one with the right attributes. Drake might be worth trying out there ahead of Harrison who can also play well as full back.
Akram did a very good job on Paddy Durcan in semi and gets ball in quickly to dangerous forward Andy so he’s with a good look. Has most of what’s needed now apart from a bit of composure shooting. Wing backs need to raid forward and score more than ever before.
Agree with shuffy, no real consistent traditional full back seems to be out there, so converting a few solid midfielders is something that could work and at least should be done tried.
Forwards alas too are in short supply but Tommy Conroy won’t have done his prospects of getting a run any harm with his performances for the neale this year. Many have said here that the neale will really struggle in senior, I have to say I couldn’t disagree more. I’ve seen them play a few times this year and saw them play far better than they did on Saturday.
Though the quality wasn’t always there, both games provided exciting contests. People name checking akram and hanley for being disappointing on the night need to stop reading comments on this blog by people who rarely if ever see them play for their club but constantly call for their inclusion on mayo teams. Yes both have serious potential but they need to be developed especially in the basics of the game. That’s what development squads should be all about. There are many more who belong in that category. And why is it almost a state secret who’s in these squads? The club and wider community would only be delighted to have one of their own on such a squad, and surely would help to ensure they reach their potential.
For many of the hundreds who post here, they know players come from clubs but just have no interest in watching players play for their clubs. If that’s your thing that’s fine. For myself and many others it’s different, watching 4 club matches over this weekend over senior, intermediate, u-21 and ladies, well its just normal. It doesn’t make anyone any more or less a supporter. However it probably will disappoint me to see a higher attendance at a nothing underdogs game than was at last weekends double header.
I feel like I’m ranting now, no, no I actually know I am. I’ll end by naming the best forward I’ve seen over the last few months at club level.
Rachel kearns McHale rovers.
@Mayogooch, that’s a fair enough assessment of Michels/Ballintubber players also. Byrne, if he can perform at consistently high level is a good addition. I agree with not rushing players into senior panel until they have s and c, though Gavin does not appear to be lacking in physacility. Thanks for all of that. You are on the button with your analysis.
Akrams pace is exceptional, where do you play him, sweeper?, And he has to pick off his own scores…
Good to see the light finally being shone into the darkest corners of McHale Park. If one quarter of what’s alleged in the reports out this morning are true then it’s worse than anyone ever thought. A total of a €1000 net gain of a bonus for getting to an All Ireland final???? Jesus Christ almighty
The Neale deserved their win .. They wont be out of their depth in Senior. They have good underage structures and a big parish of Cong, Cross and the Neale .
Ontheditch I’d see Akram as a wing back or a wing forward playing a free role.In the Castlebar game he played midfield on Paddy Durcan and had a massive influence on the game.Against Ballintubber he played half back,but he often found himself in the full backline and couldn’t influence the game,but when he did venture forward he caused problems.His end product needs to be worked on but his pace and athletic ability should not be overlooked.
I have to say the MayoGAA TV service is great for those of us with less dedication than others or that live outside of the County.
Unfortunately schedules that involve kids, particularly at this time of year, meant I would only ever get to watch it that way and again only intermittently. I hope that some aren’t too offended by my dedication or lack of it. I’m sure they can take to twitter if they are.
As for the games Tubber more clinical on the day, deserving there win. I thought Gibbons was very good in midfield, Akram always impresses me and he’s like got a great engine. Diarmuid O’Connor got a lovely long range point too, he really is a class player. Only saw the end of the Neale/Ballyhaunis, so I had better leave the comments on that one to those more dedicated souls that were in attendance or could set the time aside to watch in a less dedicated manner.
I’ll be sure to make a much more special effort should my own club be involved.
How the neale will fair in senior is for down the road. For now they can say they are a senior club and they totally deserve it. By far the best team in intermediate this year beating the 2 favourites along the way. Enjoy it.
I feel that young Cunniffe may have gotten harsh criticism for the final. The forward was small and fast and isolated for targeted runs across the width of the pitch. Ballagh would have been better putting a dynamic half-back type on him than a full back. It was a winning tactic that was well planned along with their “through the middle” bursts that got them through twice on undefended goal to convert once.
@45…All you have commented on here is other poster’s who ‘Haven’t’ commented on the County Final..’Pathetic’ you call it… I will bring this to your notice that, Actually you have NOT commented on the ‘biggest event in Mayo Club Football’ yourself.. But you have commented on this on what others haven’t said about it, …. Every GAA County in Ireland would dearly love to have even with all our faults the ‘Attaboy’ Supporter’s that Mayo are very lucky to have… Abundance, Loyalty, Colour, Noise, Media Attention and the advantages Media Attention should bring in terms of attraction of Sponcership, just think what the Mayo Supporter’s Actually bring to the table? Without them I think there would be very little to write about from the very start! ..Best wishes to all our Club Champions in the Connacht Club Championship,… But right now there are actually things to discuss of equal or greater importance concerning the GAA in Mayo, and I don’t intend to be commenting on these things either at this moment in time!
Interesting article in the independent re county board, its governance and an alleged donkey.
I suppose if you were to look at the county final in isolation you might say Hanley and cunniffe are not county material but if you look on the championship as a whole and you even further back you’ll get a better idea of where the players are. I think Hanley has come on a lot from the player that came back from Oz initially. His ball skills have have drastically improved. As Andy Moran said in his interview with woolly parkinson, it’s a big shock to the system when these young men come back and it takes time to adjust. I could be wrong but I thought cunniffe was unavailable last year due to college commitments. He has potential to be starting full back for Mayo in years to come. I think akram is one of the best players I’ve seen in mayo club football this year, pace, physicality, good kick passer. If he adds point scoring to the mix I think he could be a huge player for us in years to come.
Unfortunately I believe we are in for another winter of discontent in Mayo GAA but I feel we may well come out of it in a better place. It will definitely get messy though.
Can’t believe the unprofessionaism of the Mayo County Board sending an Email and calling someone a Donkey and then CC it to the person he was calling a donkey my goodness you couldn’t make this up why can’t we just for once have a quiet off season and stay out of the limelight
@45, some of us ( me) are not too interested in the club game, especially as I reside in Dublin, same clubs hold the power in Mayo since 2010, Tubber and Castlebar. Things must have really changed in Mayo as the Neale have just won the Intermediate championship, now stronger than their closest neighbours Ballinrobe, Shrule and Kilmaine.
Surely Horan can get something from these lesser known clubs and mould them in County players, like the Ireland Rugby team, a fresh approach is needed, managers holding onto guys for far too long, living on past performances.
The county board are not fit for purpose….the clubs should be demanding their heads on a plate. Unprofessional and unacceptable.
Let the County Board at it. They have, and always will be an amateur bunch, who fancy themselves. Who also somehow think they’re a bit above the rest of us.
Back to the important stuff. I don’t see Cunniffe as an inter county FB, he just seems to lack the bit of bite required, a very good club player. But he’s not our answer imo. Id really like to see alot of the u-20’s worked on this autumn. Football is changing big time, a lad now at 23+ is nearly too old to be “worked on”. We need to get these lads in on senior panels at 19/20 and develop them from there. First requirement is speed, skill and point scoring can always be worked on, muscles can be pumped, but speed can’t be taught.
Backdoorsam- speaking of professionalism do you believe the Mayo Foundation are acting in a professional manner?
Teams For Underdogs
1.Rory Byrne or Michael Schlingermann
2.Oisin Mullin or Eddie Doran
3.Seamus Cunniffe or Rory Brickenden
4.David Kenny or Donal Newcombe
5.Sharoize Akram
6.James Stretton or Cathal Horan
7.Oisin McLaughlin or David McBrien
8.Ryan Lynch or Jordan Flynn
9.Jack Irwin or Evan O’Brien
10.Gary Boylan or Jack Reily
11.Cian Hanley or Darren McHale
12.Tommy Conroy or Peter Naughton
13.Paul Towey or James Shaughnessy
14.Liam Irwin or Neil Douglas
15.Ryan O’Donoghue or Stephen O’Malley
Well done to Ballintuber and the Neale on their County Final wins. Good luck to them in the next few weeks as they compete in Connaught. Mayo Abu!
Re; the GAA rule changes for 2020. I have to say I don’t agree with two of them, first of all the forward mark, I feel this will only slow down the game and is heading the GAA down the road to Aussie Rules football. Also the two tier championship has been tried before and proved not to be a success, maybe this time it might prove differently, time will tell! Why a stop clock timing element was not introduced, to count only when the ball is in play, is beyond me. The technology is there and it would free up the referee from their many responsibilities, therefore allowing them to concentrate on actual play and the ever increasing, off the ball infringements. The stop watch issue comes into focus more so now, because of the new rule, where by the player going off for ten minutes will not be replaced. Teams are well versed on how to slow down and stop play to use up time while they’re down to fourteen men. The big over sight for me though is, no action on Dublin dominance was even attempted to be addressed, so we go again into 2020 with Dublin on one third the population of the country to choose from and all the financial imbalances as well. This is not fair, it’s not a level playing field, whereby each team through out the country has a sporting chance. Also there are many GAA players in Dublin up to county standard not getting a chance to represent their county in all levels from senior right down the ranks to underage. In my opinion, the Dublin centered GAA are doing a lot of GAA footballers in and outside Dublin a disservice.
Done deal at least the Mayo foundation aren’t going around calling people donkeys that’s always a good start. I don’t know much about Tim O’Leary or the Mayo foundation and neither have I an axe to grind with the county board but I believe it’s time there was change in the county board and there needs to be more transparency in where the money goes
Backdoorsam- The county board publish annual accounts every year is that not transparency enough as to where the money goes?
Obviously it’s not enough for Tim O’Leary done deal and he is more clued in about these things than I am hopefully all these issues will be resolved soon and we can keep out of the public domain until the football starts as I said i don’t have an axe to grind with the county board but they should treat people with respect and not address anyone as a donkey much less a very successful business man it’s only manners and common courtesy
The 150K donation gifted to the County Board by Mr. O’Leary in early 2018 does not appear in any line item for income or expenditure for the published accounts of 2018.
In Mr. O’Leary’s most recent letter to the County Board I believe he has called for an auditors opinion as to why this should be the case.
Lilly – how do you know it is not included in sponsorship income?
I think you have answered your own question and hence the request for an auditors opinion.
How do I, you or anybody else know if it is included in sponsorship income or any other lines of revenue OR at all!
The auditors opinion is included in the accounts Lilly. You can’t really expect a breakdown of every sponsor to be shown.
No not every individual sponsor.
But I would expect a one off Outlier which is not part of normal income for previous annual accounts to be recorded and represented as a single line item for 2018 so that the reason for the disparity could be easily identified and accounted for.
There are 5 lines of revenue recorded as posted below, these lines of revenue are consistent throughout the accounts back to 2012.
Then in 2018 there is a one off signifigant benefactor gift which is granted for a specific purpose.
This benefactor gift does not fall under “Commercial Income” as there is no commercial contract, it does not fall under “Fund Raising” as it is not part of normal fund raising activites Cairde Maigheo for example and there is also a signifigant drop in Fund Raising revenue recoded for 2018 as opposed to previous years, it is not part of “Transfer Income” but there is the possibility that it is represented in “Other Income” but that line of revenue is pretty consistent going back to 2016.
The auditors opinion is included in all accounts and it is also true that the annual auditors only audit the accounst as presented to them by the Officers Of The County Board.
The Officers Of The County Board are themselves responsible for the preparation of the financial statements.
The auditors form an opinion based on the statements as presented to them by The Officers Of The County Board
INCOME
Gate Receipts 557,496
Commercial Income 606,338
Fund-Raising Activities 604,151
Other Income 708,743
Transfer Income 692,485
I should also add that the Scehdules of Income # 1 to # 5 which are referenced for a more detailed breakdown of the 5# higher level soucres of income (Gate Receipts, Commercial Income, Fund Raising, Other Income, Transfer Income) make no reference to a one off 150K benefactor gift as a source of any revenue.
@Mayo88 – Well said.
To the club snobs consider this, our population in 1841 was 389K. Today, it is roughly 126K. Our story is as much about Birmingham as Belmullet, as much about Melbourne as Manulla and as much about New York as the Neale.
@Done Deal – “You can’t really expect a breakdown of every sponsor to be shown.”
Maybe not every sponsor but I think it is reasonable to know what value the primary sponsor places in our brand?
I have said it numerous times and the proof is now coming out, the successive county boards in the last 20 years have been a part in our not winning an All Ireland. Before anyone starts saying the CB don’t kick balls over the bar, if you consider the fine margins that we have lost by and how every percentage counted, are you really going to tell me that a dysfunctional board didn’t effect the preparations in some way? Ask any journalist who covers GAA regularly and they will point out the counties with proper administration structures, Kilkenny, Dublin, Kerry and what have these all in common? Success is driven from the top down while a fish also rots for from the head first.
Time to stop the rot, no matter how painful the coming weeks may be.
@Liam – Well said. Speaking of Holland’s performance at the 94 World Cup, the great Cruyff said “events around the pitch influence performance on it”
The Dutch team of the mid-90’s was marked by tensions within the Federation and divisions within the squad which affected performance on the pitch……………………sound familiar?
Reaftearai – I don’t see how emigration and the county’s population 180 years ago is relevant? When we played Armagh over the summer almost 20k people went to MacHale Park at just 5 days notice. Why does the Derry club final get over 9k attendance but we didn’t even have half that this year? Mayo fans always call out the fickle Galway supporters but they had a far bigger attendance in Tuam on Sunday too.
@Wideball … Bigger attendance in Tuam, Party because Corafin are the best Club Team in Ireland and the best Club Team to watch playing football and playing Tuam Star’s inTuam.. and not too much money was spent following the Galway Team during the year…. Maybe just Maybe that’s part of the reason!..The 19th Century and even the 18th, Century ,the tales of War, Woe, Emigration, Famine and ultimately survival of a people are relavent to what Mayo is to so many in Mayo and all around the World… I live in Mayo, but I have lived in a few other countries as well… and just like in the wonderful ‘Patrick Flaganan’ Novel ‘The Year of the French’ when speaking about John Moore (The first President of Ireland/Connacht proclaimed in Castlebar in 1798, what was then one of first Republic’s in this world) He wrote ‘ Moore boxed his compass in Alicante, Paris and London but the needle always pointed Westwards towards Mayo’ always Spiritual Home where Moore’s ancestors had left many Generation’s previous with the ‘Flight of the Earl’s’
Wide Ball, it’s a matter of context. I was answering a specific post by 45 but to your point, when one considers that our population declined every decade between 1841 and 1971 then again between 1981 and 1996 it is most certainly relevant.
And if you don’t see how emigration is relevant in the context of a new cycle driven by discussion of the Mayo GAA International Supporters Association then there really is nothing more I can say.
But to your point about attendance at the County Final maybe the game being available on Mayo GAA TV had something to do with it? Or maybe it was the Saturday evening throw. You mention the Derry Final drew 9K which is what the Mitchels/Tubber and Kilti/Bohola Finals drew two years ago on a Sunday afternoon.
I would say the Galway Final was boosted by Tuam Stars being in a Final played in Tuam.
We must be doing something wrong,we get rid of managers even when they get us to the final,we insult someone who donates quite a large sum of money to the county,the same faces appear to make up the county board year after year the ground does not appear to be able to stand up to a lot of games,the new centre of excellence does not look like it will be ready anytime soon,a change of members may not fix things but we won’t know unless we try
Corick bridge – it appears to me there are fellas on the CB for years who see themselves are above everyone else…we all know the types and every club has a few too….it’s all about power and “I know better than you” mentality…to be successful you need EVERYONE rowing in the same direction both on and off the field….ego destroys as Brain Cody recently said.
Folks. Not all Mayo folks will be interested in every Mayo Club game quite simply because their own local club won’t be involved.
Add to that – there’s a huge number of folks that live outside the county and will know that they will see folks that they know at Mayo games that they wouldn’t at a club game, and humans by nature are social animals.
It stands to reason that you’ll get more at a County game given there is a large population that are Mayo people than there are a population of Ballintubber and Ballaghaderreen people.
To give an example again of population, there are 4 clubs in Erris – Cill Chomain, Kiltane, Belmullet and Ballycroy. If by chance all 4 were playing in Castlebar, would our Club heroes expect the entire population of Erris (which hardly amounts to around 10,000 by the way) to show up?. It seems we might, lest the number doesn”t compare with the attendance of the county games.
Club games are fairly poorly marketed. Details on fixtures, who’s playing who etc etc is not as readily located or promoted as the County games. If I don’t know its on, I won’t be going.
People also want to see the best football played by the best Footballers. Club Football will offer the best footballers from a particular Parish, generally, which again reduces the attraction. Some club games are awful, some club games are better than inter-county football. That’s just how it is.
The whole “so you think you’re shadwell do you” approach of some folks here and elsewhere castigating others for not going to games (or even not commenting here on club games) that they may have no affiliation or interest in is just a bit Trite. It’s a bit like the League of Ireland fans having a go at lads who watch the premiership.
If you go to all the club games fair play to you, but don’t be giving yourself a clap on the back or a like and retweet because others might have different interest.
Anyone know why there is a delay in the season tickets, no email out yet about a month behind last year, and just a word about the PA system at the weekend, not 1 word could I understand, please co board do something about it
Hi Denis Nealis,
With the greatest respect you say the biggest oversight in your opinion is Dublins dominance. Please don’t assume every person in Dublin plays GAA and to be honest soccer is still a massive game in Dublin for boys and girls. I know many good Mayo people who make massive contributions to Dublin GAA clubs including the sound man responsible for this site. Please don’t think it’s all about money and population….this Dublin team are a great team….and don’t forget the games Dublin and Mayo had over the last few years…cheers.
Kind Regards
Martin the Dub
Martin Denis has a point – the simple statistics prove it. Dominance is too much. Matches won by records margins, Leinster championship is a joke and the useage of the national stadium as their home ground all have to be addressed. The county was financially doped no matter how much you like to think that it is all about the volunteers. Even Dublin supporters now should really see what is in front of their eyes. Not having a crack now Martin. You have always been one of the more reasonable posters of this blog.
@Martin the Dub, Greetings, congratulations on a Magnificent 5 in a Row… However as we obsiously have very real problems in the Mayo, our Funding and County Board making headlines for all the wrong reasons… And I think our County Board has much more immediate Problems than the very Unfair Advantage’s Dublin enjoy, it never the less is case that it’s far from a level playing field…. I think more Glory is coming the way of Dublin’s Corporate Sponcer, can’t see anyone beating AIG, (All Blacks)in the Rugby World Cup either’.. True, We exist in a very different world here in the West of Ireland… I recall at the Meath Match in Croke Park a young girl clutching a ‘Child of Prague’ Statue during the Match,. Dublin have AIG… Now we, Mayo are the World Champions at Publicity, no doubt about it… His Holiness Pope Francis even signed the ‘Elverys’ Mayo Jersey for all the World to see… I wonder what type of money that’s worth?, that type of publicity… Only Mayo could do that..Makes you think tough!
As said we have a huge problem in this county and blaming Dublin’s advantages is tiring at this stage…their dominance won’t last. Also would anyone agree a county like Mayo/Kerry/Galway have a much bigger advantage over a Leitrim or Sligo….the gap is much wider fromus to them than it is from us to Dublin….something to think about.
Yew_tree – Just because we have problems at board level and advantages over Sligo/Leitrim doesn’t mean the Dublin issues shouldn’t be addressed. It is not right that they receive multiples of the games development funding everyone else does and their home comforts in Croke Park are a joke at this stage.
Their dominance may not go on indefinitely but that doesn’t excuse the advantages.
I have just bought my ticket for underdogs versus mayo game on saturday night.I wonder does anyone know what CLUB SELECTION PLAYERS will be playing the mayo legends of 04,06 teams.it should be a great occasion in mchale park on saturday night.
Done Deal says:
October 22, 2019 at 9:18 am
Backdoorsam- The county board publish annual accounts every year is that not transparency enough as to where the money goes?
Done Deal….it might be useful to remember that all Irish Banks published so called ‘healthy’ Audited Accounts in 2007 and proceeded to go bust in 2008
Club finals review episode of the podcast is just up!
Thomas Flanagan, Leantimes.
Some day when I’ve nowt better to do I’m going to stand inside the entrance gates at McHale park with a clicker and count everyone coming through…not for the first time I thought Saturday nights games had far more attendees than the number stated or else our fine stand has a far smaller capacity than we are told. # conspiracy theory
@Catcol, thanks for the correction, Thomas Flanagan, wrote ‘The Year of the French’ you are right.. should have googled it before I wrote… Great Novel, Read it year’s ago, some fantastic dialogue!
i think any serious board member who would call anyone a “donkey” in an email never mind somebody who has contributed so much to the county coffers…probably paid for alot of the so called expenses for this same official is not someone we want to represent the mayo brand…..its time to become a professional outfit