Mike Finnerty in the Mayo News is reporting that Trevor Mortimer is expected to train with the county squad tonight for the first time under James Horan’s tenure. Trevor’s not the only Shrule/Glencorrib man to get such an invite too as Dermot Geraghty has also been called up. According to Mike, both will now – along with others such as Breaffy’s David Gavin and Ballycastle’s Michael Forde – be looking to looking to nail down a place in the squad for our championship opener against London at the end of the month.
While it might be viewed as a bit surprising to see Trevor getting a call-up at this juncture, it’s important to bear in mind that he hasn’t been involved at all since Jame Horan took over so it makes sense to give him the once-over now. It remains to be seen if he’ll make it onto the panel, though, and even if he does I’d say it’s very unlikely that he’d be any way close to challenging for a starting place for the championship.
Dermot Geraghty’s recall is far more interesting, I reckon. Unfairly scapegoated for our backline failings in the 2004 and 2006 All-Ireland finals, Dermot is something that a lot of those ahead of him in the queue for a slot in the full-back line patently aren’t, i.e. a natural corner-back. He has bags of big-time experience and, at 27, he surely has plenty left in the tank as well. He’d be an astute addition to the squad for the summer.
Elsewhere in the Mayo News, Mike Finnerty has a report on Sunday’s non-match with Antrim. It is funny – as Mike notes in his match report – that it was Jason Doherty’s keen eye for goal that destroyed the game as a contest. If he keeps this up right over the summer, though, he won’t hear too many complaints from the sideline.
Finally, on the topic of Antrim and, more generally, Ulster GAA, you might be interested in checking out Cusack’s Blarney, where the eponymous Cusack has a good piece assessing the current state of health of the championship challengers from the northern end of the island.
Disappointing to see so much chopping and changing of the panel.
you cannot prepare for a championship with 6 weeks proper training.
Not too many make a mark on the Summer that do not put in hard yards. I don’t expect either of the Trevors or Donal can be up to the mark that will be required.
Interesting interview in the Irish independent from 2006 with Dermott about the 2004 final.
http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/craving-respect-in-wake-of-devastation-132491.html
Glad to see him back in the squad. I dont know about Mortimer.
Nice article IslandeadyGAA. We mixed with the big boys then. Personally I am glad to see Geraghty get a chance and also for Vaughan. The full back line leaked like a sieve during the league. Geraghty has the experience and would have done ok in the league. By the way Conor Moran is playing well with St Brigids up in Blanch. Sometimes we bury lads too soon. Micky Conroy was another, and some times we give fellas their entire career to prove that they were never up to inter county football.
If JH thought that Geraghty had something to offer why was he not called up sooner during the league? This smacks of desperation, our full back line has not been sorted out, our major weakness going back to 2004.
James may have seen the job that Dermot did on Cillian O`Connor when Shrule Glencorrib beat his own Ballintubber.According to an old timer who is very much in the know,Dermot didn`t give him a look at the posts for the full game.He also said that Trevor was one of the best on the field for the 70 minutes.
Time to move on,neither good enough for top class inter county football.
If pj is correct, I wounder when are Ballintubber playing Crossmolina in the league, I see Kiaran McDonald is playing mid field and must be back to fitness and if Padraic Joyce is still doing it for Galway why not do what john O Mahoney did not do.,and give Kieran another chance. I would have him before other named players.
Its one thing playong in a senior league club game and another playing in Croke Parke against Kerry in the championship.
I heard Cillian o Connor scored 1-3 against Shrule/Glencorrib…mabye I got wrong info
Cillian did score 1-03 against Shrule/Glencorrib. 1-02 came from frees but he had by no means had a quiet game. Himself and his brother Padraig were lively.
Saying Trevor was one of the best on the field for the 70 minutes is quite the stretch. He had a good spell in the second half when Shrule/Glencorrib smelled blood but before that was quiet enough.
strange recalls if im honest. Trevor seemed to just run out of ideas and gas. Maybe he is worth a shot in the backs??? He did well there V cavan a few years ago. As for Dermot, well he had a good record V Meehan a few years ag….worth bringing him back if he was only to do a job on that fella
I wonder is it the fact that T. M is back that over 1/4 of the voters see fit to think that Mayo will win Sam!!!!!!!!!!!!
Higgins has tended to do well on Meehan as well over the years, so I wouldn’t be overly concerned. Either way, it’s looking unlikely that Meehan will be fit for that game anyway.
As for Mortimer, I’m surprised he’s getting a look in again, but I just can’t see him in our starting 15 come the summer. I’m not his biggest fan, but he seems to be consistently picked by every manager we’ve had, they must obviously see something in him.
I agree wholeheartedly Ed. A disgrace that Ciaran Mc. was robbed those years of playing with Mayo and he’s doing very well i heard with Crossmolina. I would have him on the team in the morning if I was Horan.