The long weekend is almost upon us and a big weekend at both county and club level it’s set to be. We’re heading west ourselves later on this afternoon but we’ll be packing up for an early trip back to Dublin on Monday morning so that we’re ready to take a full part in the club final festivities that afternoon, including Vincents’ own Paddy’s Day parade from the clubhouse down to Croke Park for the big match.
I’ll also be at the match against Cork at MacHale Park on Sunday but because this is a weekend away with friends for us I’ll be less attached to the laptop than normal over the next few days. I know that the team for Sunday is set to be announced tonight (because @MayoGAA just said so) but I’m not planning to be online later on so you might need to look after that one yourselves. Likewise, I’d say any match report I manage to put together on Sunday evening will be on the Samuel Beckett rather than the James Joyce end of the spectrum (as in length, not quality).
Have a great weekend, y’all and safe travelling for all those of you heading to whichever matches you plan to get to over the next few days.
Ahh sure I suppose ya deserve the break WJ 🙂
A Beckettian approach to sportswriting is an interesting prospect. Eh Willie Joe.
I was reading the Athlone Advertiser in college today and they were saying how great Westmeath was for coming back from 9 point lead to go ahead and how it showed great character.I take a different look at it .My own opinion is its unforgivable to give away a lead like that but maybe in been too harsh.These things happen in a game sometimes.
good man WJ, enjoy the weekend in the west and safe travellin’ Hup Mayo!
Can someone ensure that a Castlebar Jersey is dropped to WJ’s house for him to wear to Croker on Monday. It is critical that he gets one.
Did anyone know Mayo team for Sunday
Y0u’re stirring it. 😉
Mayo welcome Allianz Football League leaders Cork to Elverys MacHale this Sunday March 16th at 2.30pm. James Horan makes two changes to the side that defeated Westmeath last weekend in Mullingar. Into the team come Cillian O’Connor for this for his first start of the season & Shane McHale in place of Enda Varley & Kevin Keane. The Mayo Senior Football Team to face Cork is as follows:
1) Robbie Hennelly – Breaffy
2) Brendan Harrison – Aghamore
3) Ger Cafferkey – Ballina Stephenites
4) Shane McHale – Knockmore
5) Lee Keegan – Westport (Capt.)
6) Donal Vaughan – Ballinrobe
7) Colm Boyle – Davitts
8) Aidan O’Shea – Breaffy
9) Jason Gibbons – Ballintubber
10) Kevin McLoughlin – Knockmore
11) Jason Doherty – Burrishoole
12) Keith Higgins – Ballyhaunis
13) Mickey Sweeney – Kiltane
14) Alan Freeman – Aghamore
15) Cillian O’Connor – Ballintubber
James Horan – Manager
Tom Prendergsat – Selector
Donie Buckley – Selector
Ed Coughlan – Trainer
Sean Moffatt – Doctor
Soon Cillian and Doc and it’s close to how we’ll be lining up in June
Delighted Sweeny and Cillian playing.But we need to get the ball to them.Freeman,OConnor ,Sweeney have to do serious damage.Cant wait now.
Stronger looking defence. We’ll soon find out how good McHale and Harrison really are. This could be a fairly high scoring game.
Great to see Cillian starting!
That’s a strong lineout and I’d be more worried if I were a Cork supporter than a Mayo one.
Derryy put it up to them last weekend in their own backyard last weekend and the Leesiders scraped it by the minimum.
With us having home advantage and the rust wearing off, I think we will take this one by a margin.
We do perform better against better sides.
Castlebar for the AI Club Championship, the very best of luck to the team,squad and management…………..they have given us thrilling stuff over the last few months and deserve to cap it for both Mitchells and County supporters alike.
Caisleán an Bharraigh agus MaighEo Abú,Abú.
That should have read “swop” not soon
Do you think Doc will hold his position this year for championship?
This looks a well balanced team that’s doing battle on Sunday. I like the look of McHale at left corner, should help to steady things in that very shaky last line of defence, looks a good move by Horan. Corks biggest threat will come from their centre field and full forward line, so I expect McLoughlin and Higgins to play deep most of the time, supporting the centre field and giving cover for our half back line who like to attack at every opportunity. Jason Doherty at centre forward could be key, as he should be the one pulling the strings, and linking up with what looks a very potent full forward line. The outcome of the match though, could all depend on how O’Shea and Gibbons perform at centre field. If they can hold their own over the seventy minutes, Mayo should have another two points tucked away come Sunday evening…..
Sunday will give us a fair indication of where were at in terms of competitiveness. Cork will be coming full of confidence and any feeling of complacency which having practically qualified for the playoffs induces will be superceded by the knowledge that most of the team are playing for their places. I am expecting a narrow win on Sunday followed by another on Monday.
The selections v Dublin and Derry should be interesting after that.
When he plays beside Freeman closer to goal he is at his best. They combine well to create space for each other. I think it’s something that needs to be tried more and if it works like it did against Kerry, he’s worth his place
Great to see Cillian O’Conner back, he posses really good leadership qualities. It’ll be very interesting to see how he will link up with Alan Freeman. My preference would be to see him at CHF but you can understand with it being his first start of the season, that James Horan will be easing him back into the team. I’d also have preferred to see Keith Higgins playing at corner-back. In fairness the next best option is playing Shane McHale back there. It will be a big ask for him and Brendan Harrison on Sunday. I seem to remember that Shane played against Cork last year in that position and he acquitted himself well too. We’d all love to see Keith hitting top form in his new position, so we’ll see how it will go for him. It’ll be very interesting to see how Jason Gibbons will get on too, it’ll be a big test for him, especially if he is marking Aidan Walsh. It’s great to have Seamie O’Shea as back-up anyway. I wonder was there any word on the final list of players from the U21 squad that will be included in the senior squad for the year ahead.
Yeah Fourgoal McGee, I’d prefer to see Cillian at 11 and Doc at 15 in the long term.
Is cillian vice captain this year hope mayo and castle bar win. Is next week we go to croke park. Sure castle bar lads be back by then.
Win or loose the Mitchels lads will need a break, Against Derry might be the first you’ll see of them, me think…
Should be dropped IMO – is one of a small pool of players who have not delivered despite getting more than his fair share of chances over the past 4 years.
Agree with McHale being next best option apart from Higgins given the players available at the moment. Although I would prefer to see Higgins back in the corner for this one as Corks lethal forward line will run us ragged if they get enough supply. Doc at CHF is a weak link – Id like to have seen Gibbons tried at this position as he has height, strength and good mobility with Seamus partnering his brother in the centre..would enable a much more physically imposing centre diamond..
but would they want to play against the dubs. MOssy Quinn maybe good but d Connolly is better then him but I think castle bar could win
I think that we will win this game, sometimes there is too much negativity and doubt amongst Mayo fans, this must filter through at some level to the players. The top teams continue to show confidence even if they do not have the strongest teams. If Cork had reached the last two finals, do you think that they would be overly concerned when playing a new and upcoming team, (if the roles were reversed).
Belief and self confidence go a long way. With it, teams can win, without it, then there is no chance.
Similarly, I think that Ireland will win this afternoon, they have the players plus a shrewd management team. Castlebar seem to have both for Monday, and will come close to winning.
Lets trust the players and management and do our bit on the side lines.
Team for Sunday is as follows:
1) Robbie Hennelly – Breaffy
2) Brendan Harrison – Aghamore
3) Ger Cafferkey – Ballina Stephenites
4) Shane McHale – Knockmore
5) Lee Keegan – Westport (Capt.)
6) Donal Vaughan – Ballinrobe
7) Colm Boyle – Davitts
8) Aidan O’Shea – Breaffy
9) Jason Gibbons – Ballintubber
10) Kevin McLoughlin – Knockmore
11) Jason Doherty – Burrishoole
12) Keith Higgins – Ballyhaunis
13) Mickey Sweeney – Kiltane
14) Alan Freeman – Aghamore
15) Cillian O’Connor – Ballintubber
Hi All.
Best of luck to Mayo v Cork in the league and to Castlebar v Vincent’s on Monday. Although Vincent’s are not my club here in Dublin my 2 hero’s hail from there ( Heffo & Brian Mullins) so I wish the team well. I am looking forward to the 29th and I hope to have the same craic with the Mayo fans as I did in Sept, a great bunch fair play.
Kind Regards,
Martin the Dub
63 years Mikey, 63 years……
Well said Mayo McHale. No Sam for 63 years. How could we not have doubts. When, if we ever win Sam, our doubts will go and not until then. We have gone to the well so often and gone home still thirsty!!!
It isn’t a conscious decision to have doubts, we don’t really want them. Negativity, as some call it, goes hand in hand with losing constantly. Was there one Mayo person happy last September, especially with all the promises and positive thinking.
Fuck that Martin, easy have the crack when you’re winning – sure the Mayo people are great gas altogether…..
I think Martin is being genuine to be fair and does like having the craic. don’t think he is a piss puller.I got on a bus heading to Mullingar last Sunday and i told the driver i was heading to game and that i was from Mayo he responded with a laugh.Typical shite Mayo supporters have to put up with after all the heartache.I hav come across a lot of people who want to take the piss after our failed attempts in Croker so i do see why Mayo McHale is weary of peoples,motives about having the craic with Mayo supporters but as i said i don’t think Martins motives are that.Roll on tomorrow.Public transport on a Sunday ya cant bate it 🙂
As Mayomaningalway says, I meant no disrespect but I was honest by saying the craic and fun we had with the Mayo gang on a positive note. I didn’t mean to disrespect any person from Mayo and never would so sorry if I caused offence.
I would always regard Martin the Dub as a genuine person and sincere. I’m in your corner Martin!!!
Hup ya boya !
Hup ya boya!
No worries Martin, nothing personal, comment not meant for you at all, just a lash out at the many years of slagging we Mayo people have taken over the years. That crack you speak of, can sometimes conceal the bitter disappointed we have lived with for over half a century. Living in Dublin for most of my sixty five years I know what I’m talking about, and it’s not just from the Dubs, we’re fair game from all quarters. So often we’re so near and we dare to dream and then our hopes are dashed once again. Does it hurt? of course it fecken does, and anyone that tells you otherwise is lying…….
Go on ya good thing 🙂
I believe there are no GAA supporters like the Dubs for football and hurling. They have always brought colour and glamor to our games. They are good hosts when it comes our turn to visit Croke Park in September. They get plenty of practice as well.
Hope Drake gets some more game time later on today, like this guys attitude, reminds me of Boyler and Leroy, great heart and can play as well.
I agree JJ – you can tell he’s giving it his all when he’s on the field. Great heart as you say. He’s also got the physicality to make it at this level. Anyone know what age he is?
Terrible news about Carolan’s ACL injury, hoping for a speedy recovery for him.
I think others have suggested Gibbons playing CHF and I would have to agree that this definitely worth a try but this can really only be an option if SOS is fully fit or if big Barry was available at midfield..
That story about Carolan doing his cruciate is here:
http://breakinplay.ie/gaa/mayo-reeling-after-carolan-becomes-latest-cruciate-victim/
Very sorry to hear this news about our man going down with acl damage. He’s young and enthusiastic enough to come back stronger than ever but it’s a bastard.
Get well soon.
The curse has struck again I really hope there is no more cases of the. Best of luck to c Carolan on recovery hopefully mayo will win notice to all the hypes is with Vincent’s and nothing about Mitchell’s. NoTing against the dubs by the way.
Just when you think Mayo can’t shock you anymore they go 5 points down and then hit 1.9 to lead by 6. Hard to make this stuff up. Like a cheesy american high school movie from the eighties!!!
We Mayo fans are living in the good times
happy with the win….we scored more goals than them…shouldnt have conceded those late ones…tough to know how good we are though.
Enjoyed John Maughans commentary on mid west but how he sees Ger Cafferky having great pace is unknown….Ger has many great attributes, but pace isn’t one of them.
MOTM for this one is a tough call. Will have to think about it.
Agree with you about Maughan, thought he was very good.
No bullshit and some insightful comments about a few of our current players.
It was pretty obvious that he had some issues with Freeman’s substitution in the final last year (as a lot of us have to be fair)