Mayo sprung a surprise and reaped the rewards

Fri, Aug 14, 2015

Mayo qualified for a mouth-watering All-Ireland semi final with Dublin after an emphatic and clinical display against Donegal in the quarter final. I’m not going to lie, I was worried about this one, and I wasn’t sure how Mayo would cope against a team with 14 or 15 players constantly behind the ball. It’s very easy to get the life sucked out you playing against such tactics; in this regard Mayo were superb.

Improving Mayo building case for All-Ireland glory

Fri, Aug 14, 2015

My first permanent teaching post was at St Gerald’s College, Castlebar, 20 years ago this September. And having taught in the county for eight years, I appreciate the ravenous and deep rooted desire that exists there for a senior All-Ireland success. The school principal at the time was big Brother Thomas Durnin from the De La Salle Order, and he asked me to bring the Sam Maguire Cup down in 1998. The reaction of the older members of staff was revealing. They would take the canister. Look at it, and then hand it over quickly, with a certain amount of disdain, muttering something like; “I don’t want it. Or want to touch it, unless we have won it ourselves.” 

Mayo controlled the contest says Keegan

Fri, Aug 14, 2015

Fresh from putting in a man of the match performance, the first thing asked of Lee Keegan in the concrete catacombs under Croke Park as he waited to board the bus following Mayo's win over Donegal last Saturday night was, had he meant to go for goal when he scored Mayo's second and vital third pointer just after the break. "Absolutley, there's no debate and I'll take it to my grave if I have to," smiled the Westport powerhouse.

Higgins satisfied but bigger challenges lie ahead

Fri, Aug 14, 2015

Not long after captaining Mayo to their fifth All Ireland semi-final in as many years, Keith Higgins reflected on what had just happened out on the field of action in Croke Park. The swashbuckling Mayo number four had scored one point and been part of a new look Mayo defensive set up that nullified Donegal's main attacking threats over the 70 minutes on the field. "Satisfying is one word, I would suppose. I don't know how you would describe it to be honest" was his initial reaction when asked to describe what had just happened.

Tight margins at the top of the Super League

Fri, Aug 14, 2015

Charlestown Athletic v Ballina Town
Saturday August 15 at 6.30pm

Claremorris come good against the big boys

Fri, Aug 14, 2015

After knocking out Ballyheane a couple of weeks ago many observers felt that Claremorris would not have enough in the tank to take out Ballina Town. They proved all their doubters wrong on Sunday afternoon as they booked their last four ticket following their 3-2 win over the Super League side in Concannon Park. Daniel Gorman had given Ballina an early lead with a smashing free-kick from 20 yards, but the south Mayo men regrouped and were rewarded as Dean Roddy opened his account after Simon Butler put him through on goal and it remained dead-locked at the break.

Clash of the seaside clubs to determine destination for Tuohy Cup

Fri, Aug 14, 2015

League form is always a great leveller when trying to determine the outcome of cup finals and bearing this in mind this one will certainly go down to the wire. After a brilliant start to the season the Covies have struggled in recent weeks for consistency and fallen well back in the race for the Premier A title.

Stars of the future ready to shine on national stage

Fri, Aug 14, 2015

An air of excitement and anticipation is gathering in many households as teams and individuals from Mayo Community Games put their final preparations together for the forthcoming Community Games National Festival of Finals which take place in Athlone IT, over the next two weekends. This festival will host some 9,000 participants and the green and red of Mayo Community Games will be strongly represented with 286  competitors making the journey east to Athlone.

All roads lead to Croke Park

Fri, Aug 14, 2015

With Mayo booking their place in the All Ireland semi-final for the fifth time in a row last Saturday with a win over Donegal, all roads lead to Croke Park on Sunday August 30 for what promises to be an enthralling encounter with Dublin in the final four showdown. With ticket demand for the game expected to be at fever pitch levels, the Mayo GAA county board has announced its ticketing details for the big game.

The county board has advised that all club orders are to be submitted no later than 9pm on Wednesday August 19. No additional orders from clubs will be accepted after this time. Orders for north and south clubs will be available for collection Saturday August 22 from 2pm to 4pm. Orders for east and west clubs will be available for collection Sunday August 23 from 4pm to 6pm. Tickets will be distributed from the ticket booths at the bottom of the car park at Elverys MacHale Park. All orders for club and group passes need to be with Croke Park by today, August 14.

Clarke and Cunniffe touch and go for semi-final

Thu, Aug 13, 2015

Mayo goalkeeper David Clarke will be touch and go to make the All Ireland semi-final against Dublin at the end of the month. Mayo GAA PRO Aiden McLouughlin confirmed to the Mayo Advertiser last night hat Clarke who picked up a groin injury is  "working hard at the minute but it's hard to say if he will be out or not yet, will be touch and go."

Mayo out-gun and out-think Donegal

Sun, Aug 09, 2015

Lee Keegan said that he “absolutely” meant to loop the ball over Paul Durcan’s head and into the top corner of the net three minutes into the second half. As soon as the green flag was raised by the umpires, Mayo were on their way to a fifth All Ireland semi-final in a row. That goal put seven points between the sides and it was a matter of seeing out the game from there on in.

Connelly pleased but lots to work on

Sun, Aug 09, 2015

Since the end of the National League campaign, Noel Connelly has become the public face of the Mayo management team when it comes to engaging with the press. On Saturday evening, it was once again the former Mayo captain who came out to face the questions after Mayo booked their place in the final four of the championship with a comfortable win over Donegal in Croke Park.

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