Mayo find themselves joint top of division one of the national league alongside Kerry and Armagh on five points after a fully deserved and encouraging win against an out-of-sorts Dublin in round three.
We felt Dublin would be vulnerable, but despite the return of All-Star Mattie Ruane and Oisin Mullin, I wasn't sure if that vulnerability would be exposed because of the absence of key defenders, Padraic o Hora and Paddy Durcan and Jason Doherty in the forward line.
In all, seven changes were made from the team that won against Monaghan in Clones. Old-fashioned me still struggles to comprehend such a turnover of players from week to week. Back in the day, barring a few injuries, the same 20 players nearly played the entire league and championship in any given year.
The modern game is all about strength in depth and certainly, from what we witnessed last Saturday evening and from the first two rounds of the league, Mayo look to be in a healthy position in that department.
The scene was set from the get-go in Croke park. From the throw-in, Jordan Flynn drove a long ball into Diarmuid O'Connor to register Mayo's first point of the evening. The Dublin marking was slack. Their defence and especially O'Connor's direct marker, John Small, presumed Brian Howard had won possession of the throw-in and gambled racing forward - leaving O'Connor in for an easy point.
Had he taken a better first touch he could have had a goal at his mercy but he was more than content with a point. It was great to see Diarmuid back to his best as he had been struggling for form for a while. He was full of energy, full of eagerness and full of devilment and got on lots of ball. His work rate is always immense but on Saturday, it was immense and effective, Dublin couldn't put a tag on him for the entire evening. His tracking and tackling was also of the highest order. But it was his involvement in both Mayo goals that was his most telling contribution.
His deft touch and pick-up on the Hogan stand sideline and then pinpoint hand pass to Jack Carney before the fortuitous first goal, was sheer brilliance, all executed with Michael Fitzsimons hanging out of him. His brilliant fetch under pressure from Robbie Hennelly's kick-out and eye-of-a-needle pass to Aidan Orme for his goal, was very impressive.
Mattie Ruane and Jordan Flynn bossed the middle of the field. It's great to see Ruane back, slogging it out and getting the better of Brian Fenton while helping himself to two fine points in the process. Defensively, Mayo were in control throughout. The competition is certainly going to heat up for starting berths in that department.
Michael Plunkett showed great composure, scoring two peaches into the Davin stand end in the second half - Plunkett realising the best form of defence is attack. Oisin Mullin wasn't long letting us know what we would have missed had he departed for a land down under. I shrieked when I saw him go over on his ankle but thankfully, he walked off the field with a smile on his face. Jack Carney will remember his senior début forever, not just because it was against the Dubs in Croke Park but because he scored/contributed to one of the most bizarre goals scored after his initial shot came back off the post before hitting Dublin keeper Evan Comerford in the head and flying into the back of the net.
Aiden Orme's link play for his goal was encouraging. It's great when a player shows composure and doesn't panic when under pressure with the ball close to goal. Ryan O'Donoghue's vision when he squared for Orme to rise highest to palm to the net is what sets Belmullet's All-Star apart. If there is a chance for a green flag you can be sure O'Donoghue will look for it. It was nice to see Paul Towey getting a chance also. He normally doesn't stray far from goal but now probably realises under the Horan regime, unless you can tackle and track, you may become surplus to requirements. He did well in that regard last Saturday.
Overall, it was a thoroughly encouraging display and it leaves Mayo only one win away from guaranteed safety in the division for 2023, which, on top of unearthing a few players, is the key priority. Mayo's dominance over Dublin can be reflected in the fact that five players were selected on the GAA.ie team of the week, Robbie Hennelly's great form also continuing. He made another brilliant point blank save form Lorcan O'Dell at a crucial juncture. He was joined by Oisin Mullin, Michael Plunket, Mattie Ruane and my man-of-the-match, Diarmuid o Connor, on that team. Sunday's contest with Armagh in Hyde park will be interesting. The pressure is off but the players can't let up as no one's place is safe.
Passing of a great Mayo supporter
It was with great sadness I learned on Wednesday of the passing of Kieran Cawley from Crossmolina after the ultimate battle with illness. I met Kieran for the first time in Connolly's bar in Manhattan, New York in May 2014 Where he informed me a New England Patriots player called Jerod Mayo wore the number “51” jersey and he had a patriots jersey with Mayo 51 on the back. He even sent me on a picture of it. He truly was a die-hard Mayo supporter who loved going to matches with his wife Marcella. My deepest condolences to Marcella, their son Caolan and all his family and friends. Ar dheis Dé do raibh a anam
