Mayo get their game plan right

Fri, Aug 11, 2017

A week is a long time in politics, bu it seems that eight days in football can be even longer. Having struggled to impose themselves for long enough periods to win the first day against Roscommon, Mayo hit their neighbours with everything they had on Monday and ran out more than convincing winners. Right from the throw-in four days ago, you could see that this Mayo team were a very different animal to the one that that had turned up eight days previously.

Mayo prepare for Kingdom challenge

Fri, Aug 11, 2017

After what had happened in Croke Park the previous Sunday, there were not too many expecting to see Mayo dish out the hiding they did to Roscommon last Monday in the replay. It was one of those days, where almost everything went right for Mayo and nothing went right for their opponents. The reason for that was not luck or fortune, it was because Mayo attacked the game in the right way — from the very first ball and never let up.

Title race enters its final stages

Fri, Aug 11, 2017

Westport United will look to take another step to retaining the Super League title on Sunday when they host Ballyheane, the champions are three points clear of Manulla at the top of the table with three games left to go in the division.

In their last outing they saw off Ballina Town 2-1 thanks to a brace from David Hoban and they will be confident of picking up another vital three points this weekend. When the side met in the league previously in May, United were pushed right to the pin of their collar by Ballyhane - eventually winning 3-2 thanks to another brace from Hoban and one from Patrick Calvey. Their opponents on Sunday could prove the team who were decisive in the defence of the title, having held second placed Manulla to a 3-3 draw a fortnight ago with Jamsie Finnerty scoring a hat-trick in that one.

Mayo hammer home their point against Roscommon

Mon, Aug 07, 2017

When 15 minutes before throw in, it was announced that Footballer of the Year - Lee Keegan wouldn’t be starting there was an air of fear amongst the Mayo supporters who made the pilgrimage back to Croke Park on Bank Holiday Monday. But once the ball was thrown in that unease was soon vanquished as Mayo went right at Roscommon and rolled them over in impressive style at the second time of asking.

Rochford happy - but another big test is coming up.

Mon, Aug 07, 2017

Stephen Rochford was a happy man not long after the full time whistle in Croke Park on Monday, but he knows that Mayo have to keep improving with Kerry coming down the tracks in 13-days time.

Are you ready for round two?

Fri, Aug 04, 2017

Two weeks ago I was fully convinced Mayo would get the better of Cork when the game was in the melting pot. Last Sunday in Croke Park I almost had a seizure and nearly required a defibrillator as fear gripped me for the final 10 minutes against our Connacht rivals Roscommon in the All-Ireland quarter final. A statement issued by Bray Wanderers recently was described in the national media as being “bat-shit crazy”. The game between Mayo and Roscommon was worse.

Mayo need to turn the screw on Monday

Fri, Aug 04, 2017

Having shot the lights out in attack in Limerick on the previous Saturday against Cork, the Mayo attack misfired last Sunday against Roscommon, so on Monday they'll be looking for much better return. Registering just four points in the second half that stretched out to 42 minutes is a poor return in any man's language. Cillian O'Connor had very poor day with his shooting, but the Ballintubber attacking ace is more than capable of turning that around this time out. He scored just three points over the 80 odd minutes of action - just one of them coming from play.

Fatigue not an issue believes Rochford

Fri, Aug 04, 2017

Not long after the full time whistle had gone last Sunday, Stephen Rochford walked in to meet the press and have them pick over what had just happened on the field. With that being Mayo's sixth game of this championship summer the question of "fatigue" being an issue for his players was to the fore, but that is something that Rochford believes didn't play any part in the outcome of the game, saying: "We had three shots to win that game. So I don’t think so."

Ladies look to get championship back on track

Fri, Aug 04, 2017

Following their defeat at the hands of Galway in the Connacht Final at the start of July, the Mayo senior ladies will be looking to get their championship hopes back up and running tomorrow afternoon, when they take on Kildare in the All Ireland Senior Football Championship qualifers in Duggan Park in Ballinasloe at 3.15pm.

Mayo get to dance with Roscommon one more time after dramatic Croker encounter

Sun, Jul 30, 2017

They don’t make it easy on the faithful, but the Mayo congregation will head to church at least once more this summer after a dramatic draw with near neighbours Roscommon on Sunday in Croke Park. There were more than a few decades of the Rosary said by the traveling worshipers down the final few minutes of injury time as Mayo created and fluffed a few chances to win the game and the devotions were dedicated to the full time whistle blowing when Roscommon looked to steal it right at the end.

Derby date on Sunday

Fri, Jul 28, 2017

The long road had a few more miles added to it last Saturday evening in Limerick when Mayo were brought to extra time for the second time in three games, and on Sunday they head into their seventh All Ireland quarter final in as many years looking to take down the newly crowned Connacht champions.

Cillian played the captain's part to perfection

Fri, Jul 28, 2017

Last week, I remember telling anyone that was willing to listen that Mayo will beat Cork but it won't be straightforward. Not in my wildest dreams could I have envisaged what occurred. This current crop has certainly put us through the ringer, we have been to hell and back, twice now in three weeks. A rollercoaster of emotions is just a massive understatement. Looking for a simple explanation is a waste of time.

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