Which Mayo is the real Mayo?

Fri, Apr 27, 2012

Confusion reigns as far as this columnist is concerned in trying to predict the outcome of Sunday’s league final. It is eerily quiet about the place, for many reasons, which has meant the build up to this final has been quite different. There is also a wintry sting in the air these past few days which does not help create an exciting atmosphere for a big game. The reality for the downbeat mood could also have something to do with the fact that that we just do not really know what to expect on Sunday. But I felt that way too for the semi-final, when so few from the participating counties took an interest in proceedings. Very few I met or spoke to prior to the game gave Mayo much of a chance of reaching the league final. Most thought that Kerry had played tricks with the Mayo players’ minds during the final round of the league one week earlier in Tralee. Kerry played with the kind of arrogant cocky swagger which is their wont for most of the afternoon in Croke Park without displaying an ounce of panic until the game had practically slipped away from them. On this occasion there were no big guns on the subs bench to rescue the situation… they were all on the field of play. They played poorly and fitness levels were questionable. They were also missing two of their big stars in Declan O’Sullivan and Tomás Ó Sé, and a combination of these factors meant that they could not stop a more energetic Mayo side once they got a sniff of victory. In times past when Kerry felt any level of threat, they simply put the foot back on the pedal and drove on. Not so on this occasion and after Pat Harte’s brilliantly executed penalty Mayo looked re-energised, fitter, fresher, and stronger as they recorded another famous victory over the Kingdom. The handful of loyal supporters that travelled were not found wanting when assisting their team over the finishing line.

It’s big day for the Mayo ladies on Sunday too

Fri, Apr 27, 2012

While most attention will be on the goings on in Croke Park on Sunday afternoon, there is one other major knock out league game going on involving Mayo at more or less the same time.

Trevor Mortimer bows out of the top level

Fri, Apr 27, 2012

The retirement of the last remaining link who saw action on the field in the 2001 national league winning side, Trevor Mortimer, was announced this week. The newly announced Mayo vice-captain David Clarke was an unused sub-goalkeeper in that game. The Shrule-Glencorrib man who captained Mayo to the 2009 Nestor Cup had been part of the Mayo set up since 2000 and played in the All Ireland finals in both 2004 and 2006, having also played in the u21 final in 2001 when Tyrone defeated Mayo. He made his senior debut for Mayo in a national league game against Clare the year before.

Mortimer lined up in the full forward line for the majority of his inter-county career, but also played in the half forward line and latterly in the half back line. Mortimer came back into the Mayo starting line up in last year’s Connacht semi-final win over Galway as a wing back, and nailed down the spot of the rest of the season where he had a stand out season and ended up with a nomination for an All Star. Mortimer was one of the players sent on from the bench in the opening round in Ruislip against London to rescue Mayo from what looked like an enbarrassing defeat in the English capital.

Andy to lead Mayo for the year

Fri, Apr 27, 2012

When Maurice Deegan calls together the captains for the coin toss in Sunday’s national league final, Andy Moran will be the man who goes to centre field for the green and red. The Ballaghaderreen man has captained Mayo on a couple of occasions in the past, but Sunday will mark his first official duty as the full-time captain of the team.

Mayo aim to put down Counihan’s rebels

Fri, Apr 27, 2012

In the 11 years since Mayo claimed their last national senior title, they have gone to Croke Park on four occasions in national finals only to return home empty handed and more often than not on the end of a bit of a beating. All Ireland finals in 2004 and 2006 along with league finals in 2007 and 2010 have all seen Mayo come up short on final day.

While there are always plenty of internal and external examinations as to why Mayo do not get over the line as often as they should, Mayo always come back looking for more, taking on all comers, confounding the critics at home and away each time. Only a few weeks ago the old questions were being asked of Mayo, but they once again confounded the critics and are now 70 minutes away from picking up a national title ahead of the start of summer.

A road not for the faint hearted

Fri, Apr 27, 2012

On the far side of the field from the stand in McHale Park, on a Sunday evening just five weeks ago, Mayo manager James Horan told the massed press pack: “The masterplan doesn’t change just because of a few defeats - if you start to change it then panic sets in. We know what we’re trying to do, it’s a bumpy road, but we’ll keep at it.”

Super League kicks off with clash of the favorites

Fri, Apr 13, 2012

The Mayo League and clubs have been in the headlines of late over off the field issues, but on Sunday all eyes will be where they should on the park as the Mayo League kicks off for the 2012 season across five divisions. The Premier A and B along with division one and two will get proceedings underway on Saturday evening at 6pm, with the main attraction the Super League, kicking off on Sunday at noon with the meeting of Castlebar Celtic and Westport United in Celtic Park, with the action in the other games in the division getting underway at 2.30pm.

Discover Tag Rugby

Fri, Apr 13, 2012

Tag Rugby for All Levels (Adults)
A Tag Rugby Taster session will be held in the GAA Clubhouse, Belmullet on Thursday April 26 at 7pm. The session will cover the basic rules and a league lasting 6 - 8 weeks will follow. Beginners especially welcome.

Belcarra 8k Run/Walk Sunday April 15

Fri, Apr 13, 2012

The first staging of the Belcarra 8k Run and Walk in support of the local Community Centre takes place next Sunday April 15 at 12 noon.

Mayo Handball Clubs annual awards presentation

Fri, Apr 13, 2012

The Mayo Handball Clubs is holding its annual awards presentation night tonight (Friday April 13, 8pm) at the Country Lodge Hotel Aughagower, Westport, Co Mayo.

Ballina Dolphins success at Connacht Region B & C Swimming Gala

Fri, Apr 13, 2012

Ballina Dolphins Swimming Club hosted their annual Connacht B & C Gala, sponsored by Ballina Beverages at Ballina Swimming Pool recently. A large number of swimmers from Ballina Dolphins, Ballina, Sligo, Castlebar, Claremorris and Westport Swimming Clubs competed in the gala. Ballina Dolphins swimmers had great success in the featured swims – backcrawl, breaststroke and individual medley On the day seven A certificates were achieved by Ballina Dolphins swimmers; in the B category a total of three gold, three silver and one bronze were won and in the C category three gold, four silver and two bronze were won.

Golf notes

Fri, Apr 13, 2012

Mulranny
Brendan Patten was the winner of the second golfer of the year stroke competition, sponsored by Cox’s Bar and Restaurant, Castlebar, with a 68. Noel O’Malley on 69, finished runner up, with Willie McGee claimingthird place on 71. The gross was won by Fergus Rothwell with a 76. Noel’s consecutive second place finish puts him top of the golfer of the year leaderboard.

E-paper

Read this weeks E-paper. Past editions also available from within this weeks digital copy.