Mayo look to take down the Kingdom

Fri, Aug 14, 2015

Mayo got over their heartbreaking loss to Galway in the Connacht final with a 24 point win over Tyrone in their qualifier game a few weeks ago, while Mayo were totally dominant in that game, the return to action of Claire Egan after missing the whole league campaign and the championship up to that was one of the most pleasing things for Mayo manager Frank Browne.

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.

Immediately when we heard about the inclusion of Barry Moran we realised what was going to happen. Either Tom Parsons or Moran were going to drop deep to combat the aerial threat of Michael Murphy. It was Moran who was given the job and although Murphy scored three points from play, the management team's decision to drop him deep was a relative success. What was even more pleasing was that he just didn’t sit there; he went out around the middle of the field for the Donegal kick out to use his sizeable frame to great effect alongside Parsons and Seamie O'Shea. Their complete dominance of that sector made it look as though Neil Gallagher wasn’t even on the field. Apart from Murphy Donegal had two potential match winners in Odhran McNiallias and Colm McFadden, who were such an influence in their win against Galway in the round four qualifier. Lee Keegan and Keith Higgins put paid to that influence and constantly put them on the back foot and retreating towards their own goal. Just as I mentioned on air that Seamie O'Shea wasn’t in the game much, it’s like the Breaffy man took exception to my comment and immediately got stuck in. The way he chased and harassed a Donegal man down into the corner of the Hill 16 end and then dispossessed him in the first half lifted the team as much as any goal would have done.

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.” 

Now, having reached their fifth consecutive semi-final after last weekend's easy win over Donegal and with a new management team in place, the belief that this can be their year is gathering momentum. And with Aidan O’Shea currently unstoppable at full-forward and Lee Keegan and Keith Higgins in flying form, some of that belief is warranted.What was very impressive in their victory over Donegal was the performance of midfield duo Tom Parsons and Seamus O’Shea, who both won massive amounts of ball and showed a terrific work-rate.Their possession count of 29 and 28 was only bettered by Lee Keegan with 30. Barry Moran also added an aerial threat and produced one massive fetch at midfield. His sweeper role worked very well and credit goes to Pat Holmes and Noel Connelly for going with that system. They have spoken about horses for courses and it is the way to go. Seamus O’Shea is continually improving. His kick passing and use of possession was top drawer, and it was good to see the Breaffy man constantly looking up in possession to try to pick out the best attacking option in the full-forward line.The work-rate of all the Mayo forward line is first-rate and McLoughlin, Doherty and the O’Connors (Cillian and Diarmuid) will not be found wanting in chasing, tackling, and harrying the Dublin rearguard in two weeks' time.

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

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.

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.

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