All of us in Croke Park were very proud of Derry's display yesterday. That it came against one of the top teams in the country in a knockout game at headquarters was a very important step for a talented, well-managed team who are improving with every game. To attribute the result entirely to failings on Mayo's part is unfair to both teams. Derry played really well and have being going well throughout this league; on the other hand Mayo are far from finished, they will still be major contenders in the Summer. Also, Derry play Donegal in a few weeks' time, they need to be getting close to full speed now; Mayo ought to win Connacht handy enough and don't need to peak until August.
As for all the talk about Keith Higgins - he's still a top player but yesterday was on the receiving end of the Sean-Leo experience, one of our best-kept secrets. Sean-Leo McGoldrick is an exceptional footballer, he has arguably been Derry's best player for the last couple of years or more and it's become a bit of a running joke in my family that the catchphrase 'Sean-Leo's man is subbed again' appears somewhere between 40 and 50 minutes of every game we see.

doiregael2 (Derry) - Posts: 337 - 14/04/2014 18:06:20    1575132

I agree with Clondalkin Dub about Andy Moran, I think James Horan needs to be ruthless here.But still give Mayo a big shout in AI

bistokid69 (Dublin) - Posts: 20 - 14/04/2014 18:24:41    1575144

Ned_Stormcrow
County: Cavan
Posts: 275

Not buying that one man. To me thats a cop out attitude. At this moment in time the league would be far more valuable to Mayo than the Connacht championship. Which, out of interest would you prefer? It is undoubtedly the case, that a league title would have far more of a morale boosting effect on this Mayo team than another provincial title where they roll over every other team due to poor standards.

Connacht title over the league any year. The league doesn't guarantee a QF place.

As a Mayo fan I'm still very disappointed at how yesterday turned out, the game was in the mix right up to the last few minutes but we never looked like we could really win the game. Derry were brilliant, clinical in front of goal and clearly they wanted to win far more than Mayo did. They looked like a team that knew exactly what they needed to do to win and the second goal was a prime example of a serious game plan in action. To do it with fourteen men shows that the entire team lifted their game.

I think The Master is being misinterpreted here, of course the team and fans are disappointed but the overall point is that it isn't the end of the world for Mayo, they've stuttered throughout the league and really they're just not up to level needed to seriously push on for honours yet, so best to retreat and regroup, as happened last year. We've maintained Div 1 status and taken some good results over the big teams, far better than where we were this time last year.

But anyway, call us chokers, bottlers, whatever the hell ye want, we'll still be there in late summer.

Over_The_Border (Mayo) - Posts: 4 - 14/04/2014 19:09:12    1575170

Mayo are 1 of the super powers of football.With Dublin,Meath,Kerry,Cork,Tyrone and Galway.Big county.Nearly all football.They will win an All Ireland at some stage and will always be formidable opponents.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 14/04/2014 19:51:59    1575200

Mayo will definitely make it to the Quarter Finals and probably the semi final. Then they will get beaten.

tyroneed (Tyrone) - Posts: 753 - 14/04/2014 20:23:25    1575219

There's no sugar coating it for Mayo, fact is they keep losing games that they are well capable of winning.Ye are only deluding yourselves saying it was only a league semi, it is never a bad thing to win in Croker, winning is a habit, losing is a bad habit.Winning the league didn't hurt Dublin last year did it?

Barnowl94 (Galway) - Posts: 3150 - 14/04/2014 20:32:26    1575226

I was at the game yesterday and delighted with the result, especially with 14 men. However, I want to talk about Mayo! Some of the stuff being written on this forum is tripe of the highest order. In my opinion, the problem with Mayo is that their CHB and FB positions are weak, it was evident from yesterday's showing, When given the opportunity Derry ran directly at the centre of Mayo's defence and on numerous occasions cut them open. There is no protection for the FB if he's pulled out of position. Derry were able to bring Mayo's FB out of position on quite a few occasions, this was evident on the 2nd goal. Aidan o'Shea is a strong physical footballer and that's about that. He lacks intelligence on the ball, loves to shot for glory points instead of working the scoring opportunity. Until Mayo build a spine to their team they are going to concede big scores.

On another point, there's people on this forum being very disrespectful to Derry. Derry are in the final on merit, throughout the league campaign we have played good quality attacking football, I think over the league campaign to date we have had 2 black cards issued and one red after two yellows being issued. That speaks volumes. People saying Dublin will win by 15 points, I say 'get a grip of yourself'. We have already beaten all be it an nderstrenght Dublin side, but anyone who thinks that a Derry side are going to go to Croke Park and lay down without a fight are in for a big surprise. To note, we finished yesterday's semi final with our 3rd choice midfield pairing.

OakGael (Derry) - Posts: 293 - 14/04/2014 20:50:55    1575240

Whose said that Dublin will win by 15 points?

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 14/04/2014 21:04:49    1575243

Ridiculous saying Dublin will win the league final by 15 points.I wudnt say more than 14.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 14/04/2014 21:09:44    1575247

OakGael

I have to agree with you about Aidan O Shea's use of possession. Great ball winner and a good tackler but for me his distribution is a flaw in his game, takes contact too often rather than moving it quick. If he got it up to scratch he'd be Player of the Year material.

People are daft to write Mayo of on the basis of a League semi-final. In all likelihood we won't know much about where Mayo are at until August. Unless there is an unfathomable shock in Connacht...

roundball (Tipperary) - Posts: 2514 - 14/04/2014 21:14:10    1575253

clondalkindub
County: Dublin
Posts: 4769

1575243
Whose said that Dublin will win by 15 points?
______

I did.. jokingly..

I see it's been somehow taken seriously

Dear oh dear..

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 15/04/2014 09:14:06    1575302

Barnowl, you need to have a look at your own county before spouting tripe about losing, g'lad!!!

saddam (Mayo) - Posts: 414 - 15/04/2014 09:48:08    1575311

Jesus Jimbo what were you thinking? If we don't win by at least 20 points I won't be happy.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 15/04/2014 09:53:07    1575313

saddam
County: Mayo
Posts: 250

1575311
Barnowl, you need to have a look at your own county before spouting tripe about losing, g'lad!!!

Is that the best response you can come up with? Would you not try to argue his points rather than get personal like a child?

The sooner this place gets rid of the county tagline underneath usernames, the sooner the desperate standard of posting will improve

jafallon (Galway) - Posts: 489 - 15/04/2014 10:19:42    1575329

Mayo will take Connacht ez breezy but might get clipped in the qf, I mean an off year is on the cards. Mayo are a few fries short of a happy meal. Could get back to a final next year again and have a real lash at it, but I see too many counties on the rise in all parts of the country that are making better progress.

maroondiesel (Mayo) - Posts: 1197 - 15/04/2014 10:31:55    1575340

Of course Mayo will still be in the championshp come August - will probaly come through Connacht again. That was another big game lost on Sunday, when the chance was there to push on especially with Derry down to 14 men. It might onnly be April but I didn't see many positives from Mayo. Alan Freeman was annoymous bar taking free's. COC will make a difference when he comes back, Varley came on kicked a wonder score and then tried the same again with his weaker foot.. He has had plenty of chances at this stage.

FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2763 - 15/04/2014 10:43:23    1575351

Ja's still the man! Petty arguments based around what county posters are from account for AT LEAST 69.69% of meaningless posts on this wonderful forum. A certain deluded individual from my own county accounts for at least 25% of that 69.69%!

pdempsey (Mayo) - Posts: 1313 - 15/04/2014 10:55:38    1575358

clondalkindub
County: Dublin
Posts: 4770

1575313
Jesus Jimbo what were you thinking? If we don't win by at least 20 points I won't be happy.

:) That's the spirit

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 15/04/2014 10:56:30    1575361

I know the feeling derryman, as a roscommon and connaught man we have grown accustom to their attitude and arrogant behavior. All one has to do is read the posts in here by mayo folks one lad quoted "connaught will be easy breezy for mayo".personally I see roscommon and gal given them a good run and would not be surprised by a win. One or two individuals along with an aging moran says it all.i think mayos good days are behind them. This talk about what they should have won is pure nonsense at the end of the day they lost and should be respectful towards result not thinking up excuses

john1971 (Roscommon) - Posts: 185 - 15/04/2014 11:08:01    1575368

No arrogance here John. Most of us from Mayo just ignore the arrogant fella with the verbal diahorea. You should do the same. Mayo deserved to win Connacht last year and that's all they got. They deserved to be beaten last Sunday. They will probably win Connach this yr but Ros will be challenging strongly for the title. Galway are not at the races in my view. Unless Mayo manage to unearth another top forward to go with Cillian O'C; we won't be challenging for the all ireland. Our management need to buck up too.

pdempsey (Mayo) - Posts: 1313 - 15/04/2014 12:01:53    1575406