A few years back, Galway sent a spy into the Kilkenny camp to conduct some analysis on their hurlers.

When he came back west the first question he was asked was "Well, what are their weaknesses?"

"Their tea was a bit milky" was the response.

Wests_Awake (Galway) - Posts: 877 - 30/07/2014 16:11:34    1628570

Whole thing is a bit embarrassing for Cork really. This is the same Cork who bullied Mayo out of a league final in 2012 and gave them a lesson on the physicality required to challenge the big boys. Donal Vaughan got singled out by Noel O leary in particular. Now we are supposed to believe Cork are the poor young lads who need protection from the ref.

tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1125 - 30/07/2014 17:03:10    1628607

What comes round goes around
In any case its a valid observation
You dont have to have a PHD in analytics to come to that conclusion
Watch the second half of the 2012 Semi Final versus Dublin or the 5-1 yellow card count in that years AI final
Mayo make Sean Cavanagh look like Gary Lineker

ruanua (Donegal) - Posts: 4966 - 30/07/2014 17:19:27    1628618

All successful teams push the boundaries. Watch the 2012 final and count The fouls Donegal made to slow mayos comeback. Watch the last 15 mins of last years final and dublins consistent fouling. Check the free count in last years final. Good teams push it to the limit.

tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1125 - 30/07/2014 21:35:07    1628749

The only strange thing about this episode is that Horan didn't get his word in first...

seany16 (Dublin) - Posts: 1658 - 31/07/2014 12:26:21    1628879

Ryan from KIldare at it now - basically claiming that McManus is diving to get refs to give him frees!

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 31/07/2014 12:38:37    1628883

hurlingdub
County: Dublin
Posts: 6328

Ryan from KIldare at it now - basically claiming that McManus is diving to get refs to give him frees!

Well he said he's probably the number one free winner in the country, I don't necessarily think that equates to calling him a diver though. In a fifteen minute interview he spent roughly 30 seconds talking about McManus and the ref so I don't think he's making too big a deal out of it either.

I suppose after Kildare only being awarded six frees against Clare it's probably something he's a bit worried about.

Obviously though it might be best not to say anything at all, strange though that Horan hasn't retaliated with anything yet against Cork, suppose he's probably waiting until the Kerry game for that.

if_in_doubt (Kildare) - Posts: 3685 - 31/07/2014 13:05:40    1628898

The real problem is the black card fiasco, fix that and there will be a ripple effect. All black card offences regardless of where they occur should be punished with a 20 metre free in front of the posts, as well as the forced substitution. Hypothetically, if this had been in place last Sept. Mayo would have at least tied the A.I. This is just one example, not picking on any one county or anything.

suckvalleypaddy (Galway) - Posts: 1670 - 31/07/2014 13:18:56    1628910

What odds would you get on black cards being issued on Sunday? I think ref's are doing their best to avoid having to make these calls, keeping with the usual plethora of yellow's instead

NavyNBlue (Dublin) - Posts: 1357 - 31/07/2014 14:11:46    1628946

I actually fancy Cork to win this one.
They have better forwards than Mayo and that will be the difference.
Mayo have 1 class forward in O Connor.
Cork have several most notably O'Neill & Hurley.

Regarding the ref I agree the cork management should focus on the game.

As sure it gives us something to read during the week.

westkerry (Kerry) - Posts: 1250 - 31/07/2014 14:38:10    1628958

suckvalleypaddy
County: Galway
Posts: 344

1628910
The real problem is the black card fiasco, fix that and there will be a ripple effect. All black card offences regardless of where they occur should be punished with a 20 metre free in front of the posts, as well as the forced substitution. Hypothetically, if this had been in place last Sept. Mayo would have at least tied the A.I. This is just one example, not picking on any one county or anything.

Spot on Paddy boy..

bennybunny (Cork) - Posts: 3917 - 31/07/2014 14:49:28    1628966

Jaysus the Cork lads cursing this probably support Man United or Chelsea and love to see when Alex Ferguson or Mourinho done the same thing.
It's called good management - mind games, if you will. Put the element of doubt in the refs mind, or even in the opposing players mind to make him think before fouling.

Cuthbert's job is to try manage this team to victory, maybe he sees Mayo as a better side and is trying to get any possible advantage going into the game! After the Kerry defeat you can't blame him for trying every trick in the book.

It's certainly a better tactic then going toe to toe against a better team!

Fair play to him, lets see how long it takes Mayo management to take the bait!?

GAAHattrick (Dublin) - Posts: 278 - 31/07/2014 14:53:36    1628967

The Cork management are spot on. Mayo are unreal at tactical fouling, and especially brilliant at making sure they hit the deck when tackled to ensure they get the free. Watch it. They're like soccer players.

icehonesty (Wexford) - Posts: 2553 - 31/07/2014 17:58:55    1629082

GAAHattrick
County: Dublin
Posts: 35

1628967
Jaysus the Cork lads cursing this probably support Man United or Chelsea and love to see when Alex Ferguson or Mourinho done the same thing.
It's called good management - mind games, if you will. Put the element of doubt in the refs mind, or even in the opposing players mind to make him think before fouling.

Cuthbert's job is to try manage this team to victory, maybe he sees Mayo as a better side and is trying to get any possible advantage going into the game! After the Kerry defeat you can't blame him for trying every trick in the book.

It's certainly a better tactic then going toe to toe against a better team!

Fair play to him, lets see how long it takes Mayo management to take the bait!?

Fair point. I hope this is not his only tactic though. UCC/Cork IT have either won or been in six of the last 7 Sigerson Cup finals with majority Cork teams. The Cork under 21s have won most of the last 10 under 21 finals in Munster and two All-Irelands. He has loads of talent at his disposal. Not winning an All-Ireland with those resources will be hard to take. More performances like the Kerry game and that is unforgivable. He got the job because he was a county board favourite, it is his job to harnass the talent. He started well but he is lucky he has another chance. On Sunday though, they could look very silly if we get something similar to the Kerry match.

bennybunny (Cork) - Posts: 3917 - 31/07/2014 18:51:38    1629110

I would be willing to put a wager, that the first defender fouled in this manner on sunday will be either keith Higgins or lee keegan.

TheMaster (Mayo) - Posts: 16187 - 01/08/2014 10:59:28    1629299

Storm in a tea cup, nothing to see here, move along now.......

bloodandbandage (Cork) - Posts: 277 - 01/08/2014 12:26:24    1629356