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Any regrets in Mayo for getting rid of 2015 management?

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Given what happened in Rochford's decision to bench Clarke.....would Mayo have gotten to where they got this year and possibly beyond had they kept Holmes and Connelly? I'm just pondering on this article from last year leading up to the Mayo team push against management! It's easy be wise in hindsight but was Rochford the best man for the job?

TOB (USA) - Posts: 24 - 04/10/2016 22:01:11    1922628

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Replying To TOB:  "Given what happened in Rochford's decision to bench Clarke.....would Mayo have gotten to where they got this year and possibly beyond had they kept Holmes and Connelly? I'm just pondering on this article from last year leading up to the Mayo team push against management! It's easy be wise in hindsight but was Rochford the best man for the job?"
Yes.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7337 - 04/10/2016 22:25:03    1922646

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Not a Mayo fan, but they were a serious outfit this year, very easily could be champions, I haven't felt that in previous encounters, if Rochford sticks to his philosphey, gets the time and can balance there defensive and offensive game, Mayo will be in plenty more games in late Sep.

TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4445 - 04/10/2016 22:31:23    1922648

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Regret at the way it unfolded, sure. I don't think anyone particularly wanted Holmes and Connelly, who have been two great servants to Mayo football, to end up publicly humiliated in the way they were.

As for the managerial change, not really IMO. I'm not a big fan of managerial duos (can't remember any case in either gaelic football or soccer where it's been successful) and they were caught out tactically in last year's series of games against Dublin, as playing open football for the whole game was always going to favour a Dublin side with a deeper squad and better goalscoring capability than we have.

Rochford did make a horrendous gaffe in selecting Hennelly in goal, and he has to take the blame for that. But I think he also deserves credit for shoring up Mayo's defensive system through the year too. It's all conjecture, but I don't believe that we would have made it as far this year if the previous management were in place. Under Holmes and Connelly, Mayo played in pretty much the same fashion all the time, whereas Rochford tweaked the gameplan according to the strengths of the opposition, which is something I've never seen Mayo teams do before.

Gleebo (Mayo) - Posts: 2208 - 05/10/2016 08:41:32    1922695

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Replying To TheUsername:  "Not a Mayo fan, but they were a serious outfit this year, very easily could be champions, I haven't felt that in previous encounters, if Rochford sticks to his philosphey, gets the time and can balance there defensive and offensive game, Mayo will be in plenty more games in late Sep."
I don't feel that way about Mayo. They have the best or second best set of backs in Ireland right now. Midfield is middling and they have top forwards in Andy Moran and Cillian O Connor. The others give you not much better than any other county team.

I feel Mayo have been riding their luck and a general wave of goodwill from officials. They cannot win games without the plethora of frees they often get. They don't score enough from play. Example being OSheas penno against Fermanagh who could have dumped them out of the championship. Same happened last year when Boyle (Moran?) got a penno in drawn game for launching himself head first into a throng of Dublin players.

Still not enough to get them over the line - they are two class forwards away from being the best team and probably a better midfielder than SO'S. Harsh but true.

Beacaire Gorm (Dublin) - Posts: 597 - 05/10/2016 08:57:20    1922698

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Replying To Beacaire Gorm:  "I don't feel that way about Mayo. They have the best or second best set of backs in Ireland right now. Midfield is middling and they have top forwards in Andy Moran and Cillian O Connor. The others give you not much better than any other county team.

I feel Mayo have been riding their luck and a general wave of goodwill from officials. They cannot win games without the plethora of frees they often get. They don't score enough from play. Example being OSheas penno against Fermanagh who could have dumped them out of the championship. Same happened last year when Boyle (Moran?) got a penno in drawn game for launching himself head first into a throng of Dublin players.

Still not enough to get them over the line - they are two class forwards away from being the best team and probably a better midfielder than SO'S. Harsh but true."
It's your opinion. Harsh opinion but true? No. Just an opinion. Dublin's bench won them the game. Mayo after already losing Keegan and Vaughan struggled to match Dublin's subs entering the game. Btw no other county in Ireland can match Dublin's resources financially or otherwise. Keegans and Vaughan's legs were missed in the latter stages of the game. Vaughan kicked some fine scores in the first game and was missed. Change the record and come up with some original thoughts instead of some guff you heard on the Sunday Game. Yes Mayo could do with some additions in the forward line. From what I witnessed not many of Dublin's marquee forwards performed over the two days. SoS was perhaps the best midfielder on show in the second game. He has his faults but his work rate has been phenomenal. Now your comment of goodwill from officials is ridiculous and the plethora of frees is hogwash. I could ask you to look back at replay and see AoS fouled for a penalty in second half of replay. He didnt get it (rarely gets a free). It was a foul but the game continued. Plethora of frees is probably the most ridiculous comment on here I've seen in ages.

Weary (None) - Posts: 249 - 05/10/2016 11:44:17    1922761

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Replying To TOB:  "Given what happened in Rochford's decision to bench Clarke.....would Mayo have gotten to where they got this year and possibly beyond had they kept Holmes and Connelly? I'm just pondering on this article from last year leading up to the Mayo team push against management! It's easy be wise in hindsight but was Rochford the best man for the job?"
Last year they fell away at the end of the replay you could see they weren't up to scratch fitness wise but this year they kept with Dublin all the way rocheford is definitely the man for the job. He made a decision to change the keeper it didn't work out as one poster said earlier if he gets time to iron out the problems with the team I feel he will find a way to get to the promise land!

Spoddgy (Mayo) - Posts: 660 - 05/10/2016 13:25:22    1922826

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Did you see Mayo Play last year. Connolly and Holmes also opted for Hennelly over Clarke all year. Watch back the semi final replay from last year and see the mistakes that Hennelly made that day too.

xxx (Mayo) - Posts: 1275 - 05/10/2016 13:48:46    1922840

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No. Rochford got a lot right this year. The Tyrone game comes to mind and the match ups v Dubin in the drawn game. The Hennelly call was huge and it backfired. But it wasnt the only reason Mayo didnt win Sam. We have to find the balance right between defense and attack and try and introduce a player or 2 up top. It hurts at the minute but I still feel we will be well in the mix next summer

unclegerry (Mayo) - Posts: 1222 - 05/10/2016 14:02:23    1922847

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No

pdempsey (Mayo) - Posts: 1313 - 05/10/2016 14:36:53    1922864

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Rochford had to bring them back from the brink and unfortunately out thought himself in the end up looking for that extra 5% to beat the Dubs.

The management team last year for Mayo were willing to send out plan A and when they failed they just sat and watched!

I know I'd rather have the man who dared to make the change, It won't be a mistake he'll make again

Seansy48 (Tyrone) - Posts: 237 - 05/10/2016 14:55:28    1922872

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It's in the past, forget about it and move on.

neverright (Roscommon) - Posts: 1648 - 05/10/2016 15:35:44    1922900

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Replying To Seansy48:  "Rochford had to bring them back from the brink and unfortunately out thought himself in the end up looking for that extra 5% to beat the Dubs.

The management team last year for Mayo were willing to send out plan A and when they failed they just sat and watched!

I know I'd rather have the man who dared to make the change, It won't be a mistake he'll make again"
It's ridiculous to suggest that management cost us the final. We were beaten on the playing field. It must be said that, after a lifetime of faithful service to Mayo football, Noel and Pat were treated poorly by the players and county board. They stood aside without complaint or protest and their joint statement in the aftermath was both professional and classy. You had to feel for them. The bottom line is that James Horan brought Mayo football to a whole new level. Although the ultimate prize is not yet within our grasp, we have a great set of players with tremendous experience or talent. Had Cillian's free gone through the posts and we won in added time - which even the Dublin players and management acknowledge was a distinct possibility - no one would be talking about goalie changes or the role of management. We were simply beaten by a team with a deeper and stronger bench. Black cards are fair game for discussion because the Mayo bench strength was only an issue after horrendous and media-influenced decision to send off Keegan and Vaughan's withdrawal after being mauled.

DeelRoverFan (Mayo) - Posts: 5 - 05/10/2016 15:42:00    1922902

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Replying To DeelRoverFan:  "It's ridiculous to suggest that management cost us the final. We were beaten on the playing field. It must be said that, after a lifetime of faithful service to Mayo football, Noel and Pat were treated poorly by the players and county board. They stood aside without complaint or protest and their joint statement in the aftermath was both professional and classy. You had to feel for them. The bottom line is that James Horan brought Mayo football to a whole new level. Although the ultimate prize is not yet within our grasp, we have a great set of players with tremendous experience or talent. Had Cillian's free gone through the posts and we won in added time - which even the Dublin players and management acknowledge was a distinct possibility - no one would be talking about goalie changes or the role of management. We were simply beaten by a team with a deeper and stronger bench. Black cards are fair game for discussion because the Mayo bench strength was only an issue after horrendous and media-influenced decision to send off Keegan and Vaughan's withdrawal after being mauled."
Probably the most balanced comment I've read on this website since the final

Tommy83 (UK) - Posts: 4 - 05/10/2016 16:19:18    1922926

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Mayo played in pretty much the same fashion all the time, whereas Rochford tweaked the gameplan according to the strengths of the opposition, which is something I've never seen Mayo teams do before.
Gleebo (Mayo) - Posts:1035 - 05/10/2016 08:41:32

Do you mean he tweaked it so that Galway beat them in the Connacht final. Did he tweak the Cavan Ref to leave AOS on the field when he should have been side lined for two very obvious black cards and a dive in Castlebar!

browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 05/10/2016 16:56:28    1922943

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Replying To browncows:  "Mayo played in pretty much the same fashion all the time, whereas Rochford tweaked the gameplan according to the strengths of the opposition, which is something I've never seen Mayo teams do before.
Gleebo (Mayo) - Posts:1035 - 05/10/2016 08:41:32

Do you mean he tweaked it so that Galway beat them in the Connacht final. Did he tweak the Cavan Ref to leave AOS on the field when he should have been side lined for two very obvious black cards and a dive in Castlebar!"
Galway didn't beat Mayo in the Connaught final this year. Maybe you're mixing it up with 2009?

pdempsey (Mayo) - Posts: 1313 - 05/10/2016 17:05:34    1922948

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Maybe it's just me but I don't think the starting of the keeper was the reason mayo lost I think it's more to do with mayo forwards are not scoring,Dublin were there for the taking,not saying last year's management would of done any better but last year's management were more successful and ended up with the same result as this year's management against Dublin a draw and a loss

cityman73 (Limerick) - Posts: 775 - 05/10/2016 17:57:31    1922975

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Doubt management have been the problem as Mayo have been in position to win a few all Ireland's athis stage but ultimately lack the firepower you need to run up decent scores without frees.But for the amount of free kicks they are relatively low scoring when at the latter stages.Several management teams have tried and failed so far but at the end of the day the players are who you rely on.

catch22 (USA) - Posts: 2148 - 05/10/2016 18:13:43    1922983

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Can someone from Mayo explain to me why a good tigerish defender like Chris Barrett & a young pacy forward like Evan Regan who played well this year didn't get a good run on Saturday. Two very good subs to spring with fresh legs.

moc.dna (Galway) - Posts: 1212 - 05/10/2016 19:13:12    1923001

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Replying To DeelRoverFan:  "It's ridiculous to suggest that management cost us the final. We were beaten on the playing field. It must be said that, after a lifetime of faithful service to Mayo football, Noel and Pat were treated poorly by the players and county board. They stood aside without complaint or protest and their joint statement in the aftermath was both professional and classy. You had to feel for them. The bottom line is that James Horan brought Mayo football to a whole new level. Although the ultimate prize is not yet within our grasp, we have a great set of players with tremendous experience or talent. Had Cillian's free gone through the posts and we won in added time - which even the Dublin players and management acknowledge was a distinct possibility - no one would be talking about goalie changes or the role of management. We were simply beaten by a team with a deeper and stronger bench. Black cards are fair game for discussion because the Mayo bench strength was only an issue after horrendous and media-influenced decision to send off Keegan and Vaughan's withdrawal after being mauled."
Sorry if you thought that's what I meant, I think he did the right thing. It didn't pan out but it was a positive move. Do you really want to hear a fan of another county come out with something like "they just don't have the talent to win and All Ireland"

Look it's great that you're all romantic about the Mayo servants and everything but a great player doesn't necessarily make a great manager, I don't think they did a good job. Gaelic football is now a bottom line business, the Mayo players are the ones working their back sides off to win an All Ireland so they're the group that should decide who their manager is, if they don't believe in their management what chance do they have?

Don't know what you're talking with this imaginary scenario of winning in extra time, the free wasn't even at the death. Dublin had time to go down and have a shot if they had wanted, they had a long range free which looked scoreable for Cluxton they just ran down the clock with it.

In the same way no one would feel sorry for Tyrone and Cavanagh after the quarter final I find it hard to feel sorry for Keegan, I feel he got what he deserved in the end up, it's not to say the incident is no where near a black it could easily be interpreted as one

Seansy48 (Tyrone) - Posts: 237 - 05/10/2016 19:38:42    1923006

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