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Very harsh comments from Tompkins. I think James Horan and players will have plenty motivation for Sunday

HandyMoran (Roscommon) - Posts: 327 - 20/08/2014 18:29:11    1639560

Saves Horan the bother of doing a team-talk on Sunday.

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13650 - 20/08/2014 18:59:39    1639577

A bit bluntly stated, and perhaps oeverstating it a tad, but Mayo lacking mental toughness on AI final day is not exactly news.

On the otherhand they've never been found wanting in any of the run-up games so I wouldn't be getting too complacent about playing them were I from Kerry.

festinog (Galway) - Posts: 3097 - 20/08/2014 19:34:16    1639597

at least the Mayo lads play for their own county and are not mercenaries like Tompkins. Also he lost back to back finals himself!

centerfield (Mayo) - Posts: 360 - 20/08/2014 19:37:57    1639599

Why are people looking at a man telling the absolute truth as a negative thing here?!.....Tompkins is totally CORRECT!!!

If Mayo draw motivation from it, then it will be motivation from the 'truth mirror' finally being held up to them!.....and Im not saying that to riall anyone up!

What exact part of Tompkins 'truth telling' is wrong exactly!.....You might not like to hear it, but when it is the truth then it cannot be faulted!

Regards,

Snufalufagus....Laochra Gael

Snufalufagus (Dublin) - Posts: 8100 - 20/08/2014 19:42:29    1639601

Possibly a bit bluntly stated but in ways it is flattering.

He is doing Mayo a favour anyway.

bennybunny (Cork) - Posts: 3917 - 20/08/2014 19:42:31    1639602

It's easy to have a pop at Mayo....similar comments and jibes are always spouted to us. Until we win the All Ireland we will be open to such views. He is right in saying key players have not performed for us in finals over the years. I would object to his "they need to grow up" line, what exactly does he mean? I think he could have a hidden agenda in trying to fire Mayo up.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11230 - 20/08/2014 20:02:23    1639621

Slightly harsh comment but you would worry about Mayo team and coaching set up state of mind if they have to use this as motivation to win. They shouldn't need to get motivation from this

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 20/08/2014 20:08:03    1639624

YewTree , yes they 'need to grow up ' was strange . Not sure if I agree with the 'choke' theory either .

TheRightStuff (Donegal) - Posts: 1688 - 20/08/2014 20:09:00    1639625

For me he wants Mayo to win and is just giving them another kick up the behind so they go out and do it. They'll beat Kerry but I can't see how they will beat us.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 20/08/2014 20:13:30    1639629

ormondbannerman
you would worry about Mayo team and coaching set up state of mind if they have to use this as motivation to win. They shouldn't need to get motivation from this

And I never said they would need too....Tompkins may or may not have his own agenda. Knowing this Mayo setup I highly doubt they need any motivation...loosing the past two finals is motivation enough to come back and prove your doubters wrong and in fairness every time this team has been knocked they have got back up again.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11230 - 20/08/2014 21:21:39    1639662

I met Larry on a train up from Cork to Croker once. Very nice fella... had nothing against Mayo. So he thinks some of the lads still have something to prove? I think they're honest enough with themselves to own up to that. Win, lose or draw, they will perform on Sunday, and if Kerry are better than that, good luck to them.

Pericles (Mayo) - Posts: 2521 - 20/08/2014 21:23:41    1639663

Good point yew_tree. Perhaps he's hoping to stir up the Mayo lads against Corks ancient rivals!

Wouldn't agree with you about Mayo need to win an AI in order to dispell all the talk of mental fragility. I'd say all it will take is for you to lose without handing it to the opposition with 15 minutes of the throw-in! :)

festinog (Galway) - Posts: 3097 - 20/08/2014 21:24:36    1639664

A win against Kerry is no response to this outburst from Tompkins as Mayo know and are comfortable with the idea of winning semi-finals

A win in September is a response

Ban (Westmeath) - Posts: 1415 - 21/08/2014 09:45:27    1639727

He is entitled to his opinion and best of luck to him. I actually agree with some of it re blaming the manager while the players take no blame, he is dead right about that, but really that is a fan thing as opposed to the players. Similarly, re growing up a bit, he could have a point there too, maybe some lads should consider what is best for the team a bit more, instead of taking daft shots or taking the ball into the tackle. But then, all that is probably true for some players from Dublin, Kerry and Donegal also. I think his criticism of Dillon is harsh though. He was actually carrying a serious injury last year in fairness to the guy, and the year before he destroyed Dublin, and the now much vaunted James McCarthy while he was at it. He was actually double marked by Donegal if people remember correctly, with an extra man dropping over onto his side along with karl lacey, on top of the mass Donegal defence. There aren't many forwards in the country who are going to prosper in that environment.

I don't think Tompkins is trying to be nasty, I think he actually wants them to do well.

TheMaster (Mayo) - Posts: 16187 - 21/08/2014 09:46:18    1639728

Larry's counties, Kildare and Cork must be lacking in something also

maroondiesel (Mayo) - Posts: 1196 - 21/08/2014 09:46:25    1639729

A bit like some of Loughnane's rants this year the overall message is prob not too far off the mark but the harsh tone makes it lose its edge.
Tompkins as posted above I think would love to see Mayo beat Kerry but singling out guys like Alan Dillon was a bit OTT. But he did make some valid points.

Dont worry Kerry are not going in thinking they have a handy game agaisnt Mayo...we are the underdogs afterall.

woops (Kerry) - Posts: 2073 - 21/08/2014 10:04:04    1639741

festinog
County: Galway
Wouldn't agree with you about Mayo need to win an AI in order to dispell all the talk of mental fragility

Fair enough but the slagging,laughing and snide comments towards Mayo football won't stop until we do.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11230 - 21/08/2014 10:30:44    1639759

This was always going to touch a nerve but most of what he says is true. Looking back on the finals we lost there were alot of guys who left it in the dressing room.. some were serial offenders.. We need to forget about the final for now and concentrate on delivering a performance against Kerry

unclegerry (Mayo) - Posts: 1222 - 21/08/2014 10:56:28    1639772

It actually seems like a frustrated fan's opinion.
I am sure if Mayo lose the final again this year most people will agree.

It's a bit over the top perhaps, much like Mr Brolly's Sean Cavanagh outburst last year, but the sentiment is right.
They need to buck up and believe in themselves, their key players need to step up in the final, not just the games leading up to it.
I think that is something Dublin, Donegal and Dublin again have done the last 3 years.
2011 - Cluxton's winning point
2012 - Murphy's start
2013 - Connolly & Bernard Brogan coming alive for the last 2 games and again last point by Cluxton.

I can only go on last years final, as I have watched it a good few times, but if I was a Mayo player, fan or coach I would be looking to Aidan O'Shea in particular to grab the game by the scruff like he had done earlier in the year. I would be looking at a bit of leadership in the dying moments and not taking a minute over a free as Cillian O'Connor did.

Mayo just seem to lack that bottle, you can't blame Horan either. These players have shown they can be top players over and over again. They need to get past the mental block and do it on the biggest stage. It's something a captain or leader within the players should be doing and the rest will follow.

GAAHattrick (Dublin) - Posts: 278 - 21/08/2014 11:04:01    1639777