I'm looking forward to this game, as I only have to make a relatively short trip up from Galway to Castlebar. As things stand at the moment Mayo of course will be favorites nationally, & rightly so, given their current form. However, I think it will be a really tight, high scoring game.
Our so called "high intensity" game may just upset Mayo. However, our midfield will have to get the upper hand on Mayo's, especially Ronan McGarrity. Mayo's midfied are argueably one of the best in the country. Dick is playing well , &no better man
to keep "a good eye" on McGarritty.
I have a good feeling we can "ruffle a few feathers" & nick this one. Here's hoping!

Monaghan Exile (Monaghan) - Posts: 444 - 24/03/2010 21:18:56    597972

yep will be a tight game i reckon......here's hoping the 6 hours of driving will be worth it!

blueblood (Monaghan) - Posts: 73 - 25/03/2010 11:42:15    598207

blueblood.. are you going on the bicycle ?.

BufordTJustice (USA) - Posts: 669 - 25/03/2010 12:05:40    598259

Monaghan will hammer Mayo.

farmer2 (Sligo) - Posts: 442 - 25/03/2010 13:08:23    598364

a big welcome to the farney army coming to castlebar. i havent seen ye play in the flesh since ye came to castlebar in the 96 league opener. as a young boy at the time all i remember was mayo fans giving yer team a fine welcome. (media were focusing on the referee that cost mayo sam a few weeks earlier)

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11690 - 25/03/2010 20:06:15    599203

I remember 1996 well. Then the NFL used to start in Oct ( a few weeks after All-Ireland final). I was in Castlebar for the 1st rd. of NFL games. .... That game was Mayo v Monaghan.
Yes, indeed all the "Mayo talk" for the previous few weeks was of a certain referee, Pat McEneaney.

As I waited for the 2 teams to arrive on the pitch, I was nervous for my Monaghan team as I felt they would get a very hostile reception, especially as the Monaghan captain that day was none other than Frank McEneaney, brother of Pat.

Mayo were 1st onto the pitch, to an expected rapturous reception.
yew_tree
County: Mayo
Posts: 828

599203 a big welcome to the farney army coming to castlebar. i havent seen ye play in the flesh since ye came to castlebar in the 96 league opener. as a young boy at the time all i remember was mayo fans giving yer team a fine welcome. (media were focusing on the referee that cost mayo sam a few weeks earlier)

Below is most of the text of a post I posted in the Mayo forum, regarding that same game in '96.

Eventually, Frank McEneaney led his team out, I waited for the boos etc., ....... not as much as one!...... THE MAYO FANS TO A MAN/WOMAN, STOOD UP AND GAVE THE MONAGHAN TEAM A STANDING OVATION !
It was a moment I will never forget, & a time for Mayo people everywhere to be proud of themselves. Thanks Mayo folk for that & thanks "on the road" for reminding me of '96.

ps; Mayo won that game.
I hope we can "bate" ye next Sun. to ease our relegation worries. It will be a close match. You may be mildly suprised to find that Monaghan are not the dirty team made out by the likes of J Brolly & P Spillane. In fact, we are usually involved in high scoring games! We play hard, but fair!... enjoy Sunday & may the best team win a good game of football!

Monaghan Exile (Monaghan) - Posts: 444 - 25/03/2010 20:22:59    599233

ref; my previous post,...... the begining is the actual extract from my post in Mayo forum. Somehow my introductory line "below isa ...etc." got inserted in the middle!

Monaghan Exile (Monaghan) - Posts: 444 - 25/03/2010 20:30:18    599249

Re : Bufordtjustice

3 hrs there, 3 hrs back....

blueblood (Monaghan) - Posts: 73 - 25/03/2010 21:01:36    599294

Going to be a tough one but reckon we can shade it. Anyone have any details on team selection yet????

Monaghan Man (Monaghan) - Posts: 100 - 26/03/2010 09:39:44    599461

looking for my first goal scorer bet - who do ya's think. who of the mayo team do ya reckon would cause ye most bother?? i'm going for enda varley at 10/1 first goalscorer

maigheogodeo (Kildare) - Posts: 113 - 26/03/2010 16:38:21    600090

3 hrs there an 12 hrs back is the norm

ochonlir (Cavan) - Posts: 4343 - 27/03/2010 12:09:20    600590

that goal was 4 mins into injury time! there were on 3 added on. Mayos last point was 3 and a half minutes into injury time so why didn't the ref blow it up then?

governor (Monaghan) - Posts: 39 - 28/03/2010 15:15:53    601221

the point was 3mins 28secs in to injury time.yet the ref didnt blow for half time.Mayo have savage wind in the second half.Jap looks in pain.Worried.

hogoboss (Monaghan) - Posts: 617 - 28/03/2010 15:19:11    601225

Monaghan Players time wasting caused the extra min and a half

ochonlir (Cavan) - Posts: 4343 - 28/03/2010 15:26:40    601240

I watched the entire game and thought the inconsistent refereeing was glaring. Monaghan players were blown up for crowding when a Mayo man had the ball but when the roles were reversed it was Mayo who got the free for Monaghan not releasing the ball, total double standards. The 4 and a half minutes injury time played at the end of the first half was a disgrace when 3 minutes was shown and it cost Monaghan the game.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9825 - 28/03/2010 16:41:21    601329

Hard luck today lads, ye deserved the draw at least. Ye played some great football. If ye get the fitness up for championship ye will be a hard team to beat. Best of luck in last game, hope ye can stay up.

Spuddy (Mayo) - Posts: 345 - 28/03/2010 16:52:12    601346

no point blaming the referee.

farney_exile (Monaghan) - Posts: 71 - 28/03/2010 16:53:04    601350

Whatever Ulsterman, grow up ffs.

Spuddy (Mayo) - Posts: 345 - 28/03/2010 16:57:27    601355

BOTTLERS.and thats that.same old story and its never gonna change.harsh but true.Monaghan might as well not go in front against the bigger opposition cause there is only gonna be one result

anbhoth15 (Monaghan) - Posts: 103 - 28/03/2010 16:58:23    601357

The lads busted themselves during the game, really tough luck that half time was not blown up sooner. They should have held it out though. Can someone tell me what Grimley does to improve the team. I have watched the league now and cant see anything!

rollingstones (Monaghan) - Posts: 57 - 28/03/2010 16:59:27    601362