Can just about start to think about the game now. Firstly i was very disappointed by the mayo crowd that travelled to the game, very few in numbers. From most i was talkin to afterwards there was a kind of apathy towards the result, like it was nearly expected (actually im beginning to obtain a dislike for markevicz after saturday, sligo in '00 and fermanagh in '03). Dont think there is much point in analysing the mayo performace (or lack of it) but just move on, play the club championship and try and salvage some pride later in the summer.
The coverage of the game since seems to come down to 1. what happened mayo, they were clueless, no leaders etc. or 2. werent sligo brave/ hungry etc. I find this extremely patronising to a very skilful sligo team. From my position in the stand it was fairly obvious- Sligo won because they had the better players on view. Only freeman, andy and ger caff outplayed their opposite number. The media need to forget about history and tradition and judge teams season by season. The amount on lazy GAA journalism that takes place on rte and the national press is nauseating. It was a joy to watch harrison, donovan, davey, kelly and o'hara (is there a better sight in GAA than to see him chargin up the field on an unstoppable run!) in action. So it was sligos day and they deserve full credit for the victory.
You mention the 06 U-21 team and future hopes for Mayo on the back of that. FFS the best Mayo player on the pitch was Alan Cos! Why was he alienated by the present Mayo structure after players like he and Andy Moran won an All Ireland for Mayo at that level? They were the two stand out players for that Mayo U-21 team.
You ve shown us your vast knowledge (or lack of) of mayo football with that comment
sligo have a few handy players in fairness. that skinhead lad in the backs for example. good footballer. might be the tonic mayo need. still would'nt write them off. i expect mayo to have a long season. (my money in paddy powers says they better !)