If he merits a place in the squad then I see no problems including him. Time will tell whether it'll be a success but he certainly has the pedigree and physicality required. If he was returning from the AFL like Kennelly etc. then there would be no debate regarding his inclusion. He may or may not add to the team but I can't see the downside of giving him an opportunity to show what he can do.

Kurt_Angle (Dublin) - Posts: 567 - 15/05/2014 11:36:37    1587924

Kurt, rugby players are nowhere near as fit as Aussie Rules or gaelic football. I mean in terms of the amount of ground they cover, and he is 32. Every team needs players that are on the move practically for the whole match. Rugby is completely differnet in that sense.

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 15/05/2014 11:44:27    1587930

Rugby is the game of all shapes and sizes in fairness. You can't compare an Eight with a full-back either in size or skill-set.

doublehop (Kildare) - Posts: 4172 - 15/05/2014 12:14:32    1587955

He has 'joined-up' with the Mayo squad, no-one has said he's now in the Mayo squad. Would have to prove his place to do so.

Comparing a back-row forward and a fullback in terms of football aptitude us ridiculous. Backrow forwards rarely put boot to ball and other than restarts don't need to be catching a ball otger tgan taking a pass. Tgey're usually heavier and slower than your fullback but in the modern game some might match the 15 for pace. A fullback needs to have some kicking skills, has some catching skills although not fielding highballs above his head like a midfielder would. Rob Kearney played minor for Louth. Shane Horgan a former Meath minor has played fullback in rugby at times. Both agreed their GAA experience was a benefit when it came to the rugby. Whether or not his rugby skills benefit his football skills remains to be seen. He's played a few games for Salthill Knocknacarra but that's a step beliw inter-county level.

Incidentally Kevin McStay reckons Aidan O'Shea will play at centre forward so there maybe room for another midfielder.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8004 - 15/05/2014 12:43:26    1587975

....Il admit I thought it was a joke at first but hey maybe its worth a try. Gavin lined out for Mayo at no.9 in the 1999 minor final which we lost to Down. We have enough in Midfield but maybe he can be deployed elsewhere.

___________

Badum duah :)

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13654 - 15/05/2014 12:52:08    1587985

Tommy Bowe for Monaghan....

supermon (Monaghan) - Posts: 1073 - 15/05/2014 12:56:45    1587990

Bit of a joke really.

I can see how someone can go straight from playing GAA to Rugby. In GAA there is a lot of skill, none in Rugby.

But for a lad who has been playing a game involving no skill for the last 12 years or so, to come back in to GAA at the highest level, is a pure stunt on Mayos part.

Although, playing for Connacth he'd be use to not winning big games. Should fit in well.

Up the lillies.

daytona11 (Kildare) - Posts: 4012 - 15/05/2014 13:00:27    1587992

Lads even if it doesn't work out there is a world of difference between Duffy and Miller. Duffy is just finished playing with Connaught and plays full back. Miller was well gone and had a lot of injuries, and he was a back row, as I said very different athletes.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8398 - 15/05/2014 13:10:22    1588001

Liamwalkinstown
County: Dublin
Posts: 5591

1587840
HurlingDub, it was Eric Miller

Cant see this happening. You cant equate it with Kennelly, completely diff set of skills. Has he even played with Salthill this year????

Cant be good for the fringe players
Smacks of a bit of desperation??

I've heard that he has indeed played for Salthill this year. It surprised me given that he was still under contract with Connacht.

I notice it's all the Dubs who believe that this won't work and smacks of desperation... Ye a bit nervous lads?

roundball (Tipperary) - Posts: 2514 - 15/05/2014 13:18:14    1588006

I heard about this on "Off The Ball"

I think it was David Brady who reported the story & he said that not alone had Duffy not fitted in at training but that he had stood out!!

Now no harm to anyone connected to Mayo, but if a rugby player who hasn't played football for over 10 years arrives at training and "stands out" then I would be worried.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 15/05/2014 13:20:59    1588012

Who's to say he'll actually be playing. Maybe he's just there to provide some insight into training techniques, leading a professional lifestyle, imparting a professional approach. If he does end up good enough to play, then he's good enough to play.

I doubt very much if Mayo will care less if it gets them over the line.

GetOverTheBar (Tyrone) - Posts: 1388 - 15/05/2014 13:22:15    1588014

Not sure what a 32 year old ex rugby international who played in a minor final FIFTEEN years ago is gonna bring to the table other than maybe as an impact sub. But then again maybe he's a good lad to have in the dressing room ~PHS

Pope_has_spoken (Dublin) - Posts: 138 - 15/05/2014 13:27:08    1588022

15/05/2014 08:21:06
bad.monkey
It says a lot about the state of gaelic football today when rugby and aussie rules players can just walk on to top inter county teams - gaelic football is now only about fitness - run & handpass. no skill left. ffs the guy hasnt played football in 13 years and he can walk back on to the Mayo panal. these players from rugby and aussie rules were former top gaelic players who played sports with many similarities to gaelic and they were pro sports people with superior fitness and can give advice in areas that others just wouldnt know about
gaelic is not just about fitness with no skill left.
He hasnt played gaelic in ages but has just been added to squad to see if he can cope with that level and if he doesnt he'll go back to club ball....

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 15/05/2014 13:39:56    1588027

15/05/2014 10:05:22
hurlingdub
Millar played in challenge games and O'Byrne Cup games for Dublin. Don't think he was tried in the league. I saw him a few times and I think Pillar's idea was to try and use him as a sort of Donaghy standing on the edge of the square. Well, it didn't work out obviously! I doubt any professional rugby player would have what it takes to make a top gaelic football team like Mayo, especially at 32. Doesn't say much for the rest of the squadwhy dont you thin any pro rugby player could make it? Esp if they were former county minor standard and then choose to play as an outside back as a pro rugby player and would be well used to playing ball.
its only on trial basis i assume and its to see how he goes,

15/05/2014 11:00:30
Ned_Stormcrow
Not a fan of this type of thing, bit lousy on club players in Mayo who are there/thereabouts in terms of getting a call up is it not? Perhaps if he is only there to lend advice rather than being available for selection then it is ok. whats lousy about it? He was a top gaelic player when he played but chose another sport and he if added will bring great presence and experience as a pro athlete that is bound to help players in the mayo squad

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 15/05/2014 13:47:03    1588032

Slap in the face to the players in the panel. The man hasn't played any high level gaa in years. And the galway club scene is v weak...

lowballplease (Galway) - Posts: 935 - 15/05/2014 13:52:30    1588036

15/05/2014 11:32:57 doublehop
If Geordan Murphy kitted out for us when he retired I would've been delighted. And Duffy writes a regular column in the Mayo News. It's not like he's just returned from abroad. Why wouldn't Mayo have a look at him? Would be interesting if GM did but he wont.
Sure its a win win if he succeeds and not any big deal if he doesnt
15/05/2014 11:44:27 hurlingdub
Kurt, rugby players are nowhere near as fit as Aussie Rules or gaelic football. I mean in terms of the amount of ground they cover, and he is 32. Every team needs players that are on the move practically for the whole match. Rugby is completely differnet in that sense. you know that how exactly? Most Rugby players are definitely fitter than vast majority of gaelic players but it would vary with aussie rules.
He was pro rugby player for over a decade and he would as a full back covered a very large amount of ground each game moving with play, moving up into defensive line/attack line when required/covering the back field for kicks/chips etc

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 15/05/2014 13:55:38    1588041

John Hayes for Limerick. Would slot in well at full forward!

mantalk (Limerick) - Posts: 107 - 15/05/2014 13:57:06    1588042

ormondbannerman
County: Clare
Posts: 7293

Most rugby players are fitter than Gaelic Footballers? What type of fitness are we talking about?

https://twitter.com/AnalysisGAA/status/456909334849794048/photo/1

Gaelic footballers cover significantly more ground in a shorter playing time. Rugby players are more powerful and have greater power endurance but lack the cardiovascular capacity of footballers I would think. There's also a common misconception that backrow forwards aren't fit, in actual fact they cover more ground than most backs.

roundball (Tipperary) - Posts: 2514 - 15/05/2014 14:23:58    1588063

If it works out then its a master stroke by management, if it doesn't then so be it.

Although what message does it send out to the club lads training and working their socks off to get into the Mayo panel then this lad strolls in? I wouldn't be too impressed at all.

bobby_shane (Dublin) - Posts: 106 - 15/05/2014 14:27:56    1588069

Ormondbannerman,

It is lousy and unfair on club players who perhaps feel they have done enough to warrant a call up, or are close to getting a call up to represent their county. But now they find their place is taken by someone who played a totally different sport. As I said, there are many benefits bringing in a top level sports star from another code in terms of motivation, fitness etc. But to make him available for selection is going too far. It smacks of desperation on Mayo's behalf. I think they'll really struggle this year to match the previous two.

Ned_Stormcrow (Cavan) - Posts: 1071 - 15/05/2014 14:49:54    1588083