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Replying To yew_tree: "I think the reality is we are a top 8 team but a long way off the elite level. We've played the two top teams in Kerry and Donegal and been hammered in both. People often go on about Mayo forward and scoring power but that's the lazy soundbite analysis. The reality is defensively we are in big trouble." I agree with this completely. Didn't agree with the narrative at all that the issue against Kerry was with the forwards. They weren't great, but they weren't the main issue.
The lazy analysis compared the scoring efficiency of both teams. What it neglected to analyse was the huge difference in levels of pressure on both teams when taking their shots. Kerry have some excellent forwards, but it was like a training session for them on Saturday.
Any time a team puts up a huge score like that, with only one wide or whatever it was, is an indication of the lack of pressure further out.
Mayo have racked up huge scores in some of the earlier games, with pretty much the same forwards. Kerry struggled to score from play against Donegal due to being starved of possession as well put under massive pressure when on the ball.
It's not just the backs that were culpable from Mayo, but the team as a whole defensively. They were well off it from a physical point of view. If you give a team like Kerry that much space and light touch defending, they'll go to town.
WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2744 - 19/03/2026 17:06:34
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Replying To tirawleybaron: "Kerry will dish out a clipping to any team who picks 3 forwards in defence and kicks 14 wides.
A big lesson for Mayo if they have the smarts to learn from it.
Silverware will be for Kerry and Donegal to divy up.
Mayo have it all to do to stop Galway wining a 5 in a row in Connacht - (including beating Roscommon).
To do that we would have to recapture the sort of consistency we haven't seen since for 8/10 years. Getting Mayo back to playing hard and kicking 50% from play with 85% form frees every day they go out would be a good achievement." Who were the 3 forwards in defence? Diarmuid fair enough but Dawson has probably played the majority of his football at wing back.. dunno who the third one is?
8-10 years ago we weren't beating Galway in connacht either BTW..
It will be a challenge to win connacht of course but we've been very close the last couple of years so it's certainly achievable.
MayoDan (Mayo) - Posts: 523 - 19/03/2026 17:54:33
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Replying To MayoDan: "Who were the 3 forwards in defence? Diarmuid fair enough but Dawson has probably played the majority of his football at wing back.. dunno who the third one is?
8-10 years ago we weren't beating Galway in connacht either BTW..
It will be a challenge to win connacht of course but we've been very close the last couple of years so it's certainly achievable." Robert Hennelly;
Jack Coyne, - corner back
Rory Brickenden, - plays midfield for Westport
Donnacha McHugh; - full back
Sam Callinan, - wing back
Diarmuid O'Connor, - former young player of the year as a half forward
Conal Dawson; - https://www.mayonews.ie/news/gaa/1582159/westport-come-good-to-squeeze-past-battling-balla.html - seems to have the 10 jersey on there - he is a half forward
Bob Tuohy, - midfield
David McBrien; - full back for club
Jack Carney, - midfield for club
Ryan O'Donoghue, - CF for club
Jordan Flynn; - midfield for club
Darragh Beirne, - corner forward for club
Kobe McDonald, - midfield for club
Fergal Boland. - CF for club
Subs:
Sean Morahan (wing back for club) for Conal Dawson,
Diarmuid Duffy (center forward for club) for Donnacha McHugh,
Stephen Coen (Midfielder) for Diarmuid O'Connor,
Aidan O'Shea (FF for club) for Darragh Beirne,
Cillian O'Connor (FF for club) for Bob Tuohy.
Started with 4 defenders with 1 playing out of position.
Took off 1 no full back and put on a wing back
Started with 5 midfielders but only 1 playing at midfield
Started with 2 forwards playing in their normal positions.
You can be as pedantic as you want but no County can keep Kerry under 15 points playing with 3 defenders in their back 6.
Any team taking the field with only 2 forwards in their natural positions will kick a shed load of wides on a windy day
Mayo could do worse than picking lads in their correct positions and see what happens
Robert Hennelly;
Jack Coyne,
David McBrien,
Donnacha McHugh
Sam Callinan,
Paddy Durcan,
Sean Morahan;
Bob Tuohy,
Jordan Flynn;
Jack Carney,
Ryan O'Donoghue,
Kobe McDonald;
Darragh Beirne,
Kub Callaghan,
Cian McHale
tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1714 - 20/03/2026 12:47:23
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Replying To tirawleybaron: "Robert Hennelly;
Jack Coyne, - corner back
Rory Brickenden, - plays midfield for Westport
Donnacha McHugh; - full back
Sam Callinan, - wing back
Diarmuid O'Connor, - former young player of the year as a half forward
Conal Dawson; - https://www.mayonews.ie/news/gaa/1582159/westport-come-good-to-squeeze-past-battling-balla.html - seems to have the 10 jersey on there - he is a half forward
Bob Tuohy, - midfield
David McBrien; - full back for club
Jack Carney, - midfield for club
Ryan O'Donoghue, - CF for club
Jordan Flynn; - midfield for club
Darragh Beirne, - corner forward for club
Kobe McDonald, - midfield for club
Fergal Boland. - CF for club
Subs:
Sean Morahan (wing back for club) for Conal Dawson,
Diarmuid Duffy (center forward for club) for Donnacha McHugh,
Stephen Coen (Midfielder) for Diarmuid O'Connor,
Aidan O'Shea (FF for club) for Darragh Beirne,
Cillian O'Connor (FF for club) for Bob Tuohy.
Started with 4 defenders with 1 playing out of position.
Took off 1 no full back and put on a wing back
Started with 5 midfielders but only 1 playing at midfield
Started with 2 forwards playing in their normal positions.
You can be as pedantic as you want but no County can keep Kerry under 15 points playing with 3 defenders in their back 6.
Any team taking the field with only 2 forwards in their natural positions will kick a shed load of wides on a windy day
Mayo could do worse than picking lads in their correct positions and see what happens
Robert Hennelly;
Jack Coyne,
David McBrien,
Donnacha McHugh
Sam Callinan,
Paddy Durcan,
Sean Morahan;
Bob Tuohy,
Jordan Flynn;
Jack Carney,
Ryan O'Donoghue,
Kobe McDonald;
Darragh Beirne,
Kub Callaghan,
Cian McHale" I actually agree to a certain extent about playing forwards in forward positions. Mayo have always went for athletes rather than natural scorers especially at half forward but I do think Andy is trying to find a balance. You did however lose me when you mentioned Kuba Callaghan. An outstanding club player but not up to inter County level.
TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8798 - 20/03/2026 13:20:47
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Replying To tirawleybaron: "Robert Hennelly;
Jack Coyne, - corner back
Rory Brickenden, - plays midfield for Westport
Donnacha McHugh; - full back
Sam Callinan, - wing back
Diarmuid O'Connor, - former young player of the year as a half forward
Conal Dawson; - https://www.mayonews.ie/news/gaa/1582159/westport-come-good-to-squeeze-past-battling-balla.html - seems to have the 10 jersey on there - he is a half forward
Bob Tuohy, - midfield
David McBrien; - full back for club
Jack Carney, - midfield for club
Ryan O'Donoghue, - CF for club
Jordan Flynn; - midfield for club
Darragh Beirne, - corner forward for club
Kobe McDonald, - midfield for club
Fergal Boland. - CF for club
Subs:
Sean Morahan (wing back for club) for Conal Dawson,
Diarmuid Duffy (center forward for club) for Donnacha McHugh,
Stephen Coen (Midfielder) for Diarmuid O'Connor,
Aidan O'Shea (FF for club) for Darragh Beirne,
Cillian O'Connor (FF for club) for Bob Tuohy.
Started with 4 defenders with 1 playing out of position.
Took off 1 no full back and put on a wing back
Started with 5 midfielders but only 1 playing at midfield
Started with 2 forwards playing in their normal positions.
You can be as pedantic as you want but no County can keep Kerry under 15 points playing with 3 defenders in their back 6.
Any team taking the field with only 2 forwards in their natural positions will kick a shed load of wides on a windy day
Mayo could do worse than picking lads in their correct positions and see what happens
Robert Hennelly;
Jack Coyne,
David McBrien,
Donnacha McHugh
Sam Callinan,
Paddy Durcan,
Sean Morahan;
Bob Tuohy,
Jordan Flynn;
Jack Carney,
Ryan O'Donoghue,
Kobe McDonald;
Darragh Beirne,
Kub Callaghan,
Cian McHale" I'd agree in some ways, think when It comes to the bigger clubs yes certainly play them in their positions, but alot of smaller clubs if the have a county player tend to play them in the middle 8 no matter where they played for county, for me mayo need to sort full back line and full forward line, mayo have a massive squad all of a similar quality, mcbrien should be in full back with coyne and McHugh either side, full forward needs to be kuba boland and McHale imo until Conroy is back, think that would improve those 2 lines and you can choose a middle 8 from rest, obviously ROD and McLaughlin should be guaranteed starters,
Hennelly
Coyne
Mcbrien
McHugh
McLaughlin
Calinan
Duncan
Ruane
Carney
Flynn
DOC
ROD
Boland
Kuba
McHale
That team will run any county close imo
Liftball (Armagh) - Posts: 55 - 20/03/2026 14:15:17
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Replying To Liftball: "I'd agree in some ways, think when It comes to the bigger clubs yes certainly play them in their positions, but alot of smaller clubs if the have a county player tend to play them in the middle 8 no matter where they played for county, for me mayo need to sort full back line and full forward line, mayo have a massive squad all of a similar quality, mcbrien should be in full back with coyne and McHugh either side, full forward needs to be kuba boland and McHale imo until Conroy is back, think that would improve those 2 lines and you can choose a middle 8 from rest, obviously ROD and McLaughlin should be guaranteed starters,
Hennelly
Coyne
Mcbrien
McHugh
McLaughlin
Calinan
Duncan
Ruane
Carney
Flynn
DOC
ROD
Boland
Kuba
McHale
That team will run any county close imo" Ye mayo are better thab last saturday but still way off kerry donegak and Armagh at their nest right now fact run county close maybe 4 or 5 to donegal or kerry if they are bit off but need develop better defence strategy and convert more outside of kone
Gaaforlife2023 (Longford) - Posts: 1236 - 20/03/2026 14:57:26
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Replying To Gaaforlife2023: "Ye mayo are better thab last saturday but still way off kerry donegak and Armagh at their nest right now fact run county close maybe 4 or 5 to donegal or kerry if they are bit off but need develop better defence strategy and convert more outside of kone" How are Armagh better then Mayo? We are well off kerry & donegal but most counties are tbh
S1234 (Mayo) - Posts: 973 - 20/03/2026 18:01:05
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Replying To Liftball: "I'd agree in some ways, think when It comes to the bigger clubs yes certainly play them in their positions, but alot of smaller clubs if the have a county player tend to play them in the middle 8 no matter where they played for county, for me mayo need to sort full back line and full forward line, mayo have a massive squad all of a similar quality, mcbrien should be in full back with coyne and McHugh either side, full forward needs to be kuba boland and McHale imo until Conroy is back, think that would improve those 2 lines and you can choose a middle 8 from rest, obviously ROD and McLaughlin should be guaranteed starters,
Hennelly
Coyne
Mcbrien
McHugh
McLaughlin
Calinan
Duncan
Ruane
Carney
Flynn
DOC
ROD
Boland
Kuba
McHale
That team will run any county close imo" McGhlaughlin is out for the year with injury .
S1234 (Mayo) - Posts: 973 - 20/03/2026 18:43:39
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Replying To S1234: "How are Armagh better then Mayo? We are well off kerry & donegal but most counties are tbh" Ah well recent all Ireland winners would be one….
yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11964 - 20/03/2026 20:07:38
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Replying To S1234: "How are Armagh better then Mayo? We are well off kerry & donegal but most counties are tbh" Armagh won the All-Ireland recently and Mayo not since 1951, hope that helps Ms Kennedy.
Drax_the_destroyer (UK) - Posts: 715 - 21/03/2026 00:30:35
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Replying To yew_tree: "Ah well recent all Ireland winners would be one…." Obviously...
But they are missing Rian O 'Neill this year. Big loss. Also in the relagation zone.
S1234 (Mayo) - Posts: 973 - 21/03/2026 11:22:09
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Replying To Drax_the_destroyer: "Armagh won the All-Ireland recently and Mayo not since 1951, hope that helps Ms Kennedy." Rent free...
S1234 (Mayo) - Posts: 973 - 21/03/2026 11:22:22
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Very disappointed with the Mayo team named. Fair enough , no interest in getting to league final and take the opportunity to give lads a chance. But with the strength of yer panel i thought ye wouldnt have to resort to playing lads who have no real chance of contributing come championship, or at least no chance in the positions they are selected. At least the only one impacted by the weak team is yerselves. I would be fairly aggrieved with this team if ros had lost to donegal and were still in the relegation mix. To be honest the team selection smacks of a fear that ros might beat ye with a full team and that , that, would dent confidence pre champo, and that seems to be reflected in the comments in Mayo blog where most people are happy with the selection.
anotheralias (Galway) - Posts: 1050 - 21/03/2026 11:28:09
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Replying To anotheralias: "Very disappointed with the Mayo team named. Fair enough , no interest in getting to league final and take the opportunity to give lads a chance. But with the strength of yer panel i thought ye wouldnt have to resort to playing lads who have no real chance of contributing come championship, or at least no chance in the positions they are selected. At least the only one impacted by the weak team is yerselves. I would be fairly aggrieved with this team if ros had lost to donegal and were still in the relegation mix. To be honest the team selection smacks of a fear that ros might beat ye with a full team and that , that, would dent confidence pre champo, and that seems to be reflected in the comments in Mayo blog where most people are happy with the selection." That's a ridiculous comment. Does not smack of fear. We have to rest guys. We don't want a league final .
S1234 (Mayo) - Posts: 973 - 21/03/2026 11:42:08
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Replying To anotheralias: "Very disappointed with the Mayo team named. Fair enough , no interest in getting to league final and take the opportunity to give lads a chance. But with the strength of yer panel i thought ye wouldnt have to resort to playing lads who have no real chance of contributing come championship, or at least no chance in the positions they are selected. At least the only one impacted by the weak team is yerselves. I would be fairly aggrieved with this team if ros had lost to donegal and were still in the relegation mix. To be honest the team selection smacks of a fear that ros might beat ye with a full team and that , that, would dent confidence pre champo, and that seems to be reflected in the comments in Mayo blog where most people are happy with the selection." Lol and Rossies make 9 changes reating the majority of their main players. So your comment makes zero sence tbh haha
S1234 (Mayo) - Posts: 973 - 21/03/2026 13:09:18
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Replying To S1234: "That's a ridiculous comment. Does not smack of fear. We have to rest guys. We don't want a league final ." Think i might have hit a little nerve. It was a bit of a tongue in cheek comment about the fear,as i doubt if Andy waa thinking that way. But i would say with certainty that its the way some supporters are thinking.
anotheralias (Galway) - Posts: 1050 - 21/03/2026 13:30:07
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Replying To anotheralias: "Very disappointed with the Mayo team named. Fair enough , no interest in getting to league final and take the opportunity to give lads a chance. But with the strength of yer panel i thought ye wouldnt have to resort to playing lads who have no real chance of contributing come championship, or at least no chance in the positions they are selected. At least the only one impacted by the weak team is yerselves. I would be fairly aggrieved with this team if ros had lost to donegal and were still in the relegation mix. To be honest the team selection smacks of a fear that ros might beat ye with a full team and that , that, would dent confidence pre champo, and that seems to be reflected in the comments in Mayo blog where most people are happy with the selection." Likely more to do with keeping your powder dry, injuries and giving fringe players a run out. Mayo have been in three of the last four league finals. When other teams do it it's described as being cute but when Mayo do it, it's fear. Okay got ya. Cheer up. Mayo may still win the game.
yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11964 - 21/03/2026 13:33:25
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Replying To S1234: "That's a ridiculous comment. Does not smack of fear. We have to rest guys. We don't want a league final ." 'We'!
GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8481 - 21/03/2026 16:03:41
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Replying To GreenandRed: "'We'!" Lol
S1234 (Mayo) - Posts: 973 - 21/03/2026 17:03:24
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Replying To anotheralias: "Very disappointed with the Mayo team named. Fair enough , no interest in getting to league final and take the opportunity to give lads a chance. But with the strength of yer panel i thought ye wouldnt have to resort to playing lads who have no real chance of contributing come championship, or at least no chance in the positions they are selected. At least the only one impacted by the weak team is yerselves. I would be fairly aggrieved with this team if ros had lost to donegal and were still in the relegation mix. To be honest the team selection smacks of a fear that ros might beat ye with a full team and that , that, would dent confidence pre champo, and that seems to be reflected in the comments in Mayo blog where most people are happy with the selection." The Mayo GAA blog has too many keyboard whingers and more usernames than posters.
GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8481 - 21/03/2026 18:25:45
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