Mayo GAA Discussion Thread

Boom__Boom

seligehgit wrote: »

List of Mayo's 2015 National League Fixtures(Provisional)

Early chance to get some small measure of revenge!

What's the source for this?

seligehgit

km79 wrote: »

that's 3 long away trips.......where is the Dublin match that its on at 7...../surely not croke park

I think we're at home for that one km79,we've had to travel to Croker the last 2 years you might recall.
The source is the Mayo GAA Banter Page on Facebook.
Hopefully we can use the FBD league and National League to experiment with some new players whilst staying up.

Oldtree

Great, 4 home matches

km79

seligehgit wrote: »

I think we're at home for that one km79,we've had to travel to Croker the last 2 years you might recall.
The source is the Mayo GAA Banter Page on Facebook.
Hopefully we can use the FBD league and National League to experiment with some new players whilst staying up.

I know buts its down as 7pm ?
under lights at McHale park ? be nice

seligehgit

km79 wrote: »

I know buts its down as 7pm ?
under lights at McHale park ? be nice

Presume so,Kildare game was under floodlights on a Saturday night 2 years ago.Makes for a great buzz,especially when the Dubs come to town.

km79

seligehgit wrote: »

Presume so,Kildare game was under floodlights on a Saturday night 2 years ago.Makes for a great buzz,especially when the Dubs come to town.

paddys weekend too . nice !

seligehgit

yop wrote: »

Think it would be perfect, but cant see it happen.

Very doubtful Connelly would want to be a number 2 to anybody,same would likely apply for McStay.

yop

We had Dublin under lights a few years back didn't we? Postponed due to fog? Love them night game, few hot drinks at the match then a few pints after
Wont make Cork or Kerry but will head up to Derry.

ProudDUB

seligehgit wrote: »

List of Mayo's 2015 National League Fixtures(Provisional)

Early chance to get some small measure of revenge!

You better start hoping that Donegal win on Sunday. Coz if they don't, you will have the dubious honour of clapping Kerry onto the pitch in Kilarney, as All Ireland champs. Won't that be fun? :rolleyes:

realweirdo

Am I the only one struggling to see the SENIOR managerial credentials of Connelly? Not assistant manager, not co-manager, but the boss, the head honcho.

I see it as an inside job if Connelly gets this one. It looks like the Ballina crowd have few friends on the County Board, especially since they chose not to contribute funds to the county training fund.

James Horan is right, the County Board are a farce.

Fr Tod Umptious

Oldtree wrote: »

Great, 4 home matches

If its true then it will be very handy in trying to consolidate Div 1 status whilst blooding new players.

Anything after that is gravy.

ProudDUB

Are any other counties league schedules available, even if just in provisional form?

I think the league will be an absolute blood bath in 2015. Seven out of the eight counties will have been in an AI final or semi final in the past couple of years. There will be no easy games at all.

yop

ProudDUB wrote: »

You better start hoping that Donegal win on Sunday. Coz if they don't, you will have the dubious honour of clapping Kerry onto the pitch in Kilarney, as All Ireland champs. Won't that be fun? :rolleyes:

Ah it has to be done, when the dust settles the better team beat us and if they are AI champions then we have to do as any team would do to us and clap them on.

mayo.mick

Boom__Boom wrote: »

What's the source for this?

MaroonAndGreen

Looks set to be Connelly from all the talk... a thought has struck me though... what if Hollymount progress into 2015 in the Intermediate Championship? They are looking favourites to win Mayo so its not a very unlikely scenario considering how well our last 2 Intermediate winners have done.

He'd then be managing Mayo AND Hollymount for a few months?

Fr Tod Umptious

realweirdo wrote: »

Am I the only one struggling to see the SENIOR managerial credentials of Connelly? Not assistant manager, not co-manager, but the boss, the head honcho.

I see it as an inside job if Connelly gets this one. It looks like the Ballina crowd have few friends on the County Board, especially since they chose not to contribute funds to the county training fund.

James Horan is right, the County Board are a farce.

Out of curiosity what are these "
SENIOR managerial credentials " you speak of ?

KMFCross

McStay or Connelly / Holmes

http://mayogaablog.com/?p=15542

seligehgit

KMFCross wrote: »

McStay or Connelly / Holmes

http://mayogaablog.com/?p=15542

Voted for McStay!:D

blinding

Is McStay and Connelly as a dream team a non starter ? ? ?

Loafing Oaf

blinding wrote: »

Is McStay and Connelly as a dream team a non starter ? ? ?

Can't see it at this stage. would require agreement of all parties including Holmes...

blinding

Loafing Oaf wrote: »

Can't see it at this stage. would require agreement of all parties including Holmes...

Maybe McStay with Connelly and Holmes as selectors and maybe Send Off Liam McHale somewhere to see how he handles it :P

Loafing Oaf

blinding wrote: »

Maybe McStay with Connelly and Holmes as selectors and maybe Send Off Liam McHale somewhere to see how he handles it :P

Presumably Connelly would prefer the top job to being McStay's deputy, and if bookies/word on the online street are anything to go by, he has at the very least a decent shot at it, so why shouldn't he go for it?

blinding

In fairness there are no guarantees when picking a new manager.

Coz if there was ever team would pick the Guaranteed manager.

I hope Mayo get it right by whatever means. I don't even mind if there is luck involved !

realweirdo

Loafing Oaf wrote: »

Presumably Connelly would prefer the top job to being McStay's deputy, and if bookies/word on the online street are anything to go by, he has at the very least a decent shot at it, so why shouldn't he go for it?

Nothing against Connelly personally, but he's unproven as a manager at senior level which makes it a gamble.

There are lots of managers hanging around Mayo who have got Mayo senior county teams or clubs to AI finals. Its getting them across the line is what is needed, that little bit extra on the mental side as well as the tactical side.

Castlebar for example didn't have it last year in Croke Park. St. Brigids did the year before.

No-one can doubt McStay is proven. Plenty can doubt that Connelly is as a manager of a senior side. It would be a gamble appointing him in my view.

Fr Tod Umptious

realweirdo wrote: »

Nothing against Connelly personally, but he's unproven as a manager at senior level which makes it a gamble.

There are lots of managers hanging around Mayo who have got Mayo senior county teams or clubs to AI finals. Its getting them across the line is what is needed, that little bit extra on the mental side as well as the tactical side.

Castlebar for example didn't have it last year in Croke Park. St. Brigids did the year before.

No-one can doubt McStay is proven. Plenty can doubt that Connelly is as a manager of a senior side. It would be a gamble appointing him in my view.

I think it would be unwise to reject a candidate just because they have not wonna senior AI title, which seems to be your basis for rejecting Connelly over McStay.

Who are the managers that won with Cross. and Ballina back in the day ?
Should they be not be candidates ?

I don't think that the sole selection aim should be getting someone who can get them "across the line" is a wise idea.

They have to have a broader outlook.

Sure this team is close to getting across the line, they are still a top team in the country, but getting someone who will rely on the existing squad and try to get them across the line with minimal changes is dangerous.
If you fail then you set the process back a good few years, cos some of these guys are getting to the stage where they can't give any more.

What you need is major squad improvement, the addition of youth and depth across the board.
That then give you a better chance of being at the top for longer and eventually the win will come.

Look at Cork in the 00s, they were around a long time, but they eventually won.

Of the above scenarios, it think McStay gives you the former, but Connelly gives you the latter

realweirdo

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

I think it would be unwise to reject a candidate just because they have not wonna senior AI title, which seems to be your basis for rejecting Connelly over McStay.

Who are the managers that won with Cross. and Ballina back in the day ?
Should they be not be candidates ?

I don't think that the sole selection aim should be getting someone who can get them "across the line" is a wise idea.

They have to have a broader outlook.

Sure this team is close to getting across the line, they are still a top team in the country, but getting someone who will rely on the existing squad and try to get them across the line with minimal changes is dangerous.
If you fail then you set the process back a good few years, cos some of these guys are getting to the stage where they can't give any more.

What you need is major squad improvement, the addition of youth and depth across the board.
That then give you a better chance of being at the top for longer and eventually the win will come.

Look at Cork in the 00s, they were around a long time, but they eventually won.

Of the above scenarios, it think McStay gives you the former, but Connelly gives you the latter

There is a well known hang-up in mayo football about getting over the winning line, a hoodoo you might say. There have been Mayo teams who have lost finals because they weren't good enough. But there have been Mayo teams who were good enough but for one reason or another didn't win when they should have. McStay has shown he can overcome this hoodoo on the big day in Croke Park. Show me where Connelly has done likewise? Himself and Holmes had their chance last year and Diarmuid Connolly was running the show when it was obvious from early on something needed to be changed and him double marked at least. There was no tactical astuteness from what I could see. Holmes also had his time as Mayo manager and the results were very mixed. No-one takes the League seriously in recent decades. It's a warm up to the Championship, little more.

Syferus

MaroonAndGreen wrote: »

Looks set to be Connelly from all the talk... a thought has struck me though... what if Hollymount progress into 2015 in the Intermediate Championship? They are looking favourites to win Mayo so its not a very unlikely scenario considering how well our last 2 Intermediate winners have done.

He'd then be managing Mayo AND Hollymount for a few months?

Cunningham managed Garrycastle to an AI football final replay while starting out as the Galway hurling manager. Hardly unprecedented but it would be added strain on anyone.

Audioslaven

realweirdo wrote: »

There is a well known hang-up in mayo football about getting over the winning line, a hoodoo you might say. There have been Mayo teams who have lost finals because they weren't good enough. But there have been Mayo teams who were good enough but for one reason or another didn't win when they should have. McStay has shown he can overcome this hoodoo on the big day in Croke Park. Show me where Connelly has done likewise? Himself and Holmes had their chance last year and Diarmuid Connolly was running the show when it was obvious from early on something needed to be changed and him double marked at least. There was no tactical astuteness from what I could see. Holmes also had his time as Mayo manager and the results were very mixed. No-one takes the League seriously in recent decades. It's a warm up to the Championship, little more.

I would agree with this. I think McStay is a better option. I am not a fan of Mchale if this is his side kick. However, I would pick McStay over a double act even with Mchale.

I am not gone on Holmes. I don't think he is the sharpest of guys to spot where the problems are steming from. Also I always feel when two guys need to join together to be the main men, this says there is some inadequacy in both. I just prefer one main man.

Fr Tod Umptious

realweirdo wrote: »

There is a well known hang-up in mayo football about getting over the winning line, a hoodoo you might say. There have been Mayo teams who have lost finals because they weren't good enough. But there have been Mayo teams who were good enough but for one reason or another didn't win when they should have. McStay has shown he can overcome this hoodoo on the big day in Croke Park. Show me where Connelly has done likewise? Himself and Holmes had their chance last year and Diarmuid Connolly was running the show when it was obvious from early on something needed to be changed and him double marked at least. There was no tactical astuteness from what I could see. Holmes also had his time as Mayo manager and the results were very mixed. No-one takes the League seriously in recent decades. It's a warm up to the Championship, little more.

As far as I have researched Connelly had nothing to do with Castlebar in 2014.

So you are giving McStay all the credit for St. Bridget's success in 2013 and blaming Connelly for something he had nothing to do with in 2014

So you don't have a clue what you are on about.

Fr Tod Umptious

Audioslaven wrote: »

I would agree with this. I think McStay is a better option. I am not a fan of Mchale if this is his side kick. However, I would pick McStay over a double act even with Mchale.

I am not gone on Holmes. I don't think he is the sharpest of guys to spot where the problems are steming from. Also I always feel when two guys need to join together to be the main men, this says there is some inadequacy in both. I just prefer one main man.

I'd prefer to see Connelly on his own as manager but if Holmes was a selector or whatever no problem.
But official joint managers are not ideal as you suggest.

realweirdo

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

As far as I have researched Connelly had nothing to do with Castlebar in 2014.

So you are giving McStay all the credit for St. Bridget's success in 2013 and blaming Connelly for something he had nothing to do with in 2014

So you don't have a clue what you are on about.

Would you at least admit that Connelly has no record whatsoever as a senior manager in terms of success. In that regard appointing him is a gamble we don't need. I just want to see the best candidate get the job not the one who's "in"with the county board. The mayo county board are, were and will always be a shambles. James Horan knew this better than anyone. For the last time Connelly is unproven as a senior manager.

blinding

I think the Mayo County Board would prefer somebody that does to stand up to them.

We need someone that will stand up to them for the right reasons.

Hopefully we get it right and a bit of luck won't hurt either.

Fr Tod Umptious

realweirdo wrote: »

Would you at least admit that Connelly has no record whatsoever as a senior manager in terms of success. In that regard appointing him is a gamble we don't need. I just want to see the best candidate get the job not the one who's "in"with the county board. The mayo county board are, were and will always be a shambles. James Horan knew this better than anyone. For the last time Connelly is unproven as a senior manager.

I'll tell you what the facts are.
McStay has won a national senior title as a manager.
Connelly was not part of the Castlebar setup that lost this years club final, as you suggested he was.

My point is the manager should not be selected on an All Ireland senior competition win/loss comparison as you seem to think it should.

Since you don't even have your facts right I don't think your opinion is worth anything

Fr Tod Umptious

blinding wrote: »

I think the Mayo County Board would prefer somebody that does to stand up to them.

We need someone that will stand up to them for the right reasons.

Hopefully we get it right and a bit of luck won't hurt either.

I'm going to give the County Board an ounce of credit here.

They appointed Horan, who if anyone remotely knew anything about him they would know he is as far from a "yes" man as you can get.
And it was a great appointment, so don't underestimate the boards ability to do what's right for the senior team.

TCDStudent1

On the Connelly / Holmes nomination, Is it a joint manager proposal? Or is it a Connelly = manager / Holmes = assistant proposal (similar to the Moran / Morrisson set up).

Fr Tod Umptious

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

On the Connelly / Holmes nomination, Is it a joint manager proposal? Or is it a Connelly = manager / Holmes = assistant proposal (similar to the Moran / Morrisson set up).

According to the Irish Independent they have been nominated as joint managers.

According to the Connaught Telegraph Holmes has agreed to be nominated as a joint candidate with Connelly.

Holm's earlier ruled himself out of the running, but that was presumably as a stand alone candidate.

TCDStudent1

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

According to the Irish Independent they have been nominated as joint managers.

According to the Connaught Telegraph Holmes has agreed to be nominated as a joint candidate with Connelly.

Holm's earlier ruled himself out of the running, but that was presumably as a stand alone candidate.

I think Connelly is a superior candidate to McStay. But not sure I'd be keen for a joint manager situation. Has this ever worked with success in GAA before? I remember Armagh had joint managers before Kernan but it is debatable if their tenure is considered successful. Anybody have success with it?

realweirdo

Looks like Connelly has got the job. I can't imagine the selection process was too rigorous. By the sounds of it, McStay was interviewed via one telephone call, a token gesture I'd say.

http://hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=224647

Bit of a farce really but what do you expect.

Connelly will I'd say be given a 3 year term with the option of a 4th. And unfortunately I can't see us winning an AI in that time.

seligehgit

If it is all done and dusted and Noel Connelly is a shoe in for the job,the whole process does seem to be a bit of a joke,surely the process could have been a tad more rigorous with both candidates formally interviewed for the post,setting out what they would bring to the table.A review of the last 4 years could have been undertaken to see what lessons could be learned and how to progress the County team towards achieving the ultimate goal.

I'm all for stability and certainty in relation to management of the County team but this smacks of undue haste in terms of the appointment seeing as it's quite a while until the FBD league starts up.I wonder how important a role that players from the 2006 under 21 team opinion would have played in terms of selecting the 2006 joint managers?

realweirdo

The closing date for nominations was Thursday night and already on Saturday morning it looks as if the word coming out that the job is Connelly's. No serious or thorough interviewing process by the looks of it.

The whole thing was a farce. It was always Connelly's job the way the County Board went about it. They roped in McStay to lesson the perception of it being a charade but it hasn't worked.

Another embarrasing and shameful episode from the County Board.

If there was a thorough review and interviewing process and Connelly emerged from that, fair enough. But there wasn't.

Coillte_Bhoy

realweirdo wrote: »

The closing date for nominations was Thursday night and already on Saturday morning it looks as if the word coming out that the job is Connelly's. No serious or thorough interviewing process by the looks of it.

The whole thing was a farce. It was always Connelly's job the way the County Board went about it. They roped in McStay to lesson the perception of it being a charade but it hasn't worked.

Another embarrasing and shameful episode from the County Board.

If there was a thorough review and interviewing process and Connelly emerged from that, fair enough. But there wasn't.

With all due respects you dont know what went on behind the scenes and how the process was conducted. You just seem to enjoy having ill informed populist style swipes at the county board

realweirdo

Coillte_Bhoy wrote: »

With all due respects you dont know what went on behind the scenes and how the process was conducted. You just seem to enjoy having ill informed populist style swipes at the county board

We all know the facts.

As for knowing what went on behind the scenes, you are right. In no way was it open and transparant or even serious.

The nominations closed Thursday night. The new man seems to be already in place.

Why all the speed?

Did they meet McStay face to face? Did they even give him the benefit of that? If they didn't, they should all be forced to resign.

There's nothing populist about it. It's about having a serious credible selection process not a rubber stamping charade.

Like I said, if they didn't meet McStay face to face it confirms mine and a lot of other peoples suspicions.

Coillte_Bhoy

realweirdo wrote: »

We all know the facts.

As for knowing what went on behind the scenes, you are right. In no way was it open and transparant or even serious.

The nominations closed Thursday night. The new man seems to be already in place.

Why all the speed?

Well you dont seem to know any facts. Why not appoint now if there were only two nominations and there was one clear preference.

realweirdo wrote: »

Did they meet McStay face to face? Did they even give him the benefit of that? If they didn't, they should all be forced to resign.

afaik they did, i may be wrong and who is going to force who to resign exactly???

.

realweirdo wrote: »

Like I said, if they didn't meet McStay face to face it confirms mine and a lot of other peoples suspicions.

What suspicions would they be?

realweirdo

Coillte_Bhoy wrote: »

Well you dont seem to know any facts. Why not appoint now if there were only two nominations and there was one clear preference.


afaik they did, i may be wrong and who is going to force who to resign exactly???

.



What suspicions would they be?

They were still putting together the selection committee last night.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/strong-backing-for-mcstay-to-be-next-mayo-manager-287783.html

And now the manager seems to be agreed.

It's like a judge giving a decision in a court case without bothering to hold a trial.

Can you not see what a farce this is?

I'm going to assume that Connelly hasn't got the job and there is going to be a formal process where both candidates are interviewed face to face, and then a recommendation is brought to the county board for a vote. Because that's the way its normally done.

Peist2007

McStay and McHale were Under-21 manager and coach in 2001 when Mayo lost to Tyrone in Sligo, in the year of foot and mouth. That Tyrone team went on and won 3 all-ireland seniors. Mayo never looked like winning that Under-21 final.

McStay did well with Brigids but inter county is a completely different level, especially at the level this current Mayo team want to be operating at. Further, when looking at football today with Donegal's system and the Dubs' relentless way of playing, the days of McStay's traditional tactics are gone. McStay is a good man and a straight shooter but not what Mayo need.

Is Connelly any better? Who knows. Hollymount have been integrated with Carramore (if i am correct) in recent years which is probably a reason why Connelly seems to have turned them around. Truth is, Hollymount have gained the best of Carramore and the introduction of 4 decent players to any club team will make a difference, especially at Intermediate level.

What Connelly has going for him is that he is a young coach with fresh ideas and, if he has what it takes, will have been studying the way top teams operate tactically and in terms of preparation over the past 4 or 5 years. This and the introduction of a good backroom staff (please god) could make Connelly a good appointment. A lot of unknowns as yet

realweirdo

No problem with that Peist. If after the selection committee interview both candidates face to face for an equal amount of time, hear out there ideas and plans for the job, what they can bring to the table, consider the merits of both candidates and then make a recommendation, then that's fine.

But it sounds like elements within the county board are trying to fast-track Connellys appointment even before the Selection Committee has been put together and proceedures agreed.

Peist2007

realweirdo wrote: »

No problem with that Peist. If after the selection committee interview both candidates face to face for an equal amount of time, hear out there ideas and plans for the job, what they can bring to the table, consider the merits of both candidates and then make a recommendation, then that's fine.

But it sounds like elements within the county board are trying to fast-track Connellys appointment even before the Selection Committee has been put together and proceedures agreed.

I have only been following this from afar and not really paying attention. But i have no doubt what you are saying is right. County Board in Mayo has always been incestuous. Shows what they are about in putting any candidate through a sham process. But, no more than ourselves, they will have a fair idea of their own position on the issue before any interviews take place. I mean, what is McStay or Connelly likely to say in an interview that will make much difference? The proof in the pudding is what they have done so far and what their methods are. That will all be known before any interview.

Barlett

Lads that stuff you're reading in the Hogan Stand is absolute rubbish, its all rumour and speculation based on nothing. The selection process as the County Board already stated will be the same as previously in that they will put together a panel and meet both candidates face to face in a proper interview process.

I remember the exact same stories four years ago saying Tommy Lyons already had the job before interviews took place. So lets just all calm down and see who will be appointed, it's unlikely we'll hear anything this week anyway.

realweirdo

Again, has anyone from the Selection Committee sat down with McStay? The committee was still being put together last night. So did they all drive to his home this morning or did he drive down to meet them in Mayo?

Surely they at least listened to what he had to say.

He won an All-Ireland Club title FFS! At least one face to face would have been a good idea. Its hard to gauge someone's ideas on the game from listening to them talk for a few minutes on the Sunday Game. In any case he usually has very insightful analysis on the Sunday Game, so again an interview would have helped. This is beyond a joke.

Peist2007

Barlett wrote: »

Lads that stuff you're reading in the Hogan Stand is absolute rubbish, its all rumour and speculation based on nothing. The selection process as the County Board already stated will be the same as previously in that they will put together a panel and meet both candidates face to face in a proper interview process.

I remember the exact same stories four years ago saying Tommy Lyons already had the job before interviews took place. So lets just all calm down and see who will be appointed, it's unlikely we'll hear anything this week anyway.

Yeah, as i said, i'm only really following snippets. But always fear the worst with our County Board.