Mayo GAA Discussion

Based on all that having the game in the province of either team isn't a factor.

A big thing in Limericks favour is the train. I think a certain proportion of Dublin fans don't even own cars or drive and getting on the train will bring more of them than relying on buses.

"CCCC will decide" probably means 'let's try and get it in Croke park and if there's big resistance we will reluctantly look elsewhere'

Michael Gallagher is right in this week's Mayo News. The minute the Leinster final is over the County Board should be contacting Croke Park and insisting it shouldn't be in Dublin.

Lots of posters bang on the money here - Mayo v Dublin will attract a far bigger attendance in a venue outside Croke Park, especially seeing as the losers are potentially on the road again for the following two weeks and one of those is potentially another CP game (obviously, it would be Mayo would be the favourites of the two to end up with this schedule at the moment). Then again, since when did HQ ever give a f**k about logic, fairness, supporters etc…..

Lads what's the craic. Heading over on Saturday from Cavan any tips on parking aiming to be over early and grab a the dinner before the game.

Looking for a decent spot to park and more importantly a decent spot for a feed.

Youll be coming in the N5,I think best option is to get in as far as you can to the first roundabout (locally Mulroys roundabout or Dublin road roundabout) and turn the car back the way you came.

You're a short distance (10 mins walk to Bar1,Coxes and Barrel And Castle all on the same street) These are all good spots for food. Bridge Street Bar and the famous Mick Byrnes (if you want football talk) are all in the same area.

Its a bonus this game isnt on telly,there will be a big crowd.

I have a soft spot for Cavan and hope you enjoy your time and the craic in Cbar.

Yep that about covers it.

He's just the type of manager Mayo need but will probably never get based on past appointments.

Jimmy is from Donegal

The players he coaches are from Donegal.

There is no guarantee his success would translate to another county.

If what we heard is true a big part of the success of 2012 was the "all in" nature of it.

The absolute commitment to the task and the system above all else.

That's much easier to do when the person who is asking you to do it is from your own county.

I'm not for a minute downplaying what Jimmy did in 2012, personally I think Donegal's success that year was one of the greatest achievements in the history of the GAA, nor am I downplaying what he has done thus far this year.

I'm just not sure it would translate to Mayo.

What Mayo needs to do is find their own version of him.

For me it was Horan who is the closest in his first stent in particular. Horan changed so much over the period he was manager. He found the players and brought us to the top table. McGuiness did to Cassidy what Horan did to Mortimer. This set a standard and everyone knew the ask. Bold moves by both managers that drove a very different agenda to what went on before. The only difference is that MuGuiness got one and we let a few fall through our fingers.

Any of the folks nationally (especially up-and-comers) catching your eye so far this year?

Can't think of too many names that jump out with big experience or success behind them, so a fresher face might be a good direction at the moment for teams (ourselves or others) looking for a change.

- Ger Brennan will be an interesting one to watch with the rest of Louth's season, certainly has potential. Seems to be pencilled in already for the Dublin job in the future where a good showing in the Group Stages might advance that a few years.

- Andy Moran another having a good year so far, after the rocky one last year. You'd imagine would be high on lists for a lot of teams if/when they go looking. I'd be surprised if he isn't right in the middle of the battle whenever the next Mayo role does come up.

- Tony McEntee doing a smashing job with Sligo at the moment. The whole setup down there seems to be moving in a really positive direction, with McEntee seemingly providing a nice steadying hand at the front of the ship (his years around the Mayo setup all came with really positive words from the lads). You'd be surprised if he doesn't take a step-up the divisions in the near future.

Beyond that it starts getting challenging. You're probably looking at folks like Mark Fitzgerald moving up in level, older hands like Malachy O'Rourke or James Horan going back to the pump again, or someone like a Kieran Donaghy or Mark McHugh (both huge potential) making the switch over from coaching roles.

I have no evidence of this, but I think Tony McEntee was the one who made Stephen Rochfords Mayo team so good. SR was mediocre at best when involved with Donegal and while the season is not over, I see very little progression in this Mayo team over 2 seasons or even any clear template of what they are trying to do.

I dont think he'd get involved with us again

Anyway, unfortunately I think we are wasting away the last days of Cillian O'Connor, Aidan O'Shea maybe even Paddy D and Diarmuid O'Connor with the current management team. They are pretty much guaranteed to be around for year 3 unless there is some mad implosion over the 3 games in the group stage, and even then it would have to be something like 3 losses for the CB to get rid of them.

He wont be coming to Mayo.

Who would your first choice be?

Why would Oisín McConville be a runner?

I think we dont do enough to develop our coaches. Sean Deane should have been involved in U20s this year, not necessarily as head coach. Yes they lost the final that perhaps we should have won, but he developed players who played an excellent brand of football and should have had the opportunity to continue that development. It as instructive that after all appointments had been made for this year he stated he was stepping away this year due to "work commitments", which strikes me as a bit of him potentially not fitting in the inner circle so he stepped away to save face but not burn any bridges

The reason I asked is that you had Andy as a non-runner, but included McConville, so just wondered what the thought process was.

Personally I don't think Andy has shown enough yet, but I don't think McConville has either.

I think McEntee could be a very good appointment - the more I see of Rochford without McEntee, the more credit I'm inclined to give McEntee for our 2016/2017 setup!

A valid case to be made that he shouldn't yet be with the limited success at club or county… but he absolutely will be and is a runner when the role next comes up. We're all very familiar with the relationships & politics within the County Board decisions. It's far from a meritocracy (I'd much prefer someone with more success under their belt as a manager, but in the current drought of outstanding options I'd have Andy well above many that would be in with a fighting chance).

It'll be interesting to watch how Ray Dempsey's year goes as coach for Parke and if he'd throw his hat into the ring again in the future (and after the Limerick ordeal how it would be viewed). John Reilly (Kilmeena) who has been going great in recent years, Damien Mulligan coming out from the backbenches again, pulling Kevin Johnson (Corofin, former Tourlestrane and Ballintubber) back from Galway (you'd imagine he'll be towards the front of the line if/when PJ leaves) or maybe a return to county management for Peter Forde (going shockingly well with Ballinrobe in recent years) the only other names coming to mind.

A couple of those I'd never wish to see, but all I'd consider genuine options in the current environment. I'd even consider a surprise return for James a possibility…. all the while crossing my fingers Jim Gavin would like to put Jimmy in his place by showing what true managerial genius looks like by taking us to the AI win, cementing his place as the greatest ever.

The question isn't just limited to potential Mayo candidates, though. Westernview's post just got me thinking about managerial candidates around the country, given the local options don't jump out, and not too many names are jumping out there at the moment either.

McConville right up there with the top performers alright, relatively speaking. It'll be interesting to watch his next step(s). You'd expect a shoot-out between himself and McEntee if/when Geezer finally steps aside. I'd be picking Tony every time, but with the right ticket he'd make a real race of it.

Raymond Galligan with Cavan probably the other one that's punching above his expected weight and still looks to have room to grow. Super impressive year so far for his Cavan lads. If he can keep them competing without their talisman in the upcoming games (I'd expect they'll be a handful) he'll be building an impressive base to launch from next year.

Tony McEntee seems to be the pick of the bunch alright on the limited consensus here.

Very little apart from the list below. What has any manager done really apart from the very top level candidates, most of whom don't appear to be interested in taking on Mayo?. Don't think we are in position to be turning our noses up at anyone in terms of seeking out interest when the time comes.

Club

• 17 Armagh Senior Football Championship 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
• 10 Ulster Senior Club Football Championship 1996, 1998, 1999, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012
• 6 All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship 1997, 1999, 2000, 2007, 2011, 2012

As manager

• 2 Armagh Senior Football Championship 2014, 2015
• 1 Ulster Senior Club Football Championship 2015

Inter-county

• 1 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 2002
• 7 Ulster Senior Football Championship 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008
• 1 National Football League 2005

Individual

• 2 All Star 2000, 2002
• Amongst highest scoring players in All-Ireland Senior Football Championship history.