Mayo GAA Discussion

We don't deserve to win anything when we go at least 20 mins without scoring. We didn't score in the last 12mins of normal time and at 8 mins of extra time.

The first half of normal time and extra time done us in.

I think mcstay is done. The one blindingly obvious fault mayo had before he started was mayo being unable to score long range points when faced with a blanket defence. Here we are 2 years into his regin and he has done nothing to resolve it.

Mcstay has gone backwards in year 2. I don't think he deserves year 3.

yes they played Westmeath

We played Dublin

Huge progress made in that they no longer see Loftus as a CB.... but outside of that, not much. I'm sure McStay will be able to put some spin on it though.

What's worse is how entirely predictable it was. The longer they were left in it, the more likely it was that they'd find a way to win, and we made that a certainty. Every team knows they have a chance against us if they just keep it competitive for long enough.

Honestly I felt at the time of the draw that it was the worst draw for us and probably the best for Derry. If they'd had to face Dublin instead of us, I think they'd have been picked apart fairly easily, but with us, the opposition is never really out of it and they know this. Playing us is always a great opportunity for a team to get a big win because we never actually comprehensively put anyone away.

I would also love some insight into the influence of Stephen Rochford. Donegal were not in the place they are in now when he was with them and are now much improved since he and the rest of that management left. I can't help but feel as though the style of play, the overly cautious, ponderous build up etc with the Mayo squad now has him written all over it.

Yes we're not scoring but it's important to acknowledge that we aren't conceding. We don't have the same amount of athletic runners we had during the Horan era so a change in style was needed. Also as I mentioned last week the full tilt attacking meant we lost games in the last 10 to 15 mins with fatigue. The problem we seem to have now is not closing out games.

Declan Bonner was manager during Rochford`s time with Donegal and caution first and foremost would be very much Bonner`s style.

We had a couple of goal chances yesterday, just didn't take them

When the 5 lads lined up I thought to myself from a technical ability point of view is there anyone else in the squad apart from those 5 you'd want taking the penalties. Possibly James Carr. Thats about it.

It's impossible to tell from outside the camp how much he had left to give or how much he would have recovered by extra time. McStay said his race was run so if that was the case there was little point putting him back on sideline sprints or not.

I'd argue that fatigue played a big part when we lost most of the big games against Dublin over the last decade - especially on the home straight when Dublin had superior subs to bring on. Whereas we had to persist for longer with players that started the game. Last weeks game with Dublin was noticeable under the different playing style how we kept with Dublin until the end even though the Dubs brought on McCaffrey, Mannion and McCarthy. We couldn't match those changes but we had enough in the legs until the end.

I agree but we don't have the same quality of players now as well. I did think last eight would be a best case all year until a short lived Dublin performance which did offer some sign of improvement. However if you look back over the last few months, this is probably about right as any decent team was going to knock us out. Horan could play that full on football as he had some cracking footballers at the right age. We don't have the same quality now and the guys who could do it during the Horan era are too old with too much played.

It's hard to say without seeing them play a running game, and while they're younger and not as established to those we are comparing them against... I do think we've the backs that could have slotted in very well to Horan's style.

They'll never / won't have a chance to gain a reputation the others had when they're playing packed defence versus packed defence, but I think the likes of McBrien, Brickenden, Hession, Callinan etc would all suit a running game.

I'm in danger of sounding like I want a return to Horanball, I don't. We've been there and done that. I just think McStay has gone to the template and not delivered on it.

I expected him to bring a bit of brains / movement to our attacking play but there's no thought, plan or structure to it. Lateral ball across the defence followed by a handpass into the crowded middle… ironically enough, relying on strong runners to make something happen. Compare that to Derry that went over one side and worked us over there only to switch play quickly for a scoring chance. I think they scored 3 or 4 almost identical points late on doing this.

Looks like Roscommon will be the only Connacht team to make the semis. And if they were to draw Donegal/Louth they will probably make the final.

Ya this is my overall thinking too, but i think they'll give him another year.

There's no hiding place after a 3rd season & they will terminate his 4th if drastic improvement isn't seen next yr.

Why waste another year though? Does anyone actually see any change given the shambles this season has been with one bad move after another and not using the squad correctly? He'll get another year because there's zero scrutiny from his media mates and the County Board are too gutless to acknowledge that the appointment was farce from the off. It's so disillusioning to see players careers being wasted and the likes of Cillian and Aidan probably finishing up before there's a change.

Sounds like you're advocating for a third Horan term. That would be a retrograde step at this stage.

Instead of blaming current management questions need be asked of the players inability to run the clock down by holding pn to possession for an extra minute. Loftus gave the ball away very cheaply near the end of normal time, shortly before callinan fisted wide. Players should be capable of knowing how to do this regardless of tactics on the line.