Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Ma y o cannot afford to let Galwa y sta y on to p
CIRCLE May 13 on the calendar – it’s set to be a defining day for this Mayo team.
If they lose to Galway that day, it will be virtually impossible for Stephen Rochford’s men to go on and win the All-ireland
After last Sunday in Salthill, it’s clear that this rivalry has moved to a different level.
The Tribesmen are a different proposition these days and Paddy Tally’s fingerprints are all over their style of play. They are meaner and more cynical – traits they needed to develop.
Croke Park will have to appoint a strong referee for the Connacht Championship clash; it promises to be one of the games of the year. Galway are on a roll now against Mayo since Kevin Walsh took over.
Mayo were poor for long periods, particularly up front, but look at who they have to come back in – the likes of Brendan Harrison, Keith Higgins, Lee Keegan, Tom Parsons, Seamus O’shea and Andy Moran.
On the flip side, after three League games, it appears that their fringe players just aren’t up to it . That’s why they won’t win the All-ireland going the scenic route, with the ‘Super 8’ now thrown in. And that’s why they must beat Galway.
Cillian O’connor was reckless in getting sent off and why he gets involved in that sort of stuff is beyond me. It will affect his game until he snaps out of it.
He doesn’t have to prove anything physically, he just needs to improve as a forward and forget the silly stuff.
Elsewhere, Tyrone might have turned a corner with their win in Newbridge.
They were much maligned after their first two games but 1-16 against Kildare with nine different scorers is more like it.
There were some excellent scores. They tried to play a more expansive game and were rewarded.
When they have a go like that, it puts confidence back into their players and it looked like Stephen O’neill’s influence was being brought to bear. Mickey Harte couldn’t hide his joy at Mattie Donnelly’s winner. They aren’t the only Ulster team becoming easier on the eye. Donegal are a much better team to watch this year than in previous seasons, albeit that wouldn’t be saying much
either.
Their second half display against Dublin was excellent. They’re still missing a few stalwarts and some of the younger players seemed to suffer from stage fright in the first half and stood off Dublin.
Paddy Mcbrearty, with 0-27 in three games, is the best forward in the game right now.
Donegal may be pointless but they’re showing huge potential and if they get Michael Murphy back and find a more competitive midfield pairing they’ll be very hard to beat.
Meanwhile, in Division Two, Roscommon suffered a real setback when losing at home to Down, a game in which they could only muster 0-7.
That’s the sort of inconsistency that leaves them struggling to keep pace with Galway and Mayo.
Another defeat and they won’t be going back up.